Cover Song

For my two songs I have chosen “Umbrella”, originally performed by Rihanna and covered by Scott Simons.  Rihanna released this recording on March 29^th, 2007 and it was quickly re-made by Simons on June 28^th of that same year.  The original version of “Umbrella” was very popular, resulting in Rihanna clinching positions within the top ten on music charts around the world. One of the most outstanding similarities, or affinity, in these tracks is in the lyrics.  In short, a cover is simply a recreation of a previously recorded song.  Also, cover songs keep the original lyrics, but everything else in the piece can be altered.  In addition, these two songs also contrast, or differentiate from, each other in many ways as well.

 Rihanna-Umbrella

Rihanna’s version of “Umbrella” fuses rock and hip-hop with a touch of auto-tuned sound. When listening to the song, one will notice the complexity in the layers of instruments applied in the music.  The melody is fueled by a prominent electric guitar, accompanied by a classic feeling kick drum loop.  However, not just the guitar and drums support her powerful vocals, but also the use of cymbals and a keyboard.  The keyboarding in “Umbrella” not only adds to the rhythm of the song, giving her track it’s catchy qualities, but also gives her a more intense vocal performance by providing an accent to her voice.  Having that backdrop makes her singing seem bigger and more exciting.  Also, it provides a nice complement to the auto-tuned feel, because both sound futuristic and new age, yet still being subtle.

Scott Simons-Umbrella (cover)

The alternative, indie approach taken by Scott Simons, transformed Rihanna’s Top 40 hit into a calm, elegant piece of music.  The use of auto-tune is much more apparent in this version, but it gives his vocals a tranquil vibe and a soft intensity. His singing conveys both tension and release depending on the different segments of the song.  In Simons’s verses, the song lets you relax with a slow speed paired with a low pitch.  However in his choruses, the pitch rises and the speed of his singing increases. The beauty of this version is the simplicity it possesses, because the instruments producing this sound are solely a piano and a drum beat.  Because such a basic melody is used, the vocals shine as the most prominent portion of the track.

The two versions share many qualities, but also have very distinct differences.  Both recordings use a drum beat, auto-tuning techniques and, of course, the lyrics.  Conversely, the two differ in speed, intensity and the overall feel of the song.  I feel Rihanna’s “Umbrella” is almost anthem-like with its rhythmic structure and rich melody.  Oppositely, Simons’s recreation is not a track to sing from the rooftops, but one to lie on your back and look at the sky.  Both tracks are very impressive, but I prefer the cover song created by Scott Simons.   I am persuaded this direction partially because I can better relate to his song.  His version is voiced through the point of view of a man, which gives me a better understanding of the emotion behind the lyrics.  I also can’t help but love the rawness and the execution of such a simple melody.