BAD COVER VERSION 001: NO ROMANCE FOR ME
Feb. 17th, 2008 08:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
defrogI’ve been toying with this idea for awhile, and I’ve been debating whether I should pursue it, because I know perfectly well that you rarely (if ever) click on the YouTube videos I put up here. But I’ve got a blog to run here, so here we go.
Ages ago, when I was young and foolish, some friends and I debated the merits of cover versions. On the one hand, covers are generally, as a rule, never as good as the original. On the other hand, they’re a time-honored rock tradition. Most acts in the 50s were recording a lot of the same songs. Today, of course, they’re mostly done to market soundtracks or because someone who desperately needs a hit single decides to rely on proven hit material. The results aren’t always bad. It depends on how definitive the original version is (z.B., could anyone else REALLY cover “Bohemian Rhapsody” and do it justice?) and the ability of the artist to bring something to the song that wasn’t there previously.
So for yr pleasure, I’ll be contrasting and comparing cover versions with the originals. And as this is a YouTubes exercise of sorts – and because I’m in a Gestalt kind of mood – I’ll also be grading the visual elements as well. (Subject to availability)
So let’s start with the song that gave me the idea to do this in the first place.
THE SONG: “Word Up”
THE ORIGINAL: Cameo
COMMENTS: Gave us mainstream usage of the terms “word up” and “sucker DJs”. Delivered with a sense of fun that the song demands. And codpieces. With added Levar Burton and a sly dig at the New Romantics scene.
THE COVER: Korn
COMMENTS: Brings out the power elements of the song. The barrio dog theme is a bit left-field, though the play on the background vocals works nicely. As do the topless go-go dancers at the end. Points deducted for Jonathan Davis imitating Larry Blackmon instead of using his usual Cookie Monster vocals (though to be honest, that probably would have worked against him).
WINNER: Cameo, but mainly for the codpieces. The Korn version does whip a snow leopard’s ass, so in the end it really comes down to whether you require something funky or something that rawks.
Next week: The Weather Girls vs Geri Halliwell!
Do yr dance quick,
This is dF
Ages ago, when I was young and foolish, some friends and I debated the merits of cover versions. On the one hand, covers are generally, as a rule, never as good as the original. On the other hand, they’re a time-honored rock tradition. Most acts in the 50s were recording a lot of the same songs. Today, of course, they’re mostly done to market soundtracks or because someone who desperately needs a hit single decides to rely on proven hit material. The results aren’t always bad. It depends on how definitive the original version is (z.B., could anyone else REALLY cover “Bohemian Rhapsody” and do it justice?) and the ability of the artist to bring something to the song that wasn’t there previously.
So for yr pleasure, I’ll be contrasting and comparing cover versions with the originals. And as this is a YouTubes exercise of sorts – and because I’m in a Gestalt kind of mood – I’ll also be grading the visual elements as well. (Subject to availability)
So let’s start with the song that gave me the idea to do this in the first place.
THE SONG: “Word Up”
THE ORIGINAL: Cameo
COMMENTS: Gave us mainstream usage of the terms “word up” and “sucker DJs”. Delivered with a sense of fun that the song demands. And codpieces. With added Levar Burton and a sly dig at the New Romantics scene.
THE COVER: Korn
COMMENTS: Brings out the power elements of the song. The barrio dog theme is a bit left-field, though the play on the background vocals works nicely. As do the topless go-go dancers at the end. Points deducted for Jonathan Davis imitating Larry Blackmon instead of using his usual Cookie Monster vocals (though to be honest, that probably would have worked against him).
WINNER: Cameo, but mainly for the codpieces. The Korn version does whip a snow leopard’s ass, so in the end it really comes down to whether you require something funky or something that rawks.
Next week: The Weather Girls vs Geri Halliwell!
Do yr dance quick,
This is dF
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no subject
on 2008-02-18 01:26 am (UTC)The Korn cover is actually pretty good. It stays pretty faithful.
Still Larry Blackmon's group wins by a hair, or shall I say, by his hair.
no subject
on 2008-02-18 05:46 am (UTC)It sounds easy in theory, but the hard part is finding suitable YouTubes material, and it took awhile before I found enough material to justify starting it. In fact, the original Korn video I selected had since been removed – luckily, someone else reposted it.
The other trick is deciding which cover version to go with, or discovering cover versions you didn't know existed – for example, I had no idea Soundgarden once covered "Come Together".
Anyway, I've got at least eight more in the queue and ready to go, and I'm sure I'll gather some more along the way. I will, of course, welcome submissions and suggestions as we go.