"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide..." Couldn't help but sing along, could you? Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of those classics that you can't help but love and sing every part of (including the guitar part). No one can sing and perform this song like they could, but that hasn't stopped people from trying.
On April 7, Pentatonix released a music video for their cover of this hit song. While a lot of feedback has been positive, a lot hasn't. And they're not the only group that's covered this song. Dozens if not hundreds of other artists have. They want to express their love for this song and put their own spin on it. But, is that a cheap way to produce music?
Music is arguably more heartfelt when it's completely original, so why are covers so popular? Why waste time copying something that's already been done (looking at you, Hollywood)? It's nothing more that imitation, or is it?
Covers are actually so much more than that. Granted, the lyrics, melody and other elements of the original might be kept the same, but the artist covering it puts their unique spin on it, thus creating something new. Just as no one can sing the original like the artist who first created it, no one can cover the song the same way. Plus, it gives the cover artist a chance to show off their talents the way they choose to.
While some may still argue that imitation isn't art, think about what all goes into covering a song. You still have to learn the lyrics, practice playing and/or singing and record it. And those are just the basic steps. If you want to take it further and create a totally different sound, then you have to arrange your own melody and harmonies, too. Making covers isn't an easy process. But when the artist puts their heart and soul into what they're playing, whether it was originally their piece or not, it becomes a beautiful work of art. It's still an act of creation, and the cover might touch others in ways the original can't.
Don't be so quick to dismiss a cover for not being like the original. It won't be, and that's the point. Judge it for what it is. I'm not saying you have to like every cover you hear, but really pay attention to the way the cover artist performs it. You might just have greater appreciation for both the original and cover artist once you do.
