What's up, everyone? It's been a while since I threw something on here, but I was just looking for the right topic to write about. I was looking for something a little different, and then an announcement was made at about 3:15 yesterday that gave me all the inspiration that I needed. My favorite band, O.A.R., is having an "Extended Stay" tour in New York, DC and of course, here in Philly. Not only that, but they are playing at a small, but phenomenal venue, The TLA. The shows are on March 15th and 16th of next year. There is no doubt in my mind I'll be in attendance for both shows, and I couldn't be more happy. Then I thought, "what if I would pick the set list for one of these shows?" It's something that would be unreal, so, here is my:
The Top 5 Special Edition: The Dream O.A.R. Set List...
1. City On Down - There's nothing better than getting to an O.A.R. show, having the crowd go wild, the band walks on stage, and the first thing you hear is, "In the end, my friend, we will all be together again." The perfect opening song, "City" gets the crowd into the show right away and brings the energy that is present at every single concert. Add in a Jerry DePizzo sax solo, and the crowd will go bananas!
2. Untitled - Keeping the upbeat theme, "Untitled" is a great tune that can be transitioned right from "City On Down." I can see Richard On (guitar) riffing right into "Untitled" from the latter stages of "City." This has always been a great live song, but I feel like it took off to new heights when the guys recorded it for their Live From Madison Garden album. Putting it in the set list that night introduced the song to a lot of people who weren't familiar with it.
3. Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes - My second favorite song on their new album, "King", "Gotta" is a great way to bring some new blood into the show early. I haven't seen this song done live yet, and I can't wait to. It has a kick to the refrain that punches you in the face (in a good way) every time. It has to be unbelievable live, and I can't wait to see if Marc (lead singer/guitar) goes into one of his ridiculous freestyles in the middle of the song.
4. So Moved On - This is a song that has some great meaning behind it for me. First discovered on the band's 34th and 8th live album, "Moved On," was a song that I always listened to, but never had a real appreciation for. Then, me and my boys partied down in Wildwood, NJ for Memorial Day weekend. The girls walked in the room, this song was blasting, and my appreciation grew ten fold. Hearing Marc roll into the verse with, "I could not hide, I wore my pride." with Chris Culos (Drums) on his solo behind the lyrics is one of the best parts of this song.
5. 52-50 - This is the first "long song" of the set. I feel like five songs in is a good spot for this. "52-50" is an amazing song the builds up throughout the entire track. It starts off with a great bass line from Benj Gershman, and follows all the way through until Chris crushes the drums into a pulp and the song literally explodes about 6:45 into it. O.A.R. makes great long songs, and this is no exception. Check out the studio version on their "Stories of a Stranger" album.
6. About Mr. Brown -Now we're getting into the bulk of the concert. Everyone is settled in, having a great time and probably ready to hear a couple slower songs. Not just yet, though. "About Mr. Brown" is a song with many questions about life. This is also a great song because the band dedicates it to their friend, Michael, who they lost a long time ago. This was his favorite O.A.R. tune. In Marc's words from the "Any Time Now" album, "We miss him and we love him. And this is his song, forever." It's a great dedication, a great song, and has many different freestyle versions.
7. Short A Try - Okay, now it's time for a couple slower songs. At this point in the show, I can see Marc and Richard with two acoustic guitars, sitting along on stage. That's is when they break into "Short A Try." We discovered this song by accident, probably like a lot of people have. We were drinking one night, listening to "Any Time Now" and the song, "Delicate Few." We weren't paying attention, when we heard the crowd, and an acoustic guitar. That was the point when this song instantly became a group favorite. That version is so powerful, and you can feel the passion for the song in Marc's voice. I can't really say much more, just listen to that version and you'll know exactly what I mean.
8. Shattered - This is a complete gem off of the very under-appreciated (in my opinion) album, "All Sides." The first time I heard this song, I played it over and over because it spoke to me in the situation I was in at the time. "How many times can I break 'til I shatter?" is a line that stuck with me. After this, I made some decisions that cost me some important people in my life. A few months later, I really listened to the song on a deeper level, and realized that I had to "turn this thing around." Marc and Richard absolutely kill this song acoustically. This will be the last "slower song" for a while, but it's their biggest commercial hit to date, so everyone will enjoy it.
9. Night Shift - "It's three AM and I wanna go to bed!" kicks of this beauty of a tune. It's about a girl that you can't get out of your head, and how you wish you could be anywhere else other than where you are right now, and with her. A party favorite, and just a downright good tune, the guys have paired this with "Stir It Up" and really made it one song. (Check that version out on their "Any Time Now" live album.) It's always great to hear this live because everyone sings along. It's also a great song coming off of two slower songs. It definitely gets the crowd right back into it, dancing and singing along.
10. Black Rock - Ahh, "Black Rock." This is an old school, all time favorite from this band. The black rock is a place you go when you want to get away from it all. It can be in your mind, your heart, or even a physical place you go to. A great character shows up in this song (See #16.) The "black rock state of mind" is something I've embraced in the last ten years, all thanks to this great song. It is a good half way point song, because it really takes me back to when we all first started listening to O.A.R. and gives a solid two song, old school feel. Also, if I ever open a bar, I want to call it "The Black Rock." Just a thought haha.
11. Back To One - This is my favorite song off of O.A.R.'s latest album, "King." It's an inspirational song about regrouping when life has taken its toll on you. This song also came up big for me when the album came out. I was going through a rough time, and this song absolutely helped me. It also helps that I've worn the number one throughout my hockey career. It's symbolism like that that makes you connect with music. I need to see this song live, and it starts the second half of the show with a song from the new album. I highly recommend checking out all of their music, but this one is a must listen.
12. Love and Memories -The global hit off of the band's "Stories Of A Stranger" album, "Love and Memories" is a great song. It's about someone trying to get rid of the love and memories that exist from a previous love. This is a tough thing to go through, as I know first hand. Some people said that they sold out with this record, and that pisses me off. They are storytellers, and this tells a story. Just because it sounds a little pop/rock-ish, doesn't mean they have sold out. This is a phenomenal song live, and a great staple to be played in the middle of the show.
13. Patiently -"Patiently" is a song that hit home with me at the time I discovered it. I found it on the "34th and 8th" album, and immediately fell in love with it. I was missing someone, and as the song says, "Patiently, oh I wait for you." I thought she was going to come back, but she didn't. The reason I put this song here is because it's the last "slower song" of this set. (Except for #19) But also, it's because of the passion that it is sung with. In the "34th and 8th" version, you can hear the pain and angst in Marc's voice. It really is an unreal live track.
14. Delicate Few - Now that the home stretch has started, let's have a sing along! "Whooaahh Whooooahh, Whoa, Ohhh Oh Oh!" "Delicate Few" always bring the opportunity to sing with every person in the joint as the song opens up. It's a great live song, and as the song says, lets you, "relax for a delicate few." It's a great song to dance to, as Marc always suggests. It really is the perfect way to start the beginning of then end of the show.
15. Hey Girl - If there is any such thing as an "O.A.R. staple," (other than "Poker"...see #20) it is "Hey Girl." This is a perfect song for this spot. I like the fact that two major "sing along songs" are in a row here. This is just a great song about a date with a girl. Crowds have adopted Marc's enthusiastic "Yeeaahhh!" after each of the first two lines of the song (Listen to the "Any Time Now" version) and it kicks ass every time. It's a fun song that also gets the Marc freestyle treatment from times to time. My favorite comes from the "Live from MSG" version, where he sings, "But you're sweet like a cupcake and I wanna eat ya up, you." Its a great freestyle, give it a listen.
16. Old Man Time - Now one of my all time favorites, I sadly didn't discover "Old Man Time" until a couple of years into my O.A.R. experience. If I had to pick out one thing that these guys are amazing at (they're great at everything they do) it would have to be storytelling. They can jam on their instruments for hours, they always know what each other is doing on stage, Marc is an unbelievable free-stylist, but the storytelling in their songs is amazing. It's a story of love, and at the center is one of the most beloved characters of the O.A.R. catalog, Old Man Time.
17. Heaven - This is the perfect song to walk off the stage to before the encore.The first single off of their latest album, "King", "Heaven" is a very inspirational song. The line, "I don't wanna go to heaven if they don't want me." kills me every time. It's a great song about living the life you lead and learning from mistakes. The end has a great energy, and that's why I like this in the "closing spot." Even though we all know they'll be back out to play a few more songs, this is easily a great song to end a show on.
18. I Feel Home - This here is my all time favorite O.A.R. song. It's a great song to kick off the encore. It's a slower song, but it is an amazing, well written track. Me and my boys have adopted this as our anthem since the day we first heard it. This song served as a "finals week anthem" for myself and Fett throughout college. When "Home" was on repeat, you knew it was almost time to get back home for a few weeks, hang in someone's basement and drink a few cases of good brew. The best part is seeing this song live with all my boys present at the concert. It is, and always will be our anthem.
19. About An Hour Ago - Another classic within my group, here. This is another great story told by this band. Catching it on the road is absolutely amazing, and a great encore song. "About An Hour Ago" also holds a special spot in my heart because of the freestyle that Marc created on the "Live from MSG" album. It is hands down my favorite freestyle that he has ever done. The first time I heard it, I turned to Fett, asked him if that just happened, rewound it and listened to it over and over again. This is a must have, as I am notoriously known throughout my group of friends for drunkenly yelling, "Kickin' back, sippin' beers!"
20. That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker - Like I was going to pick anything else for this spot? I've seen these guys eight times. They have played "Poker" as the last song in the set, and earlier in the set. I just think that this is the best song for the finale. This song can be upwards of twenty minutes in length, but every second is worth it. As I wrote in an earlier blog, this is one of the best songs I've ever seen live. The finale should be the biggest blow out pint of the concert, and every time this song is played, it feels like the roof's going to blow off the joint.
Well, there it is. If I could pick the set list for one O.A.R. show, that would be it. What would you pick if you could choose your favorite band's set list at a show you were at? Leave some feedback, I'd love to hear from you. As always, I'll be kickin' back, sippin' beers. You should do the same!
P.S. I got my pre-sale tickets for both shows! Boom!
