Last week I began Mixtape Mondays with the simple idea of sharing some good music here because music and writing are my hand-in-hand loves, and I know the same is true for a lot of the people who read this blog. But because I’m doing it thematically and because a big part of my job as an editor is helping people direct their thoughts toward better writing, I quickly realized the potential the series has to be a writing prompt. So I’m including a link-up at the bottom of the post for anyone who’d like to participate– just come back and add your link throughout the week.
This week’s theme is “covered.” All the songs in my playlist are covers where the artist has taken someone else’s song and reimagined it. The best covers bring something new to a song, whether through different arrangement, instrumentation, or vocalization. (I’m not a big fan of covers that sound almost exactly like the original– that’s called karaoke.)
The key to a good cover isn’t in being a copycat– it’s in bringing something of yourself to the piece so that it’s transformed.
So, for this week’s writing prompt, take a piece of writing– a poem, a Bible story, a folk tale, a song, anything that inspires you– and reimagine it. (You can check out how I’ve done this in the past with a poem and a parable.) Cover it with yourself, your story, your imagination, your perspective. And don’t forget to come back and drop us a link!
Listen:
Link up:
Let me know:
What are your favorite cover songs?
Tamara, excited to give these a listen! Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea, Tamara. Let’s see if I can get it done this week.
I don’t know if her rendition is different enough to meet your criteria but I adore Audrey Assad’s cover of Wish You Were Here.
The Vespers’ cover of Son House’s “Grinnin’ in Your Face.” Their version is amazing (and I’ve seen it live twice now, haha).
There’s another good cover somewhere in my brain that I can’t get…..I’ll have to comment again when I remember.
I’ve never heard the original, but this was fantastic.
This is a fun exercise and one that I’ve done a couple of times. All in jest, of course. Don’t judge me too harshly at the song choice or my plea. http://www.brendamoguez.com/poetry-page/call-me-maybe/
Hey Tamara, some really good tracks here, thanks. I really like Neil Diamond’s Dreams album, and his take on Midnight Train to Georgia. Heard it? If not, you should track it down. Best wishes.
I’m not a fan of Kanye West but I love Dia Frampton’s version of Heartless. I’ll have to think of others… I love stuff like that to do with my music students.
This one is great
starts @ 40 seconds… Don’t know why my link didn’t adjust properly.
YES.
k.d. lang’s cover of Hallelujah. Also, The Civil Wars’ cover of Dance Me to the End of Love (also by Leonard Cohen originally).
So glad Johnny’s “Hurt” is on your list. I love that.
While I like BC’s version of “Creep” I think the Pretenders’ is my fave.
While this is a bit of an adaptation, it’s probably my favorite cover of the past decade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM
As much as I love Hendrix’s “Little Wing”, Derek & the Domino’s version is brilliant (despite the vocals sounding wasted), as is Stevie Ray’s (instrumental) version.
It’s almost like cheating, but Santana wasc overing Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman”. One of the very few times I like someone else’s version of early FM better than theirs.
On the other hand that country singer’s (I forget the name) light-hearted, happy version of Janis’s “Piece of my Heart” sometimes still makes me want to scream (and occasionally do it).
Good covers…. hmmm…..
Good set you’ve put together here, by the way. A lot of these, I know the original but not the cover.
Some covers were so good, they are better known than the original. DC Talk’s version of “In the Light” is one example (I like Charlie Peacock’s original too… and his cameo at the end of the DC Talk version.)
Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” is probably the most famous version of that song too, though I guess she got it pretty close to the source, was singing it before Kristofferson got famous.
I thought you might include the Civil War’s version of Billie Jean in your list… that’s a great version, very different flavor from the original.
That Civil Wars cover is fantastic. So glad you added it here. Excited to listen to the rest of the playlist…and if I get a minute or two to breathe this week, to add my own “cover” post. (Love the idea.)
I just remembered a good one: Noah Guthrie’s version of “Sexy and I Know It” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsvlsuLau5c
I’ve been wanting to talk about what God has shown me about the True Gospel, about the Good News, and I hope this piece does the revelation justice.
It’s such a beautiful post, Renee. Thank you for sharing.
A couple of my favourite covers are Curt Stigers’s version of Annie Lennox’s “Cold,” and the Wailin’ Jennys’s version of Neil Young’s “Old Man.”
we’ve been discussing religious covers and Christian music at the newest community for the faithful, http://community.bibleseries.tv – a community based around The Bible Series on the History Channel.
Ok, I have 3 few for you!
David McAlmont – Saving all my love for you (http://youtu.be/4JS5g87Yd9g)
Camera Obscura – Modern Girl (http://youtu.be/hTvob7BcxD4)
The Botticellis – Here I Go Again (http://grooveshark.com/s/Here+I+Go+Again+Whitesnake+Cover+BL+Rewind+2/2zy9Tf?src=5)
All beautiful reworkings/covers.
Reblogged this on bdgr571.
I wish I weren’t coming to this post so late, because I’d love to link up. As is, (a) it looks like I might have another “assignment” awaiting and (b) I’m glad that arriving late doesn’t preclude me from enjoying the selections already made.