April's Cover is...

So there were a ton of great songs to choose from. I'm hoping every month sees this much input. I hope it doesn't end up being like your first show with your new band. Where 90 people show up that first night, and only 4 show up for the next show. But anyway, the decision has been made. And the winner?



With over a dozen songs to choose from, I decided on The Trooper because it seemed like it had the most potential for a makeover. The melodic elements in this song are off the hinges. And when the melody is good you can dress it up any way you like and it's still going to be a good song. "Yesterday" sounds good when Paul sings it, when Sinatra sings it, when Boyz to Men sing it, etc.

That being said, I'm working on hallowed ground with Maiden. If I can pull off what I have in mind, it's bound to upset Iron Maiden die-hards. So you can only imagine the scorn if I don't pull it off.

Also, since this is the first month I'm doing this, I may actually be done before April 30. If it works out that I am, I will probably choose a second song from the list. But we'll have to see. We're working out the kinks now. We'll get through this together.

Challenge #1

First off, I'm loving the enthusiasm so far. I was certain my call for covers would fall on deaf ears. But I read wrong and it looks like that call fell on some Def Ears. Secondly, I would recommend that if you're unfamiliar with any of the songs below that you look them up on YouTube. There were a few I didn't know and I'm thinking this could be a fun way to broaden your horizons, too. Third; please do me a favor and spread the word to anybody you think may be interested. I'm thinking of doing two songs a month so I need as many suggestions as possible. Deadline for suggestions is this Wednesday at March 31. This is what I have so far. I'll update it as I get more:

1) Catholic Girls by Frank Zappa - Something wild right off the bat. I'm a sucker for change-ups and this song zigs when you think it's going to zag.
2) Holy Diver by Dio - The requester asked that I let my sister sing it. I will admit she does it well.
3) Tempted by Squeeze The requester of this absolute jam actually requested an old band of mine do this song. We didn't end up doing it, but it would have been fun to do.
4) Cool Kids by Screeching Weasel - This is a fun song that I was actually unfamiliar with.
5) Ducktales Theme by Calvin Coolidge and the Roaring Twenties - I actually don't know who's responsible for this balls-out romp of a song. Whoever it is ruled my world in 1989. I thought it would impress a girl I liked if I had a shirt that played this song. You know, like you press a button on it and it plays the theme. Shut up. It makes sense.
6) Nobody Will Ever Write a Song About Us by Dynamite Van Pipe - A monster of a song penned by two super cool guys separated only by the Atlantic Ocean and the side of the road they drive on.
7) December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) by The Four Seasons - I'm not sure if it was Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at that time or not. But what I do know is that this song has an incredible piano and bassline that's begging to be sampled.
8) Foolin' by Def Leppard - From when the drummer had two arms and any video "concept" would suffice.
9) Not a Second Time by The Beatles - An often overlooked song by an overlooked band. A critic mentioned how the song had qualities reminiscent of Beethoven and the "intellectual" phenomenon of Beatle songwriting was born.
10) Beercan by Beck - An interesting choice from the Beck album I've spent the least time with. Except for the latest one. I just got it like a month ago.
11) ??? by What's Your 20? - This page is intentionally left blank.
12) These Boots Are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra - Who doesn't love this song? That weird guitar sound and the snare pop pop popping on to the scene. Not to mention the sneaky bassline. The Peanuts kids would look cool dancing to this song.
13) I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen - He may sound like a serial killer, but that's part of the charm. And nobody... and I mean NOBODY can write like Leonard can.
14) The Trooper by Iron Maiden - Only the scariest kids wore the Maiden shirts and shopped at Trails. Sing it... Trails Department Stores. For the new counter-culture of the 90's... TRAILS...TRAils.... trails...Not from Arizona? Your loss.

Prologue

If I had the stones to do it, I would write "amateur songwriter" on my income tax filing. But I don't have the stones - which probably explains why my songwriter status is "amateur" instead of "professional" or "stupid rich". So in an attempt to find a twist on my regular creativity outlet I came up with the idea to ask my friends which song they'd like to hear covered. From their list I will pick 1-2 songs a month (depending on how busy/lazy I am). By asking friends, I'd be grabbing from a pool of songs I wouldn't normally think of covering. There would be no rules. TV Show theme song? Sure. Cornball ballad in Spanish? Bring it. But the trade-off is that I do it however I want to. There is a very real possibility that it comes out unrecognizable. Know that before you get too excited. Or maybe that's what excites you and you just crapped your pants because you're so excited. Me too. Let's do this.

Suggest a song. Use my email at the top of the page or suggest one in the comments section. Selections are announced on the first of each month.