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Pointless covers

Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,525
in Other Music
So, I stumbled over Stone Sours's covers of Creeping Death (Metallica), Love Gun (KISS) and We Die Young (AiC) and they are impressively faithful to the originals... but sounds like good but lifeless karaoke sessions. They add nothing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClRPSYpBNOs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HFaUoulmx4

The same with Weezers Africa cover -- what is the point of it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk5Dwg5zm2U

Any other good examples of - not bad but - pointless covers?
"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
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Comments

  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain Posts: 31,266
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,525
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain Posts: 31,266
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    Meh.  I don't necessarily agree.  Some covers I hear, where they totally change the song, make me want to smash the crap out of the radio.
    Was just curious, don't want to derail your thread.

    I like this cover, it does not change the original so perhaps it fits your description.
    (Or, perhaps shooting it in space brought something.  ;) )



    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,525
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    Meh.  I don't necessarily agree.  Some covers I hear, where they totally change the song, make me want to smash the crap out of the radio.
    Was just curious, don't want to derail your thread.

    I like this cover, it does not change the original so perhaps it fits your description.
    (Or, perhaps shooting it in space brought something.  ;) )



    I'm not saying you have to revamp the song completely or turn a blues song into a jazz song.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • ultrapigultrapig Posts: 166
    Any cover by Five Finger Death Punch. 
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,500
    There s been a few songs that pj has covered over the years that are pointless. Arms aloft anyone?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    You mean like this stirring rendition of PJ's Jeremy?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWTEQMxZIyY

    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    edited September 2018
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    Meh.  I don't necessarily agree.  Some covers I hear, where they totally change the song, make me want to smash the crap out of the radio.
    Was just curious, don't want to derail your thread.

    I agree that a cover needs to improve upon the original or at least make it something different in some way for there to be a point to it. That doesn't mean the song is greatly changed. It just has to be somehow better or different. Sometimes that means that almost nothing changed - the cover artist might just be more talented, I.e. better voice, more emotion, better guitar playing, whatever. Or, of course, they make bigger changes that are awesome. A cover that doesn't add something is really just karaoke.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • ledveddermanledvedderman Posts: 7,761
    I don’t know if they have to ADD something for the better of the song. But I think there needs to be something of original flavor put in the song. Give me a reason to listen to your version of the song in place of the original. 
    E8toX.gif

    http://www.reverbnation.com/brianzilm
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    edited September 2018
    ledvedderman said:
    I don’t know if they have to ADD something for the better of the song. But I think there needs to be something of original flavor put in the song. Give me a reason to listen to your version of the song in place of the original. 
    That's what I mean. Whatever that is that creates an original flavour (or something more tangible) is "adding" something.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    Sometimes I just like to hear artists that I like cover other artists or songs that I like. They don't have to change it. The "something" is that it is performed by a particular artist I like. Let's look at some of PJ covers that I like just fine:

    Driven to Tears - What's special? PJ is playing it. Is it "better" than the original: Not for me. But I still like it and don't think it's a "pointless cover".
    Comfortably Numb: What's special? PJ is playing it. Is it "better" than the original: Not for me. But I still like it and don't think it's a "pointless cover".
    Crown of Thorns: What's special? PJ is playing it. Is it "better" than the original: Not for me. But I still like it and don't think it's a "pointless cover".
    Won't Back Down: What's special? PJ is playing it. Is it "better" than the original: Not for me. But I still like it and don't think it's a "pointless cover".

    I guess I don't need the cover to be "better" or to have a significant change for me to enjoy a cover. Pointless is subjective I suppose.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    edited September 2018
    I don't need a change (I don't mind one either), but it does have to be better or something new for me to appreciate it. That often involves a change. Otherwise it just seems like a waste of time. I mean, if there is no change and no improvement to the original, why not just listen to the original? With PJ covers, well, I don't like all of them. But for a lot of them, they aren't necessarily improved (though sometimes they are), but they are all definitely different in some way, and that includes the huge difference Eddie's unique voice inevitably makes.... I think that is what "PJ is playing it" mostly means, no? I mean, Mike can throw in some good solo or something, but really the reason it's not pointless is because Eddie is singing it and that actually matters in his case. That is not the case for all singers. 

    ... I do think PJ vastly improves Crown of Thorns though. ;)
    ... I also think they never should have covered Driven to Tears or Won't Back Down in the first place. I consider those two covers failures..... Although still changed, that's for sure!
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,500
    Driven to tears is awful live. Won’t back down is meh. I liked crazy mary pre boom.
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • cjzolycjzoly Posts: 508
    PJ_Soul said:

    ... I do think PJ vastly improves Crown of Thorns though. ;)

    AHHHHHH...You have Andy spinning in his tomb... ;)
    I'm a Thief, I'm a Liar, There's my Church, I sing in the Choir...Hallelujah...
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    mcgruff10 said:
    Driven to tears is awful live. Won’t back down is meh. I liked crazy mary pre boom.
    Yeah, I like Crazy Mary quite a bit. Even with Boom.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    cjzoly said:
    PJ_Soul said:

    ... I do think PJ vastly improves Crown of Thorns though. ;)

    AHHHHHH...You have Andy spinning in his tomb... ;)
    I have to ask... Is he really in a tomb?
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • cjzolycjzoly Posts: 508
    I don't know...But Andy in a coffin didn't sound right...I was thinking tomb sounded more worldly...It is Mr. Wood...
    I'm a Thief, I'm a Liar, There's my Church, I sing in the Choir...Hallelujah...
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    cjzoly said:
    I don't know...But Andy in a coffin didn't sound right...I was thinking tomb sounded more worldly...It is Mr. Wood...
    Lol..... I have to admit, and not to speak ill of the dead or anything.... But I've never been much of a fan.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • njnancynjnancy Posts: 5,096
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    You mean like this stirring rendition of PJ's Jeremy?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWTEQMxZIyY

    :o
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,951
    edited September 2018
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    F Me In The Brain said:
    Do covers only have a point if they change the original song?
    Guess I am unsure of your definition of a cover with a point.

    I think they have to add something.
    You mean like this stirring rendition of PJ's Jeremy?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWTEQMxZIyY

    Lol. She's just awful.
    Not a bad actress though. She should have stuck to that!
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave Posts: 42,056
    Limp Bizkit- Behind Blue Eyes
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
    10/31/09- Philly
    5/21/10- NYC
    9/2/12- Philly, PA
    7/19/13- Wrigley
    10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
    10/21/13- Philly, PA
    10/22/13- Philly, PA
    10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
    4/28/16- Philly, PA
    4/29/16- Philly, PA
    5/1/16- NYC
    5/2/16- NYC
    9/2/18- Boston, MA
    9/4/18- Boston, MA
    9/14/22- Camden, NJ
    9/7/24- Philly, PA
    9/9/24- Philly, PA
    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly. PA
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
    RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    There are two pointless covers I can't stand:

    Disturbed: Sound of Silence

    Bad Wolves: Zombie
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,525
    edited September 2018
    mcgruff10 said:
    Driven to tears is awful live. Won’t back down is meh. I liked crazy mary pre boom.
    Hey...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUNyjtY-N8I

    If we are talking bland PJ covers, I think they do nothing interesting really with All along the Watchtower. But maybe it's just that the song is so overplayed in general. I kind of dig the I'm Not There version Eddie sang on.
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    There are two pointless covers I can't stand:

    Disturbed: Sound of Silence

    Bad Wolves: Zombie
    Disturbed's cover of Sound of Silence is objectively terrible.  It's so weirdly maudlin, yet devoid of real emotion.
    He sounds like he's trying to do a parody imitation of himself.
    It literally reminds me of Adam Sandler's Eddie Vedder imitation on SNL.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    rgambs said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    There are two pointless covers I can't stand:

    Disturbed: Sound of Silence

    Bad Wolves: Zombie
    Disturbed's cover of Sound of Silence is objectively terrible.  It's so weirdly maudlin, yet devoid of real emotion.
    He sounds like he's trying to do a parody imitation of himself.
    It literally reminds me of Adam Sandler's Eddie Vedder imitation on SNL.

    This is item #2 we've come to consensus on.

    The worst thing? I've got a buddy that typically has strong taste in music. He fires this on every now and then. I want to poke pins in my eyeballs.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    Weezer doing Africa was a homegrown event.

    A fan started a video that went viral and it reached the band and it's part of their set list now.  

    I don't see it as pointless when you know the story behind it.

    Pearl Jam doing Last Kiss is a great story and when it received a bunch of radio play with ZERO promotion but people shit on that song too...

    I will say that Limpbizkit's version of Behind Two Eyes is pointless.  That song came out when every album HAD to have a cover on it as the first single.  That drove me mad.

    Same with Disturbed and Shout, Sounds of Silence.
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,440
    The only thing a cover "needs" in order to have a point is the artist enjoying playing it.
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 (xx) / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • kce8kce8 Posts: 1,636
    rgambs said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    There are two pointless covers I can't stand:

    Disturbed: Sound of Silence

    Bad Wolves: Zombie
    Disturbed's cover of Sound of Silence is objectively terrible.  It's so weirdly maudlin, yet devoid of real emotion.
    He sounds like he's trying to do a parody imitation of himself.
    It literally reminds me of Adam Sandler's Eddie Vedder imitation on SNL.
    :o 

    You might should listen to this live version… it's far away from being without real emotion.
    I absolutely love it, and still get goosebumbs.
    It's maybe the original videos style what makes it look less emotional. Since I learned about this live version I totally prefer it!

    For me covers can still be good even that it doesn't have unique changes on it. Then it mostly depends on the voice of the singer, like Eddie's voice. Sometimes only that already makes it good. 
    I also think a cover doesn't have to be better at all to be interesting. …. As long as it's not as horrible as that Jeremy cover from above… jezuz… 27 seconds, then I had to stop it.. 

    Then again I love covers from bands who get out off their usual music style or comfort zone. Completely change a song just by using different instruments - also perfect. 

    And even the songs required here could be cool just because your favorite band is covering it. 
    So pointless cover is hard for me to find. Not the bad ones though. ;)
    However… just please don't do it like Courtney did… lol

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3By4DZyTNM
  • kce8kce8 Posts: 1,636
    HesCalledDyer said:
    The only thing a cover "needs" in order to have a point is the artist enjoying playing it.
    Perfect said!
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain Posts: 31,266
    HesCalledDyer said:
    The only thing a cover "needs" in order to have a point is the artist enjoying playing it.
    I am with you.  I fail to understand these types of threads. 
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
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