Can Changing A Song Make It Better? Which Version Actually Improves The Original?

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Some songs are great just the way they are - catchy, memorable, and easy to enjoy. But every once in a while, a new version comes out that takes the song to the next level. As a musician, I find it really interesting how different versions can give a familiar tune a totally new feel!

Rearranging a song can change everything, making you want to dance when the original version might have only made you tap your foot. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ways a song can be changed and how each version adds something fresh.

A Remix: Giving A Track New Energy

Let’s start with the remix - probably one of the most popular ways to rework a song. Remixes are like giving a song an energy boost. They can take a mellow song and turn it into a dance hit. DJs and producers usually change the beat, add new rhythms, or even add some bass to make it an electronic dance music (EDM) club favorite.

A remix can make you notice parts of a song you didn’t pay much attention to in the original. Maybe the lyrics are powerful but got lost in a slower beat. A remix can bring those lyrics forward, make the hook catchier, or totally change the vibe - turning something sad into something upbeat. Think of a remix as a makeover - same song, different feel.

But remixes are tricky. Sometimes they just don’t work, and the new version loses the charm of the original. But when done well, a remix can take a good song and make it amazing!

For example, "Ignition (Remix)" by R. Kelly became way more popular than the original and turned into a party anthem. Another good example is Eric Prydz’s remix of "Flashing Lights" by Kanye West, which made it into a memorable dance track.

An Acoustic Version: Stripping Down To The Essentials

Acoustic versions are the opposite of remixes. Remixes add layers, but acoustic versions strip them away until there's almost nothing left but the basics of the song. It’s like taking away all the fancy production to hear what’s really at the core, and that’s often where the magic is!

Imagine a pop song that’s heavy on electronic effects. When it’s done acoustically, you get to hear the lyrics and melody in their purest form. Taking away the production makes the song feel more personal and emotional, like the artist is right there with you. Acoustic versions are perfect for those times when you want something softer, maybe on a rainy day or when you’re feeling thoughtful.

One of the best examples is Eric Clapton’s acoustic version of "Layla" from MTV Unplugged. The acoustic version gave the song a new, soulful feeling that was very different from the original rock version. Another great acoustic version is Radiohead’s "Creep," which strips away all the effects to reveal the raw emotion in the lyrics.

A Live Recording: Capturing The Energy Of The Moment

Live recordings bring a whole new experience. There’s something about the energy of a crowd and the imperfections of live music that can make a song feel even more alive. It could be an extended guitar solo or a singer giving their all. Maybe it’s even the sound of the crowd singing along that makes it special.

Live versions often have a sense of surprise - you never know if the artist will change a verse or make a chorus longer so the crowd can join in. It might be less polished, but that’s what makes it feel more real. You get to hear the song the way it was meant to be heard - in front of an audience.

For example, "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd live at Oakland Coliseum captures a kind of energy that just doesn’t come through in the studio version. Another classic live performance is Queen and David Bowie’s "Under Pressure" at Live Aid, which brought so much power and emotion to the song!

A Mashup: Two (Or More) Become One

Mashups are where things get really creative. Imagine taking two songs that don’t seem like they’d work together - and making them fit perfectly. When done right, a mashup can be better than either song alone. It’s not just adding more instruments or changing the beat; it’s about blending different ideas to make something totally new and surprising.

The best mashups breathe new life into songs you thought you knew. Suddenly, two songs you’ve heard a million times feel brand new because they’re working together. One song’s bass line might make the other song’s melody stand out in a whole new way.

A great example is "Numb/Encore" by Jay-Z and Linkin Park, which mixed rock and hip-hop in a way that connected with fans of both genres. Another cool mashup is Wax Audio’s "Stayin’ Alive in the Wall," which mixes Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick in the Wall" with the Bee Gees’ "Stayin’ Alive" to make something completely unique.

Tell Me What You Think

Are you a "musical purest" who enjoys hearing the original version of songs, or do you like to mix things up a little for some creative excitement? What's your favorite example?

So, if you had to choose just one, which do you think makes a song better?

• A Remix
• An Acoustic Version
• A Live Recording
• A Mashup
• Other

Let me know in the comments below, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3 - Still stuck a bit in Halloween mode! Lol 😆)

Frank 🎸

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