7 Great Alt-Rock Songs Where The Lead Vocalist Doesn't Sing: Oasis, The White Stripes, and more

For most bands, one of their most identifiable aspects is the sound of the lead singer's voice. However, every once in a while another band member will step out in front and take the lead, sometimes even at the suggestion of the lead singer. Here are seven greatest alt-rock songs where someone else in the band sings lead.

1. The White Stripes - "In the Cold, Cold Night" (2003)

Though White Stripes drummer Meg White is famously quiet and introverted, that didn't stop her from taking the lead in a few songs. Most notably this subdued, bluesy track from 2003's Elephant, in which she plays organ in addition to singing lead.

2. Oasis - "Don't Look Back in Anger" (1995)

Liam Gallagher's voice might be dripping with snarl and attitude, but his brother Noel is the more technically talented vocalist, which he demonstrates beautifully in "Don't Look Back in Anger." It almost makes you wonder if Oasis would have been better off with Noel singing lead for every song.

3. R.E.M. - "Near Wild Heaven" (1991)

1991's Out of Time might have been the album that made R.E.M. world famous, but it's clearly a huge step down from the band's '80s output. There are three tracks that make the album worth hearing, however: "Losing My Religion," "Shiny Happy People" (yes, I love that song), and "Near Wild Heaven," which is sung by bassist Mike Mills, and the only R.E.M. single not sung by Michael Stipe.

4. Pixies - "Gigantic" (1988)

I don't think the contrast between a backing and lead vocalist was ever greater than in the music of the Pixies, with Kim Deal's voice acting as a cushion for Black Francis' maniacal screams. However, one of the Pixies' greatest moments came when Kim Deal was allowed to lead on the band's first single "Gigantic," the perfect example of the band's signature combination of melody with violent guitar noise.

5. Nirvana - "Marigold" (1993)

Before there was Foo Fighters, there was "Marigold," the only Nirvana song to be written solely by Dave Grohl. The song was recorded by Grohl towards the end of the In Utero sessions and was released as the B-side to "Heart Shaped Box," though it would later be released on the Foo Fighters live album Skin and Bones, making it the only song to be officially released by both Nirvana and Foo Fighters.

6. The Clash - "The Guns of Brixton" (1979)

Most of the Clash's songs were written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, but the first song to be written and sung by bassist Paul Simonon was the London Calling classic "The Guns of Brixton," a reggae-inspired track with the band's best bassline. When the Clash would perform it live, Simonon would play rhythm guitar instead of bass, as the bassline was too difficult for him to play while singing.

7. The Velvet Underground - "Candy Says" (1969)

Though Nico sang three songs for the Velvet Underground, she was more of a co-lead vocalist for a time, so I've chose to exclude those songs from consideration. With that in mind, the best Velvet Underground song that wasn't sung by Lou Reed is "Candy Says," the delicate opening track to the band's eponymous 1969 album, which was sung by bassist Doug Yule.

Tags

The Velvet Underground, The Clash, Nirvana, The White Stripes, Pixies, R.E.M., Oasis