"prog" songs by non-prog bands

Rando wrote:   A  musician friend of mine once  told me he even considered Bobbi Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe" to be Prog because of the song's haunting string arrangement combined with the song's unusual subject matter slightly stretching the style and  boundaries of Country Music.

Ok I have one!

It's a 20 minute song by Extreme, divided into three parts. The first part is quite symphonic with a beautiful orchestra and the second part has the most stunning guitar playing I ever heard from Nuno Bettencourt.

The.Crimson.King wrote: Rando wrote:  A  musician friend of mine once  told me he even considered Bobbi Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe" to be Prog because of the song's haunting string arrangement combined with the song's unusual subject matter slightly stretching the style and  boundaries of Country Music. I haven't thought of this song in years!  I remember my parents hauling me off to Lake Tahoe in the snowy early spring of 1968 and seeing Bobbi Gentry sing this at Harrah's.  I never considered that it might have been the first prog concert I ever attended

I have seen that tune on some "worst" songs lists, and that always raises hackles with me. They're completely forgetting how innovative and intriguing it was when it was first released. Musically notable for the wonderfully atmospheric string arrangement and lyrically it definitely pushed boundaries, with its storyline that leaves the listener puzzling over why Billie Joe took his life, his relationship with the girl narrating the story, and why her family talks about his suicide almost casually. There was a 1976 movie of the same title, starring Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor, which did a serviceable job of fleshing out the story.


Edited by AreYouHuman - August 11 2013 at 21:40

Two great examples of overlooked prog-tinged tracks, both of which are epic closing tracks from debut albums.

Midnight Oil - Nothing Lost, Nothing Gained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5rhrU53cC0

Def Leppard - Overture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yeXpeV6bTk

The Def Leppard track in particular is surprisingly excellent, and almost excuses them for the dross they became known for peddling later in their career

As you may have noticed, the Steve Miller Band shows up frequently with this kind of request. I for one motion that they should be up for consideration for prog-related, but that's just me. Their first album, Children of the Future, is a good bet, but for my money Brave New World and Sailor are better. If "Song for Our Ancestors" doesn't belong on our site, I'm not sure what does. Really though, anything pre-Joker (in no way prog, but still a stellar track) and also Fly Like an Eagle is worth your time.

Of interest outside of SMB, Daft Punk's latest release, Random Access Memories, has a lot to offer. The aptly titled "Give Life Back to Music" and "Touch" are both stellar, but the closer "Contact" is absolutely phenomenal. If you appreciate good pop music, the rest of the album is sure-fire as well.

As a Canadian, I have long been a fan and promoter of the music of Sloan. They are for the most part a tightly wrought power-pop foursome whose fame is seldom apparent south of the 49^th, but every now and then they extend beyond their usual range. The opening barrages on Between the Bridges and the Double Cross are reminicent of Todd Rundgren's stream of consciousness melt down on A Wizard, A True Star. The best of the best is however Never Hear the End of It, on which 30 tracks are packed into 70 minutes and many songs simply bleed from one to the next. If you don't think Sloan posses any prog chops I challenge that assertion with my favourite track of theirs, Fading into Obscurity.

Also, if you don't listen to the Flaming Lips, you should. Start with the Soft Bulletin

Very finally, King Tubby, the father of dub (no step). That stuff is high test psychedelic reggae.

Edited by R-A-N-M-A - August 13 2013 at 22:21

Shawn Phillips – “L” Ballade. Features beautiful orchestral arrangement by Paul Buckmaster.

Well, my main band has loads of prog tunes, I even tried to push us to PA, but no one really approved this One more chance - check this!



and one more

Also great, same drummer Mark Guliana.

R-A-N-M-A wrote: ....Steve Miller Band...

This is the Life by Living Colour