Under The Covers 4-28-24

 Under The Covers 002 

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

My appreciation for music started when I was really young. I would go over to my cousin’s house and his dad (whenever sports wasn’t on) would always have on MTV, back when they showed music videos 24-7. From then going Roller R Skating on weekends to all the current music and with my cousin putting together our very own end of the year top 100 songs. That was just up though middle school but I’ll save the rest of my musical journey for next week, now onto this weeks song. 

The Original 

“You were an X-man, you were THE X-man.”  A very exciting line from the newest trailer “Deadpool x Wolverine” which debuted this week with ton of fanfare. Within this amazing trailer is the iconic song by Madonna, Like A Prayer. There is not much more I could say about an icon who has been creating and performing for over 40 years and parts of 5 decades. Appearing in her 4th studio album (Like A Prayer) and being released 35 years ago, Like A Prayer became Madonna’s 7th Hot 100 #1. The song has also been listed on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time. 

The Cover 

So for this cover we look to a former 2010 Idol champion, Swedish Idol that is, Jay Smith. While competing on singing shows there were quite a few covers Jay has done, notably “Bad Romance” and “Simple Man”. With “Like A Prayer” he takes this classic song and gives it some hard rock vocals. Now not saying it as a bad thing, cause I don’t really mind their music, but the sound seems very akin to Nickelback. With that said it is a great cover and well worth a listen so LFG. 

https://youtu.be/sQnoZUR6fvY?si=v-7xWOJ79bXiXZiW

Did I get you again? Probably not but fun anyway here is the real song. 

https://youtu.be/FAY8uOBHWrM?si=4IUDCVv4geit39gg

While this cover took place more than 8 years ago, Jay Smith’s style now is more country than rock. Personally speaking I don’t like country, but I know millions of people do. His newest song “Back To My Roots” does seem to have an early Taylor Swift sound, If she was a Swedish male 😜. 

https://youtu.be/mUzYyuwmkVo?si=7i_t5iEJs85B6lLZ

Under The Covers 4-21-24

Under The Covers 

A weekly quick look into the world of cover songs. Each week I will spotlight a cover song that I find either good, unique, or interesting. An important criteria for a good cover is that it shouldn’t sound exactly like the original version: looking at you Weezer (Africa). The best ones the artist takes the original and puts their own style song upon it: Disturbed (Shout 2000, Sound of Silence). 

 

The Original

This week’s spotlight focuses on the biggest mega music star right now (maybe of all time) Taylor Swift.  With her new album debuting this weekend  and her new song Fortnight racking up more than 50 million views in a day on YouTube we are taking a look at one of her earlier singles. From 2012 her 3rd studio album Red we get Taylor’s first Hot 100 #1 single, “We are never ever getting back together”.

The Cover

 

Coming from Arizona and appearing on YouTube near 15 years ago we have Halocene. More than 750 videos and millions a views later, they have become one of the premier rock covers artist out there. Headed by front woman Addie Amick and her powerful vocals this band pumps out great cover after great cover along with some awesome original songs. While their stuff has evolved into more traditional metal sound, their earlier covers and songs had a style more akin to pop punk ala Avril Lavigne.  That is where we find one of their earliest covers. Here is the cover of “We are never ever getting back together” by Halocene. 

https://youtu.be/MXMf_ni0Msk?si=YQvQDsQ74npInny7

Haha Did I get You???? I had to do it for my first blog post!! 

Here is the real cover song! 

https://youtu.be/lKjhFeZATEk?si=Zgxz-EuycWV9Ov3K

If you would like to check out how much Halocene has evolved over the last 11 years. Here is their newest original song “Just Won’t Die” 

https://youtu.be/Vguo2fT1YjE?si=6uWJALBIRZ0IET62