Well, this is one of many articles for the performing songwriter either doing it solo or with a band. I believe that the question of 'playing your own songs versus other peoples' is as old as the 'what comes first, words or the music' question I mentioned in an earlier article.
Cover songs (if used properly) can be your friend not your enemy. Heres how you do it.
I love playing other peoples songs almost as much as playing my own stuff. The main reason for this is that by learning to play songs which have been proven to be successful I will (by osmosis) learn how to write my own songs better.
I get to play with different song formats, song structures and chord patterns. As I sing as well I get to also expose myself to different melodies, rhythmic motifs and lyrical ideas. Learning other peoples songs is a great way for me to spice up my guitar practice and to sharpen up my musical theory knowledge by trying to pick off the song by ear.
I also get to know my favourite artists (eg. Sting, David Bowie, John Lennon) more by learning their songs. For every song I learn to play there are many other ideas that come up for my own material later on.
The trick with playing covers is that you dont do them like the original. A lot of performing songwriters I know feel that playing covers is a sell out to your art. I think they are voicing on the outside what their inner voice is telling them on the inside. I must admit I dont like hearing a cover done in exactly the same way however, if I hear someone do a cover in their own way, in their own style, I get hooked everytime.
I mean who is going to say that Jeff Buckley's version of 'Halleujah' by Leonard Cohen was a sell out on his part? I think it's one of the most beautiful performances of any song I have ever heard. Or John Lennon's version of 'Stand by Me' by Ben E King? The list can go on forever.
Of course when you are out there performing you do your own stuff as much as you can. I mean, there is nothing more satisfying than people actually being touched, moved and inspired by what you are saying however, an amazing thing happens when you add the occasional cover in your repertoire. The audience (I find anyway) becomes closer to you.
If you play too many then the audience will expect you to play covers all the time but one well chosen and uniquely interpereted cover in every set can do wonders for your audiences attention span. I cant tell you how many times a quiet gig becomes a great gig after I play 'So Lonely' by The Police, every other song I play after that sounds like music to their ears - pardon the pun.
Selling out is a term used by musicians who wish they were in the same position as the other musicians they are commenting on. Jealousy rears up its ugly head often in the music industry. If you keep focussed on writing your own music and learn a few covers (at least for research purposes) to break things up a bit you will have better gigs, become a more well rounded player and you will be a real hit around the odd campfire or two.
I believe playing covers only affects your ability to write songs if you allow it to.
Until next time, happy writing (and playing),
Corey Stewart
Songwriter/Musician
