Songs with mandolins in them

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Stephen_42
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Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Stephen_42 » Sun Apr 24, 2022 4:55 pm

I bought a mandolin last summer and it might be my favourite thing that I own, but I've realised that I don't actually know many mandolin songs. I've learnt Losing My Religion (REM) and Rose Tattoo (Dropkick Murphys), but other than that I mostly just noodle around or try to play Irish trad stuff that I used to know on the violin.

Any recommendations for songs with mando parts? I'm open to pretty much any genre, and I just enjoy playing for playing's sake.

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Larry Mal
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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Larry Mal » Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:05 pm

Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Futuron » Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:30 pm

Obvious ones for me are:
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Rod Stewart - Maggie May
Bruce Hornsby & The Range - Mandolin Rain

But if you do an Internet search for "songs with mandolin parts" there's basic lists, and then threads on mandolincafe forum with plenty I couldn't think of.

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by øøøøøøø » Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:32 pm

I mean, there's all the obvious bluegrass... Bill Monroe, etc.

But more in the pop vein I guess we could add Steve Winwood "Back In The High Life"

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by jakeisjake » Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:25 pm

Ripple and Friend of the Devil by Grateful Dead
When I Paint my Masterpiece (and numerous others) by the Band
Nickle Creek is pretty great, too
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by bluemonday » Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:17 pm

I can think of a couple of Led Zeppelin songs: Going To California and Battle Of Evermore. Lots of covers and tutorials out there too.

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by JackFawkes » Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:24 pm

She's So Hot by Flight of the Conchords

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by stevejamsecono » Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:15 am

I Will Dare by The Replacements
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam

Resident Yamaha Fanboy

COYS

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August
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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by August » Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:23 am

Check out the Jerry Garcia & David Grisman collaborations. Learn a handful of those and playing the mandolin will feel pretty natural pretty quick. Grisman's fantastic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IDGZoFUpQ

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Bradley-Jazz » Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:24 am

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by the Smiths - mandolin solo break
All the cheeses....

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by rbrcbr » Sun May 01, 2022 9:28 am

These guys go by Watchhouse now, but mandolin has always been a prominent part of their sound, rooted in bluegrass tradition. Andrew has incredible chops and plays so tastefully, big fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWBth_rLgw&t=1270s

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Caddy65 » Sun May 01, 2022 2:06 pm

There are thousands. Back when I was playing mandolin in a very good bluegrass band thai I started back in the late 70’s every song had mandolin.

For other types of music Maggie May is the first that comes to mind.

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Stephen_42 » Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:50 am

Sorry for the super belated reply! I don't post in the music forum much and it shows. Thank you all for the suggestions - I'll give them all a go and let you know if I make progress!

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by Sweetfinger » Sat Sep 03, 2022 11:23 pm

One of the first things I try to play on any unfamiliar stringed instrument is "Smoke On The Water".

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Re: Songs with mandolins in them

Post by LVC » Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:23 am

The Godfather's soundtrack by Nino Rota features mandolins prominently, and there are versions arranged specially for mandolin.

The Decemberists - The Mariner's Revenge Song

Eddie Vedder - Rise

Chris Cornell - Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart

And of course... a classic! :D

Basically (almost) any song in the Celtic punk genre, and those which don't actually feature mandolin can easily be arranged for it.

Oh, and mandolin played along to surf music sounds awesome, because of tremolo picking. Just try Misirlou, Malagueña or Wipe Out...
Create art, not content

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