I wanted people to make a short list of songs that they thought were very intense. Not intense, like it was death metal and extremely loud. I mean intense, like the singer really meant what he was singing. Basically, you could tell the lyrics were important to the singer. Here's a few that I thought of to start this off:

1. 2 headed boy- Neutral Milk Hotel (Jeff Magnum's intensity is hard to match).

2. Black-Okkervil River (Could have just as easily included For Real).

Short List, but hopefully this will start some debate.

"Unchained Medlody" Bobby Hatfield (Righteous Brothers)
I don't think he knew where he was by the end of the song . He wrapped around it and it wrapped around him. All these years later it still gives me goosebumps to hear him sing.

Good choice with Two-headed Boy...
1. Primal Scream- Swastika Eyes (Chemical Brothers Remix): Better than the original, both are on XTRMNTR
2. GYBE!- Storm: Pretty balls to the wall, the first time I heard it my stomach was vibrating
3. The Beatles- A Day in the Life: The part of the song where all chaos breaks loose gives off a lot of tension.
4. MMJ- One Big Holiday: I wouldn't say that the song is intense but the band playing it up on stage is!

Off the top of my head, I think that My Morning Jacket's "Dondante" fits this bill.

quote:

Posted 21 December 2006 11:09 AM Hide Post
"Unchained Medlody" Bobby Hatfield (Righteous Brothers)

Good Choice. Another great old one is "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Probably one of my favorite songs ever. He's amazingly intense in the song, and considering what it's about, I can see why.

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley; his singing is the most passionate I have ever heard. If you haven't heard him sing this, do yourself a favour. Seriously.

I definitely agree with Dondante.

I think Oh Comely is the most intense off of In the Aeroplane.

The Night They Drove Dixie Down - The Band; To think that Levon Helm can sing like that while he's playing drums. Wow!

Masters of War - Dylan

I'm gonna think of some more. Great thread.

Bob Dylan's "Sarah" and "Idiot Wind", especially the latter. Love and love on the rocks.

Warren Zevon's adieu to the world, "Keep Me in Your Heart".

"Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?" by Elliot Smith.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Mago:
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley; his singing is the most passionate I have ever heard. If you haven't heard him sing this, do yourself a favour. Seriously.

Yep.

Eric Clapton - "Layla"

Richard Thompson - live version of "Can't Win" from Watching the Dark

Joni Mitchell - "Refuge of the Roads"

[/QUOTE]


Good Choice. Another great old one is "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Probably one of my favorite songs ever. He's amazingly intense in the song, and considering what it's about, I can see why.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I cannot see a cover of that song that could touch his take on it. He nailed that song.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Mago:
The Night They Drove Dixie Down - The Band; To think that Levon Helm can sing like that while he's playing drums. Wow!
.

I love that song Good Pick!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKbiNCLbsrA

quote:

Originally posted by crazed:
Bob Dylan's "Sarah" and "Idiot Wind", especially the latter. Love and love on the rocks.

What I find interesting is that they were both about the same woman. During "Blood on the Tracks" you could tell Dylan was incredibly bitter about it, but by the time he did Desire, it's kind of faded, and "Sara" is very bittersweet.

Good Morning, Captain - Slint

Obviously, the last minute and a half. Isn't there the story or urban myth about the recording sessions for Spiderland being an insane drug-fest of pills and whatever else. Supposedly, just after screaming "I Miss Youuuu" the last time, the singer puked. When you listen to it you can believe it, whether its true or not.

"Helter Skelter" and "Revolution" by the Beatles.

Many other Beatles choices, but those jumped out first.

The Led Zeppelin version of "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" is pretty intense, even though it's a cover.

"Neighborhood 3: Power Out" - Arcade Fire

"I'll Believe in Anything" - Wolf Parade

"Diabolic Scheme" - The Hives

Those are the first few that pop in my head. Probably a million more, though.

i feel absolutely no shame in posting this:
eddie vedder's performance in "black" is pretty intense.
and a personal sentimental fave.

"Oh Holy Night" by my friend Ruth. She was murdered by her husband in 1995. At her funeral they played a recording of Ruth singing her heart out. How could I ever forget that? It was way beyond intense.

Anything by the Stooges.

Almost everything on the Nuggets box sets.

"You're Gonna Miss Me" by the 13th Floor Elevators, which sounds like Roky Erickson's nervous breakdown.

Pretty much every Nick Drake and Syd barrett solo song.

quote:

Originally posted by rockthief:
"Oh Holy Night" by my friend Ruth. She was murdered by her husband in 1995. At her funeral they played a recording of Ruth singing her heart out. How could I ever forget that? It was way beyond intense.

Wow, man. That had to be awesome and suck at the same time.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:

quote:

Originally posted by rockthief:
"Oh Holy Night" by my friend Ruth. She was murdered by her husband in 1995. At her funeral they played a recording of Ruth singing her heart out. How could I ever forget that? It was way beyond intense.

Wow, man. That had to be awesome and suck at the same time.

Yes, you are right. It was sad and weird and all kinds of other things. She could sing like you cannot believe and the bastard took a .357 magnum to her. Such are the wimps of the world to rob us of a wonder.
Anyway folks, on to something less intense eh?
Merry Christmas to you music lovers.