Music is a powerful force in our world today. Amongst all the emotions entwined in music, it proves to enhance empathy, understanding, inspiration, revelation, and so much more. Music, as I believe it, conveys the emotions that cannot be graced from the tongue, a face for the faceless and the lungs for the breathless. As a musician, I am always seeking the next best piece, both musically and lyrically, that I can write so that a voice can be given to those who can't quite find the words to speak. In this article, I'm going to give you my (yes, this may be a slightly bias article) top five alternate versions of songs in our 21st century. The emotion I explained above will be found in some areas, but the power of the music will be in all of it.
5. Boyce Avenue - "One More Night" (Original Artist: Maroon 5)
This fascinating acoustic version of Maroon 5's standout "One More Night" brings a more emotional feel to a song that was meant to be a more sexual perpetration of a one night stand. Though lyrically it remains the same, Alejandro Manzano's voice soars on wings nestled in the center of a soft-beating heart and gives us a new interpretation of "One More Night".
4. Disturbed - "Land of Confusion" (Original Artist: Genesis)
This cover song may be one of the best cover songs ever done by a modern day metal act. Disturbed successfully injected their sound into a classic piece while still keeping it's original feel and sound. The talent of Draiman's voice in undeniable, both severing the peace of the song and yet uniting the optimism it carries.
3. JayZ ft. Linkin Park - "Numb/Encore" (Original Artist: Linkin Park)
It's tough for me to admit this, being that I'm not one for any variation of hip-hop or rap, but the execution of this song is unparalleled for it's respective genre. Linkin Park's harnessed sound of rock and rap becomes unhinged in a breakaway piece that soars through new sounds even for JayZ. Though I prefer Linkin Park's original version of "Numb", I can replay this song over and over again and not get tired of it.
2. Breaking Benjamin ft. Sydnee Duran - "Blow Me Away" (Original Artist: Breaking Benjamin)
Anyone who has played Halo will know this song. It's power and effort are prominent and true. Breaking Benjamin has always been a driving force in the rock world, and this version of "Blow Me Away" brings a new feel to the song. Sydnee's (vocalist of Valora) voice engraves depth into what was already a force within the song.
1. Parkway Drive ft. Jenna McDougall - "A Deathless Song" (Original Artist: Parkway Drive)
As a Parkway Drive fan, the placement of this one may be bias, but nonetheless it is one heck of a song. Parkway Drive is a metalcore act, thus guttural vocals are prominent. However this alternate version of an already emotional song is given a new feel and almost an authentic honesty as Jenna's (vocalist of Tonight Alive) voice pierces past the growls and brings humanity and heart to the piece. The dual vocal threat of Winston and Jenna saturate the visceral depth of the message they press forward in a lyrical empathy drafted for the soul of one who knows what it's like to love and love deeply: "'Cause I drown in your shadow like salt in the rain. If my fear is tomorrow, your memory's the fight in my veins." If you can handle the screams of the beast within the band, this song is definitely one to be heard.
