What makes a good cover song?

[highwaynine]

Something with "history" in the genre?

Something getting a lot of radio play?

Must it be catchy and singable?

Are there certain artists or songs that are guaranteed hits no matter what the crowd or genre your mixing them into?

:arrow: Discuss. :arrow:

 

[supramax]

Journey?

 

[mikey383]

I think it has to be something that has (or had) a lot of radio play. Something that people will know, and like.

It also depends on the genre of music that your band plays. If your band plays stuff like Pantera, Metallica and such, then goes into a cover of "99 Luftballons", that's not good. FWIW, I've seen a band do that. It didn't go over well, at least with me.

Then there's those covers that people may not know unless they had the album. If they kick a$$, then you can still do them, because not all great songs get airplay. My band does a couple of those.

If you do cover songs, it's either:
A) Do them exactly like the recording, or
B) Do them with your own subtle twist, yet keep the feel of the original song. My old band used to start out with the intro to Metallica's "Sad But True", then break into Seether's "Gasoline", which kinda bummed some people out, but pleased others.

It's all in trial and error, and where you are playing at. Some bars dislike covers, others welcome them. I'm getting ready to play my first gig with my new band, at a bar where covers aren't really played (not that they're not welcome), yet we do mostly covers right now. It's going to be interesting.

 

[Elpelotero]

80's rock seems to get lots of good vibes, in my experience. Stuff like def leppard, bon jovi, rod stewart, journey, etc.

 

[Ukalali Solo]

I've always felt like the purpose of cover songs in live settings is to give the crowd a break from all the originals. Atleast with local bands that aren't too well known that always seems to be the best use, get the crowd pumped, use a fairly well known song...but one that doesn't pigeon hole you into a genre. Make it your own, don't play the song back like you're a radio, and sometimes it really helps the overall vibe of the show out.

 

[njsurf]

Its good to play songs that people know, but my band throws in some songs that didn't get alot of air play and the crowd loves them. You just never know to you try a song out and sometimes a song will go over better in a third set verses first since usually people are drunker then. You just got feel out the crowd. My band members suggested songs that I thought would clear a dance floor, but did the exact opposite.

 

[AustinK]

If you are brave try and do Kelly Clarksons since youve been gone.

I feel it might go over ok.

 

[RJ2213]

all i know is that any metal band i play in must play atleast one Iron Maiden cover or one Slayer cover.

but other than that i like covers that are completely outside of the genre being turned into metal, a great example is the band Northern Kings, they cover all sorts of 80's stuff and turn it metal.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I play in a cover band and we do alot of 90's and newish rock music with a little dance stuff (play that funky music, brick house, etc). The thing is, if you play one classic rock song then the drunk rednecks (especially around here) end up only wanting to hear Skynyrd and the like from that point on. It also attracts a certain crowd if you only play country, rock, 80s, & etc. So I guess it depends on what crowd you want to play for...

 

[ned]

The only thing that makes a good cover song is the following: do the girls get up and dance. End of story.

Bar owners equate girls dancing to alcohol sales.

 

[MusicManJP6]

The only thing that makes a good cover song is the following: do the girls get up and dance. End of story.

Bar owners equate girls dancing to alcohol sales.

I agree. That is the main goal it seems!

 

[mikey383]

There's a local band here that does 80's and 90's pop-rock covers, and they pack the bar everytime they play. I don't like the music or the band, but I must say that they can bring a crowd full of girls.

 

[konstantine RK]

basically I refer to the comfort zone of the band's abilities...then consider the alcohol sales (because you are a glorified beer salesman) and that means popularity.

Unless you have a star attraction (like a very good singer) you have to play for the crowd.

 

[metalhead51105]

my band has two covers at the moment but we talk alllllll the time about covering anything and everything. anyway our agenda is to think of the weirdest covers ever and make them sound as good as possible with our hard rock sound. while zombie by the cranberries is the fan favorite for us right now i'm proudest of our version of christina aguilara's (sp?) genie in a bottle only because of the fact people in the clubs go from scratching their heads to banging their heads and dancing. plus its true that where girls go guys will follow so you get the girls you get the guys even before alcohol sales. just my two cents.

 

[fatoni]

cover songs from bands who made you the musician you are today and forget everyone else. that way its guaranteed to keep the vibe because it will be natural. listen to the btbam anatomy of, greatest cover cd ever