Blog 3a

I am usually not much of a fan of covers. Many times they are just used by an artist who wants to play it safe. Besides if the song has a really legendary status a cover is never going to be able to top. The covers I have enjoyed the most were from songs that had a fair amount of obscurity. Of course that is not the only thing that makes an amazing cover. It also has to somehow bring something new to the song. Something that the original did not offer, this can be done by a change in tempo, instrumentation or pitch. I think covers which are a different genre than the original is the most effective way. A great example of this is the song Mad World. I will be looking at the original 1982 version by Tears For Fears and the 2001 cover by Gary Jules. 

When we look at Tears for fears version we hear a low eerie pitch. The song sounds as if it were sung in a shower or church hall. The Timbre in the Tears of fear version has an echo added to it which gives the song a strange dreamlike quality. The pitch in Jules version does not sound as low as the Tears for Fears version. The cover has a much less manipulated sound with its pitch and comes off as more natural. Jules version also relies more on his voice than Tears for Fears. The timbre of Jules version sounds completely natural as well. The echo that is in Tears for Fears is totally absent in Jules cover.

TFF version’s speed is an allegro. It is what I would call fast, not very fast but it is fast. The quick tempo makes it hard to absorb the lyrics on a first listen. Although none of the lyrics have been changed between the two versions, certain elements have placed a emphasis/de-emphasis on them. Tears for fears version concentrates more on the beat and rhythm of the song, not so much the lyrics. TTF version has a faster speed and an echoy eerie timber. While this helps give the song its eerie sound it also makes it much harder for us as a listener to hear the lyrics. Gary Jules version has a much slower speed/tempo, I would call it slow to medium slow. The tempo change means it is easier for the words to heard and absorbed by the listener. Also since the timbre of Jules version has no distortion it makes it easier to hear the lyrics.

When we look at the difference between these songs objectively we can easily hear these differences. The speed, timbre, pitch and lyrical emphasis. Of course subjectively we have to ask what the differences are and why are they there. The reason that Jules makes the song a more somber note is because in point it is used in Donnie Darko is a sad and somber moment. Looking at the lyrics reveals that the song is one that is somber, and Jules choice to make it that is reflected in the work.

I myself prefer Jules version to TFF version. I think the lyrics of the song are convened better in Jules version and I do not believe I am the only one who thinks this. On American Idol Adam Lambert performed Mad World, and he sang Jules version.