Reimagined Songs for a Happy New Year!

[WilliamS68311]

Per Google Oxford Languages, to reimagine is to reinterpret (an event, work of art, etc.) imaginatively. To form a new conception. I thought in light of the upcoming New Year, where we often contemplate and try reimagining our jobs, our hobbies and interests, ourselves and our life paths, I would share a collection of songs expertly reimagined by many skilled artists.

The ones that come to mind most readily for me are some interestingly enough by the original artist in a new iteration of themselves, often in their transition from membership in their rock band to their status as a solo artist. Think Phil Collins/Genesis with “Behind the Lines,” the solo offering a pop-R&B version of the song, with the original a progressive rock staple. Or Sting/Police with Shadows in the Rain, with reggae rock giving way to a jazz-pop style. And Clapton actually questions on Unplugged “See if you can spot this one” regarding his reimagination of Layla, virtually unrecognizable until you really focus on the lyrics and melody, so different than its early 70s guiotar driven blues rock.

Songs almost unrecognizable from their original include Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” (Joan Baez”, Chris Cornell’s “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson). Check out Annie Lennox’ “Train In Vain” (The Clash) or Tori Amos taking on Nirvana with “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit”!?! Even Ryan Adams covering miss Eras herself, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Or Evanescense soaring with Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” And Joe Cocker delivering the definitive soul interpretation of The Beatles “With A Little Help From My Friends” as does Johnny Cash with Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”

Check out these songs and many more on my blog and playlist. As you contemplate the endless possibilities of reimaging parts of your life on the eve of the New Year, I hope you enjoy listening to some great songs reimagined by some very skilled artists. Happy New Year!

https://listentothemusicblog.com/reimagined-songs-creative-song-interpretations/

[BeatleloverKT]

Wow. Very interesting topic. I gotta say after listening, that’s why there’s chocolate and vanilla.

Lol. For the most part, to me, nothing beats

the original.