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<p></p><p>Whenever that line hits in Whitney's rendition of "I Will Always Love You", I get goosebumps. Her voice is so powerful and envelopes you in an angelic aura that you don't leave until the song is over.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Dolly Parton was definitely proud of the performance because she is looking at Beyonce to cover "Jolene". Well, I don't know if Bey would be willing to but I already enjoyed Miley and Noah's version; heck, I didn't even realize Noah Cyrus could sing. </p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Oh I seem to have forgotten I am supposed to be interacting with my readers and not losing myself in the beauty of music 🎵🎵🎵 I already told you music is my first love so I cannot help it🤷🤷</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>And yes, today we are exploring covers of amazing songs. Believe me, that song may not be as original as you had thought but the cover did so much justice you already forgot about the original.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>But let us understand what covers are okay</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Covers are typically new versions, performances or recordings of a song. They could have similar structure, in terms of lyrics and progression, but have different arrangements in terms of pitch, tone, production and so on.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>And this is one musical element that has existed overtime in music as a form of appreciation for the original work or just to add your own flavor. </p><p></p>
<p></p><p>For example, Shontelle's " Impossible" was covered by James Arthur in his self-titled album and his rendition is on steam. I love both versions and you can see and appreciate the fact that both are great songwriters and vocal performers. It's like listening from different perspectives and still living in the moment.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>If you are a music lover like I am, you would know Calum Scott and appreciate the vocals, lyrics and beauty he brings to music. If you are informed on his music, you would remember "Dancing On My Own". </p><p></p>
<p></p><p>For those that followed him from his audition days, he performed it on stage and improved the track so well it got added to his album. The song is a cover by Robyn, another UK artiste. Hers was a more upbeat and electronic sound and his is more sensitive and slow, bringing a soulful twist.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>All ye Tina and Ike Turner fans remember "Proud Mary", a song that has become an anthem for a lot of movies. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the song is a cover with the original sung by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tina's twist to the song popularized it and made it an instant hit.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Our favorite and aforementioned "I Will Always Love You" was originally written by Dolly Parton and had a country feel with some pain but Whitney Houston blessed the track with her vocal dexterity, evoking emotions only her voice could have pulled off. It became an instant hit and is still sung till today as an audition song for those daring enough to hit that hard hitting line "...... and I!!!!!!!!! would always love you, oooooooooo ah.....". Yeah, a classic😌😌</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Hallelujah By Jeff Buckley is one track that has been covered a lot of times. From Beyonce to Alexander Burke and more, this version has probably been the most covered version of Hallelujah. What you don't realize or know is the song was originally by Leonard Cohen. Yeah, we enjoy Jeff's version but give props to the original composer.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>If you watch any American "girl power" movie that has a lot of boudoir montage, you would appreciate Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" for existing. It is the best track to show the fun loving side of girlfriends. It makes you almost forget the original by Robert Hazard that is a far cry from the message of the cover. While Cyndi's brings a feminist undertone, Robert's seems more objectifying with leering overtones. </p><p></p>
<p></p><p>For the old heads, if you love the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" you probably might be surprised to learn it was originally written by a man, Otis Redding and Aretha, like Cyndi, made it into a go-girl moment. Props to the Queen of Soul as the song didn't have a lot of potential until she blessed it with her flair.</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Most of us probably remember Amy Winehouse for her quirkiness and rockstar lifestyle, or her battle with the dreaded white powder but for those on the pulse, you would remember her classic hit, "Valerie" with Mark Ronson. I love this song a lot, especially how her voice delivers it seeing as the original by the Zutons could not do as much damage. She really did her thing. </p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Killing Me Softly is another track that transcends generations, maybe because of the notable sultry vocals by Lauryn Hill which outshine the original by Roberta Flack. I don't know, do you?</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>🎶 Red Red Wine 🎶 a classic reggae tune by UB40 sends shivers down my spine whenever I hear it. Who would have thought they could transform an acoustic somber ballad by Neil Diamond to a reggae number and it would still be as classic? Lovely song!!!</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>I must say this, as much as we don't like imitation, can we at least agree in this case that "imitation truly is the best form of flattery?"</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>I think these covers are truly amazing</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>I might bring more your way, who knows</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Thank you for reading and I hope I took you down memory lane with some good music pie to chump on</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>What covers did I miss? Which one shocked you?</p><p></p>
<p></p><p>Snippets of this article were written with excerpts from these sites</p><p></p>
<p></p><p><a href="https://bestlifeonline.com/cover-songs-better-than-original/">https://bestlifeonline.com/cover-songs-better-than-original/</a>
<a href="https://www.timeout.com/music/best-cover-songs">https://www.timeout.com/music/best-cover-songs</a></p>
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AND I WILL ALWAYS COVER YOU...
By
Queensley Okon