The original and covered songs

     I have to say I hate remakes, however, sometimes I have to admit that there are successful remakes exist,like SLEUTH, which was made in 2007,and starred by Jude Law. The original one was made in 1972. There is no doubt that the remake one made this film a shining star and known by everyone in the world. But there are still bad remakes you have to see--The covered songs. Some singers became famous by singing covered songs（although they are not as good as the original one, I have to maintain). Indeed, there is a need for those singers to sing covered songs. Here is the reason that a multitude of really great songs are limited in their language, then it’s hard to let foreigners to understand and sing the song as well. Some smart singers grab the chance, sing the beloved song and shoot into flame just in one night. Today’s case which I mentioned here, could be a failure case of covered song.

     The first song is from the famous Japanese singer Mika Nakashima, called Find the Way. Find the Way is the theme song of the popular TBS animation GUNDAM SEED season 4. I’m a big comic fan and I love this animation and the song very much. Later on when Find the Way became popular, the Chinese TV star Xue Han song this song again in Chinese. I have nothing against her but I have to point out why I think this covered song is a failure.

     Firstly, we can compare these two songs from Lyrics. This is perhaps the most obvious difference that everybody can tell. The original song is in Japanese and the covered one is in Chinese. I have to say Find the Way is born to be song in Japanese, because the Rhyme of the two is different even the covered one changed some of the lyrics’ meaning. When I sing the song again in Chinese I sort of lost the passion because the pronunciation cannot relieve the feeling of this exciting animation.

     Intensity is also different. The original one’s intensity is loud and the singer is emotional. Whereas the covered one is soft.  Speed might be different in some part of the song because Janpanese speaks so fast.

     The same thing between the two is Melody, Organization, and Rhythm. Both songs have high qualities. Audience are easy to tell this is the song when they first heard, and not hard for them to remember and sing along. The covered one has Low Pitch also because of the difference in pronunciation.

     The two songs use Contrast and Affinity to show the similarities and differences. And both of them are Subjective, use their own language, spin out similar emotions even some part of the lyrics have different meanings. Audience are easily be reflected by the song.

     Find the Way’s Melody is so good that the covered song make Xue Han even more popular. But in a word, I still love the original song. Audience will have resonance with Find the Way when they hear it. Making them emotional and impressive about the song.