We Weren't Born To Follow - Live question

So is it a general rule of thumb that the higher the key, the better the song?

Can someone give a general key of what Jon sang with in the 80's to now on album versions?

At the San Siro show, Jon attempted a little variation after the solo, and I think it does sound better this way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAWVcIJ79vU#t=2m18s

I thought so too but check it out.

Album version: Tuned half a step down, A

Live: Half a step down. Starts on the 4th fret. ()

So the song was recorded half a step down. then lowered another semitone live.

I don't think that's generally the rule, no. It just happens to be the key was lowered on an already non-energetic song.

Album version tuned standard, starts on 4th fret.

What if it was recorded the way they actually play it but tuned standard?? like they do every song???
It would still be the same key so how could you tell?? Unless you forgot to put in the link on your post....

Aloha !

No, they play it pretty much exactly the same speed live as on the studio recording. Click tracks and all of that. It's the same wit It's My Life. It sounds way slower yet it's roughly the same speed.

The reason it sounds slower is because in the studio there's so many layers of drum loops that spice up the recording and make it sound fresh while all of that gets drowned out when played live, plus all the effects used in the studio to improve Jon's vocals can't be used whenever he sings live, and he rarely uses his studio voice full time rasp and articulation for every word. All factors as to why every live rendition of any song sounds more muddy when played live. This had been the case since 1993, it's just that the songs were better back then and more engaging, thus not many people noticing or caring.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

It's tuned standard? I've always thought it was recorded half a step down. I'd say not every BJ song is standard, with each album more and more are half a step.

It's possible I've just been playing Born to Follow wrong for a few years now!

It is easier to strum the open chords and sing if you tune a half step down, and I guess we'll never really know how they did it in the studio. But even if it was recorded a half step down in A minor and played live a half step down in Ab minor, that's still only a half step down relative to the album version.

At least that's what these ears hear!

I might be in the minority here...well I know I am but I rather like the studio version. Despite the dull lyrical content it at least has a bit of bite and energy which can't be said for alot of the newer material.

Live however it's as dull as dishwater.

Jon did it something like that at Gillette too


(around the 2 min mark)