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To sing or not to sing? That is the question!!

jtorresjtorres Posts: 15
edited July 2006 in Given To Fly (live)
I went to the Santa Barbara show a couple of nights ago and sang my ass off to the displeasure of a couple of fans in front of me:

http://forums.pearljam.com/showpost.php?p=3507843&postcount=53

But, here's my dilemma: should I be quiet or sing very softly if the people around me aren't singing? I'd have to wait for Jeremy or Alive or Even Flow if that were the case. The thing that makes all those songs super special is the crowd involvement (i.e. EVERYBODY singing their ass off). It's great to see people dancing and rocking out, but isn't a show always better when people show their passion for the music by singing along? Ed obviously loves it. Just recall the performance of "Black" at that show. I doubt there were that many musically trained singers in the audience.

Perhaps my opinions are screwed up and I need a new lesson in concert etiquette. What do other posters think? Do I need to sing quietly from now on?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Kentucky ShanKentucky Shan Posts: 59
    Hell no! I sing (and am proud of it!) How can you not? If people want everyone to sit quietly through a show, they should go to the opera.

    I totally understand the desire to hear Ed and the boys, but they play loud enough that they can be heard over the loudest singers. besides, I think PJ would be sad if everyone just stared at them and didn't sing along.

    Just listen to any of the boots. I mean, in Cincy, ed asks if the crowd wants to try to sing "Present Tense."

    I say enjoy yourself...
    ~A compliment for us, is a compliment for you.~

  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,067
    you know what i say to people who have a problem with other people singing at a concert.FUCK'EM
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
    Sammi: Wanna just break up?

  • boxwine_in_hellboxwine_in_hell Posts: 1,263
    Kentucky Shan wrote:
    Hell no! I sing (and am proud of it!) How can you not? If people want everyone to sit quietly through a show, they should go to the opera.

    Or go to a Tracy Chapman show or something.....hell there are people probably singing at her show. Tell the a-holes in front of you to lighten up.
    one foot in the door
    the other foot in the gutter
    sweet smell that they adore
    I think I'd rather smother
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  • SoonForgotten2SoonForgotten2 Posts: 2,245
    As with genius and insanity there can be a very fine line between enjoying yourself and being obnoxious. If you think you may be crossing that line, then just take it down and notch.

    As an aside, Ed really needs to stop with that corny letting the audience sing the verses shit. We're there to hear Pearl Jam play with Ed singing the songs.
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  • boxwine_in_hellboxwine_in_hell Posts: 1,263
    SoonForgotten2 wrote:
    As with genius and insanity there can be a very fine line between enjoying yourself and being obnoxious. If you think you may be crossing that line, then just take it down and notch.

    As an aside, Ed really needs to stop with that corny letting the audience sing the verses shit. We're there to hear Pearl Jam play with Ed singing the songs.

    Personally, I think it's pretty cool when the audience sings. Collectively the audience sounds pretty good to me and the energy and electricity that come out of the audience interaction seems pretty special. I'm guessing that's why Ed does it.
    one foot in the door
    the other foot in the gutter
    sweet smell that they adore
    I think I'd rather smother
    -The Replacements-
  • Kentucky ShanKentucky Shan Posts: 59
    SoonForgotten2 wrote:
    As an aside, Ed really needs to stop with that corny letting the audience sing the verses shit. We're there to hear Pearl Jam play with Ed singing the songs.

    This is where I disagree...II love the fact that the audience gets to sing. There is so much energy in that, and that's what makes PJ shows so great--it isn't all about the band, it's about the fans, the energy, and everyone coming together to express their love for the band. Audience participation makes it an experience to remember...I think they (as in Pearl Jam) enjoy the fact that we love to sing along.
    ~A compliment for us, is a compliment for you.~

  • GameJerkGameJerk Posts: 46
    I don't normally mind singing at the shows but at Santa Barbara it was a bit different. At a small open air venue it is much harder to hear the band over people around you singing especially if they are directly behind you practically screaming the words as two guys were behind me. It wasn't a huge deal since it was my 4th show that week, but it was a bit distracting. That along w/all the people that were there that didn't give a shit and talked the whole time the show was very mediocre to me but i'm sure the boot sounds fantastic.
  • brainofPJbrainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    the only thing i hate is when people, usually girls, scream the lyrics. there is no need for that, the band can't hear you...


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  • evenflow82evenflow82 Posts: 3,892
    brainofPJ wrote:
    the only thing i hate is when people, usually girls, scream the lyrics. there is no need for that, the band can't hear you...

    Not to sound sexist, but it's amazing how much more women scream compared to guys. We just usually bellow a "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaahhh!!!"
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  • guitar_daveyguitar_davey Posts: 111
    SoonForgotten2 wrote:
    As an aside, Ed really needs to stop with that corny letting the audience sing the verses shit. We're there to hear Pearl Jam play with Ed singing the songs.


    See, this another one of those opinions on Pearl Jam that I don't understand! The first time I ever heard a Pearl Jam bootleg of a live performance, I was struck by the feeling of togetherness and brotherhood I was getting from everybody in the place! Some of that stemmed from Ed letting the crowd sing a few verses--I thought i was absolutely beautiful! Seeing them live confirmed this to me!

    I likened it to listening to 5 of your buddies jamming at a campfire, except there were 20,000 people sitting around the campfire!

    My point is, who cares if Eddie lets people sing a few of their favourite verses?!? Frankly, more events in this world, rock concerts included, need the same feeling of bringing human beings together!

    Dave
  • Carlos DCarlos D Posts: 638
    Sing as loud as you can,fuck them.
    It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
    But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

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  • MikeoMikeo Posts: 199
    i think people should sing if they want to sing....having said that at chicago 1 the guy nest to me was screaming the songs the whole night. and he only know half of the words, and he would bend the word he thought it was half way through untill he was making this weird kind of cow dying sound untill the corus. it was very anoying. but he seemed to be having a good time, i think he was pretty lit up.
  • iamsampjiamsampj Posts: 784
    i plan on singing my heart out at the gorge...and i don't care what anyone thinks ;) i love when everyone sings...i'm a big fan of audience participation!!
    yes...i do feel like a human. i do not feel like a tree.
  • CHANGEinWAVESCHANGEinWAVES Posts: 10,169
    I sing. That's what i'm there for, the concert EXPERIENCE...it's not just a show!
    "I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    jtorres wrote:
    I went to the Santa Barbara show a couple of nights ago and sang my ass off to the displeasure of a couple of fans in front of me:

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showpost.php?p=3507843&postcount=53

    But, here's my dilemma: should I be quiet or sing very softly if the people around me aren't singing? I'd have to wait for Jeremy or Alive or Even Flow if that were the case. The thing that makes all those songs super special is the crowd involvement (i.e. EVERYBODY singing their ass off). It's great to see people dancing and rocking out, but isn't a show always better when people show their passion for the music by singing along? Ed obviously loves it. Just recall the performance of "Black" at that show. I doubt there were that many musically trained singers in the audience.

    Perhaps my opinions are screwed up and I need a new lesson in concert etiquette. What do other posters think? Do I need to sing quietly from now on?

    You paid to get in, as long as your not invading the other peoples space and constantly bumping into them, then sing to the hearts content.
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  • fishbigfishbig Posts: 6
    You bought the ticket. If you want to sing do it! It's not hurting anyone. I love it when Ed lets the crowd sing!
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    fuck em. sing your ass off.
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  • PJammer4lifePJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,656
    Sing your ass off. I was in the 6th Row in Santa Barbara..these are supposed to be FAN CLUB seats, people who have followed the band for years and years, but the guys next to me stand passively by..and don't sing, don't move..statues. In San Diego EVERYONE was singing..that's what made it a killer show..same with the LA forum shows, Vancouver 2005..etc... People not singing don't know the words..but hell..don't judge me cause I can learn the words and can sing them and feel them. Eddie sings Betterman in Los Angeles and 18,000 people sing with him. In Santa Barbara it is almost dead silent on the floor..I mean I would have been the only one singing..different vibe for the fans on a different night. The boys showed up, the true fans didn't.
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  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,868
    So if you not sing you are not a true fan?
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • pearljgirl2010pearljgirl2010 Shillington, PA/Tuckerton, NJ Posts: 3,428
    singing along with yoru favorite singer and your favorite band--there's no was i could NOT sing...except to Footsteps. I was speechless.
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  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    Just tell the Band to turn it up a little louder and then the problem will be solved!
    NERDS!
  • IpredictariotIpredictariot Posts: 40
    I like it fine when the crowd sings (at Philly it was unbelievable) but if I'm singing really loud then I can't hear Eddie. And I like to hear Eddie. So I just sing at the usual spots.
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  • PegasusPegasus Posts: 3,754
    fine on some songs, but I'm there to hear Ed singing, not some tuneless screamer (I had a stereo of tehm at the RHCP gig on Friday)

    so if you don't stop me hearing the band and can actually sing in tune, fine.
    Otherwise buy a karaokee machine.
  • Smellyman2Smellyman2 Posts: 689
    I don't enjoy "can't carry a tune boy" next to me drowning out Ed. There are times to sing and times to not.

    The whole concert can be a little annoying.

    Yes, YOU are there to have a good time, as are the others around you. Just be courteous.
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,456
    SoonForgotten2 said:

    As with genius and insanity there can be a very fine line between enjoying yourself and being obnoxious. If you think you may be crossing that line, then just take it down and notch.

    As an aside, Ed really needs to stop with that corny letting the audience sing the verses shit. We're there to hear Pearl Jam play with Ed singing the songs.

    Take a listen to Jeremy from State College and tell me you wouldn't want to be a part of that! That was one epic audience sing-along!
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  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,614
    I once was lucky enough to hear "Fatal" at a concert. I was also unlucky, because the person behind me heard the first few notes and freaked out. Then proceeded to sing the song as loud as possible. Fist pumping. I mean...i get it...songs that hit us (especially the rare ones) can really make your concert moment. but come on....there is no reason anyone should be singing along with that song. Only Ed should sing it.

    For songs that are loud, and are obvious crowd songs...sing away. Just leave the quiet ones and the ballads alone.

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  • otterotter Posts: 769
    No no no. Sing as loud as u can.
    I found my place......and it's alright
  • otterotter Posts: 769
    I say fuck it and do what you feel. Its your show. If people around you don't like it they should sing louder. It's all about you. Sing bro sing
    I found my place......and it's alright
  • goldrushgoldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,633
    If you could have seen the look on Ed's face on Sunday in Sydney you would sing your heart out on every song. He was blown away by the audience at times and it's an amazing feeling to know that you have been a part of that.
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  • doomponydoompony Wellington, NZ Posts: 4,501
    Siiiiiiing it sisters!

    The only time it has annoyed me was at a show by a band called the adults in a small bar and the woman behind me was singing what she thought was a harmony.. The song didn't have a harmony. It sounded awful. She was louder than the singer.

    But at Pearl Jam. Sing it loud.

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