Got it Covered

cover song (

A recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else; "they made a cover of a Beatles' song" [syn: cover ]*

Cover songs have always been around. You can hear them in concert, often as an encore selection, as an audio snapshot of the headlining artist's musical influences, or own musical listening taste. You can also hear cover songs as obscure tracks serving as filler and buried on an album or compact disc, or even by amateurs performing their renditions of songs on the Internet out of admiration for the original artist, the love of the song, or just the desire to sing and be heard by a basically limitless audience.

Regardless of the venue, a cover song, if interpreted and performed uniquely, can equal the original tune, or even exceed it. If the person singing the cover brings a new twist to the original song by contributing a distinctive interpretation, and by adding a creative voice or spin, then the resulting song can rise above the original tune and stand on its own. However, this doesn't diminish the original tune's value or the contribution of the original artist. It just gives it an alternate listen and may bring the song to a wider audience than the original tune may have attracted.

For example, David Cook's interpretation of Billie Jean rises above the original Michael Jackson version , but doesn't diminish it. The original still stands as a great song. However, David Cook put his own creative voice and spin on the tune and made his version his own, and possibly brought the song to the attention of fans, that were not at the music listening age when the original was released.

There are many instances of cover songs that match or exceed their predecessor through distinctive interpretation and creative voice. You can listen to some of the best examples below of cover tunes available compliments of a wide variety of musical artists.**

Relax and enjoy the tunes. They've got it covered.

With a Little Help from My Friends

The Beatles version

Joe Cocker version

Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

The Temptations version
The Rolling Stones version

Blinded by the Light

Bruce Springsteen version

Manfred Mann version

Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen version

Jeff Buckley version

On the Radio

Regina Spektor version

Kina Grannis version

Babe I'm Gonna Leave You

Joan Baez version

Led Zeppelin version

Sweet Thing

Van Morrison version

The Waterboys version

Here Comes the Sun

The Beatles version

Richie Havens version

World Turning

Fleetwood Mac version

Leo Kottke version

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Marvin Gaye version

Creedence Clearwater Revival version

Stairway to Heaven

Led Zeppelin version

Dolly Parton version

I Wanna Be Your Dog

The Stooges version

Joan Jet version

Gloria

Them version

Patti Smith version

Sources:

*WordNet® 3.0. Princeton University. 14 Mar. 2011

**These songs are for educational and reference purposes only and are performed and written by the credited artists.

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