Original and Cover Songs - Essay Example

Comparative Analysis between Original and Cover Songs The song selected to comply with the requirements of the essay is “Lithium” which was originally sung by Nirvana in 1991 and to be compared to the cover song of the same title sung by the Polyphonic Spree in 2006. The comparative analysis would be presented by initially describing the musical characteristics of the original song version; prior to describing the musical characteristics of its cover song version. The similarities and differences would be appropriately detailed, including any disparities in lyrics and meaning. Original Song Version The original song sung by Nirvana was recorded in 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Listeners could hear the following musical instruments: guitar, drums, and bass guitar with vocals. The first few seconds from the start until about 8 seconds, listeners would hear only one musical instrument, the guitar at the background which starts soft and melodic with regular beats and rhythmic patterns. At the start of the 8th to 9th seconds, listeners are given the chance to hear the vocals with accompanying instruments that included the drums and the bass guitar. The first few verses of the song were completed within 30 seconds and then, a louder drum instrument started in the 39th second with accompanying vocals that says: “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” two times. The second set of verses started in 1 minute 4 seconds, again with vocals and a more softer accompaniment of musical instruments (guitar, bass, and drums) and lasted until about 1 minute 34 seconds, again, exactly 30 minutes in regular rhythmic pattern before going to the “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” vocals (1 minute 35 seconds to 1 minute 57 seconds). After this phase, the refrain portion started with louder vocals and musical background starting with “I like it I’m not gonna crack…” and returns to this phrase after repeating the refrain twice (ending after two minutes 29 seconds). A brief space of musical instruments in bass, drums and guitar ensued (2 minutes 33 seconds up to 2 minutes 40 seconds) after the refrain in preparation to the third set of verses where the lyrics of the first verses were apparently repeated. Likewise, at 3 minutes 34 seconds the refrain was also repeated and ended abruptly at about 4 minutes and 10 seconds with the last beat from the vocals and the drum. The musical elements that were predominantly heard were distinctive of rock music with a lot of accompanying drums and bass guitars and the melody was more than average verging to increasingly loud crescendos, especially during the refrain. Cover Song Version The cover song version by the Polyphonic Spree which lasted for 4 minutes and 28 seconds started with an electronic keyboard as the musical instrument from the start until about 8 to 9 seconds with soft and melodic tune. By the 9th second, there is a soft accompanying guitar background that repeated the introductory melody. Then, on the 16th to 17th second, another musical instrument, the drums started together with the start of the vocals. Initially, only the lead vocal male singer sang the first few verses of the song. On the 32nd second, the chorus composed of predominantly female voices joined in the singing of the verses. At the start of the 47th second, in time for the verses “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” all vocals and instruments were played louder. At 1 minute 6 seconds when the crescendo subsided, a harp was focused as the main instrument playing until 1 minute 12 seconds, after which the second set of verses where sung and accompanied by the previous musical instruments (keyboard, guitar, bass, violin, cello and even some wind instruments: trumpets and flute at the background). The second refrain finishes at two minutes 43 seconds when a brief musical instrument respite could be heard, including the harp until 2 minutes and 51 seconds as the vocals and the third set of verses started. The interpretation of the song ended after a loud refrain at exactly 4 minutes and 25 seconds. Comparative Analysis The length of the song was not significantly different but the original version as shorter by about 11 seconds including brief silence in the beginning and at the end of both songs. The lyrics are exactly the same for both versions, including the melody, pace, and rhythmic patterns. The differences lie in the number of vocalists where the original version was sung by only one vocal artist and two musical accompanist in bass guitars and drums (original version). In contrast, the cover song was sung by a lead male vocalist and accompanied by at least 6 female choral. Likewise, there were more musical instruments used in the cover song that ranged from using the electric keyboard and other wind instruments (flute, trumpet) and a lot more of the string instruments (violent, cello, harp, in addition to the guitar and bass guitars). The meaning of the lyrics was actually exemplifying the behavior of someone who recently used ‘lithium’ or a drug that is normally prescribed for individuals with psychotic manifestations. The roller coaster of emotions was relayed through adjectives such as being happy, not being scared, being in a daze, excited, horny, indifferent, not caring, and mixed sentiments of liking, loving, missing, and even perceiving killing, among others. These meanings were more effectively relayed by Nirvana as, despite the group being categorized as composing rock music, the message of being apparently drugged and numb from negative emotions were apparent. The message was likewise also relayed by the Polyphonic Spree, however, due to the enhancing accompaniment of more musical instruments. But the sense of serenity in somehow depicting a sense of hidden loneliness from the message was entirely lost in the cover song. The group presented the song in a jubilant form that therefore lost a sense of deep mystical meaning, when compared to the original version. Conclusion The essay was hereby successful in achieving its objective of presenting a comparative analysis of the song Lithium. Through the musical elements and characteristics that were evaluated from both versions, it was deduced that despite disparities in interpretation, in musical instruments used and in interpretations by the vocalists, the songs retained the message being relayed; but the intensity of receiving the message, as originally intended, was more effectively achieved by the original song version sung by Nirvana. Read More