• Grah1
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  • From: Cold and rainy Settle UK
  • Registered: 2011-05-12
  • Posts: 1,860

Topic: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

Heres   an interesting  thought  . Do  you  think    its   ok  to  edit  a  cover  song  .
My   opinion is  yes and  I  often do  , I  will  change  or  edit  a  verse  sometimes ,play  a  bridge  as  a  solo  ,completly  re  write  a  verse   .
I do  this  to  make  it  easier  for  me  to  perform  certain material  while  keeping   the  feel  of  the  original  but  making  it  my  own interpretation. Some  time  an  original  version of a song may  have  phrasing    ai  cant  sing  due   to  language  or  pitch  or  speed . Sure   I  can play   it    but  do  you  think  its  right  to   butcher  another  artists  material .
Just  wondered what  your  thoughts  are . About   20 yrs  ago  I  appeared  live  on  a  european radio station who  were  reviewing  my  cover   of   John Martins   song   Glory  box  . The  reviewer    loved  the  version and said  the  reason  she  liked it  was  because  we'd  made it  our  song and  not  just  a  cover  version .
Thought please .
Cheers   G 

Grah1's Website

  • Registered: 2015-07-31
  • Posts: 2,972

Re: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

Grah, I completely agree with your approach. Modifying the arrangement, pacing, or even lyrical delivery often uncovers layers in the composition that the original artist didn't emphasize. Some of the most iconic covers in music history like Johnny Cash doing "Hurt" or Hendrix covering Dylan worked specifically because they completely deconstructed and rebuilt the track. The genius of Joe Cocker was in his total commitment to the narrative of a song. He didn't just cover "Feelin' Alright"—he completely reshaped its groove into a sweaty, soulful funk masterpiece that outshone the original. He approached every cover like a blank canvas, leaning entirely into his blues and gospel sensibilities rather than playing it safe. That's why his catalog still hits so hard today.     

  • From: Wellington New Zealand
  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 1,477

Re: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

Theres little i can add to Peatles comments,totally agree.     

The King Of Audio Torture
  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,876

Re: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

Agreed, Peatle and Brian spot on.
Now my 5pennorth. If any performing artist tells me they perform their covers exactly, I'd call them a liar. I used to perform the same song hundreds of times and only once I had to forget a line so I would make one up on the spot, but that line would be the one I'd be singing forever, not cos it's better but...well you know?
I always made my own backing tracks so they'd never be as record so as Grah says you make a song your own, something you can't do with bought in tracks     

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

  • TIGLJK
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  • Registered: 2010-05-11
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Re: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

Totally agree...... there are many video clips of great performers who heard versions of a cover of their songs and said - "wow, that's even better - wish I had thought of that ! "     

The price of anything, is the amount of life you exchange for it.   - H.D. Thoreau
Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.
"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke
  • From: Wellington New Zealand
  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 1,477

Re: is it ok in your opinion to change or edit of a cover song

in many ways a cover is a compliment to the writer     

The King Of Audio Torture