FAWM 2026 Week 4: Vocal Call, Instrumental Response

Write a song that alternates between vocal and instrumental phrases.

Examples: “Never Going Back Again” (Fleetwood Mac), “My Generation” (The Who), “Cold Sweat” (James Brown).”Call Me Maybe” (Carly Rae Jepsen).

Share your new song at FAWM.ORG!

We'll be posting more weekly prompts and encouragement all month long...

#FAWM #FAWM2026 #Songwriting #MusicChallenge #CallAndResponse

"Must Be Santa" is a #ChristmasSong written by Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks and first released in November 1960 by #MitchMiller on Columbia 41814 (45 rpm). A cover version by #TommySteele reached Number 40 on the #UKSinglesChart a year later. Another cover, by #JoanRegan made number 42 a week later. A #contrafactum of a German #drinkingSong (#Schnitzelbank), "Must Be Santa" is structured as a #callAndResponse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1vf1DYJphA
Mitch Miller "Must Be Santa"

YouTube
"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" is a traditional #JamaicanFolkSong. The song has #mento influences, but it is commonly classified as an example of the better known #calypsoMusic. It is a #callAndResponse #workSong, from the point of view of dock workers working the night shift loading #bananas onto ships. The lyrics describe how daylight has come, their shift is over, and they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vt43PkAOEM
The Tarriers Banana Boat Song & Choucoune Yellow Bird

The Tarriers Banana Boat Song & Choucoune Yellow Bird

YouTube
"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" is a traditional #JamaicanFolkSong. The song has #mento influences, but it is commonly classified as an example of the better known #calypsoMusic. It is a #callAndResponse #workSong, from the point of view of dock workers working the night shift loading #bananas onto ships. The lyrics describe how daylight has come, their shift is over, and they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vt43PkAOEM
The Tarriers Banana Boat Song & Choucoune Yellow Bird

The Tarriers Banana Boat Song & Choucoune Yellow Bird

YouTube

... Singin' about a revolution
Because were talkin' about a change
Its more than just evolution
Well you know you got to clean your brain
The only way that we can stand in fact
Is when you get your foot off our back!

(Get off our backs, get back
Don'tcha know it's gonna be) All right
(Well, get back) Get back
Well, all right ...

#1968to69 #NinaSimone #TheBeatles #Revolution #AnswerSong #CallAndResponse #DontYouKnowItsGonnaBeAlright

And now we got a revolution
Cause I see the face of things to come
Yeah, your Constitution
Well, my friend, its gonna have to bend
I'm here to tell you about destruction
Of all the evil that will have to end.
Some folks are gonna get the notion
I know they'll say I'm preachin' hate
But if I have to swim the ocean
Well I would just to communicate
Its not as simple as talkin' jive
The daily struggle just to stay alive...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFBoKE9H3PA
#Revolution #NinaSimone #TheBeatles #CallAndResponse

Nina Simone: Revolution

YouTube
"Minnie the Moocher" is a #jazz song co-written by American musician #CabCalloway and first recorded in 1931 by Calloway and his #bigBand orchestra, selling over a million copies. #MinnieTheMoocher is famous for its nonsensical #adLibbed lyrics, also known as #scatSinging (for example, its refrain of "Hi de hi de hi de ho"). In performances, Calloway would have the audience and the band members participate by repeating each scat phrase in a form of a #callAndResponse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=250MMq0fTrU
Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher (feat. The Blues Brothers) - 1080p Full HD

YouTube

i don’t know but i can tell
(i don’t know but i can tell)

you and i are going to h*ll
(you and i are going to h*ll)

it’s not sad, don’t you agree?
(it’s not sad, don’t you agree?)

i’m for you, you ain’t for me
(i’m for you, you ain’t for me)

stand down, go home
(stand down, go home)

stand down, go home

right now

#CallAndResponse #poetry #PoetryCommunity

#writing #WritingCommunity

Call And Response Games To Play With Your Children

Playing music games is a great way to pass some time at home, and with the educational benefits of call and response rhythm games. A fun way to teach your child turn taking.

@tomarciamae

#callandresponse

Mind wandering down
The twisting paths of happenstance
Endlessly branching

Alive to the touch
Like wildfire on the prairie
Clearing things away

#haiku