On December 30, Tik Tok editor Ioustct made an edit of popular tv series “Arcane” with “Do I wanna know”, a song originally created by The Arctic Monkeys, which was then covered by Hozier and has amassed two million likes and over four million views.
The edit has skyrocketed back into people’s daily playlists. The cover song has amassed so much new found fame, that Hozier has put his cover song back on Spotify.
This re-emergence of cover songs isn’t anything new, as famous singer Kelly Clarkson on her hit show “The Kelly Clarkson Show” has covered many famous artists’ songs in ways, which many people on social media say is better than the original.
”She done got Kelly Clarksoned” says a comment under a video of Clarkson covering “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.
“The Kelly Clarkson effect”, as dubbed by many online, is the phenomenon when a singer covers a song that is deemed arguably better than the original.
While there are many who have been enjoying the new found rise in covers, many have viewed it as disrespectful to the original singers to say a cover is better than the original singer.
”You guys seriously need to have better manners, sure the cover is good but Billie did phenomenal too!!!” Says a comment when Clarkson covered “Birds of a Feather”.
However it’s not just famous singers covering songs, there are small bands covering songs as well.
On Tik Tok, small band Florenceroad, covered the famous song “Hard Times” by Paramore. While the cover was met with much positivity, there were some negative ideas still brought to the band.
“You guys are in a band and you seriously can’t come up with your own songs?? We really are in the downfall of music” says one comment under the Tik Tok.
Many artists have responded to the hate comments, replying that the reason they cover songs is in order to pay respect to the artist for their contribution to music.
However some haven’t bought into the argument, arguing back that the only reason that cover songs have been trending recently is because artists no longer have any originality in new music and older songs are better than new ones.
The newfound controversy of cover songs has sparked much conversation online on not only the validity of cover songs, and if cover songs are truly a good way to pay respects to an artist.
Many people in the argument against covers however, disregard that any artists have responded to the cover songs in a polite manner.
”LOVE” responds Olivia Rodrigo when Clarkson covered her song “Vampire” on her show.
Artists have repeatedly shown love and encouragement to other artists, big and small, for covering their songs as not only does it help build up more popularity for the covered song, but artists get more exposure for the original song.
While there are people who disagree, many people, including artists, have had much positivity for songs, not only because it provides a fresh take for a classic song, but also helps boost a song’s popularity.
The comeback of cover songs has been on the rise, amassing new popularity for older artists, songs, and new ever artists as well. While it has come under fire for a while, covers have made a big impact on the music industry and are here to stay.