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episode notes
Cover songs once had a simple process: artists would re-record their songs, note for note, word for word. They may modernize their equipment. If I'm feeling extreme, I'll probably punch up the vocals a bit.
Now it is no longer difficult to say what the cover is. If Ariana Grande changed her “My Favorite Things” to “7 Rings,” would that qualify? When Drake calls himself “way too sexy,” is he covering Right Said Fred?
The recent chart success of country star Luke Combs' take on Tracy Chapman's traditional folk song “Fast Car'' has reignited interest in cover songs. In some cases, wouldn't it be enough to simply remake the song exactly?
Chris Molanphy discusses the chart considerations and artistic motivation behind rebooting a cover song, and whether a straight remake will ever top the Hot 100 again. The days of “Twist and Shout,” “Venus,” and “I’ll Be There” are long gone.
The podcast is produced by Olivia Briley.
