The thread with the shred videos reminded me how much I love the real version of these: vocal only tracks of classic songs. It really makes you realize how talented some of these bands were when you strip out all the instrumentation.

These were usually done in a studio, after everything else had been recorded. The singers would listen to the instruments via headphones and sing along. Sometimes, you can hear the instruments bleeding through but for the most part, it's just the vocals. I especially love the silences where the instrumental breaks are -- if you know the song, you "hear" it in your head and you know almost exactly where the vocals will pick up again.

The Beach Boys:


Queen:


The Rolling Stones:


Marvin Gaye:


Beatles:


More Beatles:


Supremes:

Apparently, I'm the only one who cares, but I'm gonna keep posting 'em:

The Jackson 5

A little organ,but still pretty great.





Totally ridiculous.

^ It's funny how in the confines of the full track the "Runnin' with the Devil" vocals totally work and then how awful they sound isolated.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FRHOGwp9Csw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IRDo3wGAeeI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Vocals don't start until 1:24

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NGJJOBTE12I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fBPX72iRyWM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm not sure if this would count since this is the "real" version of the song, but this is a song I love that is a capella. If this is not the intention of the thread, I can delete this.

Man, "Gimme Shelter" sounds downright creepy. But in a good way.

"Reflections" shows how good the Motown songwriters were at melodies, and how great Diana Ross is as a vocalist.

I'd like to hear that with just the harmonica and vocals.

That's probably my favorite. Hearing Merry Clayton just wailing "Rape! Murder!" without any of the guitars or other instruments is just haunting.

David Bowie and Freddie Mercury:

That's what she said.