Imagine being a chef and having to cook your signature dish, which made your restaurant famous every night for decades. While the applause and full plates are gratifying, wouldn’t a part of you yearn to experiment with new flavors, try out different cuisines, and push your culinary boundaries?
For iconic bands who have been touring for forty, fifty, or even sixty years, a similar dynamic likely exists with their biggest hits. These “warhorses” – the anthems that ignite stadiums and define generations – are often mandatory in their setlists. Think of U2 needing to deliver the soaring emotion of “With or Without You,” the Rolling Stones unleashing the raw energy of “Satisfaction,” or Bruce Springsteen igniting the crowd with the rebellious spirit of “Born to Run.”
However, the law of diminishing returns is a persistent force. After countless repetitions, night after night, tour after tour, does the magic begin to fade for the musicians themselves? Can the intricate guitar riffs, the soaring vocal melodies, and the driving rhythms that once felt vibrant and alive start to feel routine? Consider the sheer physicality of performing these songs. Muscle memory becomes ingrained, and the stage cues become automatic. While this allows for a polished and professional performance, it can also lead to a sense of detachment. The creative spark that fueled the song’s inception might feel distant, replaced by the mechanical execution required to deliver it flawlessly. This is why you sometimes hear the expression, They just mailed it in last night.”
Furthermore, musicians are artists. Their creative spirits thrive on exploration and novelty. Being perpetually tethered to their past glories might feel creatively stifling. Imagine having a wellspring of new ideas and musical directions you’re eager to explore, but knowing that fan expectations already predetermine a significant portion of your setlist. Is it any wonder members of veteran bands put out solo material and perform on songs by other artists?
So, do bands get bored? It’s a delicate balance between honoring your legacy and nurturing your artistic growth.
The connection with the audience is a powerful antidote to monotony. Moving an audience with your music must be an absolute rush as you see the smiling faces, the sing-alongs, and fans jumping up and down when that oh-so-familiar riff is unleashed on twenty thousand people. The opportunity to subtly reinterpret arrangements or inject new energy into familiar tunes can also help. I’m a big Stones fan, and I’ve heard numerous versions of their classics in person or on audio and video. Compare Satisfaction from 1965 to 1969, the soulful version of 1971 at the Marquee Club, the sped up 1981/1982 version, the 1989 version, and since then.
While the biggest hits are often staples, many bands will rotate other songs in and out of their setlists to keep things interesting for themselves and the hardcore fans who attend multiple shows. Most established bands intersperse their classic hits with newer songs from their latest albums. This allows them to stay current creatively while still satisfying audience expectations. While there might be internal groans occasionally, the connection with the audience and the recognition of the songs’ importance usually outweigh the potential for boredom.
Yes, after decades in the spotlight, the potential for a weariness with the constant repetition of their biggest hits is undoubtedly a reality these legendary artists have had to navigate. For many touring musicians, playing the hits is part of their profession. They understand that these are the songs that brought them their fanbase and continue to draw audiences.
John Berkovich Talks 