From Country to Rock, from Pop to Soul: Songs that Span Across Different Genres

For many of us, music is a big part of our daily lives. I, for one, love music from all genres. Depending on my mood some days I relate better with country and other days I am all for classic rock.

The music industry is very interesting because it is not uncommon to find an artist that sings in two or more genres.

Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and Sugarland are just a few of the artists that we will see on both country and pop charts. How many 80s songs have we seen remade time and time again.? Also, it is really popular for christian songs to be turned into pop hits.

From time to time we see some artists pay tribute to others. "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock gives a shout out to "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd right in the song lyrics. Kid Rock can easily switch between country and rock. Here is my list of top five songs that actually crossed over the genres; these songs were originally done in one genre and redone in another.

Life Is A Highway
Tom Cochrane- Rock
Rascal Flatts- Country

In 2006 Rascal Flatts did a cover of this song for the Disney film, "Cars." I love both versions of this song; it is fun and upbeat. To me in this song the road is the metaphor for life. Sometimes we like where we are going, other times we change directions, and sometimes we get lost. No matter what, we keep moving forward, and slowly we get to our destination.

Walking in Memphis
Mark Cohn- Rock
Lonestar- Country

I just adore the lyrics and the music. To me this song is about discovering who you are in a new situation. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and reevaluate who we are. It is amazing what a little change of direction (or location) can do for ones self.

Piece of My Heart
Janis Joplin- Soul
Faith Hill- Country

This song is about how a women has an undying love for a man. No matter what their problems are she still loves him unconditionally. This women is strong; she never lets him see her cry. The women may know this is not the best relationship for her, but she does not want to give up on it. She wants a little respect from this man and she wants him to prove that he really does care.

Heaven
Bryan Adams- Rock and Pop
DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do- Dance

This is just a straight forward great love song. I actually prefer the dance remix just because I like how it is upbeat, but it still keeps the same meaning. This song is full of passion and emotion and it is just so powerful it invokes feelings of love in you.

Ain't Too Proud To Beg
The Temptations- R&B and Soul
Rolling Stones- Rock

I enjoy both versions of this song. It is about a guy professing his love for a girl. He does not care what other people thinks. He wants this girl to know that he is not too proud to ask for her back. I like the beat and how the song flows; it is easy to sing along to.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Is_a_Highway