LiveMusic Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Say there's a great song that was written by a woman and references men... HE did this, HE did that. And you're a man. Do you sing that song and change the gender references? I know lots of great songs like this and am curious what other people do. What if you were a star and wanted to record it, would it be okay to change the lyrics or would you have to get permission? > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK_dup2 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Man Thats seems a little wierd for me. If the song is well known It would be even harder. I love Sarah Mclauchlan (sp) I just couldn't see myself singing her music. On top of that changing the lyrics also seems to be a stretch. Maybe I'm just not in touch with my inner woman. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif Later BK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aframe9999 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 I think typically a woman singing a song originally sung by a man is much more common/acceptable than the other way around. For example you hear sheryl crow singing sweet child o mine. sounds fine. I think the other way around might be a little shaky. especially if it's a sappy love song. (unless you're ricky martin......) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Occasionally I do some Melissa Etheridge live, and fortunately, she doesn't do too many gender references. The only one I have to change is "Like the Way I Do", where she says, "Tell me does she love you, like the way I love you," etc. I do change them even though it would be ok for me to sing about a girl who broke up with me for another girl. If it works, do it... the audience doesn't seem to mind. You'd still have to get permision to record it. It is still their song. Bill Murphy www.murphonics.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Yep, it was fine for Joan Baez to sing "Virgil Cain is my name"...etc. but it ain't gonna work for a guy. For the same reason as a group of girls can get out on the dance floor with each other, but guys are weird if they do that. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK_dup2 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Right on Ted. Yeah I think for me - if I sang nothin but a bunch of sensitive Oprah type chic tunes or danced only with guys - I may start putting up track lighting and hanging out with guys named blaine. Yuck! -- Not that theres anything wrong with that http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif BK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveMusic Posted March 10, 2001 Author Share Posted March 10, 2001 The original post has nothing to do with what the song is about. Has nothing to do with being a mushy, lovey-dovey song. Just gender references to him/he/his/Joe... whatever... in all types of music. And I could take it one step further... songs that have no gender reference but were made famous by a female and a guy wants to sing it. I don't see any problem with that one. Doesn't bother me. Everyone associates "Crazy" with Patsy Cline but it's actually a Willie Nelson song. She just got famous first. The song "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" made famous by Dusty Springfield... there's an example of a song made famous by a female and I like it so much, I play it all the time just for myself. To me, it's a gorgeous chord progression and I just like it. Always have. (The lyrics are a bit girly but I don't care.) Just curious what others think... reason for the post. > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK_dup2 Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Hey Livemusic, Please excuse my bathroom humor. In all seriousness- Changing lyrics to fit gender just seems forced to me. I do think there is a double standard that male artists are forced to adhere to. Women have no problem covering male vocal, But when a guy sings a female artists tune its just seems like the equivalent to cross-dressing. At that point you are delving into a whole ideology of gender role playing. Man is that a grey area these days. I myself steer away from covering female artists tunes. The only one I could possibly think would be cool would be Janice Joplin - but then I would have to be able to sing it. (That would be a problem.) Best BK http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg music Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Quote Posted by BK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But when a guy sings a female artists tune its just seems like the equivalent to cross-dressing. At that point you are delving into a whole ideology of gender role playing. Man is that a grey area these days. I myself steer away from covering female artists tunes. The only one I could possibly think would be cool would be Janice Joplin - but then I would have to be able to sing it. (That would be a problem.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BK Just change the gender man.... No problem http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif you just can't get hing up on this male / female thang.... A good song is a good song irrespctive of gender!!! Simon http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif ...remember there is absolutely no point in talking about someone behind their back unless they get to hear about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveMusic Posted March 10, 2001 Author Share Posted March 10, 2001 Here's an example of a song made famous by a female -- The Greatest Man I Never Knew - Reba McIntyre The greatest man I never knew Lived just down the hall And everyday we said hello But never touched at all He was in his paper I was in my room How was I to know He thought I hung the moon And... I see no reason why a male should not sing that song. I'm not a big Reba fan but this song is just plain and simple a great song. I didn't catch any gender references at all but just because she had a hit with it, I don't understand why a guy would feel uncomfortable singing it if he liked it. Seems kinda silly to me. > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 RIGHT ON, LiveMusic! No, you don't need permission to change gender references. People do it all the time. And it's not at all "uncool" (and even if it were, who cares? If you like the song just do it!) Sheesh you guys! Lighten up! If you're afraid that women are going to think you're a wuss if you're singing a "girl's song", I'm here to tell ya it ain't true! A friend of mine just got done recording a song he WROTE, in fact, which is written from a girl's point of view. It was a situation that actually happened to my friend and a girl he liked, but he tried to write what SHE was thinking about it. And trust me, this guy is not effeminite or uncool in any way. The song totally works and I for one think it was very BALLSY of him to have done it. So go for it LiveMusic! And good for you, for recognizing that it's silly to even have to think about it! --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott from MA Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Why change the references? Just leave the song the way it was written! Are you "manly men" so insecure with your masculinity that you are afraid to sing an otherwise great song. Hell, I would sing "Natural Woman" if I thought I could belt the notes out the way they're supposed to be. It's a great song, and my wife likes it! When you're finished feeling homophobic, check out Ben Harper's version of "Widow of a Living Man". Scott Scott (just another cantankerous bastard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg music Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Scott Point taken!! Simon http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif ...remember there is absolutely no point in talking about someone behind their back unless they get to hear about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott from MA Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Actually, I shouldn't have said his "version" since it is his song. But it is written, and sung, from a female perspective. The point was, not every song you sing has to be autobiographical. Scott (just another cantankerous bastard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK_dup2 Posted March 10, 2001 Share Posted March 10, 2001 Man am I getting beat up on this one. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif I see the point all of you are making. And yes I am close minded. I'll admit it. Maybe its my military upbringing. I am always the first to say that music should have no boundaries. So maybe I'll just have to give this business a bit more thought http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Brianna Kahanek http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 the best one I know of was when Lyle Lovett covered "Stand By Your Man" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 I think it depends on the song. Some work better than others. I have no problem with changing the gender references, depending on who's doing the vocals. If it fits and you're comfortable performing it, just go for it and sing it with conviction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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