Help with song list for Assisted Living Homes

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have expanded the amount of assisted living centers to where I am now playing at 20 of them.
I only play once every month or two at each one of them.
This will be my third or fourth time to play at many of these places, so I am now looking for more new songs that these folks will enjoy.

They love songs that they know or remember.
What are some suggestions for songs to play for them.

Their ages vary from in their 60's to 90's.
They like to hear songs from the 60's,and 70's the most.

Please suggest some songs for me to use.

 

[lungimsam]

Johnny Mathis:
Chances Are
The Twelfth of Never

 

[DrumBob]

Here's the set we are doing tomorrow for an assisted living facility. Very MOR.

01.Stand By Me (G) RC
02.Drift Away (A) GT
03.Cry To Me (E) PH
04.The Wanderer (C) RC
05.Let's Stay Together (F) PH
Into >>>
06.Take Me To The River (E) PH
07.My Girl (C) RC
08.Sleepwalkin' (C) Instrumental
09.I've Been Lonely Too Long (D) PH
10.Pretty Woman (E) RC
Into >>>
11.Satisfaction (E) RC
12.I'm Into Something Good (C) PH
Beatles-Block:
13.All My Lovin' RC
14.Saw Her Standin' There (E) PH
15.To Love Somebody (G) GT
16.I Think We're Alone Now (G) GT
Into >>>
17.Hanky Panky (A) RC
18.I Feel Good (C) RC
19.Li'l Sister (E) GT
20.Suspicious Minds (G) PH
ENCORE:
21.Come Unto Me (Am) PH

 

[Sal]

This will have them singing along.
Those Were The Days

 

[davismanLV]

And I was ten when this song came around. Please know that it's a great song!! And look up the chords... easy A Am D Dm A again.... some folks know about it some don't... you gotta play it like you LOVE this song....



Get right down.... they'll love it!! Bless our oldsters..... <3

 

[Sal]

Are you playing solo? How about a Roger Miller song; King of the Road, Dang Me, Kansas City Star?

 

[richardp69]

Dread does (or at least used to) do this a lot I think. Hopefully, he will chime in with his experiences.

 

[fronobulax]

Dread does (or at least used to) do this a lot I think. Hopefully, he will chime in with his experiences.

Yes. I am lazy and if I had the chance to start from @dreadnut 's setlist I would do so.

 

[Westerly Wood]

+1 for some old hymns.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Thank you for your suggestions so far.
I do have a few of Gospel Songs in my set list.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Life Is Like A Mountain Railway
I'll Fly Away.

For classic nostalgia I do
Hello Mary Lou
If I were A Carpenter
Some John Denver songs
Some Peter, Paul and Mary Songs

A few crowd favorite are
Mr. BoJangles
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Where Have All The Flowers Gone
Country Roads

I also add some old Country like
Broken Lady
Red River Valley
Fifteen Years Ago
Long Black Veil

There are a few of my favorite songs that I include that
Most folks don't know. They get mixed reviews.

Some oldies from Prine and Dylan wraps it up.

I have a voice peddle that can add harmony to my voice.
I'm thinking about using it on a few songs like,
Teach Your Children Well, Seven Bridges Road and a couple of Everly Brothers songs.

 

[Brad Little]

Many of the 75-85 age group may well have been infected during the "Great Folk Scare" of the '60s, so look to the material from some of the more popular folkies and groups. New Christy Minstrels, P P & M, Kingston Trio, Chad Mitchell trio, etc. Even though the originals had harmonies, many work well as solos.

 

[Stuball48]

Me and Jesus. - Tom T. Hall

 

[DougH]

Depends, Before or after Lunch?

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Depends, Before or after Lunch?

Afternoons

 

[dreadnut]

Here are some off the top of my head:

Amazing Grace
I'll Fly Away
I've Been Workin; On The Railroad
You Are My Sunshine
When The Saints
If You're Happy And You Know It
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Give Me Oil In my Lamp, Keep It Burning
Glorify Thy Name
In The Garden
I Love You Lord
I Exalt Thee
Jesus Loves Me
I've Got The Joy Joy Joy
This Little Light / Do Lord
When We All Get To Heaven

and a whole variety of other hymns and songs. Songs are best in this environment when they are familiar, and when they are short and repetitive.

Funny how they remember all the words to the old Sunday School songs from 60 - 90 years ago, considering they are in a memory care facility.

 

[DougH]

It's been my experience the attendees get a bit groggy, so to speak, after lunch, meds, etc. Up tunes, "Fly Me To The Moon", for one example, get folks involved. Toe Tappers, Sing Alongs. And if you're enjoying it they will too I've found.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I will watch the audience to see how they are holding up. If I feel they need a boost, I will throw in a couple of faster songs that they should know. I generally do an hour show but it has been a bit shorter once in a while and a bit longer on other shows.
I always try to judge how the people are holding up.
A few of the retirement communities that I play for have very healthy residents that enjoy a full show and usually ask for one or two more songs when I say that I'm done.

Thank you all for your input.
I have added some or your suggestions to my set list.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Depends, Before or after Lunch?

Ha. Depends.