Apart from Declan's early efforts, which usually took up about 1/3 to 1/2 of the set, Flip City played the sort of numbers that were being played by many of the so-called 'pub-rock' bands of the time, drawn from the annals of R'n'B, Country, Rock 'n Roll, Soul etc. from the '50s onwards, as well as being influenced by many of the contemporary American artists who themselves drew on those traditions, e.g. Little Feat, The Band, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds, Gram Parsons etc.
Songs were suggested by various members, tried out, and kept or discarded depending on how they turned out The idea was for a variety of material, with plenty of scope for vocal harmony (which could have been better rehearsed in a few cases), but not for extended instrumental soloing, which no-one was inclined towards or capable of, admiration of the Grateful Dead notwithstanding.
Among the classics were:
(I'm a) Hog for you, Baby - Little 12-bar ditty from the Youngbloods.
( I don't want to ) Hang up my Rock 'n' roll Shoes - Done by The Band on 'Rock of Ages'
Give Me a Kiss - Van Morrison favourite.
Big Boss Man - Another 12-bar, this one from Charlie Rich.
Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan song since covered by millions of people.
Third Rate Romance - Taken from a Jesse Winchester album, but written by Russell Smith, almost became Flip City's first single
You Win Again - Classic Hank Williams song, suggested by the Grateful Dead version.
Packin' Up - Little R'n'B number from Chris Kenner - gave the boys a chance for a bit of 'doo-wop' backing vocals
Promised Land - The only Chuck Berry song they ever bothered with.
Gone Dead Train - Usual first-set closer -- Jack Nitzsche song from the film 'Performance' , also recorded by Crazy Horse. Listen to F.C.'s 'Blue Oyster Cult' version (mp3) at the last Red Cow gig, with Malcy on drums and Ian joining in as third guitarist
Willin' - All the band loved Little Feat, and especially this wistful little number for drugged-out truckers everywhere.
Cold, Cold, Cold. - The other Little Feat song attempted by the boys -- the syncopation of the ending had a suggestion of a Bo Diddley beat, and so it became usual to segue this one into.......
Willie and the Hand Jive - Okay, it's by Johnny Otis, but the beat's the same!
Don't Lie to Me - A harmless little R'n'B number, often opening the set with Mich on rhythm guitar and Steve on bass, just for a laugh..
Hard to Handle - The Otis Redding classic, years ahead of that noisy American rock band who had a go at it.
Grow Too Old - Bobby Charles song, from his classic 'watermelon' album
On the Road Again - There's loads of songs called this --- this was the Bob Dylan one.
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, it Takes a Train to Cry - Another Dylan song.
Sing Me Back Home - Country weepie from Merle Haggard -- the boys got it from the Flying Burrito Brothers' version.
Bring It On Home to Me - Sam Cooke classic. Listen to this version, with Steve on drums and Ian on guitar
Save the Last Dance for Me - Bit of a filler, really.
Another Saturday Night - Likewise
One More Heartache - Old Smokey Robinson song given an 'interesting' rhythmic treatment by the boys.
Cry One More Time - Gram Parsons song, from all-time-classic 'GP' album, gave Steve a chance to try out his tenor sax. a couple of times.
This Ol' Heart of Mine - Tamla Motown classic from the Isley Brothers, although F.C. managed to play it regularly, without ever bothering with the main hook line.
Lookin' at the World Through a Windshield - Truckin' song from another of the band's favourite artists, Commander Cody, as was......,.
(Down to) Seeds and Stems Again Blues - Tragic Country-style ditty, guaranteed to get them all weepin' in the aisles.
Pontiac Blues - Punchy R'n'B number, often the set-opener, and the number that got Ian Powling the gig.
Live the Life I Love (and Love the Life I Live ) - Sleazy Mose Allison toon.
After Midnight - J.J.Cale song done by just about everyone at some time.
Must Have Been the Roses - Jerry Garcia song from one of his solo albums -- would have made a great harmony number if the boys had ever liaised on the actual wording of the chorus!!
On the Road - Steve's only contribution to the set. Never quite worked as it was supposed to, but made a change.
Plus Declan MacManus songs, too numerous to mention......