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Despite the wide variety of musicians at Bonnaroo this year, there was a commonality I observed at nearly every set, from Snoop Dogg to TV on the Radio to Bon Iver: the prevalence of the handclap. The crowd went wild each time the band gave them a beat they could clap along to, and the musicians seemed to appreciate the response. Why are handclaps so appealing? Maybe it's the sing-alongs we're taught as children, like "B-I-N-G-O" and of course, "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands." Maybe it's the interactive nature of making percussion along with the band, or maybe it's the pure joy of keeping the beat. Either way, handclaps have made their way into every genre you can think of, including rap, folk, punk, indie rock, '80s pop and classic rock. Here, our favorite 13 songs with handclaps:
1. Simon and Garfunkel - "Cecilia"Classic—not only a jiving handclap, but shakers, too.
2. John Cougar Mellencamp - "Jack and Diane"
Despite Mellencamp's multiple name changes, life goes on, and the crowd keeps clapping.
3. Arcade Fire - "Rebellion (Lies)"
There's only one, and you'll be disappointed if you miss it.
4. Talib Kweli - "Get By"
This morning, I woke up. Feeling brand new, I jumped up. Right away, I clapped my hands. Or something like that.
5. Of Montreal - "Disconnect the Dots"
It's subtle but it's there.
6. The Clash, "Rock the Casbah"
Whatever a casbah is, at least we can keep the beat.
7. Busta Rhymes - "Make it Clap"
Enough said.
8. Stealers Wheel - "Stuck in the Middle With You"
You know you were going to sing along anyway.
9. Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
Sounds like a percussive army of clappers.
10. Radiohead - "We Suck Young Blood"
The slow death-knell of handclaps.
11. The Beatles - "Eight Days A Week"
Lots of Beatles songs have claps, but this one is classic.
12. Belle and Sebastian - "Women's Realm"
Maybe they should have named their album Clap Your Hands, Child, You Walk Like a Peasant. But Fold Your Hands is pretty close.
13. The Rembrandts - "I'll Be There For You"
You know it as the Friends theme song—the one that just wouldn't be the same without that quadruple handclap in the first verse.
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Leaving out Steve Miller's "Take the Money and Run" is just criminal. I don't usually find myself defending "jock rock" but it really is ten times the song that Belle & Sebastian's is. There are just two short parts, but everyone knows them.
Good call. That's by far the best Steve Miller song. Hoo-hoo!
"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone
The Shins - "Kissing the Lipless" intro.
great clap video from Todd Widell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv29mSODZkM
Don't forget "Carwash" by Rose Royce
"Black Heart, Blue Eyes" by Tigers That Talked
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyjki4xluLs
Great Choices. Ofcourse you cant make this list without mentioning Billy Squire - The Stroke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy8N0PGvq8A
Hey Mickey.
We Used To Be Friends- Dandy Warhols
Bjork - It's In Our Hands
Most danceable: Outkast's Hey Ya!
I would have to include "The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders" by Sufjan Stevens. The hand claps in the intro are great.
another classic.. Along Comes Mary by The Association
Uh, yeah, Steve Miller's Take the $ and Run for sure.
Boy with a Coin, by Iron and Wine.
Tesselate from Tokyo Police Club would make a great addition to this list.
I can't believe, you forgot Rilo Kiley's finest moment "With Arms Outstretched"...
I know you can't make everyone with these lists, but it seems you left off one of the great bands who really in many ways helped keep the handclap alive. The Ramones used the handclap quite a bit, no other instance more recognizable than "I Wanna Be Sedated." Of course, they were taking a cue from one of their main influences, the Beach Boys. No "Barbara Ann"?
Perhaps not as essential, I myself--being a huge fan of the handclap--would add Weezer's "Photograph," the Felice Brothers' "Love Me Tenderly," Everclear's "So Much For the Afterglow and the Pipettes' "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me."
Clearly there are many candidates for this rather awesome list... but there's one (probably lesser-known) song that has handclapping throughout the entire piece (it serves as the percussion)...
"Crayola Doesn't Make a Color For Your Eyes" by Kristin Andreassen. Search for it on YouTube if you want to see the video. It'll just make you smile. :)
!!!DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!!!
Bird and the Bee's My Love
you made the right choice with Eight Days a Week. The early beatles mastered the art of handclap, and this song totally proves it
Where is My Wild Love by the Doors? That song includes no instrumental music, relying solely on clapping, stamping, etc. Also, the Dropkick Murphys' version of the Wild Rover.
No Fleetwood Mac "I don't want to know"? It's perhaps the most fun hand-clapping ever! I few years ago, my stepsister and her friends started a band called Clap Clap in Austin .. they had a clap choir and everything! The shows, needless to say, were very very fun. :)
The Way We Get By, by Spoon
I think one of the best clapping songs would have to be "The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis. One of the funnest and most enjoyable songs to dance to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgnCB7oni8o
You can't help but want to clap along!