Toss Offs

Some people like their music structured and formal.  Others prefer their tunes to be more loose and spontaneous.  Me, I prefer the latter.  I take the Stones over the Beatles.  I love The Who's 15-minute version of "My Generation" on "Live at Leeds."

I particularly like what I call "toss offs."  A toss off is when a singer spouts out a random line that isn't part of a versus, bridge, or chorus.  It might not always be spontaneous, but it feels that way, as though the singer was feeling the groove and just let out a yell.  Here are songs with some of my favorite toss offs:

The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" Right before the riff kicks in, Mick Jagger yells "Watch it!"  I don't know why this is so cool.  It just is.

Beck, "Loser" This song is a master class in toss offs, but I'm thinking specifically of the immortal "Get crazy with the Cheese Whiz!"  Beck started out playing cafes in LA.  He had to do something to get the audience's attention, so he started coming up with surrealist, attention-getting songs like "Nitemare Hippy Girl" and "Asshole."  He put that talent to great use on "Loser."


Ryan Adams, "Halloween Head" Right before the guitar solo, Adams yells "Guitar solo!"  Somehow it elevates this song and gives it just the right goofy vibe.


The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Fire" "Move over, Rover.  And let Jimi take over."  Supposedly Jimi was staying at the home of the mother of his bass player, Noel Redding.  He wanted to warm himself by the fire, but  there was a Great Dane in the way.  No, really.

Isaac Hayes, "Theme from Shaft" I don't know if this really counts, since so many of the lyrics in "Shaft" feel tossed off.  But I absolutely love the "He's a bad motha..." routine.

C'mon, this has to count.  He's talkin' 'bout Shaft!


Queen, "Fat Bottomed Girls" Towards the end, Freddy Mercury yells, "Get on your bikes and ride!"  What a dumb, fun song.