by Sam Devera

Created on: September 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

Music is art, and just as different artists looking at the same scenery can draw it in an entirely different style with their own unique touch, the same can be said for music. Music is art and covers are just a way of showing the musical artists' opinions. A musical "cover" is when a musical artist does the same song in a similar or different style. A cover isn't a copy, it is an interpretation of the same song. A cover is a compliment to the original, and a way of sharing one's talent with respect for the original artist.

There have been thousands of covers, and the count increases every day. There are covers in movies and TV shows. One of these covers is from an interesting show called Pushing Daisies, in which the character, Olive Snook, played by Kristen Chenoweth, sings "Eternal Flame" originally performed by the Bangles.

I struggle judging covers for they so often depend on personal taste. Whether you like the Collective Soul version of "Shine", or the Dolly Parton cover, all depends on opinion for they both are beautifully done. You may like Muse's version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," or prefer the Frankie Valli version, or any of the other covers of the song. Heath Ledger sings the same song in the movie "10 Things I Hate About You" and it is the most recognizable thing about that entire movie.

Some songs get covered repeatedly to the point where finding the obscure version you like becomes impossible. "Over the Rainbow," is a song that has been covered so many times there should be a three-disc collection of the most famous covers. "Tainted Love," originally done by Gloria Jones has been covered at least twenty-two times, so often that people think it was originally done by Soft Cell.

Most of the popular, interesting, and challenging songs have been covered at one point or another. Over two-thirds of the Beatles' songs have been covered, and some of their songs were covered repeatedly. Lots of early Beatles' songs were covers of other songs.

Some songs gain so much popularity that they overshadow the original artist, such as "Hound Dog." If you ask people on the street "Who originally performed "Hound Dog?" over 75% will say Elvis Presley when it was originally done by Big Mama Thornton.

Many artists make CDs completely compiled of cover songs, such as John Barrowman's Album "Music Music Music" and other musicians throw a cover in here or there such as Smash Mouth on their album "Fush Yu Mang" covering the song "Why Can't We Be Friends" originally

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