My drug of choice for the last few weeks has been Rock Band. I’ve now purchased everything I could possibly want off the Rock Band store and Im at that stage where I hear a song and think “I need that on Rock Band” … yes, its gone from ‘want’ to ‘need’.
So here are 11 songs (yes, always 11 because of Spinal Tap) that ‘should’ be on future releases or as downloadable content … just because I said so! why else?
1. I Luv the Valley OH! - Xiu Xiu (from Fabulous Muscles)
While not the greatest guitar driven or drum focused track, its more for the vocal track gymnastics that would go with this song. Just imagine screaming the line at 1.46 minutes into the song … “Je t’aime the valley OH!!!!” … Agree? You should.
2. Kung Fu - Ash (from 1977)
Being one of the first songs I learnt to play on a ‘real life’ bass, it would be great to relive those bedroom rock moments now in my lounge room. With a solid bass line, guitar power chords, fun drum beat and Tim Wheeler lyrics … this song has WINNER written all over it.
3. Slow Burn - David Bowie (from Heathen)
Rock Band is needing more David Bowie, you hear me … IT NEEDS MOARRR! While not one of Bowie’s more well known songs this song features legendary The Who guitarist Pete Townshend. So with Bowie and Pete this is why Rock Band needs it add this song. The song is one entire long guitar masterpiece … plus you’d be able to put on your best Bowie theatrical show while singing, just imagine the hand gestures. Magical. *Dance Magical Dance perhaps?*
4. Girls Like That (Don’t Go For Guys Like Us) - Custard (from Loverama)
Who doesn’t want to play that guitar part like Matthew Strong? Who doesn’t want to pretend to be as cool as Dave McCormack for 3 minutes of their life? … and plus, this goes out to all the nerds who play these games. Finally we have ‘those’ girls playing these songs with us … well I know I do at least. OH HAI LADIES?!
5. Well, Well, Well - John Lennon (from Plastic Ono Band)
There is no need to list any Beatles tracks as we are only months away from the upcoming The Beatles – Rock Band game (huzzah!) so here is one of my favourite tracks from Lennon’s solo days. Again, not one of his more well known songs but this song is purely 58 flavours of awesome for the screaming lyrics and crazy drum beat that builds, builds and EXPLODES!
6. Jumping Someone Else’s Train – The Cure (from Boys Don’t Cry)
Anytime I’ve heard this song, the bass line and ‘train like’ drum beat at the very end is just something … aurally sexual. Its amazing to hear and would be the perfect addition to Rock Bands collection of late 70′s/ early 80′s pop punk.
7. Add It Up - Violent Femmes (from Violent Femmes)
This is worth is alone for the vocal parts, add into the mix the fast drums, crazy guitar breakdowns and the ever so funky bass lines combined altogether with the tight sudden stops through the song … Im not seeing a down side to this song being on Rock Band. Nup, no reason why it shouldn’t be on there.
8. As Long As I Have You - The Detroit Cobras (from Tied & True )
Rock Band needs more classic, dirty, garage rock sung by the ladies. This song has it all – attitude, sexy drums, fuzzy tingle time guitars and soul.
9. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths (from The Queen is Dead )
To be able to be both Marr and Morrissey at once would be worth it, with a dreamy guitar sound throughout the entire song it is a must for Rock Band. We need more drunken whinge … oh and who doesn’t want to sing the lyrics:
And if a double-decker bus, Crashes into usTo die by your side, Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck, Kills the both of us, To die by your side, Well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine
10. Dear Sons And Daughters Of Hungry Ghosts – Wolf Parade (from Apologies To The Queen Mary )
This is my “dance around the living room” Risky Business style song, so its fairly obvious why I NEED this song on Rock Band. The drum beat, the lyrics of shouting “God doesn’t have the best god damn plans does he?”, the whirring guitars and the la la la’s … plus the building of the song … just imagine the rock out moments!
11. Here Is No Why - Smashing Pumpkins (from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness )
… and this will come as no surprise that I need a Smashing Pumpkins on Rock Band. Yes I have Cherub Rock, Zero, Siva and the Guitar Hero tracks too … but we could always use more right? RIGHT! Even though I can never say I have a “favourite” Smashing Pumpkins song, this song is the closest one to win that title for me. The teenage lyrics, the shivers I get when I hear it, the power chords and the pounding Chamberlin drums … please Harmonix let me live the dream (in my sad machines!)
