Original: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SHeM5GUYgZU#
Cover: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hgmTzRCko
The original song is “Reasons” by Earth, Wind, and Fire. The cover is sung by a guy that goes by the name Brandon Wattz. The original song includes a beautiful range in notes. Almost to where as a listener you are basically going along for a ride with Philip Bailey who was the lead singer of this song. From falsetto singing to pure and raw emotion Phillip Bailey connects with the listener. However, there are times where it is hard to understand him, but not in a bad way. In fact, it is a good thing because it is something as a listener you may have never heard or do not hear often and you learn to appreciate it.
When it comes to cover songs it is hard to like them because there is always constant comparison to the original, and in all honesty many listeners would rather just listen to the original song. This is also the feeling of the author in the Studio 1A piece when he says , “While taking on another artist’s hit can seem like an easy way to please fans, it can also be a risk. Covering a song invites a comparison to the original. When done right, it’s a beautiful tribute that can become a hit all its own.” This is exactly what Brandon Wattz was able to do. He paid tribute to the original song by not trying to switch it up too much. Instead, he uses his range, and ability to falsetto and adds his own little tang things the song while also keeping the original feeling and soul. At times he was so good that as a listener it was easy to get flashbacks to the voice of Philip Bailey. That is what a cover song is designed to be, and the people in the comment section below seemed to agree as well.
