November 18th, 2008

[Billy's Little Trip]

It's my son Cody's birthday today!

Looks like they have the wild fires under control here in Cali........for now.

I'm really enjoying the making of my GOM song. So interesting doing things so different from my normal style.

I'm really enjoying my song for Niveous' project. This is going to be an interesting album!

Photo Bucket removed the 150px pic for this weeks title. Apparently a close up of hands is inappropriate.

So, how is everyone doing?

Question of the Day: Have you ever done a cover song that teaches you new things about song writing or song arrangement? Feel free to link a song you did or any song that amazes and delights your inner muse. Tell us why.

[fluffy]

I hardly ever cover other peoples' songs, but I like cover I did of The Beatles' "Yes It Is" at Glenn's suggestion. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Britney Spears' "Toxic," as it's actually a very well-constructed song.

[Rabid Garfunkel]

Link? Heh, no way. The Beatles' "I Want You/She's So Heavy" was a delightfully schitzy musical arrangement to attempt learning.

Happy Birthday Cody! (Give the boy some birthday porn, BLT!)

[Billy's Little Trip]

Toxic? That's interesting because I'd never consider a Britney song being constructed good, which I know is a little narrow minded. But I'll go listen anyway because I'm always trying to broaden my horizons.

By the way, the first time I've ever recorded a cover was here at Song Fight. We used to do ridiculous live covers in our set back in the day, but generally they were songs on the radio we hated, so we would mock them by doing a speed metal version screaming as loud as I could.

[fluffy]

Yes It Is
Toxic (not my best performance)

[Spud]

Doing covers has probably taught me more about musical construction than anything else I have done. My first cover ever was Tracks for Future Practice, a cover of a Duboce Triangle entry (original here), for the first Cover Fight. Man, what a bitch, trying to figure that thing out. But figuring out how other people do stuff is so incredibly helpful that it's worth it, even if you don't record it. We have done several in the meanwhile, and every one has been a huge learning experience.

When we covered Oingo Boingo's Little Guns, I spent the better part of six months scoring it. It may not look like six months' work, and we made a lot of changes in the studio, but I find it very difficult. Fortunately, it's also highly rewarding.

[The Weakest Suit]

what is the big deal with covering "toxic"? local h did it, local bands i've seen at bars have done it, and now it's cropping up here at songfight. the only people who haven't covered it are the simpsons, and i'm sure it'll be on their next cd. personally, i don't see how that song is any different than seven songs brittney has recorded that sound just like it.

[fluffy]

I actually did that "Toxic" cover several years ago, after enjoying the version of it in Beatmania US. But, feel free to assume that just because you hadn't heard my version before that it's brand spanking new.

It has a very Baroque song structure with its use of the recurring opening hook being used both as a melody and as a counterpoint. It's not quite like other pop songs in that respect. The lyrics are completely trite, sure, but musically it's very solid (unlike most Britney songs).

[Hoblit]

Toxic? That's interesting because I'd never consider a Britney song being constructed good, which I know is a little narrow minded. But I'll go listen anyway because I'm always trying to broaden my horizons.

We used to do ridiculous live covers in our set back in the day, but generally they were songs on the radio we hated, so we would mock them ...

Fountains of Wayne would like a word with you...

[Billy's Little Trip]

OK, lyrics aside, I'm just interested in the arrangement for both vocals and instruments.
Listening to this version of Toxic, here is what I'm getting on the breakdown. I've never heard this song, mainly because I don't listen to pop stations, but I have to admit, it really is well arranged and even though it's probably all syths, it's instrumentally cool, as Fluffy mentioned.

3:31 total time
Intro = 4 measures, no vox
Verse = 4 measures and no vocals on the 4th measure
Verse = 4 measures and no vocals on the 4th measure
Pre chorus = 4 measures and no vocals on the 4th measure
Chorus = 8 measures
Verse = 4 measures and no vocals on the 4th measure
Pre chorus = 4 measures and no vocals on the 4th measure
Chorus = 8 measures
Bridge = 4 measures
Chorus = 8 measures
Outro verse = 4 measures

Does that sound about right?

[fluffy]

That's the overall song structure, yes, which is fairly pedestrian. It's more the musical structure which is interesting to me (and admittedly the interesting bits didn't end up in my cover).

[Billy's Little Trip]

Yeah I know, but I need to start with the structure, measures, etc. first. You can't hang the drywall without the framing finished. Then you can paint the walls and hang pictures. How's that analogy?

Fountains of Wayne would like a word with you...

By the way, I don't get it.

[john m]

By the way, I don't get it.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvkR3i1zy4g

[Billy's Little Trip]

Oh ok, FOW does mini cover bits in the middle of their song Radiation Vibe, cool.

[roymond]

Covering Insects Ahead's "Accelerator" was a lesson in lyric voice, and how to develop a story through arranging. Perhaps the most valuable experience I've had.

[jb]

It's probably not smart to cast such a wide swath in your disparagement, considering that a lot of these pop kids don't write their own songs. So many of the songs you hear by bubblegum acts were, like "Toxic", written by pros with excellent chops. I believe "Toxic" was written by the Neptune brothers, who produced that Spears album.

I myself have covered "Hit Me Baby One More Time", being inspired, yes, by Fountains of Wayne and Travis, who also covered the song.

http://johnorama.com/songs/covers/pops/mystery_song.mp3

Listening to that recording now, it makes me cringe, but that's me. Maybe some guy-n-guitar fan won't hate it.

JB

[fluffy]

Also your recording of Baby One More Time was what inspired me to do Toxic in that style! (Also why I also released it as mysterysong.mp3)

<3

[Billy's Little Trip]

That's a good point, JB. By the way Fluffy and JB, both of your G&G covers are pretty good. Sure, a little bass and some beat would be nice, but then it wouldn't be G&G.

[Reist]

I'm officially an uncle!!! Baby Kennedy was born to my sister this morning, and she's the cutest, smallest baby I've ever seen. She's going to be pretty spoiled though if I have anything to do with it.

[rone rivendale]

That's pretty neat Reist.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Congrats Andrew! The same day as my boy Cody.

...oh, and thank you Rabz, the only one that cared enough to say congrats to me.

[jack]

ha, it's funny roy mentioned insects ahead since he did such a smashing job on it. especially the heavy breathing.

also funny cause for me, it was probably the emmylou harris cover i did for him (waltz you across texas) in an old GoM. my first try with an ebow.