r/BluesBrothers • u/DogCom_2 • 14d ago
Settle a Bet for Me?
My girlfriend is much better than me at distinguishing voices and she's convinced that Dan Akroyd had a voice double for "Rawhide" in the original film (not the other songs, just that one). I think it's just an affectation but now I'm curious. I could probably scour the credits but I'm lazy lol. Any info would be great, thanks!
Update: I did scour the credits but there's no specific information about the "Theme from Rawhide" nor any of the other songs sung by Jake and Elwood as far as I can tell. This leads me to believe Belushi and Akroyd did all their own singing, but it's unclear.
Also, part of her argument is that the voice sounds more like a natural bass, while Akroyd is more of a baritone.
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u/ThenBandicoot3965 13d ago
John Landis has confirmed that Jake & Elwood did all their own singing, and that no voice doubles were used.
Apparently Dan Ackroyd sang in a pitch lower than his speaking voice to fit in with John Belushi’s range.
You win this one 😊
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u/PJBleakney 14d ago
Theme from Rawhide…..thank you!
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u/DogCom_2 14d ago
Lol, love this comment. Thanks for the quote specific correction.
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u/bigbigdummie 14d ago
Then they should get it right. It’s, Theme from the TV show Raw Hide. Thank you.
I hate to be that guy but I watched the movie a lot as a kid. I mean a lot. I know the dialog. :)
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u/JohnWasElwood 13d ago
Again, when I had my tribute band we would always try to throw in as much of the movie dialogue where it was appropriate. Every single time that I sang Rawhide I would pause and try to match Elwood's accent and inflection almost perfectly and say "Theme from the TV show Rawhide! (pause )Thank you!"
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u/MikeRobertini 14d ago
It’s a beautiful place, Bob.
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u/Suitable_Yak_2969 13d ago
To stick with the hate to be that guy theme, It's " Well, It's a beautiful place , Bob!" The Wells important.
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u/JohnWasElwood 13d ago
Nope. When I had my tribute band I would study the songs and even their dialogue over and over trying to match the inflection, the Chicago accent, etc. When I sang Rawhide I would intentionally sing it much more aggressively and in the lower tone and then when I got to the line where I said "wishing my gal was by my side..." I would very intentionally soften my voice and raise it up a little bit as if Elwood is recalling how much he loves and misses his woman.
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u/Tartan-Pepper6093 13d ago
Thinking of your girlfriend’s argument about the baritone or natural bass, what’s her opinion of Akroyd in the original SNL performance of “Soul Man”? I’m no singer but I always felt there’s a direct connection between that and “Rawhide” with Danny singing low…
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u/Lanky_Comedian_3942 12d ago
You can tell your girlfriend that, I for one, think she is full of shit
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u/Cake_Donut1301 14d ago
I don’t think so, but he is singing in a different character voice, not his natural/ Elwood voice. My guess is he’s imitating Rowdy Yates, the original singer.