MUS 107: Assignment 1 - A study of popular musical styles through comparing cover songs. A. SONG & list the ARTIST B. Year Released C. Composer or Artist’s most prevalent Genre for which he/she is most commonly known D. Style or Genre of this particular Recording * = see attached notes for that song. IMPORTANT: E. Briefly describe, in few words or a short phrase, some defining musical characteristics of this version (don’t repeat the “Style or Genre” column). Consider specific instruments, performance style of the artist, tempo, and the most memorable aspect(s) of each version, which stand out for you. 01.Mambo No.5. 1950 Mambo Mambo/Jazz Various percussion instruments and horns play a huge role in the sound of this piece, with the horns being the driving instrument behind the melody. 02.Mambo No.5. * 1999 Pop Latin Pop While the instrument is definitely very different from the original version, this cover still has a very large presence of horns, which is the main thing it has in common with its predecessor. 03.Hound Dog 1953 Rhythm and Blues Blues This version of the song has a pretty slow tempo and the lyrics are very frequently dragged out vocally, which is pretty unique to this performance of the song. 04.Hound Dog 1956 Rock and Roll Rock and Roll This version has a much higher tempo and the vocals are short and staccato in contrast to the original version. The instrumentation of this piece also places a very important emphasis on the bass line, something not really present in the other version. 05.Sweet Dreams 1983 Synth-Pop New Wave/Synth-Pop The synth riff is the defining portion of the song, which makes sense as synths basically defined the era of New Wave that this song belongs to. 06.Sweet Dreams ** 2008 Electronic Music Rumba, cha-cha-cha, orchestral This instrumentation is vastly different and takes a much more mellow tempo compared to the original. There’s a lot of varying percussion and horns in this which defines its “rumba” sound. 07.Shake, Rattle & Roll 1954 Blues Rhythm and Blues This version has very prominent piano part which helps to define the sound of this song, along with the horn section. 1 A. SONG & list the ARTIST B. Year Released C. Composer or Artist’s most prevalent Genre for which he/she is most commonly known D. Style or Genre of this particular Recording E. Briefly describe, in few words or a short phrase, some defining musical characteristics of this version (don’t repeat the “Style or Genre” column). Consider specific instruments, performance style of the artist, tempo, and the most memorable aspect(s) of each version, which stand out for you. 08.Shake Rattle & Roll 1954 Rock and Roll Rock and Roll This version also utilizes a lot of horns, but the multiplied vocals on the chorus and prominence of the bass line gives it the rock and roll edge the original does not have. 09.Summertime *** 1934 Classical/Jazz/Musicals Operatic This song is dominated by choral voices that define it’s operatic approach to melody, with strings also playing a large role in the overall sound, along with the very operatic lead vocals. 10.Summertime 1969 Psychedelic Rock Blues Rock This song is defined by the scratchy vocals of Joplin, as well as the psychedelic rock guitar parts, which helps to distinguish it greatly from the original version. 11.Whiskey in a Jar 1999 Heavy Metal Heavy Metal The defining aspect of this version are the scorching guitars that help to create the signature metal sound. In addition, the theatrical, but scratchy vocals also help to create the feel of this song. 12.Whiskey in a Jar **** 1968 Folk 13.Move it On Over 1947 Country Country, Blues The fiddle and style of bass used in this song gives it the classic country characteristics that it holds. The electric guitar also shows that it also has a rockabilly flair. 14.Move it On Over 1978 Hard Rock Blues Rock This version is defined by the horns and electric guitar, which helps to drastically set it a part from the original version. Irish Folk, originating from This version is features the banjo and fiddle with a very classic style of folk singing. the Irish Traditional song, The choral parts during the chorus also helps to create the folk feeling this song meaning it’s a traditional folk has. song with no known origin 2 A. SONG & list the ARTIST B. Year Released C. Composer or Artist’s most prevalent Genre for which he/she is most commonly known D. Style or Genre of this particular Recording E. Briefly describe, in few words or a short phrase, some defining musical characteristics of this version (don’t repeat the “Style or Genre” column). Consider specific instruments, performance style of the artist, tempo, and the most memorable aspect(s) of each version, which stand out for you. 15.Roxanne 1978 New Wave Reggae Rock/ New wave This song’s use of electric guitar and mid tempo and its loose, but strongly delivered singing helps it stand out. 16.Roxanne ***** 2001 Soundtrack from musical film Moulin Rouge Tango In this tango version of the song, it is dominated by acoustic guitar and strings, giving it a significantly different feel to the original. 17.All About That Bass ****** 2015 Jazz 1940s Jazz This version of the song’s instrumentation is definitely led by the upright bass and piano, giving it a distinct classic jazz feel. The introduction of a male vocalist and the harmonies from the trio of female singers also help it to stand out from the original. 18.All About that Bass 2014 Pop Bubblegum Pop/Doo-wop This version also features a similar bass sound, but the tempo is sped up by a significant margin and overall instrumentation is much less complex. The electric guitar helps to give this version a very different sound compared to the cover. Alexander Redd 3 MUS 107 Assignment#1: Asterisks for special directions relating to some of the answers: (don’t answer here, answer on the assignment sheet) 02.Mambo No.5. * For Column E., Try to identify the one specific aspect that this version shares with No. 01. 06.Sweet Dreams ** For Column D., this style is a descendant from a style discussed in the book; try to do just a bit of research, and site both styles. 09.Summertime *** For Column C., answer this question with respect to Composer. 12.Whiskey in a Jar **** 16.Roxanne ***** For Column D., Regarding the Style/Genre, be specific about the origins of this particular style. For Column C., Regarding the genre, site the larger work from which this version originates. 17.All About That Bass ****** For Column D., be very specific to the era of this style! Final Question: Pick ONE partnering of original song with cover version which you particularly liked. Give me three sentences maximum about why you like the original version better, or about why you liked the cover version better.: One particular pairing of original and cover songs that I enjoyed were the two versions of “Sweet Dreams”. The original version is definitely the one I enjoy more, as it aligns well with my music taste and I love the catchiness of the opening synth riff, along with the classic New Wave instrumentation it has, however I think the cover completely transforms it into a new piece, which is what really great covers do. The idea to complete shift genres was a genius choice and the arrangement of the orchestra along with the a very soothing voice to match helps to create a cover that definitely rivals the original.
