Taylor Swift is known for her peppy and uptempo songs, “Blank Space” being no exception. I Prevail, however, had a different idea when they decided to put their own spin on the hit in their cover of it for “Punk Goes Pop’s” sixth volume. I Prevail’s version of “Blank Space” is of a higher key, most likely due to the fact that Swift sings at a relatively low pitch compared to I Prevail’s lead singer Brian Burkheiser. Punk rock/metal music is also often of higher key, probably to give it a more sinister feel. The two songs have the same initial beat, but I Prevail soon deviates from Swift’s array of synthetic instruments, guitars and sleigh bells in favor of the electric guitar, drums and some piano here and there. The original lyrics weren’t really changed except for in a few spots such as “I can make the good guys bad for a weekend” being changed to “I can make the good girls bad for a weekend” and “you’re the king baby I’m your queen” being changed to “you’re the queen baby I’m your king” in the cover version. These are minuscule, almost unnoticeable changes and I didn’t even notice them until the third listen or so as the genre shift distracts from any lyric deviations at first. The original is significantly breathier and smoother than I Prevail’s short, jagged vocals, the emphasis on certain words different between the two songs although many of the vocal fluctuations remain the same. Vocal fluctuation is most noticeable when Burkheiser sings what is originally “oh my God, who is she” in Swift’s version but what becomes “oh my God, oh my God, who is she” with a new pause added after the first “oh my God”. The extreme emphasis on each of the words in “oh my God” before said pause makes the lyrics almost unrecognizable to someone familiar with the original and its lyrics. It is certainly weird to consider Swift’s lyrics in such a sinister, punky manner, but the music doesn’t completely throw the words off and instead makes one think of her song in a new light.
1A discusses the fact that no clear-cut formula for the perfect cover song exists. A cover can feel like a totally new song or like a new version of the original that highlights different characteristics than the first. I believe that how a cover is perceived has much to do with the band covering it as well as the audience listening to it. As someone who grew up with an appreciation for punk/metallic music, I believe that I Prevail’s spin on Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” definitely works. How well it works, however, is up to personal opinion.
