Songs that sound better live than on the album?

[mrbrownstone]

So this thread is about somewhat of an anomaly in music industry. What I am talking about is a song that sounds better when performed live than it does on the album.

There are many reasons such a thing could happen, perhaps it is the sound of 50,000 other people singing along to the chorus of the song. Perhaps it is the lighting and stage show associated with the song. Perhaps the song is preformed in an intimate, small venue and the energy of the performance is off the charts. Whatever the reason, discuss it here.

For me that song would be Metallica's Enter Sandman. I was never a huge fan of that song, I didn't hate it but I certainly didn't like it either. I suppose it was because Metallica were straying away from their thrash routes and into more of a mainstream hard rock style.

Anyway that all changed for me about a three months ago when I saw Metallica live and they used this song as the closer to their regular set (not including encores). The eruption when the opening notes of the song hit was deafening. Then it finally hit me as to why I was indifferent to this song for such a long time, because it was designed to be played live. This song was designed to be played in huge arenas with thousands of people singing along to every word.

Thats enough of me, what song is it for you?

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I would have to say Fear Of The Dark by Iron Maiden. That song is incredible live. When Maiden play it at festivals, every single person is singing along, and even singing the tune before the lyrics even start!

Some songs are just special when played live, and something clicks making that piece of music even greater than it already was. Fear Of The Dark is an example of this. And when the riff kicks in, its even better.

[YOUTUBE]szt60RlgcL4[/YOUTUBE]

Oasis were a band with hardcore fans. Every Oasis gig was like a football riot, and beered-up lairy "lads" coming together as brothers to worship the Brothers Gallagher. "Don't Look Back In Anger" is one of the most famous Oasis tracks, with an iconic sing-along chorus. You instantly recognise it from the first piano notes, and there is no better feeling than being with your mates, arms round each other, roaring out the chorus to this classic from our Home Town Heroes
Mad fer it!

[YOUTUBE]iul4SBlHIf8[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Sparky]

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I actually don't like this song played any other way then live. I love the extra part to it. also the crowd singing along to the chorus makes it sound more powerful. I don't know what causes it but when eddie sings this song at a concert, he sounds like he is singing this song from memory actually adding emotion to it.

 

[Johnny Scumm]

Knights of Cydonia - Muse

Now, don't get me wrong. This song sounds AMAZING on the CD, it really does. But live? It's even better. Not only does Matt Bellamy add to the song both through his Guitar and Vocally, but those Guitar Riffs at the beginning, are so popular amongst crowds, that live, whether it be in a pub or at a festival, will always be sang back at you. Everytime I hear that song, I sing them, even if it's on a CD, they're that catchy.
When I saw Muse live, a couple of years back, this was definitely my highlight, and they played it 1st. It's even better now they've added this Harmonica part on the beginning whenever they play it.

 

[SorgFamily]

[youtube]Vgnl2WLF388&[/youtube]
I actually don't like this song played any other way then live. I love the extra part to it.

I love this song live. A lot of the times they go into other songs such as "Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd, "Rockin' in the Free World" by Neil Young and "Mother" by John Lennon among many many others.

As for my choice I pick just about any Raconteurs song. They are so much better live than they are in the studio especially with this song:
[YOUTUBE]3ATQFFwU0_k[/YOUTUBE]

The song on the album is a compact burst of music in about four minutes. This live version comes in at about eight minutes and it's so Zeppelin-y and bluesy (which are the same thing). Plus Jack white's soloing is amazing, even when he goes off onto tangents and half the crowd is probably like wtf? Btw, the guitar fill at 4:48 gives me chills every time.

 

[El Rev sXe]

So this thread is about somewhat of an anomaly in music industry. What I am talking about is a song that sounds better when performed live than it does on the album.

There are many reasons such a thing could happen, perhaps it is the sound of 50,000 other people singing along to the chorus of the song.

Brownstone, you got it right! At least for me, it's always moving to hear the audience sing along to a song. Being tha said here are my picks:

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I always put this song, but seriously this song, the studio one is a complete piece of shit. However this song is ONLY played in two countries: Argentina and Chile and that's because of the amazing chorus the audience provides.

[YOUTUBE]BBtLMLQfiRo[/YOUTUBE]

This is quiet possibly my favorite Maiden song, however the studio version is a lil' bit slower. Live on the other hand has the perfect tempo. Right before/after the solos the build up is amazing and since Dickinson is one of the best frontman ever, the crowd just goes nuts. My final reason is that at the very end of the song "yeeeah yeeah yeah, hallowed be thy name", Dickinson live pulls one final loooong note wich for me is fucking incredible.

I'm guy that prefers live versions since it's there you see how good a band can be. I'm sure I have many picks but these two are at the top of my head.

Brownstone, you did it again, another great music thread!

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

It is quite hard to pick songs for this thread due to the fact that a song being played live can be so different to hearing it on a CD. Firstly, all the extra effects and alterations that can be made to correct the imperfections in a singers voice will be gone and, while making the vocalists performance not as in-tune, can sometimes make the experience all the better as the emotion in his singing can shine through, rather than each and every chorus being identically sung as on the CD. It depends on what you are looking for- polished vocals or emotional live singing, both give a totally different experience.

Secondly, the feeling of singing along to a song along with 20,000 other fans can be a very special experience. I remember at my first Oasis gig, being lifted up into the air by total strangers as we all felt unified due to our love at the music. Slapping hands with, and having arms round the shoulders of random guys as we sung our hearts out to our favourite band was awesome. The moment where the vocalist stops singing and the crowd carries on the song for him is always a great moment, and shows the link between the band and the fans.

However, being in a large crowd can sometimes drown out the band slightly, due to everyone singing over the top of the band, but again it depends what you are looking for as to which is better. Sometimes just seeing one of your favourite songs played live can be a mesmerising few minutes, by far better than hearing it on a CD. Just personal preference and how emotionally attached you are to a band or a song

 

[ANT1GOTH]

Antichrist Superstar-Marilyn Manson.

Not only does the song sound better live but the theatrics is amazing for this song. Having Manson on a podium mocking facist dictators is just pure gold.

Heres the link for the best Antichrist Superstar performance IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDyN-hQZnJA

 

[Alex]

Guns N Roses- This I Love


Studio

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Live

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I wouldn't say its all around better (Axl's vocals are better on the studio version) but the music sounds better to me (especially the solo) and I just prefer listening to the live version.

 

[LitasRevenge79]

Rev Theory- Far From Over, Hell Yeah
These guys are amazing to watch live. If you live in the Kansas City area, they are frequent visitors for any reason. Mostly Rockfest every summer. However, they have a song on their debut cd, its called "Far From Over." Then they did their ass kicking song "Hell Yeah." They were on the Johnny Dare Morning Show and did an acoustic set for both, OMG...I was SOO digging it!!! I just love these guys. Not only are they a high energy band live, but they can certainly tone it down as well. I can only anticipate even greater things from them on their upcoming cd release soon.

Shinedown- Second Chance, and Sound of Madness, and Devour
These guys are truly a great band to see. Again, frequent visitors to Kansas City. They know how to put on a great show, and get the crowd involved with their shows. I even caught them on the VH1's show last weekend or so of a televised concert, and the same energy was being shown on that televised crowd. All of the songs just poured through the tv, and I was taken back to seeing them. I just loved it.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Shinedown- Second Chance, and Sound of Madness, and Devour
These guys are truly a great band to see. Again, frequent visitors to Kansas City. They know how to put on a great show, and get the crowd involved with their shows. I even caught them on the VH1's show last weekend or so of a televised concert, and the same energy was being shown on that televised crowd. All of the songs just poured through the tv, and I was taken back to seeing them. I just loved it.

Shinedown are brilliant live, I saw them last year. Brent Smith is an amazing frontman, he got the crowd so involved in the shoe by talking to us in between the songs, and really making the gig entertaining.

Devour and Sound of Madness were fantastically performed, the crowd was going mental.