Vocal vs. instrumental -- The Champs -

Is there a guideline for helping to distinguish vocal from instrumental performances?

For example, I find several entries for The Champs especially confusing:

The Champs' most famous song, "Tequila" is entered in the database as an instrumental. The song has no true lyrics (that I am aware of), but the title ("tequila") is "called" 3 times during the performance (and for that reason -- presumably -- one editor has suggested that it should better be considered a vocal performance).

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/96693

On the other hand, The Champs' performances of "Lollipop and "Moonlight Bay" are indexed as vocals, notwithstanding that The Champs sing no lyrics on either performance. (On "Lollipop," they call the title several times and do some "oh oh-ing." On "Moonlight Bay" they call the title several times.)

Their performance of "Limbo Rock is indexed as a vocal but includes no lyrics. There is some whooping and "la la-ing."

"Too Much Tequila" includes no lyrics, but The Champs do include some whooping during the performance. This one is indexed as an instrumental, with a comment noting "with vocalize" (the more common spelling of which is "vocalese").

Note that "Lollipop," "Moonlight Bay" and "Limbo Rock" actually have lyrics, while "Tequila" and "Too Much Tequila" do not (so far as I know).

From a very old topic, some wise words by our own PG (Quentin):

"If a performance has lyrics, or appears to have lyrics (I mean nonsensical words, neologisms, or even an artificial language) then the work must have someone credited for lyrics and it must have a language. Which language? Just use common sense, logic and a bit of knowledge. By work I mean original or adaptation, it shouldn't make any difference.

Example of "nonsensical" lyrics: Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins).

Example of artificial language: Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance).

In any other case (scat, whistling, lalala, laughs, shouts,…) the work should not have credits for lyrics and it should not have a language. The performances will all become "instrumental", but I see nothing wrong with that. And, of course, we can always add a comment if we think it's worth it.

And then of course there's the "grey area". Songs with a single word or some particular expression repeated every now and then (Tequila! Pick it up! Yeah! C'mon! 1,2,3,4…). Once again, common sense and logic are better than rules and guidelines. And my common sense tells me that the song "Tequila" is an instrumental."

Last edit: 2018-08-15 16:39:39 UTC by walt

Most people would indeed consider "Tequila", "Too Much Tequila" and "Limbo Rock" instrumentals, not vocals.

The other two might be debatable but I'd still consider them instrumental despite the brief vocal parts.

Yes, "Tequila" is definitely an instrumental.

As suggested by Jeff, set the aforementioned Champs songs to instrumentals.

On a side note to management, isn't this something to add to the CC's power list? or is it already?