Not to be Covered

When someone covers an existing song, they do something to it. Most of the time these unexpected results are pleasant. Then there are those instances where the endeavor is less than favorable.

With the proliferation YouTube and the availability of recording gear, record companies are no longer dominating music production. It’s in the hands of the people. This has led to widespread covers of popular songs. Go onto YouTube and search for your favorite tune. The original may be the first selection in a list of thousands but the original recording is no longer the only version available.

Even with all of this access, there are some songs that are just better left untouched.

Covers, no matter the quality, are unable to surpass or even hold level with the original. That’s not to say that a respectable cover cannot be accomplished, but most attempts are just laughable.

With that thought, here are a few songs (in no particular order…expect the first one) which stand in a class alone. This is not a comprehensive list. It’s a personal list! And there are some exceptions, but very few. 

Here are five songs that I’m convinced that will never have an equivocal cover version. I have included honorable mentions though, just to be fair:

1) Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

This song holds some special, personal meaning which adds this layer of bias. I’m willing to disclose that immediately. Bias aside, this song is so rich in tones and melody that I have yet to hear anyone that has come close to replicating the effect the original version produces. I mean, Freddy Mercury has an incredible voice and aside from Chris Cornell, I haven’t heard a male lead who has the power that he did. Plus, we all know the opera interlude is timeless. I think that is what trips up most remakes. They just can’t quite get that part right.

Honorable Mention: The Muppets

I mean, c’mon…Muppets.

2) Feelin’ Good by Nina Simone

This woman’s voice is just indescribable. Nina Simone oozes soul through her music. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone come close to her sound. That is why there is no reason to cover her music. This song is particularly powerful. No one else should sing it. It’s effect is so potent, it’s not surprising that others make an attempt.

Honorable Mention: Michael Buble

He does have a distinct voice as well, so his version comes out pretty decent.

3) Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

It goes without saying: rock legends. And is there any chance of successfully covering a song that was originally produced by such a legendary band? I’m going to have to say no. I think most attempts to cover this song have been in the vein of duplication’s by aspiring guitarist though. Most people probably have enough respect for the song not to try and render it into something new.

Honorable Mention: Heart

It doesn’t hurt to have one rock legend covering another. Plus, Ann Wilson has some pipes!

4) Thriller by Michael Jackson

He is the King of Pop for a reason! When I was a kid, this video used to send me running for cover, I was so afraid. To my knowledge I haven’t seen a cover of this song. I’m probably not looking too hard though. And why should I? There are plenty of covers of other Michael Jackson songs, and they are all well and good, but this song has a very distinct sound and character. It really can’t be simply covered. This is the only song on my list that doesn’t have an “Honorable Mention.”

5) Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

This is kind of a random song. I have heard it covered in so many ways. There is a level of emotional depth that if not captured the song is ruined. The various covers all sound beautiful. It’s a beautiful song, but when they miss that…feeling, the song just sounds hollow to me. Leonard, the writer of the song, just has it.

Honorable Mention: John Cale as seen in Scrubs

John Cale seems to have captured the emotion that is pivotal to this song.

So, not to be a total Nazi about it, but there are some songs just better left alone. Any other songs that shouldn’t be covered? Add your thoughts in the comments section!

Sweet Sounds of Adoration

There are some songs that have the right melody and lyrics to induce a longing for love. Even in a defensive posture, keeping all potential for love at bay, these songs can make those defenses as resilient as a sandcastle.

1) “Crush’d” by Say Anything

This song has a few lines that paint a smile across my face and make my heart light. But one line I find particularly endearing: “We should make a verbal agreement to only kiss each other.”

2) “The Way That I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Clowns. I know. This is a rare moment I’m not creeped out by them. This line really hits home for me and I hope to find a  love that will live up to it (because I know it’s inevitable): “I’ll buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair, sew on patches to all you tear.”

3) “Mario Kart Song” by Sam Hart

It’s a cute idea, a song based on a video game, and Mario no less! The song is tender and this line from the chorus melts my heart: “I’ll pause this game so our love will never end.”

4) “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities

This song doesn’t necessarily sound romantic, but its optimistic beat, coupled with the simple lyrics, make it fit into this collection. I’m sold on the line: “You could be my luck, even in a hurricane of frowns I know that we’ll be safe and sound.” Plus, the video is pretty amusing.

Do you have a list of songs that makes you want to be in love?
More importantly, I hope that you have someone who brings love into your life. If not, then I hope you have hope for one!

12 Days of Christmas…Again

In true holiday fashion, I am posting my obligatory Christmas content. Not that I mind. I enjoy this season.

My favorite part of all this celebration is the music. The food is a close second. But the music takes Christmas (or any occasion) to another level.

I’m not aware of too many people who would argue with me about the power of music to heighten feelings. There is one Christmas song that I have trouble getting my head around though: The 12 Days of Christmas.

The repetition of the traditional carol turns me off, so I decided to dedicate this post to the song. That means repeating a repetitive song!

I made an attempt to gather a collection of songs that deviate from the standard line and add a unique sound to mute the redundancy. I hope I have succeeded. Please, sample these renditions:

1) A hilarious take with Bob River’s “12 Pains of Christmas”

2)Taking Back Sunday give their two-cents on this proverbial gift list:

3) I rather enjoy this simple version from Relient K. The deviations are minimal, but help make the song less tired.

4) Now, for a more classical approach, from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They take the song on a journey through various musical period.

5) I’ll wrap this list up with a creative version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” from a Capella group Straight No Chaser.

Thanks for stopping by and regardless of your beliefs and style of celebration, I hope your holiday season is full of joy!

Emotional

The effect of music is a reality that most of us can speak to. There is something in the notes and words that tugs at a person and I’m not sure how or why.

That marriage between rhythmic elements in the song and the components of the brain evokes a response: dancing, singing, smiling, thinking, even crying.

Ah, the tears squeezed out by a song are some of the most glossy tears that I’ve ever seen.

Though I’m not one to readily cry, I will say that music has a way of leading a tear or two from my ducts that no other stimulus can. A few key songs that can produce this effect more than others. It’s not always a negative experience either.

As Gandalf told his hobbit friends before departing the world: “I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.”

Here are seven songs that bring a tear or two to my eye every time I hear them:

• “Bad Dream” Keane
  I first heard this song on an episode of Scrubs. It was at a time when the cast was saying goodbye to one of the characters who had just died. Now this song brings to me a tear of loss.
• “The Greatest” Cat Power
  This song evokes a tear of loneliness. It has the tone of someone who is without someone to love to share life with, as the video demonstrates. But this loneliness isn’t just about death or a breakup. Loneliness is bigger than that. It’s also about being without motivation, not having love for life.
• “Jesus Christ” Brand New
  I often include songs by Brand New in my posts. I am a fan of their music. “Jesus Christ” is probably my favorite song by the band. The tempo and notes are hauntingly beautiful. They evoke a tear of uncertainty, which is particularly true at the outset of song since it’s simply a series of questions about that which we all feel uncertain about: death. These questions are just a representation about the theme of uncertainty in a broader sense too.
• “Use Somebody” Scala & Kolancy Brothers
  
  Scala & Kolancy Brothers ( a Belgium women’s choir) has made a quality rendition of this Kings of Leon hit. I listen to it and find myself shedding a pensive tear. The paced melody and harmony of the ladies voices carry me off to places that are deeper and slower than the day to day themes.
• “Independence Day” Martina McBride
  I felt something at the sound of this song when I heard it the first time in the early 90s. Martina sings with determination in her voice. That has always brought a resolved tear to my eye.
• “Hallelujah” John Cale
  There’s something in this song that brings to mind the word humility. I think it’s the line “Love is not a victory march. It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.” This song evokes a tear of faith. Why faith? Faith may not be a part of everyone’s life, but it’s a part of mine. It sews together the pieces of my life into a comforting quilt.
• “One Day Like This” Elbow
  
  There are times when tears come to my eyes because I have hope far brighter than my fear or despair. This hope isn’t for any short-term gain. It’s hope for the treasures that cannot be tarnished. You can hear that hope in the lyrics and in the strings playing in the background. You can even see it in the video.

Take time to enjoy the power of music, whatever form that may be. What songs bring a tear to your eye?

Accompaniment

I’m apt to sing in the shower. I’m apt to turn up the volume in the car and sing, unabashed. I will even roll the window down and caper on. I’m going to assume that this is not a phenomenon unique to myself. Aside from the common sing-along (in the shower, or otherwise) there are certain songs that I feel more inclined to whistle along to instead. They have accompaniment that begs me to pipe along to with my personal wind instrument (er, whistling I mean). The songs that include actual whistling never make my list since the whistling has already been done for me.  And now for the list! With accompanying YouTube videos!

1. “Seven Nation Army” The White Stripes – this song makes it onto my blog often. There are several elements which make it a favorite of mine. This time it’s because it’s easy to whistle to, and not just in one particular part. I whistle along to the entire song! All four minutes of it.

2. “Fargo, North Dakota” Carter Burwell – this is the main theme to the Coen Brothers’ Fargo. It’s pretty easy to whistle along to an instrumental song. Because the tune is so prominent, and there are no lyrics to distract the listener, whistling becomes a natural fit. It’s kind of like a personal instrument anyway, whistling is.

3. “La Vida es un Carnaval” Celia Cruz – the flavor of Celia’s music is rich. You can feel your body start to move involuntarily when this song plays.  When a song has as many horns as this one does, getting carried away in a whistle isn’t too tough. Every time the horns blare, I jump in whistling!

4. “Where is my Mind” The Pixies – this crazy number is fun to listen to. It elicits some whistling near the end. I’m sure you’ll hear why when you listen to it. It’s a song you can really get lost in. There’s a rendition of this song on the soundtrack to the motion picture ScukerPunch. I recommend giving that one a chance too.

5. Wake up” Arcade Fire – this is a beautiful song. I heard it for the first time with millions of other people when the film Where the Wild Things Are was released. An acoustic version of this song was featured in the trailer. I’ve been whistling along with ever since!

6. “Black Sheep” Metric – this song became a hit in my book as soon as I saw the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. And as soon as I started listening to it, I was whistling to it. I normally pipe in near the end, about 2:45 mins into the song.

There you have it. Sometimes it’s better to whistle along in life than sing. Let me know what songs you can’t help but whistle along to!