Sometimes slowing down a song or stripping it can be a really bad move for an artist. They unnecessarily cut out all the dynamics of the song. However, sometimes stripping down the song until it's just one or two instruments and the lyrics can make the song. Here are 8 songs that sound better acoustic or stripped.
1. Gravedigger, Dave Matthews
I know that not many people my age listen to Dave Matthews, but trust me when I say he's a musical genius. His lyrics and his tracks are absolutely phenomenal, and that's exactly why this song is better acoustic. Dave is a self-taught guitar player, and in this version you can truly hear how beautiful his playing is. I'm a bit jealous if I'm being honest.
2. Whiskey In Hell, Anarbor
Anarbor is another one of those artists not many people know about, but their songs are amazing. A few, including this one, are quite vulgar, so they aren't for the faint of heart. This song sounds so much better than its original counterpart just because it sounds like the kind of song someone would sing at a party. You know, just randomly whip their guitar out and bless everyone with some tunes.
3. As Long As You Love Me, Justin Bieber
The last good thing Justin Bieber did before he fell into the deep end was release an acoustic album with almost all of the songs off of his Believe album. I firmly stand by the belief that the Believe album was his best ever, and the acoustic versions of some of the songs are even better than that. Kind of crazy. This is honestly one of Justin's most iconic bops, and the fact it still sounds good slowed down is amazing.
4. Long Way Home, 5 Seconds of Summer
Of course I had to include a song from one of my favorite bands ever. Long Way Home was always one of the best songs on 5 Seconds of Summer's first album, but this acoustic cover was like a gift from heaven. Their vocals paired with the gorgeous guitar playing sounded like a song you'd jam out to on a roadtrip, probably with the windows down and the city lights behind you.
5. Final Masquerade, Linkin Park
This song is being included almost exclusively because it's one of my favorites ever. I can't even truly describe why the acoustic is better, other than just saying it sounds so much better. It's softer, more chill, and you can truly feel the meaning and the pain behind every single lyric. It sounds like the sad songs they play at the end of Criminal Minds or something like that. Absolutely gorgeous.
6. No More Sad Songs, Little Mix
The acoustic version of this song truly highlights the vocals of all four girls. Perrie and Leigh Anne's high notes at the end gave me chills the first time I heard them, and you can truly feel the pain of a breakup in this version. The mood of this song truly matches what you would feel if you actually broke up with someone and didn't want to hear anymore sad songs.
7. Idfc, Blackbear
Honestly, I didn't know this was the acoustic version for a super long time. I just thought this was how the song was. Being acoustic actually helps the song so much, considering it's kind of a letter to whoever he's singing to. Just the lyrics and guitar make it a little bit more heartbreaking and a little easier to relate to.
8. Colors, Halsey
Now, this is the one song that isn't truly acoustic and is actually just stripped, but I couldn't leave it off this list. When I first heard this version, I became obsessed. Just like the song above, the lyrics mixed with the backing track tell a haunting story and show the pain behind every word. Plus, I absolutely loved that Halsey replaced the "You were red and you loved me because I was blue / You touched me and suddenly I was a lilac sky / And you decided purple just wasn't for you" with "Art is not what I create / What I create is chaos". There is so much emotion in that lyric and in every single note of this song that is lost in the original version.
Well, there you have it. Some songs just sound better without all the music going on in the background. You can really hear the emotion and the message in the lyrics!
