Some of the hardest songs to cover are those of the Arctic Monkeys. Each track on the AM album is made to amaze and has its own vibrance to it. In their song “Do I Wanna Know,” Alex Turner’s songwriting takes command and pulls us through a heartbreaking story. The instruments surround the lyrics, fighting back with every measure. So, I was very scared to press play to Hozier’s cover. All in all I was blown away. He made this song into a new form of art, giving it different structure and edge. The quality of Hozier’s voice reveals so much more depth, reflecting its true sadness. Each harmony brings out a stunningly haunting feel that transforms this track. Secretly and guiltily, I think I love this version a tad more than the original.
Somehow I found myself drifting across Youtube to find Birdy’s cover of Phoenix’s “1901.” The original is a more upbeat while the cover slows down the song so you can understand hear every single word. This cover may not necessarily replace the original, but might be a great accompaniment for the days when fast just won’t cut it. One of the saddest (as in worst) covers is that of Florence from Florence and the Machine covering Beyonce’s “Halo.” I was expecting much more from her before listening to this song. Throughout the cover she was not able to transform it properly. Her voice was not working well with her throughout the session. It was really cringe worthy. Later I read that she was suffering from a hangover so I cut her some slack because singing while trying to stop a pounding headache probably is not the best idea. Even so her shaky melodies do not compare to the horrendous annoying never ending nightmare of KIDZ BOP.
Never has something more uncatchy and bothersome appeared in my life. I do not understand how they have the money and capacity to keep spewing out kid friendly, censored songs. Every album is a mix of nauseating colors with way too high pitched voices trying to remake songs that sometimes were not even great in their original way. I’ve lost count of how many there are but about over 20 is way more KIDZ BOP than I’ll ever need. I am glad that my mom never thought to buy me one of their albums because I would probably be a changed person for the worst. If KIDZ BOP lives to when I have kids (which I pray for it not to happen every day), I will never let my kids lay hands on them.
Fiha Abdulrahman