What Do You Look for in an Acoustic Song?
 

Breathtaking lyrics, complex guitar etc what do you look for in one? If you don't like many maybe think of the one or two you like and whats appealing about them. Everyone should respond cause I need opinions on this like mad y0.

I think I really like when an acoustic song changes pace throughout. Kind of hard to explain really what I mean. Also sometimes it really doesnt take much. Comin' Home by Dallas Green is probably my favourite song to play on acoustic. I love the way it sounds.

i listen to more acousticesque stuff than anything,....
i think i'm drawn to it more because you really get raw emotion from the lyrics and vocals

chord progression is important, but it doesnt always have to be elaborate as long as there's that 'something' that sticks with you

Relaxing, campfire tunes of lurv, singalongable chorus.. lyrics could go either way they're not much of an issue for me but simplicity best suits an acoustic song i think

Mmmm, passion and emotion are the two main things I look for in an acoustic song....good songwriting is important of course, but without emotion, an acoustic song is nothing

here's a few of my favs,...
maybe it will convey more of what i look for than words

YouTube - Black Crowes - Thorn in My Pride (storytellers)

i'm a huge black crowes fan,....thus i'm includeing two of my favorites,.....i'm extreamly inspired by this duo,....hell the whole band,.....

YouTube - BlackCrowes - She Talks To Angels (storytellers)

i love the emotion in 'angels', i love the intro, as it is unique and 'pretty'

YouTube - Jim Croce - Operator

i really love anything jim croce does,.....my favorite is box number ten,....but i couldnt find a good video of it,...
what i love about croce's stuff is the witty lyrics, and while his guitar work is simple, i think his finger work makes it stand out

YouTube - Neil Young - Old Man - Live at Massey Hall

when i think accoustic, i think neil young,...
this is both one of my favorite songs to play, and to hear being played,...
the lyrics are simple, yet they convey such a strong oppionion
the guitar work does not over shadow the lyric, but it enhances it, which ofcource is extreamly important

YouTube - Pure Prairie League - Amie

there's no way i could have left out 'amie',....its catchy, upbeat,......the version they always play on the radio, and one most people know, is really a combo of amie and 'fallin in and out of love',.....'fallin' is really what makes the song for me,....the change in mood and tempo is very important for conveying the writters intent i think,....


i'm not sure if this the type of answer you want,.......
good luck

i like the one with a good beat... and great lyrics too!

I agree with this totally, I love it when a good acoustic song just has a quick pick up near then end, it just gives the song more. I am a huge City And Colour(Dallas Green) fan, i am excited for the new album on Feb 12th.

Some of My favorite acoustic songs include

Hello, I'm In Delaware
YouTube - City & Colour - "Hello, I'm In Delaware"

In The Water, I am beautiful
YouTube - City And Colour - In The Water, I Am Beautiful (Alt Version)

Time After Time (I know it's a Cover)
YouTube - Rob Thomas - Time After Time (Acoustic Cover)

And any of the acoustic work of TIme And Distance (this video is not that good cant find any good stuff on youtube by them but check them out if you into their sound)

YouTube - Time And Distance

This thread makes me feel like I have insider behind-the-scenes knowledge.

If your looking to be inspired by anyone it should defiantly be Simon and Garfunkel. They are the acoustic masters. There lyrics are classic and everyone can take there own from them. They defiantly show there talent in there music. So take a page from them…..
Not just there acoustic stuff too.
But I don’t need to tell anyone this do I?

Dallas Green is a hack...he just rewrites save your scissors over and over again releasing it with a different title ….who is he really fooling?

Simon and Garfunkel is shit.

:rofl:

i really dont like acoustic versions of songs, i love acoustic songs but i dont like it when they make an acoustic version of a song...do i explain my self?

It's gotta have raw emotion. It's so stripped down, no bullsh*t, no fillers. Just a guitar and emotion. The lyrics must be good in all songs, not jus acoustic, so thats a given, but the delivery must be different. It has to come from deep down. Sing it with your eyes closed, it makes a world of difference in how much emotion you can draw out.

i liked "what do i have to do acoustic ver." by stabbing westward. i like acoustic songs that help me reminisce, cry, or sleep. wait, that's pretty much everybody! lol.

MySpace.com - balmorhea - AUSTIN, Texas - Acoustic / Classical / Experimental - www.myspace.com/balmorhea

Check out the third song down in the player: Dream of Thaw. That's all I look for in acoustic guitar tracks, lyrics are certainly not a necessity if the music's lovely enough anyway.