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Thursday Coffee Break: Second At The Mic

Posted at 7:56 AM on November 19, 2009 by Steve Seel (37 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, here's an idea: songs sung by the person who served as the secondary lead singer in the band. Some props to the backup guy or gal who took the mic every now and then and fully held his or her own with the regular frontperson. Offer up your suggestions below, or here.

Comments (37)

Tommy Shaw from Styx

- Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
- Renegade
- Blue Collar Man

Roger Taylor from Queen

- I'm In Love With My Car
- Sheer Heart Attack
- Fight from the Inside

Do the Indigo Girls count?

- Blood and Fire

Uncle Tupelo's Jeff Tweedy?

- The Long Cut

Posted by Joe Duea | November 19, 2009 8:36 AM

Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo - "You Can Have it All"

This was a highlight of a show they played at First Ave a few years ago; Ira and James singing back up, complete with synchronized dance moves!

Posted by John | November 19, 2009 8:50 AM

Mote or Wish Fullfillment by Sonic Youth. Both sung by Lee Renaldo.

Marigold - Nirvana

Foxy Lady - The Cure (the only cure (albeit a Hendrix cover) song not sung by Robert Smith)

Posted by well st | November 19, 2009 8:56 AM

Pink Floyd is my favorite band. We all know Syd was the first and David Gilmour became the main lead but Roger Waters was just as good.
Suggestions:

- Have A Cigar
- Run Like Hell
- Fletcher Memorial Home

Posted by Bob | November 19, 2009 8:56 AM

Roger Waters from Pink Floyd (even though he began to take more control from David Gilmour anyway)

- Have A Cigar
- Run Like Hell
- Fletcher Memorial Home

Posted by Bob | November 19, 2009 8:59 AM

Keith Richards

Posted by Allyson | November 19, 2009 9:00 AM

"Modern Girl" by Sleater-Kinney. Carrie Brownstein replaces Corrin Tucker on lead vocals on this one.

Posted by Johanna | November 19, 2009 9:01 AM

Oops... little quick on the draw. Keith Richards - Happy

Posted by Allyson | November 19, 2009 9:02 AM

"Drive" -- the Cars

Not Rick Ocasek...what was the bassist's name?

Posted by Paddy Rose | November 19, 2009 9:04 AM

It's Just That Simple - Wilco

Posted by Jess | November 19, 2009 9:07 AM

Heartsprings - Heiruspecs

Yes please.

Posted by Keith | November 19, 2009 9:09 AM

I am tracking down the names now, but on the song "Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River there are two vocalists alternating stanzas. The first is the usual singer and the second and fourth stanzas are performed by some fellow with a beautifully rich, lounge style voice. Granted it's not the whole song for him but it's worth a listen to see the contrast!

Posted by Peter | November 19, 2009 9:10 AM

Depeche Mode second in command is maybe slightly better than the first. Martin Gore. Please play "Somebody" or "Home"

Posted by Betsy Gilmore | November 19, 2009 9:10 AM

How about the Monkees? Davy Jones was considered the "lead singer" but my favorite songs are the Mickey Dolenz ones-- like "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (written by Carole King?), etc. Or, Mike Nesmith did one song, "Listen to the Band", and he went on to have a good solo career!

Posted by gena | November 19, 2009 9:10 AM

R.E.M. - Mike Mills on Near Wild Heaven
He's no Michael Stipe, but fits well with this sweet pop-song.

Posted by Ben | November 19, 2009 9:11 AM

I agree with the Keith Richards --- "Little T&A" or "Before They Make Me Run" would be my choice. Also, good call on The Cars! Benjamin Orr is the bassist.

Posted by Bob | November 19, 2009 9:11 AM

OK - the frontman who steals the limelight ALWAYS (Bono) gave some time to The Edge to sing "Numb", third track off Zooropa. Cool song with cool sounds. Bono does end up singing background in his Alter Ego (when he wears the horns and make-up....weird...)

Posted by Jen Clark | November 19, 2009 9:12 AM

R.E.M. Mike Mills on 'Superman'

Posted by Roger Benson | November 19, 2009 9:13 AM

Husker Du - although Grant Hart and Bob Mould both handled vocals, Bob was up front in center on guitar. Besides, I always loved Grant's songs more:

Keep Hanging On
The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill

Posted by Allyson | November 19, 2009 9:14 AM

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles a great George Harrison song

Posted by JOY Z | November 19, 2009 9:17 AM

Can I throw in John Entwhistle? (The Quiet One, Boris the Spider?)

Posted by Jooj | November 19, 2009 9:19 AM

"You Got the Silver"- best Keith song.

Of course Benjamin Orr too. My vote is for "Let's Go" even if "Drive" was a bigger hit.

Posted by monte ray | November 19, 2009 9:19 AM

Tempted, by Squeeze. Paul Carrack took over lead vocals from Glen Tilbrook and recorded one of their very best songs.

Posted by Steve Cassellius | November 19, 2009 9:23 AM

One more - UB40's "Johnny Too Bad" - another front man who steals it often (Ali) let Norman sing this great song. I saw them so many times in the '80's and early '90's - Norman always does the same dance!

Posted by Jen Clark | November 19, 2009 9:25 AM

Gene Simmons! Kiss.

Posted by Bill Mann | November 19, 2009 9:28 AM

"I'll Be There"- J5. Jermain, IMO, is the co=Lead on this one. So awesome.

"911 is a Joke"- Public Enemy

"Beth"- Kiss. Although since Paul and Gene were both considered leads, Peter would be number three.

Posted by Justin | November 19, 2009 9:29 AM

How about one of the three Shonna Tucker songs off of the most recent Drive By Truckers albums?

Posted by Cynthia | November 19, 2009 9:29 AM

How about Eddie Vedor in Temple of the Dog doing Hunger Strike

Posted by David Leanger | November 19, 2009 9:30 AM

Oops, one more.. Pete Townshend - the Who

Posted by Bill Mann | November 19, 2009 9:30 AM

Kim Deal from the Pixies
Gigantic

Posted by Kevin | November 19, 2009 9:31 AM

Grizzly Bear-"While You Wait For The Others"

Lead singer, Ed Droste, let's the other members take center stage in this song, and Victoria LeGrand (lead singer of Beach House) adds her vocals too.

Posted by KET | November 19, 2009 9:31 AM

Super late but Colin Moulding singing
Making plans for Nigel - XTC

Posted by mike | November 19, 2009 9:37 AM

Two Doves-- Dirty Projectors

Posted by Anne | November 19, 2009 9:39 AM

"Hot Pants" cover by Soul Asylum sung by late, great Karl Mueller.

Posted by blake | November 19, 2009 9:56 AM

Hahahaha, the "lounge" style voice is none other than Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater...check them out, they are awesome...it began as a side project of Okkervil River for their "quieter" stuff. Will Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg were in both bands but now Will concentrates on Okkervil and Meiburg concentrates on Shearwater...

Posted by suzy lee white | November 19, 2009 2:34 PM

Gerald Casale of DEVO - Beautiful World.

Posted by Joe J | November 19, 2009 5:57 PM

"Lost Coastlines" is sung by Jonathan Meiburg with Will Sheff, the lead singer and composer. Jonathan was formerly in the band, but left to form his own group Shearwater. On tour, the bass player Patrick Pestorius sings the part. For the "Austin City Limits" show on PBS, Patrick invited Jonathan back to sing the part as a guest on the show. It's the 35th anniversary year for this long running show of great American music.

Posted by eileen | November 20, 2009 8:33 AM

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