The funny thing about including “Black Satin” on a list of songs with supposedly tasteful handclaps is that the album it comes from, 1972’s On the Corner, was a pretty controversial album when it was released. Still, you have to imagine whoever’s doing them will have some tender palms by recording’s end. Those claps, however, are stalwart-they’re stoic and steady in the face of what seems like chaos. It takes a few minutes to sort that out, but by the time Iggy starts to wail and moan, and a fiery solo breaks out atop the power chord groove, “No Fun” goes from being the very picture of cool into something unhinged and unpredictable. “No Fun” is defined by its claps, and almost overwhelmed by them, which at least momentarily calls into question just how tasteful they really are in context. That has a lot to do with its fuzzy power-chord riffs, Pop himself, and the persistent backing of handclaps that carry this proto-punk classic to conclusion. It’s a damn battleship full of fun, contrary to Iggy Pop’s angst-ridden lament. Well, the title of this song just isn’t accurate. They’re infectious, and like “Eight Days A Week” itself, pure joy. It’s the handclaps in the chorus though that really seals the deal for me. And yet despite Lennon’s opinion on the matter, I’ve never been able to hate “Eight Days A Week.” In fact I love it, from the fade-in that starts the song to the last chiming chord that ends it. John Lennon never liked “Eight Days A Week.” Even in the final months of his life he told Playboy it was “lousy.” A Paul McCartney creation mainly, the cheerful ditty was the total opposite of the Dylan-inspired tunes like “I’m A Loser” that Lennon was writing around the same time, so it’s understandable that he never took to the track. And please, save your applause until the end. So pause that ten-hour playlist of the Friends theme song and keep a safe distance from clap-activated lights. Each artist on this list trades tack for tact by elegantly applying claps that not only are well placed, but may also become a song’s focal point. Today, we’ve assembled a handpicked catalog of the tastiest of tasteful handclaps for your listening convenience. When these qualities merge, a simple clap can take on a life of its own. Compositional placement, timing, and total self-assuredness are essentials for a good old-fashioned handclap. The mere simplicity of the “instrument” is an obstacle in itself, considering the ease in which a standard clap is executed. When it comes to putting our nature drums to use in songs, it can be tricky to gracefully use handclaps without falling into cliché. Come to think of it, clapping is fucking bizarre. It’s kind of weird a group of humans congregating for the same reason, conditioned to smack their percussive extremities together in collective appraisal of a performance. Whether it’s a concert, sporting event, or even your co-worker’s open-mic comedy slot, check out the crowd when it comes time to clap. Next time you’re ever at an event where people will be applauding, take a second to look around.
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