My understanding of the word banger is it’s reserved for good songs. There are many good slow songs as well, but the word banger seems to imply something more intense and bombastic. So, is it appropriate to describe slow songs as a banger?
banger was a shortened term for headbanger. like a person who would nod extremely vigorously, usually with long dramatic hair to a thumping beat, usually hard rock or punk music… then the word started referring to the songs themselves. but language is liquid and words evolve. some people like the word jam for slow songs that make them move.
If this is the definition, I would like to submit the song We are Young by Fun. The music video definitely supports the idea.
I saw this song mention and also thought of Arcade Fire’s Wake Up. Same deal, it’s a slow song, but definitely one you move your head or foot to.
So, nodder would be a more appropriate term, got it.
Slow is relative, but some Alternative songs come to mind
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Pearl Jam - Alive
Bloodhound Gang - Fire Water Burn
I consider Mad World to be a banger and that’s a pretty slow song.
The Summoning by Sleep Token
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
There’s a whole subgenre of D&B called Halftime that’s full of slow (by D&B standards) bangers, as well as plenty Trap, Dubstep, etc that fits the bill.
Work For Nothing - Decimal Bass
You may not agree with all of them, but tried to find plenty of examples to make a point. Hard not to bang to most of these.
I think “Feeling good” is in this category.
Portishead - Glory Box & Wandering Star Both bangers, both slow.
The George Michael enjoyers might kill me but give this one a go:
Seether - Careless Whisper
Stairway to heaven starts out pretty slow. Does that count or only songs that stay slow throughout?
For the purpose of this question, slow throughout. Also has to be something that can universally agreed as being slow, otherwise we’re going to have to discuss at what point songs stop being fast or slow. I might as well throw in the word mellow to really push it.
You might interested in the slowcore genre, notably the band Low.
Yes as long as it has a solid beat and sonic intensity. Look at it this way, not every fast song is a banger. Being a banger doesn’t necessarily have to do with beats per minute.
See - Supermassive Black Hole
Gen Z has redefined “banger”. I’m not old man’n here. It’s okay. Every generation does it.
We used to use “that’s banging“ quite a bit in the 90s and my understanding was the musically it was mostly used as “head banging” for heavy music. Again, don’t care how people want to define it today. I’ve still mostly seen it referenced to music that hits you a bit harder than most, but whatever.
I thought a banger was just a stronger version of a bop - a really great song that slaps (more youngin vernacular).
There is such a thing as a sad banger - a slower, more downbeat song that is great and really moves you. May I submit for your approval: New Person, Same Old Mistakes by Tame Impala (or Same Ol’ Mistakes by Rihanna). ETA: I would also consider Missing by Everything But the Girl a sad banger.
Replacements, Here Comes a Regular and Unsatisfied might fit.
I haven’t heard The Replacements mentioned in so long. Thanks for the reminder. Unsatisfied is definitely a banger.
Maybe in the sample basket would be Foo Fighters (My Hero, Everlong).
I got to see their final show, the one they broke up at, Chicago Grant Park, July 4, 1991. Material Issue also played.
Hell if I know. I still say music “rocks.”
