Cover Me: A Partial Wish List
I can't sing, although I'd like to. Given that limitation, I could see myself finding fulfillmment as a sometime A&R woman. The songs I would at best butcher, I could channel to the so blessed. And with all the talented musicians stifled by shoddy material-- songwriting is in a slump these days--I could do the world a great service by suggesting musicians abandon dime a dozen disposable drivel and instead look for material in the expanded American songbook. So as replacement repertoire, here are a few unlikely songs, old and new, today's soul and R&B vocalists should consider covering:
"U Don't Have to Call" - Usher
This Usher hit song, an enduringly dancefloor friendly Neptunes production, I envision in the hands of a singer-songwriter. I hear it acoustic and drawn out. Written by Pharrell Williams the lyrics are short and pointed and lend themselves to interpretation. It's a brilliantly simple song and Usher did a masterful job the first time around but I'd like to see it slowed down. I could see this working across genres too--Ryan Adams maybe?--but ideally I'd like to see an up and coming soul singer take this another place.
"Only A Fool Would Say That" - Steely Dan
Now Obama might consider invoking this song as a sonic retort to Clintonian criticisms of his bright new vision for America, except the dense might miss the message given the prominent caustic chorus. Steely Dan's writing prowess is well established, so I won't make their case, but rather reiterate how appropriate this song is for today. Unlike "U Don't Have Call" I can't hear a radically different articulation of this song yet, probably because its overpoweringly iconic, but I think someone could do something interesting with it.
"Meantime" -- The Futureheads
The spare lyrics of this Futureheads song could lose their appeal outside of the frantic drum-driven soundscape but I think a smart vocalist could make it work. I'm continually underwhelmed by the narrow subject matter of contemporary soul and R&B, mainstream or indie, and I have to look elsewhere for nourishment. These guys aren't especially deep but they manufacture a song that coarsely considers conventions and fakeness and R&B vocalists could do the same. I'd keep the baseline and--guess what?-- slow it down. Otherwise, I think, great license could be taken with it to great effect.
"Love from a Distance" - Beres Hammond
Counter custom, a stateside soul singer could snatch up this Jamaican classic and make it new. It's sweet as is and I just love it but I'd like to hear it without the sacharrine one drop and decorative horns. It needs more bitterness to be now.
There are enumerable songs worth retreading. I've only scratched the surface. Offer your suggestions in the comments.
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