[soapbox mode]
So I have to vent. Can't take it any more.
Maybe it's just me, but I've never been able to stand it when musicians re-use melodies from other songs, trying to put it to brand new lyrics to create a "new song".
First there was Vanilla Ice, bastardizing Queen's "Under Pressure" to make "Ice, Ice, Baby"
Then Jessica Simpson comes along. I hear a song start on the radio, and say, YES! It's John Cougar Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane", a true classic for us 80's generation. But boy am I wrong, it's Jessica, singing "I Think I'm in Love".
Now today I'm driving along to work, in the Monday blues, and hear a song intro on the radio. I get all jazzed up, because it's "Africa" by Toto. Another great 80's tune, full of awesome melody and vocal harmonies. But is it actually "Africa"? Nooooo... it's some cheap R&B ripoff, with the typical WAY overused vocal runs like it's some tremendous display of vocal ability. :throwup: Totally ruined the start of my day.
And don't even get me started about "re-makes" of songs. There are a few exceptions, where the re-make is actually better than the original, but you know what, create a song as a piece of art, and then let it be! You don't see artists going into the Louvre, taking a Picasso off the wall, and then changing it. Or trying to paint an identical picture using different colors, and then trying to hang it in the nextdoor room.
No, UB40 didn't write "Red, Red, Wine". (although their version was halfway decent) That was Neil Diamond, people.
Anybody really believe Madonna created "American Pie"? Don McClean.
Okay, for all you die-hard country fans out there, get over it--Garth Brooks did NOT, repeat NOT create "Shameless". Nor did he do it the best. Billy Joel.
Alright, I'll admit it. I actually enjoy Ugly Kid Joe's version of "Cats in the Cradle", although Harry Chapin's original is more powerful with a tiny but important different word in the song. (written the year I was born!) On that note, other re-makes I don't mind are Metallica's "Turn the Page", original by Bob Seger, "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crowes and others, original by Joni Mitchell.
But heck, I even had a problem with Elton John re-writing "Candle in the Wind" for Princess Di. I don't have a problem with eithe Marilyn Monroe or Diana, but I felt that doing so dishonored both women and shamed such a beautiful song.
There's probably others, but these most readily come to mind. I assume the original artists had to agree to license their music to another musician. Why would they allow their stuff to be trashed like that? Only $$$?
[/soapbox mode]
So I have to vent. Can't take it any more.
Maybe it's just me, but I've never been able to stand it when musicians re-use melodies from other songs, trying to put it to brand new lyrics to create a "new song".
First there was Vanilla Ice, bastardizing Queen's "Under Pressure" to make "Ice, Ice, Baby"
Then Jessica Simpson comes along. I hear a song start on the radio, and say, YES! It's John Cougar Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane", a true classic for us 80's generation. But boy am I wrong, it's Jessica, singing "I Think I'm in Love".
Now today I'm driving along to work, in the Monday blues, and hear a song intro on the radio. I get all jazzed up, because it's "Africa" by Toto. Another great 80's tune, full of awesome melody and vocal harmonies. But is it actually "Africa"? Nooooo... it's some cheap R&B ripoff, with the typical WAY overused vocal runs like it's some tremendous display of vocal ability. :throwup: Totally ruined the start of my day.
And don't even get me started about "re-makes" of songs. There are a few exceptions, where the re-make is actually better than the original, but you know what, create a song as a piece of art, and then let it be! You don't see artists going into the Louvre, taking a Picasso off the wall, and then changing it. Or trying to paint an identical picture using different colors, and then trying to hang it in the nextdoor room.
No, UB40 didn't write "Red, Red, Wine". (although their version was halfway decent) That was Neil Diamond, people.
Anybody really believe Madonna created "American Pie"? Don McClean.
Okay, for all you die-hard country fans out there, get over it--Garth Brooks did NOT, repeat NOT create "Shameless". Nor did he do it the best. Billy Joel.
Alright, I'll admit it. I actually enjoy Ugly Kid Joe's version of "Cats in the Cradle", although Harry Chapin's original is more powerful with a tiny but important different word in the song. (written the year I was born!) On that note, other re-makes I don't mind are Metallica's "Turn the Page", original by Bob Seger, "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crowes and others, original by Joni Mitchell.
But heck, I even had a problem with Elton John re-writing "Candle in the Wind" for Princess Di. I don't have a problem with eithe Marilyn Monroe or Diana, but I felt that doing so dishonored both women and shamed such a beautiful song.
There's probably others, but these most readily come to mind. I assume the original artists had to agree to license their music to another musician. Why would they allow their stuff to be trashed like that? Only $$$?
[/soapbox mode]
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