General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music NFL Playoffs/NHL Lockout Is Over Edition Part 155......"Acoustically Speaking Part 2"

It has surprisingly been over 130 entries since I first did "acoustically speaking". Needless to say, my library has grown extensively since then. It's always so fascinating to see how artists can strip down a song to just a few instruments, fewer vocals, no electric guitars, or no percussion at all and stilll make a song keep the same feeling as the original. Even more impressive is when these same songs take on a whole new personality with just the re arrangement of the musical setup of the same song.

In order to be included in this category, the song had to be stripped down (to any extent- some obviously more than others) and had to be by the original artists- we already did "acoustic covers"- remember? In a rare "Late Night Music" feat, all songs receiving votes were included in this category.

"All Around Me"- Flyleaf. We'll start this list with an odd but mesmerizing cover by one of the best bands flying under the radar (seriously, no pun intended). I've always been enthralled with Lacey Sturm, as she shows true emotion in this amazing performance of Flyleaf's biggest hit from their 2005 debut album. This single hit #1 on the Billboard Christian Chart and crossed over to hit #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007. Flyleaf has always been a band with a huge cult following, but with the recent pregnancy of Sturm causing her to leave the band, I'm afraid Flyleaf is done for. Thank God we have great videos like this to remember what an exceptional band Flyleaf really was. My only question is how small Lacey Sturm actually is because that chair she's sitting in looks like it's absolutely swallowing her. Almost like she's a midget! Lacey Sturm is also one of the few women I know of that could look that rough but still be so attractive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M2kDanRWCg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN0FFK8JSYE

"Your Winter"- Sister Hazel. I always take crap for loving Sister Hazel so much, but I'm telling you these guys from Gainesville, Florida are super awesome. I've always thought of Sister Hazel as the Southern Rock band that almost everyone knows about, but their music is surprisingly very difficult to find. I'm not sure if they weren't marketed right or what, but they always seemed like they were a lot more popular than they were I guess. Anyway, this great effort by lead singer Ken Block is included on their 2000 album Fortress and has always been a favorite of mine. This is a pretty impressive performance from "Daily Buzz", and I guess I decided that Ken Block just doesn't look like a lead singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bIOVMEA_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhEUJ0CiOY8

"One More Try"- Wavorly. I hate that this Tupelo, Mississippi band recently broke up just as I was getting into them. I saw them in a pregame concert before the Hawks/Hornets game last year and actually saw them do this song. This song was included on their last album The EP and almost seems like it was meant to be played in this format when Dave Stovall sets it on fire in this track right here. I think it's so cool that the way I saw Wavorly for the first time was because I was tired from walking in New Orleans and saw them play with Rapture Ruckus and Fireflight before the game. Sometimes the music finds you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2NnHuyMBwQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jaLMqclXO8

"Looking Up"- Paramore. This great track from Paramore's 2009 album Brand New Eyes has always been one of my favorite Paramore songs despite never being released as a single. It's also a crowd favorite at most live shows. This is a great stripped down version of a pretty heavy song that takes on a whole new identity. Hayley Williams and Paramore have always seemed like they'd be so fun to hang out with. They just seem like they're always having fun no matter what they're doing. That's so hard to do in the music industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knwKb38b-YQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2FYCGMahy4

"Candles"- Hey Monday. This clip from Pure Volume Sessions featuring recent "The Voice" champion Cassadee Pope as the lead singer of Hey Monday is phenomenal. Bonus points for the Cub Scout shirt! The original version of this song was included on Hey Monday's 2008 debut album Hold On Tight, but this version was released as a single on the EP of the same name in 2011 (the version was the same- this version was not the single). That version was the same version that was famously covered by Darren Criss and Chris Cofer on "Glee" as well. I'm really glad that Cassadee won "The Voice" because I'm usually a skeptic of those stupid shows, but its really good that someone with some real talent actually won.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnvxqiMiIcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4RSkm2vj0

"Knock You Down"- Keri Hilson. This is one song that I think is better in the acoustic version. This version Billboard.com's acoustic sessions shows the way this song should have been performed all along. This single from Hilson's 2009 debut album In A Perfect World... peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West. Keri Hilson has a phenomenal voice and I'd really like to see her go more neo soul, but I know she likes the whole hip hop scene a little bit more, but I think she'd be even better than she already as a Melanie Fiona/Jill Scott/India Arie conglomerate. Anyhow, she has an angel's voice and shows it here minus those other two clowns in this stripped down version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDeMgEFeVkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_RqWocthcc

"Hey, Soul Sister"- Train. Another great track from Billboard.com. This great song from Train's 2009 album Save Me, San Francisco peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming their highest charting single ever and also included Jimmy Stafford learning to play the ukelele just for this song because Pat Monahan liked the way it sounded. I absolutely love this song and everything about it especially the surprisingly deep lyrics, but why do all of Train's songs have to be so freaking high? I can't even dream of doing these karaoke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-7XPCNrD5Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVpv8-5XWOI

"Say You Love Me"- Fleetwood Mac. This super awesome stripped down version was unveiled here at the reunion/live album recording of Fleetwood Mac's 1997 comeback album The Dance. This Christine McVie pinned song was featured on the classic duo's first album together, the eponymous self-titled album in 1975. The single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and despite McVie departing from the group, this song and this version still remains a fan favorite and a mainstay of Fleetwood Mac shows. Also, on the album, the band claims that Jon McVie is singing, and is mouth is definitely moving in front of a microphone, but can you guys hear ANYTHING he's singing? Yeah I thought so too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnfGqYOdrw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uN9bTRDOtk

"Like We Used To"- A Rocket To The Moon. Talk about a group really flying under the radar! (No pun intended, but that was a really good one!) This is a pretty impressive stripped down performance of A Rocket To The Moon's debut single from their 2009 album On Your Side. Nick Santino really feels it when he sings and is one of my favorite lead singers out there right now just because he's just seems to be so freaking natural. I also have to add that it's pretty cool that he's able to play the guitar with that many rings on his fingers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F2yTYMhoJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US46cHVj0-M

"We Are Young"- Fun featuring Janelle Monae. These guys are just incredible. This song is so hard to sing, and both the band and Janelle Monae put on a fantastic acoustic rendition here. This single from their 2012 album Some Nights took the world by storm and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and shot Fun into a household name almost over night. Nate Ruess just sings this deceptively intense so non chanlantly and Janelle Monae just adds a calming presence to an emotional song. Very very very well done in all aspects. I look for this song to rake in at this year's Grammy Awards in 2 weeks and give me hope that artists with real talent still win Grammys in the United States and not crap like Nicki Minaj.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQLGhPHzxjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

"Pumped Up Kicks"- Foster The People. This song from Foster The People's debut album Torches in 2011 made them an overnight success when this song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The super catchy tune makes this song cool I guess, but I had no idea what the words were until I looked it up. But at the end of the way, this song is fun to sing, even if the words are wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maZuT3uR-gM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ

"Heaven"- DJ Sammy featuring Do. This dance hit with DJ Sammy and Dutch singer Do peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 when DJ Sammy included as the title track to his 2001 album which was a surprising dance cover of a Bryan Adams song. This stripped down version featuring just Do was recorded due to the popularity worldwide of the dance version and actually received mild radio airplay as the "candlelight mix".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCD7bSgR2Xc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkrfGsBJsME

"I Try"- Macy Gray. For some reason, I've always been fascinated with Macy Gray. Also, I've heard this song covered by so many cover bands it's unreal. Maybe Time to Move Band should do this one (I'm talking to YOU Ben Bradley!). Macy Gray just always seems to me as a genre-less singer and she even talks about her music backgrounds coming from going to a boarding school growing up. I also would like to see Macy Gray in more movie roles, even if they are small parts. I really liked her cameo in "Training Day". This single from Macy Gray's 1999 album On How Life Is peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This piano and drum only version is super different even for Macy Gray, but makes me wish she'd release an unplugged album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSknGGwTHYo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoNOYthycb8

"We Are"- Kari Jobe. This single from Kari Jobe's 2012 Grammy Nominated album Where I Find You peaked at #8 on the Hot Christian Singles Chart and helped this album peak at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and make Kari Jobe an even bigger name in the Christian music industry. This acoustic version was recorded for iTunes release, but really captures the power of her voice even more than the original version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B07iK9uh9qY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoWmih6CcKc

"My Immortal"- Evanescence. Amy Lee is freaking amazing! I'll say it again. Amy Lee is freaking amazing! This unreal track from their 2003 debut album Fallen shows pure raw and unbelievable emotion from every bone in Amy Lee's body. Few other female singers put this much into every single track and leave you mesmerized to this extent. This single went on to peak at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and proved to be one of the band's biggest hits. I thought it would be hard to strip down a pretty light song, but Evanescence does a great job of it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Y9ccRg7gw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anLPw0Efmo

"California King Bed"- Priscilla Renea.- Ok, I kinda cheated on this one, but this song is too awesome to not include. Plus, I love Priscilla Renea!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZi_oZkMCs8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhBorPm6JjQ

"Round Here"- Counting Crows. Here is a band I'd really love to see make a huge comeback! How did this version ever slide by me without being noticed? This super deep song was included on the band's 1993 debut album August And Everything After and despite a wildly popular video, the song only peaked #7 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Chart. I have to agree with Jay Money though- Counting Crows is a super cool band name. I still can't believe how old it makes me feel knowing that these guys came out when I was in FIFTH GRADE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bwnfYFVBeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAe3sCIakXo

"Halo"- Beyonce. I swear there is nothing that Beyonce sucks at. This is absolutely ridiculous awesome. This single from I Am...Sasha Fierce peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has one of the coolest videos ever made. Remember, I've discussed that one. I honestly feel that the only reason this song didn't go to #1 is because they had to make it look like the system wasn't rigged for Beyonce, but I seriously wouldn't care if it was. This woman is absolutely spellbinding. Interesting fact though is that this song was written by Beyonce partially due to inspiration from the Ray Lamontagne song "Shelter". That's pretty awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWgWZFxCkdk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnVUHWCynig

"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of"- U2. I was freaking obsessed with this song in college! (Thanks Matt Kilgore!). This awesome song from U2's 2001 album All That You Can't Leave Behind peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song's background is quite puzzling. According to Bono, it was about a fictional conversation with the late INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence. Yeah, I'm still trying to figure that one out. That being said, this song is awesome and so is this acoustic version from "Late Night With Conan O'Brien".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANk_Fn0mEyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emFUtuotHL4

"Spinning Wheels"- Angel Taylor. I still don't know how Angel Taylor didn't win "The Voice" in its inaugural season. She is so freaking awesome and I freaking love this song which can be interpreted as the "title track" to her debut album Love Travels. I love how she rocks this song to death while holding a coffee mug in her lap and with her hair in her face- that's pretty dope. I absolutely love hearing this song at work (at the last two jobs I've had no less!) and tell everyone I can about her every chance I get! I really look forward to her new album!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ5uoccvWpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=790DIbDaYqY

"It Ends Tonight"- The All American Rejects. Here's one I never thought I'd see acoustic, but these guys actually pulled it off. This very different from the norm AAR song was included at the last single from their 2006 album Move Along where it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was, according to Tyson Ritter, written about a guy rather than a female as you would think. I absolutely love this song, it just kinda reminds of Train- too freaking high to sing and thus eliminating itself from karaoke contention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9dstnPlET8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfdAGkjHGac

"Who I Am Hates Who I've Been"- Relient K. This catchy yet remorseful song was included on Relient K's 2005 album Mmhmm and peaked at #82 on the Billboard Hot 100. I think Matt Thiessen is one of most underrated song writers and lead singers in any genre. He is just so freaking genius and I really think he adjusts this song's mood to fit the acoustic set up. Relient K is always full of surprises, and I look forward to another clever album name as well, as their last album was simply called Is For Karaoke. See if you catch that one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWpY6Vr4Si0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jd9dfn0Fgc

"Everything We Had"- The Academy Is.... I can't believe I haven't had more of these guys on these lists, and now that they are no more, I'll have to find a way to get them on here again. I do think it's super funny that they added "is" on their name just due to legal complications from so many band names having the name "The Academy", I also think it's hilarious how big William Beckett always wanted to keep his hair. That can't be on purpose. This song was included on their 2007 album Santi and on the soundtrack for the movie "P.S. I Love You". I'm gonna go ahead and also say that this is the closest of any of these versions to a lead singer sounding just like they did in the studio version. I almost want to accuse of him lip synching because that is pretty impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McOgGwXdkOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YqYA_rbh1Q

"Under Control"- Parachute. There was a few month period where I was calling this song my favorite song. Talk about super catchy! I just hate that the single version was so much different than the original version. This single from their 2009 album Losing Sleep peaked at #27 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart and is a constant in retail stores across America. This seemingly impromptu version from Houston isn't top quality, but still features the talent of the band and the super cool voice of Will Anderson. He also looks a little bit like a dark hair Dave Barnes- anyone else agree?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8b0FB3k8xg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HiRnS4k2Vw

"No One's Gonna Love You"- Band of Horses. This song right here has got to be Band of Horses best, and is put on full display here. This also seems like a pretty difficult song to arrange acoustically, so either they are just freaking awesome or really rehearsed it before doing it live on the radio. This fan favorite was included on their 2007 album Cease To Begin. Band of Horses is one of those bands that I would absolutely love to see live, as their talent is really overshadowed by not seeing them in person. Ben Bridwell has a super distinctive voice, but he controls it amazingly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxyCnY-onhU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuZo7pLnL7c

"Poker Face"- Lady Gaga. I'll just let you watch this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laIr_d0hFB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo

BONUS VIDEO- "Perfect Two"- Auburn. No reason, just liked this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKM516jRXvQ

"City Love"- Priscilla Renea. How can you not love her?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MNqd4ehtY

"Like You Do"- Angel Taylor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKN-2YEYb-4

"Detlef Schrempf"- Band of Horses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za71GzDQJ2c

"If Only They Knew"- A Rocket To The Moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynS7rgygk_o

"Cold War"- Janelle Monae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqmORiHNtN4