Late Night Music Part 35..................."Acoustically Speaking"
Acoustic versions can be really good or really scary. When you strip a song down to take away the electronic power chords, and big beat sometimes you're left with just a singer and a few chords, and if you're lucky some congas. Acoustic versions over the years have given us a chance to see a different side of some of our favorite acts and given us a chance to learn more about their true musical talents, and still in some cases a chance to finally learn the words!
In order to qualify for this list, the artist that made the song famous had to be the one re-recording/performing the song differently from it's original form. Also, the song couldn't be an acoustic song already. Already receiving votes in this category was "Yellow" by Coldplay, "Cold" by Crossfade, and "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. I've thrown in both versions of each song just for good measure if you don't know the original.
Yellowcard- "Only One". Ok I started out this list with my favorite one. Yellowcard has always been a band I liked, but always flown under the radar despite their huge "Madden" hit "Way Away" - also used in probably one of the most famous scenes of the "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" in which they performed live. These guys out of Jacksonville score an acoustic gem with this performance from AOL sessions. Ryan Key is a better singer than people give him credit for. One of the few rock bands with a violin in the lineup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch8Ect0KHzg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJLkcPhVi9w
Dashboard Confessional- "Stolen". Another up and coming band that has quickly become one of my favorites. I love this version as well, and honestly, I never noticed until just now that Chris Carraba was so tatted up. Good Lord! Let me add, that that makes 2 straight rock bands with a violin in the lineup. Won't find that every day. Both groups from Florida as well (DC is from Boca Raton). I love how Dashboard completely ditches their drummer for their session (as did Yellowcard). And people thought the bass player always had it worst.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68dLRzG3Sh4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82FBbgpUy4
Eric Clapton- "Layla". Probably the most famous acoustic version ever off of Eric Clapton's 1993 live album from MTV's "Unplugged". This song also wins the award for the most different from the original. This proves that 1- Eric Clapton is amazing (and has a true blues music roots), 2- just about any song no matter how rocking it is can be transformed into an acoustic gem. Just for clarification, even though "Layla" was originally recorded by Derek and the Dominoes in 1971, Eric Clapton still gets a pass because he was the lead singer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj8xjLQ9ofI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th3ycKQV_4k
30 Seconds to Mars- "The Kill". I have to admit that this one surprised me. I mean for starters, Jared Leto looks like he could kick my a--. The guy just exudes badassness- seriously just look at him. I have long been skeptical, but this song is a perfect example of how underrated some hard rock front men are as singers. They are written off as "yellers" instead of singers, and alot of times we just picture them as clowns. Great use of string section here and a perfect example of how a stripped down acoustic version can help you learn the words. Bonus points for strings and for being on "Guitar Hero".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHfOi_RUqCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPIKNbvMuFg
Nirvana- "Come As You Are". Another very famous recording from 1993's "Nirvana Unplugged Live in New York". Everyone forgets that Dave Grohl was originally the drummer for Nirvana. While this is a great performance (and very different from most "Unplugged" performances if you followed the series), Pat Smear looks really confused in my opinion. Why was he even on stage. Very ironic that the Foo Fighters, which would form a little over a year later after Cobain's death, have half of their original members on stage for this performance in Grohl and Smear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T0ySNQNE58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vabnZ9-ex7o
Avril Lavigne- "Complicated". I have to admit that I was surprised this one wound up here. Avril shows that she can take time from being a complete crazy b---- and can actually sing pretty good. Yes, I said it, an Avril Lavigne video is really good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjOD4pJ7TJQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGXYAJoDWCk
Third Eye Blind- "Blinded". One of my favorite bands ever, and in my opinion, one of the better rock bands that can go acoustic. Their songs are just that versatile. One of the last appearances of Arian Salazar before leaving the band is in this video. While I love him, Stephan Jenkins looks gayer and gayer every time I see him. Also, how can someone so awesome have so much trouble singing sometimes? Bonus points for being Third Eye Blind AND "blinded".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO8Q3ts5a9g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ4b1gLcCfY
Creed- "Overcome". Scott Stapp............amazing. I am so glad Creed is back together. I LOVE how they can change gears so well. However, I really wish Scott Phillips would cut his hair. Another Florida band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4T6Y0HFU3A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ocxkmdadPE
Breaking Benjamin- "So Cold". Another case of a hard rock group with a good singer flying under the radar. Best job of the entire list of stripping down their song enough to understand the lyrics yet still have an instrumental feel with a solid emphasis on the band. Lead singer Benjamin Burnley wins the award for the "Guy who least looks like a guy who would front a hard rock band". Sorry, no vote, I'm giving it to him. After seeing his Transformers shirt, it's a slam dunk. Love the single conga drum part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJb_p7Gib0Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTiGlNDnOtE
Puddle of Mudd- "Blurry". I always liked this song but never really high on the band. Oh well, I'll throw it in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIHSUJr5jeM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJsoquu70o 
In order to qualify for this list, the artist that made the song famous had to be the one re-recording/performing the song differently from it's original form. Also, the song couldn't be an acoustic song already. Already receiving votes in this category was "Yellow" by Coldplay, "Cold" by Crossfade, and "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. I've thrown in both versions of each song just for good measure if you don't know the original.
Yellowcard- "Only One". Ok I started out this list with my favorite one. Yellowcard has always been a band I liked, but always flown under the radar despite their huge "Madden" hit "Way Away" - also used in probably one of the most famous scenes of the "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" in which they performed live. These guys out of Jacksonville score an acoustic gem with this performance from AOL sessions. Ryan Key is a better singer than people give him credit for. One of the few rock bands with a violin in the lineup.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Dashboard Confessional- "Stolen". Another up and coming band that has quickly become one of my favorites. I love this version as well, and honestly, I never noticed until just now that Chris Carraba was so tatted up. Good Lord! Let me add, that that makes 2 straight rock bands with a violin in the lineup. Won't find that every day. Both groups from Florida as well (DC is from Boca Raton). I love how Dashboard completely ditches their drummer for their session (as did Yellowcard). And people thought the bass player always had it worst.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Eric Clapton- "Layla". Probably the most famous acoustic version ever off of Eric Clapton's 1993 live album from MTV's "Unplugged". This song also wins the award for the most different from the original. This proves that 1- Eric Clapton is amazing (and has a true blues music roots), 2- just about any song no matter how rocking it is can be transformed into an acoustic gem. Just for clarification, even though "Layla" was originally recorded by Derek and the Dominoes in 1971, Eric Clapton still gets a pass because he was the lead singer.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
30 Seconds to Mars- "The Kill". I have to admit that this one surprised me. I mean for starters, Jared Leto looks like he could kick my a--. The guy just exudes badassness- seriously just look at him. I have long been skeptical, but this song is a perfect example of how underrated some hard rock front men are as singers. They are written off as "yellers" instead of singers, and alot of times we just picture them as clowns. Great use of string section here and a perfect example of how a stripped down acoustic version can help you learn the words. Bonus points for strings and for being on "Guitar Hero".
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Nirvana- "Come As You Are". Another very famous recording from 1993's "Nirvana Unplugged Live in New York". Everyone forgets that Dave Grohl was originally the drummer for Nirvana. While this is a great performance (and very different from most "Unplugged" performances if you followed the series), Pat Smear looks really confused in my opinion. Why was he even on stage. Very ironic that the Foo Fighters, which would form a little over a year later after Cobain's death, have half of their original members on stage for this performance in Grohl and Smear.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Avril Lavigne- "Complicated". I have to admit that I was surprised this one wound up here. Avril shows that she can take time from being a complete crazy b---- and can actually sing pretty good. Yes, I said it, an Avril Lavigne video is really good.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Third Eye Blind- "Blinded". One of my favorite bands ever, and in my opinion, one of the better rock bands that can go acoustic. Their songs are just that versatile. One of the last appearances of Arian Salazar before leaving the band is in this video. While I love him, Stephan Jenkins looks gayer and gayer every time I see him. Also, how can someone so awesome have so much trouble singing sometimes? Bonus points for being Third Eye Blind AND "blinded".
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Creed- "Overcome". Scott Stapp............amazing. I am so glad Creed is back together. I LOVE how they can change gears so well. However, I really wish Scott Phillips would cut his hair. Another Florida band.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Breaking Benjamin- "So Cold". Another case of a hard rock group with a good singer flying under the radar. Best job of the entire list of stripping down their song enough to understand the lyrics yet still have an instrumental feel with a solid emphasis on the band. Lead singer Benjamin Burnley wins the award for the "Guy who least looks like a guy who would front a hard rock band". Sorry, no vote, I'm giving it to him. After seeing his Transformers shirt, it's a slam dunk. Love the single conga drum part.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Puddle of Mudd- "Blurry". I always liked this song but never really high on the band. Oh well, I'll throw it in.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Ladies and Gentlemen, your winner
Jared Leto makes these guys look even goofier
Pat Smear is the man!
posted by General 5A Pigott at 10:56 PM
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