Old made new over time
Over the weekend I was listening to British band Queen, innovators in their day and fronted by, arguably, one of the best singers of our modern era, Freddie Mercury. I don't like all their music but most is great and I have many favourites. Among those is a track called, Who Wants to Live Forever, released in 1986 and featured in the movie, Highlander, released in the same year. It's a powerful ballad and an awesome song in general.
Being such a great song, it's not surprising that it's been covered by other artists and with this in mind I thought I'd put together this week's music post using tracks that have been remade, covered, by more recent artists. You might guess by now that the track I mention above is in that list.
Cover one
Here is the remake version, a very nice remake it is too. The Tenors - Who wants to live forever and you can click this link - for the original version to compare if you like. I really like both although, for me, the original version wins out over the remake...possibly because I remember it from the movie Highlander and the scene/situation it was used for, maybe not though.
Cover two
In keeping with the theme I'd like to present another really great, and powerful, song originally written in 1966 by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and performed by the Rolling Stones. Here's a cover by Ciara - Paint it Black and follow the link - for the original version. The song is about sorrow, grief and loss and feels passionate but also hints at emotional desolation. It's really cool. The cover version I have chosen is from the movie, The Last Witch Hunter starring Vin Diesel but there's loads of covers by other artists.
Cover three
I remember a time when I wasn't much of a fan of this guy, but I learned the error of my ways and enjoy his music now and this track is track is a great example of why. Michael Bublé - Me and Mrs. Jones. This track was originally performed by Billy Paul, released in 1972; a naughty song about a man and the woman he's having an affair with. Here's the link - for the original version which is nice, although I prefer the Michael Bublé version.
Here's a playlist of all the tracks above created by someone who commented below.
Thank you @mimismartypants
That's it today, but I'm curious which of these versions you prefer, the old or new? If you'd like, take a listen of each and let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, maybe share a remake of a song that you personally like. Either way, if you comment I will respond, if you don't comment, I won't.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Any images in this post are my own.
This music post was inspired by the Three Tune Tuesday #TTT concept by @ablaze.
one of the greatest Rock bands ever, always evolving, now fronted by Adam Lambert, had tickets to see them live in Manchester, then we had that stupid covey scamdemic. I am pretty sure FM would be happy to see Lambert as lead as he is a fucking awesome singer and showman. Actually he became by guilty pleasure when he was on American Idol 😂🤣😂
They were/are such a great band and it's cool they're still out there entertaining their fans, new and old. I've seen Adam Lambert singing with them, a concert somewhere that was televised, and he did a good job. If they were to come here I'd go and see them.
👍
Originals each one an epic selection this week.
Cover by variety of bands, always ready to admit some do it better than the original.
Music of life, music is life, dance through life to a good tune, have a great day!
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 59/69) Liquid rewards.
I like listening to covers sometimes, just a new spin on the old song. Many are much better than the originals as you say. Thanks for the curation, I always appreciate it.
Cover songs always a little cheat as original musicians had to hold their breath and see what was going to stick with audience. Bands copying know the result before they start collaborating possibly varying ever so slightly.
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It is hard for any remake to beat out Queen and the Stones originals. Especially those two songs. As far as the third one, I have never heard it before, but honestly I liked both versions. If I had to pick one it would be the original I think, just because it is the original.
That Rolling Stones song is a cracker. I have it on my Spotify favourites playlist. Remember that Vietnam War TV series Tour of Duty from back in 1987? They used it for the theme song...Awesome series and song!
The original versions are always good and sometimes can't be beaten; I'm a guy who likes history and old stuff so the original versions of songs are always interesting to me. Here's another I love...both versions.
Cover:
Original:
Bloody sensational, the both of them!
Oh hell yeah, Tour of Duty, I remember me and my cousin watching that all the time. I am sort of the same way with classics.
Glen Campbell could sing for sure. I did like that cover, they did a good job, and I like the twist they put on it.
I was pretty sure you'd know about Tour of Duty and figured you'd like those tracks too.
I hope the week has started well, it has here, and that's not a bad thing.
It has started well. Just had my truck repainted and the wife and I are taking it this morning to have a bed liner sprayed in. Found that camera, now I need to find some things to take some shots of. Already have some ideas.
Now I am going to have to hunt down Tour of Duty somewhere and watch old episodes later.
It's always a good day to lay down some bed liner in the back of one's truck. We have this stuff called Rhino Liner here, tough as nails. I had it sprayed into my F100, a Ranger and a Hilux.
I'm glad you found the camera. Just get it out there and snap away, try some things, and you'll start to get creative.
Now I want to get Tour of Duty too!
I actually like the cover of Me and Mrs. Jones. The original is nice but the sounds somehow seem smoother in my ear. The rhythm just melted down, I don't know if it's because it's a cold morning or not. And, of course, the lyrics and subject matter make it even more appealing.
It's a pretty cool song, sort of smooth and sophisticated. The subject matter, having affairs is not something I'd condone of course, but it's just a song so it's all good.
Well it's not something anyone should condone but if it produced a song this great, we could let it slide.
I agree...it's all about the song.
I am an original's man, but I think that the remake of The Sounds of Silence is a very good one.
I have heard that a time or two.
I don't like to limit myself to originals as there's so many great artists breathing new, and different, life into some great songs; I figure, life is too short to let good music go to waste.
Yes, of course you are right, as every now and then a new version sounds better than the old one, and there are great artists, but living in the music magic of the 60s and the 7os, has a way of making me think that the feeling is gone.
But maybe I am too old and it's only my own hippie feeling that's gone :)
Generally in my opinion, covers rarely make a better version of a great hit!
Oldies - Definitely queen, but not my fav from the band; I prefer the faster upbeat stuff from them.
Originals 1: Covers 0
Oldies again - can't mess with a stone track! Plus it's the guitar for me! Sorry, Ciara!
Originals 2: Covers 0
Oldies again - I actually never knew Michaels's version was a cover, but again not surprised as most of his songs are. But Billy Pauls got it going on here! Just way more soul going on here! Sounds like two totally different songs!
Originals 3: Covers 0
P.S. I created a quick playlist to listen to these to help make my life easier; feel free to use it in your post: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlpNbP_tf7hEZJHWhvl4VcupIXXyE5kJX
This is often the case, but covers make a different version of great hits and for me, someone who loves music, I'm always willing to give it a listen. I figure, what's the worst that can happen. Thanks for the playlist, I'll edit it in. I didn't know that was possible, I'm not a big YouTuber and besides, I'm 153 years old so don't know about all this new-fangled stuff.
Definitely worth the listen. But I suppose it's tastes as well. I'm sure there are some that love the newer versions. To each their own. Having choices and options is a wonderful thing.
No prob with the playlist it's actually quite easy to do. You just clock the + at the bottom of the video and can create a playlist. Keep adding tracks and create as many as you like. You say 153 years in age, I say experience 153 years in experience. And if we knew everything there would be nothing new to learn or experience. We keep adding to our index 🤗
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How nice and kind of you. Thank you. 😉
I think I have noticed something that a lot of artistes tend to make covers of a very good song...
If you have even heard about Wizkid and Tem's 'Essence', you will notice that the song has been covered by a lot of artistes because it is a very good song
Hmm, no I've not heard of that artist. Good songs tend to get covered though.
Those are some really great picks. There are some really fantastic covers of Paint it Black out there. I am glad you selected this one. Michael Buble is pretty cool. I don't mind the majority of his stuff. I saw a Queen cover band a couple of months ago, it was really good.
Thanks mate, I got a bit hooked on the cover thing this week I think, been listening to some new old tracks and figured it'd be a good theme for the TTT. I was thinking about next week today...I think I've got a theme...probably some tracks you're never heard...in fact I'm almost positive most will not have. Let's see huh?
Have a good week ahead.
I'm looking forward to it! I did a post on covers a while ago. There are some really great ones out there. Actually too many to actually cover them all. It could take years!
I often laugh when I hear young people say, have you heard that great song called blah blah blah, and it's a cover of something from forty years ago. I even told some of them it's a cover, of course the youth of today know everything so I got, no it's not!
Idiots.
Haha, yeah, I hear you. You probably know the song "cover me up" by Jason Isbell. So many kids these days think Morgan Wallen is the original artist. Or Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker but was originally written by Old Crow Medicine Show based on a working concept Bob Dylan started.
Kids these days. 🤔
I know right!?
Haha... the shortest and best lesson you can give to those who want some success here! It's a lesson for me too, I mean the lesson I learned a long time ago but with its application I have problems...
Music is a great passion and is permanently in my life and because of that, I have often tried to post about and with music. I've never been successful, on the contrary, I think the posts where I've inserted Youtube videos have been the least appreciated. I don't know why, because I wasn't forcing anyone to listen, they could have been ignored.
I admire and am glad for those who manage to make music a topic of interest and I know a few who do (or did, but are no longer here).
I like covers in general and those that manage to be a version that doesn't lose the original value of the song but is modified by the new performer's own style, and more! Those who try to sing as identical as possible to the original version don't interest me..., I always prefer the original.
Regarding what you brought up here: I still prefer Fredy Mercury, and in the second example I'll stick with the Rolling Stones. On the third one, I liked the cover better. I haven't listened to Michael Bublé much either... I mean at all, although I've heard many praise him. This time I really liked this version of "Me and Mrs. Jones"!
Now to give an example of the kind of cover I like... Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence si Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence
Maybe one day newbies will understand the importance of relevant and valid commenting on other people's posts, but they get rewarded for very little by some of the curation concepts and that often makes them lazy..relying on that is a fools errand though, as it can stop as suddenly as it starts.
Anyway, thanks for your comments on my music post. I try to add some element of interest rather than drop links and you'll note I don't just add the YouTube link in, I think that doesn't look good, so I do it as above.
For me, this is just another post, it's on my feed, so I put into it what Info with my others, a little bit of me. I think that's the key, I post for my own enjoyment and whilst I like to present well, it's there to be enjoyable for me rather than others. I'm glad other people find some value now and then though.
Your choices on the music above, which version you like, are the same as mine. They are all good tracks, but the ones I prefer just feel nicer to me, appeal more.
A few have mentioned the sound of silence and it's a great track, the original or cover, so is well worth a mention. Great songwriting!
Thanks for the complete answer. I don't want to get bored by referring to everything you said, I just want to say that everything you said is the same as what I think and what I am trying to do as well. I don't succeed at the same level and I don't manage to comment as much as I should and so I have lost many contacts.
Your reply however gave me hope and desire to change something in the way I post here.
Thanks again!
You're welcome, I'm always pleased when something I write inspires people to take some action for themselves. This is supposed to be a fun place and so it makes sense to do the things that bring that.
All the best for the rest of the week, the weekend is almost here.
Thank you. Wish you the same and a pleasant weekend!
How many memories this publication brought back. I like Queen, not absolutely everything but most of it.
In the case of the first version, I like them both, although Freddy is a genius.
In the case of the second, I like the original that was used in a series I think it was called Nam, first platoon.
In the third one, I liked the new Michael Bublé version better. The original is not bad, but if I have to choose...
I'll leave you a song, I'm sure I have more, but this is the first one that came to my mind: The Sound of Silence
Original Version
Cover Version
I love your post, old memories came to my mind, thanks @galenkp !
Hi there.
That series was Tour of Duty, although maybe it was called something different in your region. It was a great TV show.
Queen were a cool band, there was so much to their music, a lot in between the lines, and what a great singer.
Thanks for the song, that's a great track! I've heard it a few times before and prefer the cover, but the original is ok too.
Thanks for sharing. In the comments section I linked two tracks I think are great, have you listened to them? I love the cover version, but both are good. Make me feel like running away with a backpack and never coming back.
It really has a great rhythm and the video itself is also very good! I agree on the version, I like that one!
I've never heard the Michael Bublé cover of "Me and Mrs. Jones" before, but I really enjoyed it. His voice is so smooth, and he really makes the song his own. I'm definitely going to have to check out more of his music.
He's a pretty good singer, does mostly his own music but covers some cool songs from the past also. Take a listen to some of his stuff, I think you'll find something to like.
Who wants to live forever - I liked both. Truth be said though the video and Lindsey Stirling may have influenced my liking of the cover - LOL
Paint it black - definitely the original, that melody is iconic! As you commented earlier it was the theme song to Tour of Duty and looooved that series, though I often wondered if it was for the film or the music. 60s music - love it!
Me and Mrs. Jones - again prefer the original, it just has more soul, jazz feeling to it. To me the Buble version sounds too clean, if that makes sense.
Awesome theme and great choices. In a comment you posted a Glen Campbell song that I liked but I did prefer the cover version by The Band Perry. There really is no saying 'oh, the original is always better' or vice versa. The original will always be - just that but sometimes another artist may put a wonderful spin on that original.
I'm glad you liked the tracks, I was pretty pleased with my selection this week.
I said in another comment, covers don't always donut better, just differently and that's not a bad thing. I'm not about to let good music go to waste because it's a cover, if it sounds good and is meaningful to me, then I'm on it.
Like that Band Perry cover, I actually love that song, the way they present it, but that doesn't negate the original. Music is music, no matter if it's old, new or repeated.
(Tour of Duty...so good, used to love that show.)
Hi bro! Glad you mentioned this song, I haven't heard it in a while, although I usually listen to Queen a lot, especially their 70's music. It's no surprise to me that it's one of your favorites, it's a song with a lot of strength and a great message, and many people can identify with it.
I really like their music because they always included a symphonic and even choral sound, and that's my world. Of course they took it to another level by mixing it with rock. I confess I didn't know this cover of The Tenors, I loved it, especially the music video. Regarding Me & Mr. Jones, thank you very much for introducing it to me. I like both versions, but I have a weakness for Bubble's voice....
Queen must surely be on the list of one of the most influential bands of all time. What went into their music, how they put it together and delivered it is so cool.
I can tell your passionate about music and that's cool, I am too and I play a few instruments, one in particular really well, and it's a big part of my life, playing and listening.
Anyway, I'm glad you liked the tracks, thanks for commenting.
Wow, I really love the Paint in Black Cover!!! Although the original is a long time favorite. But this cover ist great.
It's not a bad cover huh? Just something different I guess. Worth listening to for sure! The original is awesome though.
Reminded me of Evanescence. Perfect sound for my mystic Soul :-)
Good night from here - good morning to you
Aw man, you've shared two great covers and three great songs! Lindsey Stirling and the Tenors are a great fit and make an absolutely fantastic video to boot. One of my favourite movies ever, as well - I actually watched it (again, and I rarely watch anything more than once) a few weeks ago.
Ciara's cover of Paint it Black is super moving. I haven't heard this version before but it's hit my playlist now. Awesome stuff.
Thanks mate, I suspected that a few people would relate to these although more have liked the Ciara track than I had expected. I put this music in here for me, it's stuff I like, but it's nice that people relate and find some enjoyment too. (I have to watch Highlander this weekend.)
Hello @galenkp, you know I love music but I feel that if I make a post about music, possibly nobody would be interested in reading me 😅
I think that songs that were and still are great will always be covered, but unfortunately many artists do it to take advantage of the fame of the song, they don't make a significant contribution and sometimes they end up ruining a beautiful song and turning it into something horrible, but luckily there are times when everything goes well and the song becomes a hit for a new generation or for both, for example I love David Bowie, so obviously the song The man who sold the world is one of my favorites, but the version by Nirvana is spectacular, with its acoustic simplicity they were able to reach the ears of the whole world and there are still people who mistakenly believe that the song is original and it belongs to them, but for more knowledgeable people both the original version and the cover were iconic for the leading generation, currently both could be considered old but even so they can easily be reproduced on the radio and people will continue to love them.
Regarding the songs that you share with us today, I am pleasantly surprised by the first cover, it is definitely something well done, well produced, aesthetically the video looks like a vampire movie and I love that, each of the musical and vocal arrangements is perfectly placed , you couldn't do a better cover, but I have to say that Freddy Mercury was unique, he had an amazing vocal energy, he had that particularity of making high vocals and scratching his voice in a way that gave him that rock & roll touch even if he was singing a ballad , his presence and the shape of his posture even gave his voice something that is impossible to achieve, there was so much passion in his voice that I prefer the original version.
Hey, Ciara's cover I couldn't even finish listening to it because I thought it was horrible 🤭 I'm sorry, I have to be honest, I love that Rolling Stones song, but if I had to choose a cover of that song I would have a long list of better versions than Ciara's 😅, by the way I really like the version of Inkubus Sukkubus
The third cover is fine, but I prefer the original version by Billy Paul, by the way, you've heard the song by Amy Winehause which is like an answer, I think it's cool.
Mmm I give you my contribution of a good cover and a good song
cover
original
👋 🤗
Not all music suits all people, you mention not liking the Ciara cover but others have said they like it for instance. I intentionally used that cover knowing it would probably inspire people to comment, say they liked it or didn't - it's not the best cover of the song - just as you have. It's important to include that sort of thing in posts to get engagement happening, it's like asking open ended questions at the end of posts...it prompts people to respond.
As I've said in this comment thread already, I never feel inclined to discard a song until I've heard it and whilst there's covers that are better or worse to my ears, most are just different than the original and whilst I may like or not like them there's certain to be someone else who feels the exact opposite.
Music is just music I guess, and it can inspire great passion, including thinking something is horrible passionately, and that's how it should be. You certainly don't need to say sorry for thinking that song was horrible, it's not my song and I'd probably not care you hated it even if it was. That's the beautiful thing about music, *it's different things to different people; a personal thing.
I'm glad you made your comments, it's exactly what I was hoping you (and other people in general) would do and it's the engagement that brings me the enjoyment from this post, not the music. Thanks also for sharing your cover version, I've heard it once before and liked it. That track in general is good, well, unless you're you, with Ciara's version. Lol.
Maybe you should give it a try and see what happens? I've been around for a long time so I tend to get a few comments on my posts now and then, I've worked hard for it. I think you should give #threetunetuesday a try, or just a music post and see how it goes. What you do here should be for fun, your own enjoyment so go ahead and have some fun.
I like, respect and appreciate real inspiration. In your case, the one you had with Freddie Mercury, but honestly, I admire more the honesty you had to explain it in the post. Your music, how that music comes about and how something made in 1986, can inspire to this day. Beautiful, I really mean that. Great post. @galenkp
Hello freakshow90, I hope you're well.
Thanks for your kind message and comments on my post. It's nice to get nice feedback. I see you're a Spanish speaker also, but you have responded in English because my post is in English; that's respectful of you. ✅
well, that's a great thing about english as a language... It connects to everyone, everywhere. About your post, man, no need to thanks me. I truly enjoyed your writing, and most of all, the Freddie Mercury's story. Lovely and moving.
You're a gentleman indeed, thank you mate.
NICE CONTENT @galenkp
OK, but what makes you say that? Be specific or I'll assume you have not read this post at all and are simply commenting in an inane manner.
I like covers that try to be bold and not just copy the song, but rather offer up a new interpretation of it, so often covers are just an inferior attempt at the original. In a lot of ways I find covers a bit lazy coming from established artists. It is similar to film remakes, come on guys, go and make your own original movie, are you not an artist? Of the three, my favourite would be Ciara's attempt at Paint in Black which was a decent effort to be fair to her.
Bublé gets away with the covers as most people will not be familiar with the songs he takes on.
Some covers are horrific, but then so are some originals. I guess it comes down to the artist and producer and what they're trying to achieve. I'm afraid that these days it's often about meeting a particular set of criteria, the formula rather than creating genuine music, even should that be a cover.
Touché!!
You are dead right about "the formula" which is why I hate those shows that try to create the next big thing. It is much better when it happens organically and there is a story of substance there instead of being groomed into stardom by some record producer or executive..
You do get the odd gem though, I was watching this with the kids a few weeks ago and was blown away by this young lad's voice... Incredible.
Great voice, no doubt.
Manufacturing music (artists) has happened for a long time I guess, and on occasions they've got it right and the person has gone on to good things, once they've escaped the promotor of the TV show and that contract they sign. But they get it way wrong too, like Casey Donovan from Australian Idol who went on to do...well, fuck all...well, except sign a deal to promote a weight loss chain here. Some people have it and some do not I guess. A shame too, she was/is a pretty good singer.
Who was that English one? Elizabeth Boyle? Judith? Susan? An unlikely looking woman, but could sing. Now she's probably on some where are they now internet list.
Ah yes Susan Boyle, that was TV history, noone was expecting that voice to come out!
The only thing that would be more surprising is if Greta Thunderberg can sing just as well. (Yes, I know I spelled her name wrong). Lol.
Ha ha ha!!!