Ah, the rewrite. The step that so many aspiring writers seem to want to avoid. I know that when I was first writing songs I didn’t like to rewrite them. I figured that the way they came out was the way they ought to be. Of course a little co-writing with better writers will help cure that.
Now I tend to go over stuff many times to make sure that I’ve got it right. Then I’ll even sit on it and wait a day or to and go back to listen again to make sure I’m hitting my mark. I know I’ve mentioned it here on Single of the Day before.
I’m thinking about it right now for a song I’ve written for a new movie trailer. I’ve been asked to change the style and then once I changed the style I was asked to redo the chorus as it wasn’t making enough impact. After a day of not having heard it, I agreed. The style change had nothing to do with me. When they ask for a specific style you have to give it to them. If they screw it up, they pay for it. It doesn’t get much more different than Motown and Lady Ga Ga.
Similar to a rewrite is a cover version. So many covers are done in the style of the original artist which as I’ve mentioned before tends to make me ask, why even bother. Today’s pick is one such cover that is substantially different from the original and it’s still extremely cool. Why is that?
First, I have to think that it’s the power of how good the song is. Second, it’s that the artist covering it has a great understanding of how to pull the song off in their style. For this version of Smooth Criminal there’s no doubt J Views picked a cool way to do a great song.
How weirdly timed it was that I heard about it right around the time of Michael’s death.
Anyway, enjoy the alternate jazzier style of this version. If you love it, support the artists that made it possible by purchasing the tune.