Covers: the beauty I've found in rock songs performed on the piano

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For me, I can't write without music. At the same time, as I've probably mentioned many times before, my favourite style is rock and roll. However, even what I love the most tends to saturate me a bit. Perhaps because of this, and also because of the benefits of artificial intelligence and the age we all live in; the algorithm of many platforms (yes, every single one you're thinking of, exactly...) tend to recommend covers, piano covers that are simply soulful. From Alice in Chains to Depeche Mode, all with the beautiful touch that only this instrument offers.

It is well known that the flag, the bastion of this community in terms of piano is the unbeatable @mipiano, a girl who exudes pure talent. In a way, being almost midnight, as I write these lines, this post is also in her honour. Not only as a token of respect for her influence in my life, but as a gift from a distance to someone I admire, enjoy and enjoy very much. She is not so given to this genre, but she is an irreparable musical soul just the same. I know (or sense) that she will love this post. My main intention is to share a little with everyone (also) the impact of songs that perhaps we all know but that change with the piano.

Such is the example of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box", which is originally a heart-rending, grungy confession of a nihilistic vision of life and pain. But when passed through the frequency that the piano is able to offer, it almost immediately transforms into something that we can translate as "strangely beautiful". At least, that's how my girlfriend described it. And I subscribe to her way of seeing it. But just as with that song so well known to all, we can perfectly well continue with others.

Take, for example, "No Excuses", "Brother" or "Your Decision" by Alice in Chains, which are also some of my favourites, and they result in something so soothing and gentle that it even surprises me. I remember, when I was a kid, I wasn't a big fan of the piano. I said at the time that its sound was too melancholic and sad. Well, I was young, inexperienced and quite influenced by instruments with more wattage; like guitar, drums and bass. That's precisely what I love. How time, maturity and honing our ear makes us better at absolutely everything.

In other words, I never cease to be amazed by the beauty I have found in the piano as a tool for making beautiful covers. Clearly, its importance in music making has already been demonstrated; in each and every genre that exists in the art of music. But in my particular case, I'm referring to the impact it has on classics in a genre as rich and disparate at the same time as rock music. They sound exactly the same. What does change is how we perceive those combined sounds, under which instrument we assimilate them.

Piano has that magic of destroying any barrier we have. The best musical genres, in my humble vision, count on it: jazz, blues, rock, soul, pop, etc. Of all these, almost without a doubt there will be one or multiple exponents who have left a gigantic mark on the history of music. I have no doubt about that. But I do go a little further. That is to say, I want to describe to you how songs that are well known to me, that are not a surprise, I feel change (for the better) when they are covered by a beautiful piano (or keyboard, it should be noted).

This is how we arrive at the spell (and yes, I can't find a better way to describe it) that the simple fact of typing the following into the search engine of any music player application has cast for me: "Rock and roll piano covers". God, life gives me unbeatable surprises; this is definitely one of them. "Call me when you're sober", which is a song made from scratch for the piano as the protagonist, is even more beautiful when it's entirely made as a cover. All the details are there, from the use of vocals to the arrangements.

By the way, combining piano covers with singers who can really sing lyrically is one of the best ideas you can have. This is the case with Amy Lee of Evanescence and the piano. Made for each other; unbeatable. But it also applies to almost any broad genre of rock you want. You'll find everything from death metal piano covers to glam; disparate bands reworked with piano as the main instrument that takes on another meaning, another inspiration when an instrument is the true protagonist. Ideal for writing, for feeling, for relearning. Thank you, dear and beautiful piano for this experience.