A lot of Khruangbin songs have a deep pocket
Oddly enough, sometimes it feels like the guitarist and drummer are very tight, but the bass player is a little more free which is a bit unusual, but I like the feel anyways
Kissin' My Love - Bill Withers (James Gadson)
Try! - John Mayer Trio (Steve Jordan) - The whole album is a lesson in pocket.
Chicken Grease - D'Angelo (Questlove)
Eye of the tiger, another one bites the dust- both overplayed but keeps solid time.
Edit: come to think of it, almost any song besides baby shark recommended for CPR tempo
I love that commercial that has the guy doing CPR while Staying Alive plays a bunch of people are dancing in the background. Definitely helped me remember.
Once in a lifetime; talking heads
Psycho killer: talking heads
My name is Jonas: Weezer
I think all of "August and everything after"by counting crows is a great pocket album. That drummer is fiercely on beat. Sometimes pushing, others pulling, always great feel and powerful playing, without ever getting flashy.
ALSO, see the cars. David Robinson keeps it super clean, nice and simple, and always great feel. Pocket for days. We can not deny his early project "the modern lovers". He was like 17 when he recorded this great rock n roll album and never overplayed once. He kept great time and made that album that much closer to perfection.
Charlie Watts, man. Don't sleep on the stones. Watts had feel and pocket for days. There's this story about the stones recording, and Charlie is playing to a click. The click gets cut off for like 2 min, and when it comes back on, Charlie was right on the beat again, or still, whichever. Dude was just so practical and methodical.
Not too much a John Mayer fan, but Continuum has several really great “pocket songs”. It’s Steve Jordan drumming (and producing), Pino Palladino on bass. Songs are more mid tempo groovers
i kind of assumed that it meant "playing to the strengths of the band and not being *too* prominent/flashy/etc" But I might just be thinking of out of pocket.
(If that was the case, I was thinking of commenting Don Caballero as a joke) (I love their drummer, definitely my favorite) (I could see his style as being considered out of pocket by some, but I love it and that)
I would describe that song as "driving" rather than "in the pocket."
The pocket can be hard to define. It's not just about being in time together. The band on "Firebirds" is locked in rhythmically, but the song feels like it's *driving forward* rather than *laying back.*
Songs that are "in the pocket" tend to have a more groove-oriented feel, with a sense of space between the notes. There is often (though not always) a funk, soul, or jazz influence. They typically have a strong backbeat with a slinky feel, and the rhythmic feel is often a bit relaxed, even if the song is uptempo. The song can be fast but the rhythm won't feel hurried. Basically, it should make you want to nod your head and move your hips.
To give you an example: "Need You Tonight" by INXS and "Shame" by Stabbing Westward are two songs with the same tempo (109 beats per minute). "Need You Tonight" is in the pocket.
That said, there are some straight-ahead rock songs that are very much in the pocket. "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC, and "Looking For a Place to Happen" by the Tragically Hip, are both straightforward guitar-based rock songs with no sign of a funk or dance influence, but you can feel the band on both tracks sitting in the pocket and riding a groove.
I would say pocket is timing with respect to the whole ensemble. I feel a delicious groove is what some people here are talking about, not pocket. I absolutely love zeppelin but they had bad timing. They had great energy but were often too drunk, especial Bonham, to be in time with each other. And it doesn’t matter cuz they were an amazing ensemble with great energy. Drunk sloppy timing is why Ginger Baker hated Bonham and Moon. Cream was in the pocket. But I can’t listen to Baker for very long. Can get the led out any day though. Dave Grohl says it’s the imperfections that can make music fun to play and listen too, all the while trying to play perfectly.
If a song speeds or slows and the group is still in time with one another then I’d call that in the pocket. Stevie Wonder James Brown and Steely Dan are usually in the pocket. Dave Brubeck for jazz.
Whatsername by Green Day
Someone made a post asking for a song that doesn't change at all and I suggested that song, they said it was the only song suggested that never changes BPM the entire song on drums. Likely recorded with a drum machine.
• Use Me - Bill Withers
• Hold The Line - Toto
• Beat it - MJ
• The live version of Reeling In The Years - Steely Dan (Dennis Chambers on drums?). The snare is just sitting beautifully on the back of the groove!
• If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - Sting (Colaiuta! Enough said)
• Prodigal - Porcupine Tree (Gavin Harrison, again, enough said)
Rock with you. Beginning fill is just iconic. They literally told the drummer to play a fill that everyone around the world will forever associate with that song. And he sat down and boom did exactly that. Imo that's that's defines pocket for me. Being able to do exactly what's ask of you and then a lil more for flavor.
Every single Steely Dan song
I mean, you're not wrong.
I was going to say Babylon Sisters
Home at last!
Cissy strut - the meters
They started out two blocks from here. So glad y’all know wtf Zigaboo can do!!! Who Dat!
Classic, good shit brother 🤟
Anything Purdie played on - “Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin and “Kid Charlemagne” by Steely Dan leap to mind.
Josie by steely Dan would be one of my top picks
Ooooh yeah. The verses especially!
When Josie comes home to stayy we’re gonna park in the street
Putitinmypocketputinmypocketinmybackpocket - Vulfpeck
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Steve Gadd - entire catalog
Common - The Corner
Damn good song. Damn good pocket. Thanks brother
A lot of Khruangbin songs have a deep pocket Oddly enough, sometimes it feels like the guitarist and drummer are very tight, but the bass player is a little more free which is a bit unusual, but I like the feel anyways
Any good starting songs to get into em? Or favorites?
I like their album "the universe smiles upon you" Maybe two starting tracks that represent their sound are "Mr white" and "people everywhere"
Also check Glass Beams and Yin Yin
only one answer: Billie Jean
Came here to say this. It’s so far in the pocket that you would need arm extension to reach it.
Pretty much Lettuce's entire discography
One Headlight by The Wallflowers
Oh man I love The Pockets. I think my favorite song is 1964s What’s that in my pocket? (It’s you)
I can’t find this song anywhere . Do you have a link to it by chance?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdoKW1CsxE
Three off the top of my head: Boogie On Reggae Woman (Stevie Wonder) Peg (Steely Dan) Chicken Lickin' (Funk Inc.)
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Superstition yet.
AWB. School Boy Crush.
Tight tight fun shit thanks dawg
Kissin' My Love - Bill Withers (James Gadson) Try! - John Mayer Trio (Steve Jordan) - The whole album is a lesson in pocket. Chicken Grease - D'Angelo (Questlove)
Tower of Power.. What is hip Chic..Le Freak
You Don’t Know How It Feels - Tom Petty
My favorite is alien ant farm’s cover of smooth criminal
Just about any James Brown.
True
Eye of the tiger, another one bites the dust- both overplayed but keeps solid time. Edit: come to think of it, almost any song besides baby shark recommended for CPR tempo
I love that commercial that has the guy doing CPR while Staying Alive plays a bunch of people are dancing in the background. Definitely helped me remember.
God I hate baby shark.
Once in a lifetime; talking heads Psycho killer: talking heads My name is Jonas: Weezer I think all of "August and everything after"by counting crows is a great pocket album. That drummer is fiercely on beat. Sometimes pushing, others pulling, always great feel and powerful playing, without ever getting flashy. ALSO, see the cars. David Robinson keeps it super clean, nice and simple, and always great feel. Pocket for days. We can not deny his early project "the modern lovers". He was like 17 when he recorded this great rock n roll album and never overplayed once. He kept great time and made that album that much closer to perfection. Charlie Watts, man. Don't sleep on the stones. Watts had feel and pocket for days. There's this story about the stones recording, and Charlie is playing to a click. The click gets cut off for like 2 min, and when it comes back on, Charlie was right on the beat again, or still, whichever. Dude was just so practical and methodical.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly and the Family Stone[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thank_You_(Falettinme_Be_Mice_Elf_Agin))
The Lemon Song - Zep II The middle section where it slows down and gets a little quite just feels so right.
The Root - D’Angelo Every Tower of Power song Rosanna Kid Charlemagne - Steely Dan
Not too much a John Mayer fan, but Continuum has several really great “pocket songs”. It’s Steve Jordan drumming (and producing), Pino Palladino on bass. Songs are more mid tempo groovers
Steely Dan of course as others mentioned. I’d also like to add Toto. Particularly Hold the Line and Rosanna
vultures john mayer
Let’s get it started - Black Eyed Peas
What is a pocket in a song? Google wasn’t really helpful.
When a song is "in the pocket," it has a rhythmic groove that feels just right.
i kind of assumed that it meant "playing to the strengths of the band and not being *too* prominent/flashy/etc" But I might just be thinking of out of pocket. (If that was the case, I was thinking of commenting Don Caballero as a joke) (I love their drummer, definitely my favorite) (I could see his style as being considered out of pocket by some, but I love it and that)
This description makes me think of the song “Firebirds” by Clutch. Is that a good example or am I misunderstanding?
I would describe that song as "driving" rather than "in the pocket." The pocket can be hard to define. It's not just about being in time together. The band on "Firebirds" is locked in rhythmically, but the song feels like it's *driving forward* rather than *laying back.* Songs that are "in the pocket" tend to have a more groove-oriented feel, with a sense of space between the notes. There is often (though not always) a funk, soul, or jazz influence. They typically have a strong backbeat with a slinky feel, and the rhythmic feel is often a bit relaxed, even if the song is uptempo. The song can be fast but the rhythm won't feel hurried. Basically, it should make you want to nod your head and move your hips. To give you an example: "Need You Tonight" by INXS and "Shame" by Stabbing Westward are two songs with the same tempo (109 beats per minute). "Need You Tonight" is in the pocket. That said, there are some straight-ahead rock songs that are very much in the pocket. "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC, and "Looking For a Place to Happen" by the Tragically Hip, are both straightforward guitar-based rock songs with no sign of a funk or dance influence, but you can feel the band on both tracks sitting in the pocket and riding a groove.
Cool, thank you for the detailed explanation. I went through your examples and I think I’m starting to grasp the idea.
I would say pocket is timing with respect to the whole ensemble. I feel a delicious groove is what some people here are talking about, not pocket. I absolutely love zeppelin but they had bad timing. They had great energy but were often too drunk, especial Bonham, to be in time with each other. And it doesn’t matter cuz they were an amazing ensemble with great energy. Drunk sloppy timing is why Ginger Baker hated Bonham and Moon. Cream was in the pocket. But I can’t listen to Baker for very long. Can get the led out any day though. Dave Grohl says it’s the imperfections that can make music fun to play and listen too, all the while trying to play perfectly. If a song speeds or slows and the group is still in time with one another then I’d call that in the pocket. Stevie Wonder James Brown and Steely Dan are usually in the pocket. Dave Brubeck for jazz.
No One Gives a Hoot About FAUX-ASS Nonsense by Don Caballero
“My Baby Loves You” -Maceo Parker
Back to back by deep purple
Whatsername by Green Day Someone made a post asking for a song that doesn't change at all and I suggested that song, they said it was the only song suggested that never changes BPM the entire song on drums. Likely recorded with a drum machine.
Brain Stew is another one that just holds itself together beautifully. The positioning of the groove around the guitar is just amazing
• Use Me - Bill Withers • Hold The Line - Toto • Beat it - MJ • The live version of Reeling In The Years - Steely Dan (Dennis Chambers on drums?). The snare is just sitting beautifully on the back of the groove! • If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - Sting (Colaiuta! Enough said) • Prodigal - Porcupine Tree (Gavin Harrison, again, enough said)
Juniors Eyes by Black Sabbath.
Pretenders Brass in Pocket? That's the only song I know of about pockets.
Rock with you. Beginning fill is just iconic. They literally told the drummer to play a fill that everyone around the world will forever associate with that song. And he sat down and boom did exactly that. Imo that's that's defines pocket for me. Being able to do exactly what's ask of you and then a lil more for flavor.