Requesting songs (See also: SIGNS)

NOyieldingCODE

I know that in the early days the band, or at least Ed, looked down upon people requesting songs. I remember hearing about a show where they played Alive and then some jackass kept yelling for them to play it again and Ed responded with "we're not a fucking jukebox".
BUT, what if one were to request a not so popular song? If I am lucky enough to be in shouting distance, do you think if I yell out "Present Tense" or "Insignificance" or something else that it would hurt or help my chances of it being played? Just wondering.

I took a sign with me to Pittsburgh in 06 that said "Fuck Lease PLEASE play Whale Song". Ed saw it and did a motion as if to say "Yeah, I saw it...put it away" and I could see Matt laughing and saying in disbelief "Whale Song???" but I pretty much did that as a joke, although it would have been cool to have them play it. I'm not saying I would bring a sign again because it would block someone's view behind me and I don't want to be "that guy", but...as for requesting songs...what do you all think?

drsluggo

If you make a sign just hold it up for a few seconds when the time is right. You can tell when they see it for the most part. Just dont be one of the people that hold it up during other songs for a long time and then do it again and again.

Pick your spots I guess... then it wont really be in peoples way and even then very briefly.

smithnic

I think the signs are absolutely stupid and should be left at home. They are annoying as hell to sit behind and only are there to cause attention to the person holding them. Congratulations the band sees you and thinks your an asshole like those behind whose show you are ruining.

Just my opinion

FirstExit

Eddie isn't Bruce.


Eddie doesn't like signs.

Spencer

smithnic wrote:

I think the signs are absolutely stupid and should be left at home. They are annoying as hell to sit behind and only are there to cause attention to the person holding them.

This.

I don't think a sign is really going to help your cause, let alone screaming out song titles at them.

Unless you somehow run into anyone in the band before the show and make a request that way, I'd just forget about it and enjoy the show.

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan

the band will play whatever they want to play. just enjoy the music while we still have it.

DreamOfAngels

After winning the front row lottery for the Columbus show, I made a sign that said "Thank you so much!". I believe they all saw it and appreciated it. I held it on the rail vs. up in the air. Ed gave me a pick for it. I think they appreciate appreciation.

Hinn

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>>>>>>>>>>>

Just for shits and giggles, and I got it. Laughs, that is. Not my old wig.

dimitrispearljam

Hinn wrote:

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>>>>>>>>>>>

Just for shits and giggles, and I got it. Laughs, that is. Not my old wig.

doompony

mike asked for my sign but eddie ended up taking it and draping it over his foldback monitor. i think that proves they don't hate signs

NOyieldingCODE

Yeah, well like I said, I probably wouldn't take a sign again, although when I took mine I only held it up inbetween songs and I waited until the encores to do it.

Spencer

I think the main point is that the setlist is (generally) written before the show and it's a bit late to be making requests once the show is underway, your only chance is to get your request in beforehand.

chime

A sign at Manchester, UK in 09 got us Smile ... so thanks again theseeker74

It was draped over the rail so wasn't in anyones way.

Was at Katowice in 07 and someone had a sign to say it was their 100th show. Ed came and collected the sign and read it out ... asked what song they would like the band to play and the guy got his request

I guess Ed doesn't hate signs

But maybe he pays attention to those requesting songs he feels like playing anyway and ignores the others :P

dimitrispearljam

chime wrote:

A sign at Manchester, UK in 09 got us Smile ... so thanks again theseeker74

It was draped over the rail so wasn't in anyones way.

Was at Katowice in 07 and someone had a sign to say it was their 100th show. Ed came and collected the sign and read it out ... asked what song they would like the band to play and the guy got his request

I guess Ed doesn't hate signs

But maybe he pays attention to those requesting songs he feels like playing anyway and ignores the others :P

+1 ,,in Manchester he said hello to Zagreb when he saw Iva-Mario sign

BH198990

A sign in Cleveland last night got us Smile also....Beginning of first encore, Ed pointed out first a "Play Alpine Valley" sign, said something like "is that an order or request? cuz we really don't like taking orders" then pointed out a Smile sign, farther back the crowd. He then said that they would play that if we helped him out, and talked about not calling his mom on Mothers day....They played it 2nd encore.....with the sign up onstage....sounds like success to me....

cheers

smarchee

BH198990 wrote:

A sign in Cleveland last night got us Smile also....Beginning of first encore, Ed pointed out first a "Play Alpine Valley" sign, said something like "is that an order or request? cuz we really don't like taking orders" then pointed out a Smile sign, farther back the crowd. He then said that they would play that if we helped him out, and talked about not calling his mom on Mothers day....They played it 2nd encore.....with the sign up onstage....sounds like success to me....

cheers

yah great sign and great song request

MG79478

The problem with signs is, nobody ever requests anything good. Like the guy in the upper deck last night holding up a "betterman" sign.... really?!?! If it's been played more than 7 times, leave the sign at home. If I had the chance to request a song, it would be a real gem. That reminds me, how about we get some "fatal" and "undone" tonight in Buffalo!

Cradles Broken Glass

I know in one of my bootleg cd's you can hear people yelling Yellow Ledbetter. Ed says, "we're getting some Yellow Ledbetter requests." They go straight into Yellow Ledbetter. I don't think it would hurt, good luck!

As far as the sign goes, only hold it up for a few seconds at a time and only while the lights are on, I don't think people behind you would mind this. We took a sign with us and since we didn't have floor seats we made sure to keep it in front of us, you could still see the sign, but it didn't block anyones view.

NOyieldingCODE

MG79478 wrote:

The problem with signs is, nobody ever requests anything good. Like the guy in the upper deck last night holding up a "betterman" sign.... really?!?! If it's been played more than 7 times, leave the sign at home. If I had the chance to request a song, it would be a real gem.

Well, my initial requests mentioned Present Tense and Insignificance just because I wanted to hear them, but if I ever decided to take a sign again it might be for Hard to Imagine. I would kill for that live

oona left

BH198990 wrote:

A sign in Cleveland last night got us Smile also....Beginning of first encore, Ed pointed out first a "Play Alpine Valley" sign, said something like "is that an order or request? cuz we really don't like taking orders" then pointed out a Smile sign, farther back the crowd. He then said that they would play that if we helped him out, and talked about not calling his mom on Mothers day....They played it 2nd encore.....with the sign up onstage....sounds like success to me....

cheers

And, the girl holding the "SMILE" sign not only got us all a great version of the song, but Ed also told security to let her up to the front row for it (and, everything after I would presume). What a guy!!

Thank you to the girl with the sign!!!

Rock_Princess_18

Okay- I don't usually mind when people bring signs. It's kinda cool especially if your request actually get plays. But I feel like people need to use more discretion when they have a sign. DO NOT HOLD IT UP THE ENTIRE TIME! Maybe a couple times or so, but eventually, please just put it down because the boys have probably already looked at it and ignored it and now you are just annoying the people sitting behind you.

Monday night in Buffalo I had great seats. But there were 2 girls sitting in front of me who kept holding up white T-shirts that said in black letters "VEDDER" on the front. They literally had the T-shirts in their hands like the entire time. and they kept holding them up during every break in between songs and during plenty of songs as well. For the most part, I would just try to look around the T-shirts but they were definitely obstructing my view because I am only 5'6". Eventually, I tapped them both on the shoulder and asked them to please stop holding up the T-shirts the whole time! They looked annoyed and I felt bad for being a bitch. But really- its not fair for someone to block anyone else's view because these tickets are damn expensive and were all just trying to have a good time.

And the worst part about it was that the T-shirts weren't even witty or anything. Like come on- "Vedder"? Yes, we all love Eddie. That's obvious. Get over it, and Stop blocking my view!

LOL sorry, just needed to vent!

Cradles Broken Glass

Rock_Princess_18 wrote:

Okay- I don't usually mind when people bring signs. It's kinda cool especially if your request actually get plays. But I feel like people need to use more discretion when they have a sign. DO NOT HOLD IT UP THE ENTIRE TIME! Maybe a couple times or so, but eventually, please just put it down because the boys have probably already looked at it and ignored it and now you are just annoying the people sitting behind you.

I think you did the right thing. I made sure in making our sign and using it to only hold it up directly in front of us (and this worked b/c we weren't on the floor, but the sign could still be seen). We also only held it up while the lights were on and it was obvious they were looking over the crowd. I would like to encourage people to be respectful of others so there isn't more experiences like yours. And a witty sign always helps.

RiotAct10

oona left wrote:

BH198990 wrote:

A sign in Cleveland last night got us Smile also....Beginning of first encore, Ed pointed out first a "Play Alpine Valley" sign, said something like "is that an order or request? cuz we really don't like taking orders" then pointed out a Smile sign, farther back the crowd. He then said that they would play that if we helped him out, and talked about not calling his mom on Mothers day....They played it 2nd encore.....with the sign up onstage....sounds like success to me....

cheers

And, the girl holding the "SMILE" sign not only got us all a great version of the song, but Ed also told security to let her up to the front row for it (and, everything after I would presume). What a guy!!

Thank you to the girl with the sign!!!

Yeah, it was funny though. When Ed first saw the sign, he gave a nice big smile. But, Smile was not on the setlist, so this was an example of how using a sign actually works. What I would say is, both the Smile fan and the Alpine Valley sign did it right. They kept their signs away, and when Ed came out for the first encore, with the lights on and Ed looking around, they held up their signs. That was the only time during the show I saw signs* and that is the right way to do it. The band will see them, you dont need to hold them up the whole show. If they want to play the song, they will, but you just need to show it to them once. * as someone pointed out, there was also a fan in the upper deck with a better man sign. I only saw it during the 2nd encore, and Ed saw it too, and kind of shurgged, as if to say, too late, or sorry.

cajunkiwi

Cradles Broken Glass wrote:

I know in one of my bootleg cd's you can hear people yelling Yellow Ledbetter. Ed says, "we're getting some Yellow Ledbetter requests." They go straight into Yellow Ledbetter. I don't think it would hurt, good luck!

As far as the sign goes, only hold it up for a few seconds at a time and only while the lights are on, I don't think people behind you would mind this. We took a sign with us and since we didn't have floor seats we made sure to keep it in front of us, you could still see the sign, but it didn't block anyones view.

Who on earth would request the setlist closer?

Digital Twilight

cajunkiwi wrote:

Cradles Broken Glass wrote:

I know in one of my bootleg cd's you can hear people yelling Yellow Ledbetter. Ed says, "we're getting some Yellow Ledbetter requests." They go straight into Yellow Ledbetter. I don't think it would hurt, good luck!

As far as the sign goes, only hold it up for a few seconds at a time and only while the lights are on, I don't think people behind you would mind this. We took a sign with us and since we didn't have floor seats we made sure to keep it in front of us, you could still see the sign, but it didn't block anyones view.

Who on earth would request the setlist closer?

On the other hand there is a show from 2003 where some guy shouted 'Yellow Ledbetter' during the first encore break as Eddie was talking and he responded by saying 'you see we were gonna play it but now we're not' - I guess it kinda pissed him off a little as you would do when your trying to talk to tens of thousands of people. Turns out YL was on the set list but they never did play it so i guess pick your moments.

RiotAct10

Digital Twilight wrote:

cajunkiwi wrote:

Cradles Broken Glass wrote:

I know in one of my bootleg cd's you can hear people yelling Yellow Ledbetter. Ed says, "we're getting some Yellow Ledbetter requests." They go straight into Yellow Ledbetter. I don't think it would hurt, good luck!

As far as the sign goes, only hold it up for a few seconds at a time and only while the lights are on, I don't think people behind you would mind this. We took a sign with us and since we didn't have floor seats we made sure to keep it in front of us, you could still see the sign, but it didn't block anyones view.

Who on earth would request the setlist closer?

On the other hand there is a show from 2003 where some guy shouted 'Yellow Ledbetter' during the first encore break as Eddie was talking and he responded by saying 'you see we were gonna play it but now we're not' - I guess it kinda pissed him off a little as you would do when your trying to talk to tens of thousands of people. Turns out YL was on the set list but they never did play it so i guess pick your moments.

Unless he has done it another time, the only time I know of, and he says the exact thing you said, "were getting some yellow ledbetter requests" is from 1993 on the Daughter single. Back then they probably didnt play it as much, and didnt have as many songs and might have been more likely to take a request.

Cradles Broken Glass

[/quote]Unless he has done it another time, the only time I know of, and he says the exact thing you said, "were getting some yellow ledbetter requests" is from 1993 on the Daughter single. Back then they probably didnt play it as much, and didnt have as many songs and might have been more likely to take a request.[/quote]

That's possible, I can't remember what cd exactly it is that I have, but I have alot of their singles from back in the day. I've also been listening to the Perth, Australia cd from 06 alot lately. However, I listen to my iPod mostly, so I don't pay attention to where the song is coming from that is playing (if that makes sense).

RW8297

In Berlin 2009 Eddie said they're gonna play a request cause it's the fuc*ing biggest sign he's ever seen and he guess size matters They played Faithful. That was cool.