...more like "once, twice, three times just stop". even twice is unnecessary, most of the time.
i'm talking about song re-makes, re-mixes, and rrhea. we all know 'em, love 'em, hate' em (the ratio is 1:99). every so often a halfway decent one comes around, but even out of THOSE, there is a slim percentage of the song being as good as the original.
i mean, there are the type of artists that get big off of remakes, like michael buble. he keeps within the obligations of a song though, and makes sure it isn't a detriment to the original. plus, his music consists of american standards; the type of music that SHOULD be re-done and re-mastered just so it doesn't disappear all together into the brume of today's mediocre music.
*side-note* that's the good thing about jazz ensembles and combos in schools. they keep the intelligent music up and thriving. that's for a different post though...
so ANYWAY, beSIDES from the bubles and the dubonnets, we then travel into the spectrum of MODERN day remakes...
like someone that just shouldn't do this sort of thing is paul anka. he came out with an album a few years back named "rock swings", where he took modern day rock hits and "swung" them. made them jazzy. he probably thought he was doing these superhits a favor by de-hardcore-orizing them. like "smells like teen spirit", "it's my life", "eye of the tiger"...like really? it's enjoyable because it's stupid.
and then you have the artists that just take ONE song and reeeaaally go at it. full speed try and make it their own...which is bad.
just a few examples of bad remakes.
joe cocker - with a little help from my friends [originally by the beatles] - okay first of all, why that song, because it's not the greatest song in the world anyway. since i was little, i always secretly dreaded that song whenever it came on right after "sgt. peppers..." second, one hit is good enough joe, save your voice.
michael bolton - dock of the bay [originally by otis redding] - what a way to honor a dead man...have michael bolton sing his greatest song. i'll just leave it at that.
eric clapton - i shot the sheriff [originally by bob marley] - now this is a "good" example of a remake...but i just don't like it. i guess i never appreciated clapton's cream/solo career switch. shoot me now.
and the list goes on...
aaron neville - everybody plays the fool [originally by main ingredient] - just...no.
bangles - hazy shade of winter [originally by simon & garfunkel] - thanks to tangles and bangles there, the entire country except for my brother peter does not know the s&g version...which is incredible.
{too many to count} - i want candy [originally by the strangeloves] - i hate this song because of all the remakes...
okay, on to the handfull of GOOD remakes!
lenny kravitz - american woman [originally by guess who] - i had heard lenny's version before i had heard guess who's...the old version, released in 1970 is dry and un-exciting. the song was almost meant to be played at a high intensity level, and kravitz delivered that well.
phil collins - true colors [originally by cindi lauper] - anything from cindi lauper's repertoire can successfully be re-done in my opinion. the two songs are practically the same thing, with different vocals. and we all can agree that phil is more enjoyable to listen to than cindi. yes? yes.
stevie wonder - for once in my life [originally by jean dushon] - like, did you even think this was a remake? exactly...
johnny cash - hurt [originally by nine inch nails] - oh my VISHNU i cannot stress it enough, this song is amazing. johnny just makes this song so much more emotional, not only with the great backing music, but with his feeble old vocals. nevermind the fact that the two versions are completely different. you'd never know it was a remake. it's just a great song by johnny.
alrighty well that's all i can think of now. i'm sure all of you can come up with a slew of 'em off the top of your head. doesn't surprise me...they DO stick in your mind. feel free to share any more that you have in the comments section below. thanks ch'yall.
cheers!
-Johnny
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wow. im impressed John. Why aren't you going into music :) but anyways. yes. I agree, I know of some aweful remakes... like the other day; at Texas Road House, some dumbass turned the love ballad "all of me" and added a hermonica and guitar. But, again, another amazing post John!
ReplyDeleteOhh, p.s. have you noticed that you don't capitolize anything, including "I"s haha. Just an observation
what about all the classics that barry manilow bastardized. and now i have to hear them at work every day. damn him!
ReplyDeletejust a few: Venus was remade in the 80's, but the original (70's?) is always more entertaining to me. also: oasis redid Wonderwall, and regardless of your oasis like or dislike, it is a better song.
and how can we forget all the songs remade by six pense non the richer. their band name has more originality, and that sucks too.
oh the list goes on. another good blog, my friend.
-a
Well, I agree completely with everything you said. However, I think Clapton's version is much better than Bob Marley's. The only Bob Marley song that is worth it's salt is Buffalo Soldier.
ReplyDeleteThe one recent remake that I enjoyed was Fall Out Boy/John Mayer's remake of "Beat It". It surely not the original, but they put their own spin on it, and Mayer's guitar solo is sick.
A few other things:
Joe Cocker - has never had a voice to "save"
Paul Anka - that album is horribly amazing, makes me laugh, but you have a valid point. Wait until I send you an album which consists of smooth-jazz remakes of R. Kelly hits. It's probably the most amazing thing that should have never been released.
hehe, i thoroughly enjoyed this post. and i also agree with everything you said... with the exception of johnny cash. not a fan, sorry, but i can still appreciate his style. a lot of Christmas music falls into the category of "crappy re-makes" too. i hate when big-name musicians try to re-make beautiful spiritual songs like "O Holy Night". it's like their goal is to take all the sacredness out of it so they can just show off their vocal range or flex the golden pipes. drives me nuts. it's no longer about the song but about showcasing yourself as an artist and being super creative. yes, that's appropriate in some situations, but not Christmas music. why am i talking about Christmas music again? i'm rambling. sorry. nice post bloop :)
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