Cover Me

Almost every “pop” musical group and singer-songwriter seems to have started their careers doing cover songs (i.e., songs previously performed by an earlier artist). This makes total sense from a musician’s point of view. It generates a repertoire, builds the band’s/singer’s confidence by using songs audiences are likely familiar with, and helps the musician develop their own musical style.

I love a great cover sung by new or relatively unknown artists! Many of my musician friends mine a trove of previously recorded songs - some hits, others more like “deep tracks”. Currently, cover songs comprise most of the sets that I, as a solo performer, and my band Sorella Jack use. One reason we do this, even though we are pretty well established at this point, is because of the types of venues we play. Wineries, brew pubs, restaurants and festivals are places people go to relax and unwind and hear some familiar, “comfort-food” music.

I get it! And I’m happy to oblige.

As a singer-songwriter, though, it’s my obligation to contribute to the growth of the musical experience, not just for myself and other musicians, but for audiences as well. So, even in these aforementioned types of venues, I’ll drop in some of my original songs. The way that audiences react to them helps me either hone the songs further or possibly drop them from the set if they just don’t come across as well as I had hoped.

I had a recent experience that puzzled me a bit and opened my eyes up about a pitfall of playing cover songs. 

I was at a venue as a customer, not a performer, where a cover band was playing. The musicians were top-notch! They played their instruments like pros, and their vocals were fab. And their set songs were very popular Top 40 hits from the past few decades.

Four songs in to their show, I was bored. (Sorry. I just had to say it.)

It’s not that their patter between songs wasn’t charming or engaging. It’s because they played every song EXACTLY like the original artist(s) had. Note a single note was different. The lead singer even imitated the voices of some of the singers the band covered!

Well, that’s great, I guess. Except I might as well have been listening to my playlist in my headphones. Why did I need to experience hearing this band live?

I am not knocking these guys - just telling you my honest reaction to their performance. They are such outstanding musicians that it seemed that this note-for-note, not-a-BIT-of-deviation-from-the-original was a waste of their talents and the listener’s time.

If I were this band’s manager - or maybe their mentor - I would encourage them to take risks. That super-upbeat dance number from the 70s? Slow it down. Or maybe play it in a minor key. That 80’s power-pop ballad? Play it with an acoustic guitar and tambourine. See what happens. You’re still giving the audience their familiar song. But now, instead of parroting the original recording, you’re now interpreting it. Making it yours.

And that, to me, is musical growth.