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

jtorres · July 2006

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?

Kentucky Shan · July 2006

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...

Gary Carter · July 2006

you know what i say to people who have a problem with other people singing at a concert.FUCK'EM

boxwine_in_hell · July 2006

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.

SoonForgotten2 · July 2006

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.

boxwine_in_hell · July 2006

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.

Kentucky Shan · July 2006

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.

GameJerk · July 2006

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.

brainofPJ · July 2006

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...

evenflow82 · July 2006

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!!!"

guitar_davey · July 2006

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 D · July 2006

Sing as loud as you can,fuck them.

Mikeo · July 2006

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.

iamsampj · July 2006

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!!

CHANGEinWAVES · July 2006

I sing. That's what i'm there for, the concert EXPERIENCE...it's not just a show!

lukin2006 · July 2006

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.

fishbig · July 2006

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 toast · July 2006

fuck em. sing your ass off.

PJammer4life · July 2006

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.