Cover songs versus the original track, which ones are better?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparative quality of cover songs versus their original versions. Participants explore which covers are considered better or worse, including both singles and album tracks, and express personal opinions on various songs and their interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the quality of a cover depends on personal judgment and taste, while others argue for an independent standard of "better."
  • Several examples of covers and originals are presented, with participants expressing preferences and discussing the emotional impact of different versions.
  • There are claims that some covers add new interpretations or arrangements, while others feel certain covers do not justify their existence compared to the originals.
  • Participants mention specific songs and artists, such as "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and Johnny Cash, and "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles, highlighting varying opinions on their respective covers.
  • Some participants express a desire for arguments or reasoning behind preferences, while others emphasize the subjective nature of musical appreciation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach consensus on the criteria for evaluating covers versus originals. Multiple competing views remain regarding the subjective nature of musical quality and the validity of personal taste in judgments.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include references to specific songs and artists without resolving the subjective interpretations or emotional responses elicited by different versions. The conversation reflects a range of personal experiences and preferences, which may not align universally.

Who May Find This Useful

Music enthusiasts, fans of specific artists, and those interested in the dynamics of musical interpretation and cover songs may find this discussion engaging.

  • #931
aaaannddd another...

 
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Science news on Phys.org
  • #932
Arjan82 said:
(another) case in point:

Pomplamoose is Portuguese for grapefruit.
 
  • #933
 
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  • #934
Frabjous said:
Ocarina?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocarina

It also used here.



The non-standard sounds makes me wonder how the vocal score is written down.

This version is pure magic.

The vocals can be notated with not much problem I would have thought. They are still notes with a time associated. I think the only difference would be the vowels and whatever they put in brackets "spoken" or "shouted" even, ff!

The Ocarina line tails off at end of of a few of the phrases, can be denoted with a glissando.

I listened to the guitar part and it is much more treble in the original.

 
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  • #935
Dead Flowers
- Dubh Lee
 
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  • #936
Arjan82 said:
(another) case in point:

These are clever but not my thing. I think Ozzy Crazy train and Earth Wind and fire scarred me!
 
  • #937
 
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  • #938
 
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  • #939
This guy is a fantastic pianist and puts out great little pieces, however he has a new baby to deal with.
This video is different to his usual stuff.

My favourite part is 0.52 in, the harmonies after "breaking young girls hearts.

Anyway

 
  • #940
Hornbein said:

That was great!
 
  • #941
Another from F&F

 
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  • #942
Hornbein said:
Dead Flowers
- Dubh Lee

I like her!

 
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  • #943
Videos of covers of Paul Gilbert's ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gilbert ) work
with Amusing / Possibly distracting features
... followed by Paul Gilbert's 2023 announcement of his covers of songs by Ronnie James Dio.


This cover is marred by a very unenthusiastic keyboard player...
Polina Sedova - Fuzz Universe (Paul Gilbert cover)

- Paul Gilbert - Fuzz Universe (live: Colgone 2010)

This cover features an enthusiastic background dancer
Viking Kong - Paul Gilbert | Cesario Filho

- Paul Gilbert - Viking Kong (led off with his motivation for the song)

This cover features a 14 year old with amusing facial expressions.
Racer X — Scarified (Max Ostro cover 2018!)

- Paul Gilbert - Scarified


Paul Gilbert - Announcing The Dio Album! [2023]
( https://www.paulgilbert.com/ - YouTube playlist of the Dio Album )
 
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  • #944
 
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  • #945
. A Thai band
 
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  • #946
Siam Square, Bangkok. Used to teach English/algebra there. Sure do like that (retro) frequency
 
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  • #947
Dancing In The Street

Orig


 
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  • #948
 
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  • #949
Hornbein said:
Dancing In The Street

Orig



Note: The Lady Shelters cover was posted by @morrobay in #510

Here were some other covers of Dancing in the Street in #459 and (Karen Carpenter drum solo) #509.
 
  • #950


I think the drumming is great.
 
  • #951
 
  • #952
 
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  • #953
DennisN said:
I recently stumbled upon an impressive cover of ABBAs awesome song "Lay All Your Love On Me"...

DennisN said:
Oh, by the way, I heard this cover yesterday... U2 covers ABBA:s SOS

Here is another ABBA cover I heard recently which I very much enjoyed:

(Why ABBA again? Well, I've been listening to ABBA covers on youtube recently because I haven't heard so many covers of them... and I thought it was interesting to hear interpretations, and particularly, good interpretations IMO)

This one is majestic, unusual and spot on in my opinion, since there I think there is a classical feel in the original even though it's in disco style.

The choir intro is simply gorgeous and sends shivers down my spine... and the bridge and chorus are great too (though I personally don't like the arrangement in the verse as much, but hey, it's subjective...).

Lay All Your Love on Me - "MUSICAL!" - Chansonchor Gymnasium Kirchenfeld 2019
"Aus dem Musical "Mamma Mia"
Musik und Text: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Arrangement & Leitung: Ben Vatter"




Edit, oh I forgot to link to the original...

Original: ABBA - Lay All Your Love On Me
 
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  • #954
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Since_You_Been_Gone


[1976] Russ Ballard - Since You've Been Gone (Supersonic, 1976) FAMILIAR ???



[1978] Head East - Since You Been Gone
(2014) Head East - Since You've Been Gone - Live @ Ribco



[1979] Rainbow [with Graham Bonnet]- Since You've Been Gone



[1984] Since You've Been Gone | Alcatrazz [with Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen] 1984



[2018] Since You've Been Gone - Rainbow (Alyona & Andrei Cerbu) ( good covers )



[2022] SINCE YOU BEEN GONE (Rainbow) Band Cover by KNULP ( good covers - plays multiple instruments, with solos )



Honorable mention:
[2022] Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott - Since You've Been Gone (Cover)
 
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  • #955
Up From The Skies

jimi hendrix (Mitch Mitchell : great)



Rickie Lee Jones
 
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  • #956
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  • #957
 
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  • #958
 
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  • #959
 
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  • #960
 
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