Fab Five Friday
Picking the perfect last call song can be tricky.
Some bars play atrocious closing songs just to get people out.
Others aim for a slow, recognizable tune to ease people down.
Here's my list of the five best last call songs:
1. "Closing Time" by Semisonic (pictured)
The best closing song ever! It's about ... closing time! At a bar!
Just kidding.
Here's the real list ...
1. "Summer Wind" by Frank Sinatra
Not only is it a classic, but it it also eases you down from a high-energy night out. Not sure if it still does, but Claddagh Pub used to play this song at last call.
2. "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (pictured)
Here's a last call song that will clear out just about any bar in Baltimore.
3. "Time For Me To Fly" by REO Speedwagon
It's not as universal as Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer," so everybody in the bar is not going to put their arms around each other and sway back and forth to it. It's not too upbeat. And the message is clear: Peace out, homies.
4. "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong" by Against Me
I say if you're going to end the night with a fiery drinking song, it might as well be this one. Thanks for the tip, Allan.
5. "Last Call" by Jolo
This awesomely bad '80s disco dance tune that (I think unknowingly) samples the theme to Star Trek.
(Stock photo of Semisonic from Sun archives. Photo of Celine Dion by Getty Images.)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Celine Dion will certainly clear out the bar. It will also guarantee the DJ is not asked back.
The end does not justify the means in the case of Celine Dion. There are so many better ways to accomplish the same goal.
I feel for the handful of Baltimore DJ's that will now have to field requests for Celine Dion for the next few weeks.
No more Celine, Sam. No more Celine!
Stop it.
Posted by: Trouble | May 16, 2008 8:53 AM
sweeeet. all i have to do now is find a bar that'll play it. staying till 2am won't be a problem.
Posted by: Allan | May 16, 2008 9:45 AM
I used to go to a bar in Holland that played opera as their last song music. I thought that was pretty cool. Nothing like a Italian opera star belting out her dying words at 4 am :)
Posted by: K | May 18, 2008 9:09 AM
sam, i'm pretty sure you're a umd grad. if you remember being at bentley's for last call, it was usually "man in the mirror" by michael jackson. that's always been my personal favorite.
Posted by: emily | May 20, 2008 9:45 AM