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In the world of music we sometimes hear the term "Cover version". In popular music a "cover" is a new rendition of a previously recorded song. Popular musicians and listeners now use the word "cover" to refer to any remake of a song.
Musicians now play what they call covers of songs as a tribute to the original performer or group. Artists may also perform covers of a favorite artist's hit tunes for the simple pleasure of playing a familiar song.
Cover versions of many popular songs have been recorded, sometimes with a radically different style, sometimes virtually indistinguishable from the original, and sometimes we like the cover better than the original. Paul Mc Cartney's "Yesterday "is the most covered popular music song in history. The Beatles "Come Together" has been covered numerous times.
The term cover originally implied a rival version of a tune recorded by an artist after the original version was released.From early in the 20th century it was common practice among record labels to cover a rival labels "hit" tune by recording a version for their own label in hopes of cashing in on the tune's success. There was little promotion or advertising involved. When the average record buyer went to purchase a new record, they usually asked for the tune, not the artist. Distribution of records was highly localized in many cases, so a cover version of a hit song from another area could reach an audience before the original version was widely available. The highly competitive record companies were quick to take advantage of these facts.
This was all changing in the Mid century with better distribution and TV in more homes.
Rock and Roll was born of Rhythm and Blues. The early artists, people like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and Fats Domino, all had an edge to their music. A vitality. And, they were all originals.
The white, traditional music establishment wasn't thrilled with this trend. Fearful that their kids would be corrupted and that record sales would fall they instituted the practice of having more established artists "cover" or rerecord Rock tunes.Plus, these early Rock and Roll stars weren't exactly parent pleasers, not the kind of guys you would bring home to meet the folks.
An unspoken compromise between the teen desire for an energetic rock beat and the establishment's need for convention was achieved. Enter the Teen Idols. Primarily imitators, these fellows weren't on the cutting edge musically.
Six guys who share a unique piece of Americana.." Ricky Nelson, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Darin, Paul Anka and Frankie Avalon were the Teen Idols of the late Fifties and early Sixties.But with the explosion of rock & roll ,many teenagers still wanted the song and not necessarily the artist or the album. The 45rpm record was the format of choice.
This was the period of the "copycat cover", (maybe a cover of a cover) a recording that sounded as close to the original as possible and sold at a discount price which also appealed to teenage buyers.
Have a listen at the sound clip link or download from iTunes for your personal listening.All hold a small place in rock & roll history trivia.These are all digitally re-mastered from the mid Century pressings .
Contact me for a sound clip on titles listed at the Additional Titles link above.
All music on these pages are the property of 108th Street Records Inc.,and are available to Music Supervisors/Coordinators for Master Use Licensing in Synchronization for film making. Contact me for low rates
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