Tag Archives: free midis

Lion Sleeps Tonight

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

ic_8da13e0e3e82655cb02b0b0586a5eae9   What a fun song this is – if you’ve got the pipes.  And if there are several of you singing.  This song has become part of our pop culture even though it was first recorded in Zulu by one Solomon Linda in 1931 under the title “Mbube”.  Disney Studios was sued by the descendants of Solomon Linda for their use of the song in the movie The Lion King.  I wonder why they didn’t sue “The Tokens” when they recorded it with English words in 1961…. 

The allure of the song is best described, according to wikipedia, by journalist Rian Malan:  “Mbube wasn’t the most remarkable tune, but there was something terribly compelling about the underlying chant, a dense meshing of low male voices above which Solomon yodeled and howled for two exhilarating minutes, occasionally making it up as he went along.  The third take was the great one, but it achieved immortality only in its dying seconds, when Solly took a deep breath, opened his mouth and improvised the melody that the world associates with these words – In the jungle,  the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.” 

Fascinating stuff there.  Work this more modern version into your playlist.  You’ll find it in the Pop/Rock list.  Your audience will love you for it.

I Can See Clearly Now

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

tumblr_m6as817veb1qexwn0o1_500__27406  Love this song… sorta.  It was released by Johnny Nash in 1972, then again in 1993 (Jimmy Cliff) for the soundtrack of the movie Cool Runnings.  You’ll always get a good crowd reaction where everyone just sways and sings along – it’s got that infectious pop/reggae beat.

But I’m not wild about the middle eight bars – you know, the part where the vocals hold on to the word “sky” like…. FOREVER!  Now you’re all out of breath and you’ve still got a verse to sing!  Gasp!  So…. since I’m always looking for the easy way out, I put a poly synth pad on track 5 to help extend that note a little.  Some of us need all the help we can get.

The lead sax is on track 4 to help you with the arrangement a little.  Take it out when you’re ready to perform…  it’s on the pop/rock list.

Addicted to Love

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

220px-Addicted_to_LoveThis song has everything a big-time rock’n’roll hit should have – growly guitars, driving beat, a great singer, and a famous video.  Rumor has it that the very weird models in the video were “encouraged” with wine before filming.

Robert Palmer, an English rock singer, was supposed to record this with Chaka Kahn.  Her record label wouldn’t allow it and I’m very glad she was left out of the mix.

Download the midi off the Pop/Rock list.  Take out the lead on tracks 8 and 9 if you’re going to sing it.

Need You Now

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

hqdefaultEveryone in the world knows this song…except me. I’m not a country player, so this one got under the radar. What little I’ve seen of Lady Antebellum I’ve liked – tremendously. I don’t think this particular song is their best, but it’s the most downloaded country song EVER! Who knew?
If you’re a country performer, you’ve already got this gem in your repertoire. But if you’re something other than country, even rock, you might consider this one. The free sequences I came across were pretty weak in the guitar area. So I remixed a little – even changing the lead guitar to a fat synth. It works better for me but you might prefer guitar.  You can listen to the sequence by clicking the play button above.  If you like, download the midi in the country list.