"EDITOR'S NOTE"
This blog shows how music has been inspired over the years by itself and how the arrangements had been made into different covers. I am not making any negative comments in this blog. Neither am I saying that music has not evolved since the good old days. It’s basically just to present in an effective way the music of today, and how it changed from the music made by artists of the past.
I'm trying to help people in a way with this blog because from time to time everyone probably has had this conversation; Remember when a new song came out and we really enjoyed it then your parents would tell you that the song does not belong to the artist and every time we were all so upset because we didn’t know. So the blog itself illustrate few examples of hits re-covered. There is a brief historical story in each of the examples provide as well as the artist’s background and how the two versions are different then the other.

“HISTORY”
Since the 20^th century music has changed but it’s seems like it always been the same. Music genres has become more specific, there are more kinds of music that existed but sometimes what people don’t know is that most of the best hits, times after time are often songs that are covers. Why do artists cover or sample? Probably because new artist have been inspired by these artists, for them it is a kind of honor to re-due a song by their favorite artist. Maybe is because they think that if a hit was very successful once and they sample one little piece from the track their new hit could be as popular as the original. This is what the blog will show and try to define why artists cover or sample. For example informing the readers how many songs existed that’s has been re-recorded. As an interesting and impressive blog “Music Evolution” will give a glimpse into music.

"SAMPLE"
The act of sampling has been discovered in late 80’s by Dj’s who would keep playing with little piece of a track. In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound then re-recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song. This is typically done with a sampler, which can be a piece of hardware or a computer program on a digital computer. Sampling is also possible with loose tapes or with vinyl records. Doing a sample can also be just taking the melody.

All THE COVER'S

"Beat it"

This song is ranked at #337 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “It’s a hit single from Michael Jackson's album Thriller, released in 1983. It was the 3^rd single from the album. Jackson won "Beat It” 2 Grammy Awards. It was also nominated for Song of the Year . The song “Beat It" is also unique for its guitar solo that Michael composed himself by beat boxing. The lyrics are about life on the streets and gang fighting and killings. In 2008, the song was re-recorded by Jackson and R&B artist Fergie for Thriller 25, a special edition of the original album, commemorating the 25th anniversary of its release. American rock band Fall Out Boy also released a cover of the song which featured John Mayer playing the guitar solo. This cover is way different than the original more rock and the voices are not even comparable to what Jackson used to give in the original version. The Fall Out Boy reached top ten for 3 weeks with the “Beat it” cover.

"I Love Rock 'n Roll"

The unforgettable I love Rock ‘n’ Roll was first released version in 1975 by the band The Arrows, a Rock song, written by Alan Merrill lead singer of the band. Unexpectedly the original version never hit the chat this perhaps because there was no promotion made by the band label but the song has come to a worldwide very successful cover versions and is on the list of the top 100 songs of the 20^th century. It when Joan Jett saw a performance of I love Rock ‘n’ Roll by the Arrows that she decided re-recorded with her band “Blackhearts” in 1982 it was number 1 for 7 weeks on the billboard charts. Britney Spears used I love Rock ‘n’ Roll for her movie crossroads in 2002, and the song appears on her 3^rd album who both had international chart success with their versions of the song. Unfortunately I love Rock ‘n’ Roll was Spears biggest failure as the single failed to make the top ten in most countries.

"Mad World"
Tears for Fears is a British band who wrote “Mad World” and released it in 1982. It was the band's third single release it is also Tears for Fears' first international. Today “Mad World” is a classic in the world of music many artist covered it as well. A very impressive dedication for the band has been made later, when it was covered by composer Gray Jules it made a popular rebirth for the soundtrack to the movie "Donnie Darko".

“Love song”
In the beginning the song was written as poem by Robert Smith leads singer of the British rock band the Cure and the poem was a gift to his girlfriend. Then recorded the group decide to recorded in 1989 as a song for their “Disintegration’ it did received a worldwide success it is the group’s biggest hit until today. 311 A band from, their musical structure incorporates a variety of musical styles including and ska.In 2004, 311 covered The Cure's "Love song" which became a #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also reached #59 on the Hot 100, their first single to reach that chart. It was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture 50 first date with Drew Berrymore and Adamn Sandler.

“Let's Dance"

Directly from London in England, David Bowie a very famous singer and actor who started his career in the 60’s. David, title his album in 1983 “Let’s Dance” which was also the first single to be released. The single “let’s Dance” fastest entered at number 5 in the single chart worldwide. Many covers have been released but only one did had a good success as well as David had at the time. In 2007 young R&B singer Craig David re-titled Bowie hit as “Hot Stuff” it was taking from Craig David fourth album "Trust Me" and was at the top in the Uk for a month.

"It's my Life"

This is a new wave pop song written by Talk Talk a British band. Thesong was released twice in 1985, and cover by No doubt in 2003 successful as the first released. The versions are dissimilar because their both interpreted by one a male voice and second version by a female voice. Talk Talk hits the chart with number place in 10 countries. No doubt “It’s my life” was their only single for their album the singles 1992-2003 just before they end the band. They also won 2 Grammy Awards for the video.

"American Women"

Is a Candaien song written by the ontarian Rock band of 70's Guess Who was a it is today the best Canadian single of all time in 2001 The American singer Lenny Kravitz covered the song to be the theme song of the movie Austin Power. The cover from Lenny Krativz sound absolutly the same as the original version.

"Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"

“Bang Bang” is the name of a song written by Sonny Bono. In 1966, Cher released it as the second single from the album The Sonny Side of Cher. Nancy Sinatra later covered the song in 1967. Became very successful when in 2005 appears as the song theme in the famous movie Kill Bill.

"I will always love you"

From the Famous movie The bodyguard suprising this was not written by the incroydable Withney Huston but by the amazing Dolly Parton interepreted in her very known scene in... And later have been re-recored by Withney Hust

“Last Kiss”

The song was written in 1962, by Wayne Cochran and later covered in 1999 American rock band Pearl Jam. Wayne did not had a huge success at the time with that song comparing to the international hit from Pearl Jam it is today their biggest hit career. The 2 version features a completely different style and sound totally different Wayne have a very low tempo the acoustic and the female back vocal make the song sound older. Pearl Jam restructured the electric guitar and the drum played softly with Eddie lead singer voice gives the originality to their version.

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World"

In the beginning “everybody wants to rule the world” was a song by the British pop/rock band Tears for fears. It was the band's ninth single to be release in the United Kingdom in April 1985. It was such big hit that for the years that precede several artists covered the song there are more than 15 versions of that song. I believe I decide to point out one specific version made by a currently rap artist named Nas probably because most people knows him. In 2001, Nas released Stillmatic where this album included the track called “Rule” featuring the R&B Amerie. The song sample by Nas also featured in the movie Honey in 2003 with Jessica Alba.

"Unchained Melody"

That is a popular song written in 1955, it is today one of the most re-recorded songs of the 20^th century, by over 500 versions hundreds different languages. The song has been used for the movie blockbuster film “Ghost” in 1990 and features a version from the Righteous brothers. In 2003 Irish Rock Band U2 re-covered for their Vertigo world tour it was very successful re-make.

“Smooth Criminal"

This is a song from Michael's Bad in 1987 it was the seventh single from the album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics It was released as a single in 1988 and peaked at seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become one of Jackson's most popular songs. It was re-released in 2001Alien Ant Farm the song was on the soundtrack of the very popular movie American Pie and reached the number 1 in the United States.


"My Prerogative"

This is a song written by R&B singer Bobby Brown in 1988. The second single from Brown's second solo album Don't Be Cruel, "My Prerogative" was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and reached number six on the UK Top 40. It is among Brown's most successful recordings. The pop singer Britney Spears re-covered the song in 2003 that appears on her album Greatest hits album that was also her first single from the album.

"Personal Jesus"

The song was first recored by Depeche mode a British group Band in 1989 it reached top 10 in Uk. In 2004 singer Marylin Manson covered as a very more dark sound. 2008 pop singer Hilary Duff sampled the song for track Reach out which is the first word in the Depeche Mode version that they say now the song is doing pretty good it is still at #3.

"Edge of 17"

This is a song by American Singer Steve Nicks the third single from her successful 1981 solo debut album Bella Donna. Written by Nicks to express the grief resulting from the death of her uncle Jonathan and the murder of John Lennon during the same week of December 1980, the song features a distinctive, chugging 16th-note guitar riff, and a simple chord structure typical of Nick’s songs. The album track had previously made the Top 5 of Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in 1981, peaking at number four It is one of Nicks' most enduring and recognizable songs, and has been covered by many artists. The distinctive riff was sampled by destiny's child in their song bootylicious, with Nicks in a cameo appearance in the music video. Nicks herself also played the introductory guitar riff for "Bootylicious" The song is featured in

the movie School Of Rock with Jack Black.

"Sweet child of mine"

American woman originally recorded by the Hard Rock group Band The Guns N Roses. The song was on their first album Appetite for Destruction in 1987. The song Sweet child of mine is the only to date number one single that they had released it has spent 2 weeks on the billboard hot 100 at #1. In 1999 had made solo artist Sheryl Crow won a Grammy with the cover of that song which was the theme song of the movie Big Daddy. The Sheryl version sound more acoustic than the Guns N Roses one.

“I Shot The Sheriff”

I shot the sheriff is a world-shattering song written by the Reggae legend Bob Marley, in 1973 for the Wailers album “Burnin”. Eric Clapton did a cover version the next year according to his "461 Ocean Boulevard" album in fact that was the most successful version of the song, it did reached #1 place on Billboard Charts.

"ALONE"
Composed by a Rock band from Seattle USA, the lead singers of the band were Nancy and Ann two sister during their career they had sold over 30 million album worldwide. One of their very popular hit was in 1987 “alone” appears on the ninth Heart album “taking a cold look” it was the most successful single in the United Kingdom. Exactly 20 years later Celine Dion covered it for her album Taking Chances. The sound is very different from both version Celine Dion interpreted it more like a ballade comparing to Heart where we can really feel the hard rock vibe. Celine Dion reached the billboard chart at the third position for that second single of the album.

"Ain't No Sunshine"

A song by Billy Withers from his 1971 album Just as Iam . The song was released as a single in 1971 and became a breakthrough hit for Billy, reaching number six on the r&b chart. He originally intended to write more lyrics for the part of the song where he repeats the phrase "I know 26 times, but the other musicians told him to leave it. “Ain’t no sunshine” is the song who was been the most covering over the past 20 years over 100 different artist covered it during a show interview TV special or others but it never been re-re-covered in a studio as a cover. On the other it has been sampled by famous Rapper DMX in 2001 the song was released for his movie Exit wonders it has been a good success for a new rap artist. The piano use is picked from the original version as well as some repetition of “Ain’t no sunshine” and “I know” less repeated then the Billy version. The song has also been translated into German by songwriter Lukas Hilbert; this version, entitled "Mein Tag, Mein Licht".

"Black Betty"

This is a 20th century African-American work song often credited to Huddie "Lead Belly". "Black Betty" became a regional hit, then was picked up by record producers in New York who formed a group called Ram Jam. They re-released the song and it became a hit nationally. The rest of the tracks on the first album containing "Black Betty" was played by the Ram Jam line-up, as well as the first tour backing up the single . Australian band SpiderBait released a version which reached #1 on the in Australia May 2004 and stayed there for three weeks. This version was later accredited double platinum in Australia and was the third-best-selling single in Australia in 2004.

THE SAMPLE'S

"Sweet Dreams"

Directly from Scotland the duo Eurhythmics wrote the song “Sweet Dreams” released in 1983 which is now a classic in the music industry. The first cover version that has been made was by Marylyn Manson alternative metal solo artist “Sweet dreams” was the first single taken from his album “Smells like children” Also on the “M!ssundaztood” album by Pink her fist single to released was “Get the party started” it became a hit in so many countries that in early 2002 Pink teamed up with rapper Redman for a remix of “Get the party started” using Eurhythmics “Sweet Dreams” beat and chorus.

“No more Drama”

Released in 2001 for “No more drama”, most self-important album for Mary J. Blige. The song famously samples from the "Nadia's Theme" currently used as the theme music for the soap opera. In the song, Mary calls herself "young and restless" in a further waggle to the music sample. The video for the song won Blige her first Mtv video music award for Best R&B Video.

"Ready or Not"
Initially the song Ready or not by The Fugees a Hip-Hop group from New Jersey, USA, sample the melody of the track “Boadicea” by Irish singer Enya. Originally the song “Boadicea” appeared in Enya first album in 1987. Almost 10 years later on The Fugees took that sample to added to their second album The Score which was sampled for their third single “Ready or not” in 1996. When we listen to can the song “Ready or not” that they only took away the voice behind the “Boadicea” melody it sounds like they kept the pan flute in the back because obviously its sets peace to the song.

“Georgia”

This and Bill Withers. The a song written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell it became the official sate song of the U.S Georgia in 1979. As a matter fact the song is best known as being one of the most popular songs by Ray Charles who recorded in 1960. In 2004 a biographical film of Ray Charles life has been released staring Jamie Fox who recorded with rapper artist Ludacris a new version of Georgia for Luda’s “Distributing tha peace album”. When the movie came out the song reached the top 10 for 3 months.

“I got a Woman”
In the same year where Jamie fox recorded with Ludacris he entered in the studio with very famous rapper kaney West to recorded another cover of Ray Charles very [popular song I got a woman. The song was re-title as Gold-digger never appears on an album it was simply for given honor to Jamie Fox movie and Ray Charles although the song was nominated ten weeks after it came out at the Grammy Awards 2005 for best song of the year.

"Just the Two of Us"

Is a 1981 R&B song recorded by Grover Washington, Jr.song appeared on Washington's album Winelight. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the ARC Weekly Top 40 for a week. The rapper and actor Will Smith sample "Just the Two of Us" in 1998. It was also parodied in the film Austin Powers: the Spy Who Shagged Me

" Gimme Gimme a Man After Midnight"

From the disco time a Swedish group called ABBA made history in the 80’s for this successful hit that today appears in Volume #2 Greatest disco hits. The song has been released in 1979 not long ago after the song came it reached the top of the charts all over the world unfortunately that was one of the only hit they made. Surprisingly, the queen of pop Madonna sampled the ABBA hit as her first single on the 2005 remarkable album ‘Confession on a dance floor” called “Hung Up” this was the most successful single from all time it reached number 1 in a record breaking 45 countries. It was the best selling single since 2005 written in the book “2005 world wild record Guinness”.

“Ghetto Gospel"

The song was remixed and produced in 2004 by rapper Eminem for the Loyal to the Game album of the legendary rapper 2PAC. “Ghetto Gospel” was the second single on the album it contained four verses by 2Pac which he wrote before his death in 1996. Eminem added a little pop/rock style into it by sampling Elton John song “Insian” Sunset from his 1971 album. Eminem kept the chorus of Elton which gives the emotion to the song a very well job was done with this song that in the summer 2004 had reaches the top 1 on the Billboard for 3 months. One of the most impressive sampled of all time.

"The Way I Are"

“Push it” the biggest hit of Salt& Pepper hip-hop female duo originally from Queen, USA. The song “push it” was released on their first album “I am down” in 1986. Eleven years later producer Timberland released for the first his album as a single artist “The Shock Values” first single from the album was ‘The way I are” sample by the chorus of the song “push it”. When you look at that it seems like Timberland was just very smart this was not a case of “When I was a kid I was just so impress by Salt & Pepper” No Timberland has been around the music industry for more then 15 years now he just knew what beat could’ve be a hit and as “push it” showed in 1986 prove the same thing 11 years later. People always like the something but you just have to bring that old thing back as a different way to make it look upgraded just a little.

"Backstabbers"

A classic song recorded in 1972 by the O' jays when they released it the song spend a week on the chart of the soul hot hit. In the new millennium soul artist Angie stone who sampled the O’ jays song that sound exactly the same. The song appears on her album the very best of Angie as “I wish I didn’t miss you”.

"Stand by me"

A classic song from all time by the legendary BB king the song “stand by me” has been reminded for a lot of people in the summer 2008 with the new artist british Duffy. Her first single “Mercy” on her first album Rockffery has the little “stand by me” melody in the introduction.

"Rich Girl"

The song rich girl was first recorded by the female Reggae Pop duo from London Louchi lou & Michie One. In 1993 they quickly become known with their hit “Rich Girl” but the fame did not last. The song Rich Girl appeared on Gwen Stephanie first album in 2004 and there really hit the charts and also received certified double platinum and a Grammy. It was the second single of Gwen Stefani and it stills the most successful one that she came with until now.

“What’s difference”

This here is a very interesting song already sample by famous rapper and producer Dr.Dre from his album The Chronic 2001 that features guest appearance in every track. Dr. Dre won the Grammy for album of the year 2001. The song “what’s the difference” featuring Eminem and Xibit did not appear has a single from the album but we can notice that the song sample 1966 Charles Aznavour “Parce que tu crois” Very impressive link here from French poet to a MC from Compton, CA. There is also a sample made by a duo reggae singer Sean. Paul and Blu Cantrell that appears on her second album it became a smash it world wide. “Breath” was originally supposed to appear on Sean album. It is evident when we listen to the 3 songs to say that they sound the same but obviously Aznavour version is a softer and its only real instrument playing comparing to Dre version which is simply beats but we can say that there was absolutely no effort put into “Breath” which is the identical.

“Breakfast in America”

Originally from the group band Supertramp of their most popular song till now. It is 2007 that the rap group Gym Class Heoros “Cupid's chokehold” is a single performed it has reached #4 on the Billboard Hot. The song uses the music, chorus and famous spoken "ba ba da da" line fro Supertram hit song Breakfast in America" and won an award on April 9, 2008 for being one of the most played songs in ASCAPs repertory from the 4th Quarter 2006 through the 4th Quarter

"Stan "

“Stan” is the 3^rd single of Eminem Marshall Matter’s album which features the first couple of lines from the chorus of the song “Thank you” by British singer Dido. In 2001 Eminem shared the stage of the Grammy Awards with Elton John and Dido to performed “Stan”. As a result “Stan” is Billboard top 40 tracks Charts.

"No Diggity"

This is a song featuring Dr.Dre written by by American R&B group Blackstreet. It reached #1 on Billboard hot 100 in 1996 after it came out. The single itself sold 1.6 milion copies. Many awrads won for the group for "No Diggidy".
The song was also sampled in 2001 by the German Singer Sarah Connor on her track of her first album called "French Kissing"

"Every breath you take"
Written by sting and was recorded in 1983 by The Police the single was the biggest hit of that year and the group won Grammy. Then it was also a Grammy winning song single in 1997 for rapper Puff daddy in memory of Notorious BIG murdered the song re-covered as "I'll be missing you"sample the original version of the police "Every Breath".

"Last night"

The song featuring Keisha Cole is the third album of rapper Diddy the first week janurary 2007 the song has sold 500 000 download only in the States in october 2007 R&B singer Ashanti came out with the "Hey baby" which sounds exacly the same that keisha Cole she did not have a huge succes anyways.

"You are everything"

Relaesed in 1971 by the Stylistics Everything was then covered by Jennifer lopez in 2002 in her album this is me then under a different tittle called The one she is singer over the same melody the chuors is the same such as Mary J. Blige who also covered the song in lastes album she is bring up the chours as well.

"Smooth Operator"

Released in 1989 Smooth Operator was recorded by celebrated old school rapper Big Daddy Kane. Kane produce “Smooth operator” himself it was one of his biggest hit today he is still an inspiration for new rap artist.
Then in 1995 we could’ve hear Big Daddy Kane “smooth Operator” beat in Mary J bilge “all night long” single featuring LL Cool J the sound was absolutely the same. The same year not very original the underground R&B duo Groove Theory released their second single “Tell me” with similar sound of Big Daddy Kane “Smooth Operator”. The similarities appear in the very begging of the song there is an emphasis on the bass and they added the piano which gives a really nice mood to the song.

"Sweet home Alabama"/ "Werewolves of London"

These 2 song are based on the very popular track of Kid Rock in 2008. It's a sample between Sweet Home Alabma by southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1974 it reached Us charts and is today very known song of all time. All summer long by kid Rock has also the reff from Warren Zevon if we listen the song carefully we can notice the piano issimilar in the kid Rock version than the "warewolves of London"

The End / Conclusion

The reason why I decide to do my blog on this subject is because I love music, all type of music. One day I wish I could work in the music industry and I believe to be able to do that you have to know everything about music. For me, creating the blog has helped me to know more about the artists and certain genres of music that I didn’t know. This was very good and challenging project to do. I’m very proud of what I’ve learned.