They say that cover bands don’t change the world.
The idea is that only original ideas are successful, while copies of original ideas are not.
But most bands or singers start by covering other bands or singers. They play their influences, and even as they begin to write their own songs, oftentimes you can still hear the influences breaking out.
Some singers have covered songs that have become big, important hits. Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah was a fortuitous convergence of glorious circumstances. Aretha Franklin belted the letters R-E-S-P-E-C-T and forever changed the meaning of the song and the word.
Original ideas and influences can morph, melt, and mutate into better ideas, or at the very least, different ideas. Sometimes an artist makes a connection to a song and changes it into an amazing piece of art.
As educators, we need to do this as well. Something that we see may be a good idea, but become a great idea when remixed, revamped, or reinvented.
Don’t be afraid to cover the hits. Don’t be afraid to cover the deep cuts. Share your influences. Take the best of all of those influences and become the influence for someone else.
A well done Cover can change the world.
Make it happen.
Rich (@RACzyz)