In light of my last post I thought it would be a good thing to write about my thoughts on playing covers.
I’ve done it for many years and continue to do so from time to time in a more functional role however, at the end of the day, there is a belief that I hold close to my chest when it comes to cover songs, a belief that might ruffle a few feathers but speaks straight to the heart of creativity:
If you’re going to cover someone else’s song… do it properly. Don’t copy it. Don’t just perform it. Deconstruct it. Dismantle it. Rebuild it from the ground up so that it becomes something unrecognizable, something that could stand on its own two feet, even if the original had never existed.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: A cover song that simply mimics the original is not art. It’s nostalgia on autopilot.
The Problem with Playing It Safe
As I mentioned in my last post, there’s an overtly unspoken rule that permeates through today’s live music landscape: play the hits just like the record. Stay true to the arrangement. Don’t stray too far from the familiar. And sure, that satisfies the crowd. It scratches the itch of recognition.
But does it move anyone?
Playing it safe creates a transactional relationship between the performer and the listener. You give them what they expect. They nod along, drink in hand, happy to be comforted by the familiar. But the experience ends there.
No challenge. No engagement. No deeper connection.
The Power of Reinvention: More Than a Cover
In my opinion, the most powerful covers don’t just recreate a song, they reinterpret it. They challenge the listener to hear it differently. To feel it differently.
Think about it:
Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” (originally Nine Inch Nails): A song about addiction and self-loathing becomes, in Cash’s hands, a devastating meditation on aging, regret, and the weight of a life lived.
Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” (originally Leonard Cohen): A poetic, philosophical piece transformed into a fragile, heart-wrenching confession.
Gary Jules’ “Mad World” (originally Tears for Fears): From 80s synth-pop anthem to haunting piano ballad soaked in vulnerability.
These aren’t just covers. They are conversations with the original songs—responses, reflections, reinterpretations.
Why Make It Unrecognizable? Because Connection Requires Work
Here’s the key: A properly done cover challenges the audience.
It makes the listener work to appreciate it. And in doing so, it strengthens the bond they have with the song.
When a song is instantly recognizable, it’s easy to dismiss it as background noise. But when a cover forces the audience to lean in, to question, “Wait… is this that song?” you’re inviting them into a dialogue.
You’re engaging their curiosity, their memory, their emotions. You’re giving them a puzzle to solve.
And once they’ve solved it—once they feel the song in this new light—their connection to it becomes deeper, more personal. They’ve earned it. They’ve invested in it.
This is not passive listening. This is active participation.
Respect Through Risk
Ironically, many people believe that radically changing a song is disrespectful to the original. I argue the opposite.
If a song is great, it can handle the pressure. It can stand up to reinterpretation. It can wear new clothes, speak in a new voice, walk a different path and still remain powerful.
True respect is not imitation. True respect is interrogation. It’s asking, “What else can this song say? What else can it be?”
When you cover a song faithfully, you’re paying homage.
When you cover a song creatively, you’re paying respect.
Approach the Cover Like an Artist, Not an Impersonator
When you choose to cover a song, ask yourself:
- What happens if I slow it down… or speed it up?
- What if I swap the major key for minor—or vice versa?
- What if I strip away all the instrumentation and leave just voice and one lonely instrument?
- What if I inject a completely different genre, culture, or sonic texture into the DNA of the song?
This isn’t about change for the sake of change. It’s about discovery. It’s about making the song live again not as a replica, but as a reinvention.
The Courage to Challenge
A great cover is an act of courage. It risks misunderstanding. It risks rejection. But it also offers the possibility of revelation—for you as the artist, and for the audience as the listener.
When you make the audience work harder for their entertainment, when you force them to re-examine something they thought they knew, you’re not making things difficult for the sake of it.
You’re making the experience worth something. You’re giving the audience the chance to rediscover the song and in turn, rediscover themselves through it.
Final Thought: Do It Properly, Or Don’t Do It At All
The next time you consider covering a song, ask yourself:
Am I honoring this song by simply repeating it?
Or am I honoring it by making it speak with my voice?
If it’s the latter, go all in. Break the song apart. Shake the dust off. Make it yours. Make it unrecognizable.
Make it unforgettable.
Peace,
Corey 🙂
