Monday, October 07, 2013

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

Shawn Colvin with a very credible cover of a Bee Gees song...


It's only words and words are all
I have to take your heart away
I think this is one of those rare examples of a cover exceeding the original (although there are those who might point out that ANY Dylan cover is better than the original, at which point we would agree to disagree).  That said, the tune is kinda-sorta in keeping with today's earlier post.  There's this about that... words were enough to win her but not enough to keep her.

4 comments:

  1. I think there are some covers that are better than the original, though that doesn't always detract from the original. I think different artists can bring something new, a new twist or meaning to a song, or maybe a better suited voice for a particular song.

    I don't know if it's so much better, as it is different, and can bring out a different aspect that might touch a chord within you.

    There are songs I've heard, and played that I think the original artist might have done too fast for the subject, or maybe did it in a major key when a minor key might have added to the effect of the song. Heck, sometimes the original artist does a better job live than in the studio.

    To think of one song that has had a lot of covers, Hallelujah - by Leonard Cohen. He has a lot of different verses to that song, and different combinations of it can bring about an entirely different meaning to the song. Timing of the song, background music played, tempo can all affect the emotional impact of it. You listen to Cohen's early recording of it, and compare it to Justin Timberlake or Jeff Buckley's versions, and they are night and day different, yet bring you to a different place.

    Thanks for sharing this. It's a great version of the song.

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    Replies
    1. What Lou said. I've never heard Timberlake sing "Hallelujah" but I have heard Buckley's version... and several others. While I agree with you on the different/better thing, I like Cohen's version of that particular song best.

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  2. I liked this version. Old Goat said it well.

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