Note: tonight’s update has been great fun for me to research. While tracking down more songs with cowbell (added to the list below), I veered off into the realm of cowbell as an instrument. As an added twist I am including two short videos on various ways percussionists play the cowbell.
Here’s the IN PROGRESS list so far. I listen to each entry to verify cowbell sounds. Often other percussive elements are mistaken for cowbell to the untrained ear!
Case in point: in the Dean Martin entry there’s alot of bongo-ing going on, but there are times when it sounds like a cowbell is added for a change of texture, especially about 3/4 of the way into the song I detect a few mellow clanks. But I’m not 100% sure. If you have access to this song on record/tape/cd/mp3 file I’d appreciate it if you lend your ears to it and add your vote of yeay or ney. For now, it’ll be added to the list as ‘pending.’
The first of the 5/4/14 updated list includes Man on the Moon by Phillip Phillips. I’m not 100% sure it’s a cowbell I hear alongside the sax solo ending starting at minute 3 on the cd. As with the Dean Martin entry, I’d appreciate it if you lend your ears to it and add your vote of yeay or ney. It, too is added to the list as ‘pending.’
If you have more to add, please do so here or in the comments below. I’ll update the list on ~Thursdays as new titles are brought to my attention putting it up as the featured post for you to view.
More Cowbell Cult Playlist
(don’t fear) The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
Beginnings – Chicago
Stuck in the Middle with You – Stealer’s Wheel
We’re an American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
Down on the Corner – CCR
Drive My Car – Beatles
Grazing in the Grass – Hugh Masekala
Mississippi Queen – Mountain
Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Blues – Johnny Rivers
Blacksmith Song – Spike Jones and the City Slickers
Spinning Wheel – Blood, Sweat and Tears
Somebody Loves You – Dean Martin (pending)
Do it Again – Steely Dan
Incense and Peppermint – The Strawberry Alarm Clock
Black and White – Three Dog Night
Man in the Moon – Phillip Phillips (pending)
Evil Ways – Santana
You Fool No One – Deep Purple
Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet – BTO
De Camino a la Vereda – Buena Vista Social Club
Listened to the videos. Interesting article although I am not so familiar with the cowbell instrument. Sounds good. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Iris,
So glad I got to introduce you to the Cowbell! 🙂
This post has been loads of fun to update.
I’m guessing Spike Jones’s Cocktails For Two included a few cowbell dingalings along with his usual assortment of washboard, horns, and other oddball noise makers.
Ah yes, Spike Jones…I listened to his Cocktails for Two and while filled with clinks and clanks, they were not of the Cowbell sort. However, I found an excellent example of his use of a special Cowbell setup in the song/parody of “Blacksmith Song.” Am adding: Blacksmith Song – Spike Jones and the City Slickers.
Thanks! 🙂