#Back-Up August 14

by Coach4aday · Published August 14, 2020 · Updated August 14, 2020

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Hit records often involve fantastic BACK-UP singers or vocals.

To be honest any group of friends really needs BACK UP voices to have the entire group be in harmony. One of those voices in my group of friends is Maureen Metzger. Today is her birthday and this post is dedicated to her .

My friend and neighbor James Bass brought to my attention Merry Clayton one of those fantastic BACK UP singers. I actually found a album of hers on Amazon.

Merry Clayton was featured on the documentary film “20 Feet from Stardom”. That film won the 2014 Oscar for best documentary film. I watched it on Netflix it is great.

Merry was the fantastic BACK UP on “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones.

A really good song is like a really good life. Most songs can’t make it with just the lead singer. They need the spiritual lift that a BACK UP singer brings. Our lives need BACK UP voices also. Very few if any of us can do it on their own.

Watching that documentary also made me appreciate the absolute talent that exists in the background of many songs I love. Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Claudia Lennear, and Judith Hill are all super talented. Lisa Fischer is a wow talent and she has toured with the Rolling Stones on every tour since 1989.

I have listed a couple of songs below that I really like that have fantastic BACK UP vocals. I encourage you to add your favorite in the comments below.

Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” with Sting

Peter Tosh “Don’t Look Back” with Mick Jagger

David Bowie “Young Americans” with Luther Vandross-special shout out to David Sanborn on Sax

Paul Simon “Graceland” with the Everly Brothers

Randy Newman “Short People” with Glenn Frey

Christopher Cross “Ride Like The Wind” with Michael McDonald

One final song for my good friend Maureen Metzger who celebrates her birthday today. She is a gigantic fan of Meatloaf.

Meatloaf “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” Karla DeVito

Maureen because of her humility is always putting herself in the background. In our group of friends her voice is very significant. For the record she is not the BACK UP in her family. She is the rock star.