Struggling With Whether I Should Perform These Songs. Opinions?

[GreenBurst]

I am currently dealing with a similar situation. I'll spare you the details, but this is what I told myself:

1. All that I truly have is my soul. It's not for sale.

2. Truly successful people know when NOT to be a team player... occasionally it's ok.

Everyone must do what they have to do, I'm not judging anyone. Refusing the gig I was offered was the right decision for me. Will I be passed over next time? Perhaps, but I'm ok with that possibility.

Ultimately, you're the only one that has to look at yourself in the mirror every morning. Make your decision, right or wrong, and live with it... don't look back.

This is cool and all but it needs context.

If its playing Boom Boom that's one thing, but if it's playing After Forever by Black Sabbath, well...

 

[LeonC]

I hear you. There is stuff I simply refuse to play anymore. Time change and some of us change with the times. I'm too old to play stuff that I find detestable. I don't care about any gig that much.

 

[Doc Sausage]

Jesus, man. I pray some of you are never in the same room with me while I'm watching, Looney Tunes. Or The Three Stooges. Trust me, singing Elvin Bishop's version of Travelin' Shoes is not going inspire ANYONE toward domestic violence.

 

[GreenBurst]

Here's an idea...

We're on a guitar forum and are all some form of varying / aspiring musicians. Why not take the creative opportunity and change the lyrics?

EX: Travelin' Shoes could be fixed like this...

I talk and talk and talk, she didn't hear a word I said
I'll grab my 'ol baseball hat and go outside instead

Problem solved. Many will probably not even know and those that do should appreciate it.

 

[garywright]

Clap On, Clap Off..out goes the ( bedroom ) light

 

[Offshore Angler]

Here's an idea...

We're on a guitar forum and are all some form of varying / aspiring musicians. Why not take the creative opportunity and change the lyrics?

EX: Travelin' Shoes could be fixed like this...

I talk and talk and talk, she didn't hear a word I said
I'll grab my 'ol baseball hat and go outside instead

Problem solved. Many will probably not even know and those that do should appreciate it.

Because I ain't getting paid to sing, I get paid to play the guitar. Not my call.

To end this, I actually got a better offer while this was being worked out so guess what? By sticking to my guns I made more money. Win- win.

Chuck

 

[GreenBurst]

Because I ain't getting paid to sing, I get paid to play the guitar. Not my call.

To end this, I actually got a better offer while this was being worked out so guess what? By sticking to my guns I made more money. Win- win.

Chuck

Yeah, that makes sense. My suggestion can be for all the others that made similar complaints about song content.

 

[Doc Sausage]

Dude, if you can play the extended solo just like our hero, Elvin, NO ONE is going to remember head tenderizer part of the lyrics. They're going to remember the guitar part. Trust me on this one too!

 

[Doc Sausage]

I think I've discovered way to make this song safe for the nation, if not the entire world. You'll note that, Elvin Bishop, substituted, Hank Aaron's name for, "somebody's baseball bat."

During the time the song was written, Hank Aaron received death threats for having the unmitigated gall to break a white man's home run record. By invoking Hank's name, Elvin Bishop has directed us to observe that, Black Lives Matter. Thereby, creating a path to righteousness and modern day resolution.

You too can be proud to sing this song to the very Heavens!

 

[GreenBurst]

What would you do?

Chuck

I'd be more concerned with all of the chaos going on around us than subtle song references and whether or not to participate. No offense.