Clash of the Cover Songs: Seether vs. Barry Manilow
- Posted on Feb 6th 2009 12:00PM by Rob Smy
- Comments (30)
The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!
The Song: 'Careless Whisper' (original version by Wham)
The Contestants: Seether vs. Barry Manilow
In This Corner -- Seether: These South African post-grungers, adored for their albums 'Disclaimer II' and 'Karma and Effect,' have captured the heart of many a disgruntled and misunderstood teen. Lead singer Shaun Morgan even dated Evanescence minx-strel Amy Lee for a while. We can't help wondering if their relationship would have lasted if Morgan had gotten his roots done. Maybe he just did something naughty, making Seether's take on Wham's 1984 classic all the more appropriate. You decide.
Seether, 'Careless Whisper'
Buy it on iTunes
In This Corner -- Barry Manilow: The Brooklyn-born former jingle singer has never had any trouble with his coiffure, and it's been with him throughout his illustrious 30-year musical career. Rescued from obscurity by Bette Midler in the early '70s, Manilow's cemented his stardom with the 'Tryin' to Get the Feeling' album in 1975. That LP's hit single was 'I Write the Songs' -- a tune that was actually penned by on-and-off Beach Boy Bruce Johnston. Our Barry, a keen songwriter in his own right, is clearly no stranger to performing other folks' material -- will experience and fab hair win the day?
Barry Manilow, 'Careless Whisper'
Buy it on iTunes | Buy it on Amazon
The Song: 'Careless Whisper' (original version by Wham)
The Contestants: Seether vs. Barry Manilow
In This Corner -- Seether: These South African post-grungers, adored for their albums 'Disclaimer II' and 'Karma and Effect,' have captured the heart of many a disgruntled and misunderstood teen. Lead singer Shaun Morgan even dated Evanescence minx-strel Amy Lee for a while. We can't help wondering if their relationship would have lasted if Morgan had gotten his roots done. Maybe he just did something naughty, making Seether's take on Wham's 1984 classic all the more appropriate. You decide.
Seether, 'Careless Whisper'
Buy it on iTunes
In This Corner -- Barry Manilow: The Brooklyn-born former jingle singer has never had any trouble with his coiffure, and it's been with him throughout his illustrious 30-year musical career. Rescued from obscurity by Bette Midler in the early '70s, Manilow's cemented his stardom with the 'Tryin' to Get the Feeling' album in 1975. That LP's hit single was 'I Write the Songs' -- a tune that was actually penned by on-and-off Beach Boy Bruce Johnston. Our Barry, a keen songwriter in his own right, is clearly no stranger to performing other folks' material -- will experience and fab hair win the day?
Barry Manilow, 'Careless Whisper'
Buy it on iTunes | Buy it on Amazon
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
twilightblueroseat 2-09-2009
Sorry Barry, but no contest- Seether is better this round. I felt that it was much easier to relate to and the sound brought "Careless Whisper" to a different level.
I will give Barry credit on one thing though: He kept it close to the original in sound. Unfortunately, by doing so, he failed to make it his own version and made a horrible lounge song of it.
AlyCatat 2-09-2009
Okay Barry I have to admit that you did kick ass back in the day but come on...... everyone knows that Seether is the better band for this! Seether brings this song to a new level. I love this song when it's played by the right band. I'm for Seether all the way!
Nickat 2-09-2009
The definition of "cover" is to take a song and put a unique twist in it. Manilow took the song and sung it EXACTLY how it sounds. Seether took it and put a unique mood/feel into it. So as far as I'm concerned, Seether did a better cover.
Vote Seether.
wolinamyrrabat 2-09-2009
Seether does an ok job with this, and he does make the song his own. But he's detroyed the essence of the song.
However where he fails Barry makes up for it in spades. The point of a cover version is to keep as true to the original as possible yet not make it a carbon copy or to change it so drastically that it becomes unrecognisable.
Barry (for me) has managed to leave his classy stamp all over this with fluid arrangements, perfect pitch and tone, crawling into the lyric to tell a story.
Seether I am afraid just shouts the song at you in parts, its meant to be about regret not anger and Seether is quite angry in his version (why!) he is not regretful at all, he got it all wrong!
Vote Manilow.
Benjaminat 2-10-2009
Angry? Manilow? What!?! Shaun puts emotion behind all of his songs. Seether is a great band and Manilow is a wash up. Past his prime. Where is the screaming in the song? That is called feeling what you are singing, not just singing it because it is your job. Seether takes an average song, puts rock twist on it. Sings with emotion, and that is exactly what that song needed.
hgla649at 2-09-2009
On first listen, I originally thought Seether was better but having read the comments and listened again, I've changed my mind.
I have to agree, what is Seether so angry about and where is the regret that is supposed to be peppered through this song? Its not there and it should be.
I've changed mind now and switched my vote.
Do the right thing = vote Manilow.
Respect
Jack
alexat 2-09-2009
barry manilows version sounds gawd-awful! are you kidding me? anyone who votes for that is tone deaf and has no taste. Seether puts emotion into the song, which is not anger. Anyone who says he is angry in the song hasnt heard a rock song made any time after 1990.
wayrutjrat 2-10-2009
OMG BM is horrible. SEETHER all the way
General Joyat 2-10-2009
I'm not trying to "get it on" in 1978, so I can't pick Barry Manilow. And maybe for the way Seether interpreted the song, anger is right. I've heard covers where they take on the other side of the song before. I have to side with Seether.
joshsprincess114at 2-10-2009
No offense to Barry Manilow but I do not like his version. To me, it sounds exactly like the original, he put no unique twist to it. If you're going to listen to a cover of a song that has no twist to it, you might as well listen to the original. Seether put their own twist on this song and still kept it close to the original. To me Seether put the amount and type of emotion the song needed. Seether all they way!!
calseattleat 2-10-2009
I seether managed to make this song viable for today's times. If it was a contest who could duplicate the some BM would of won but I think Seether makes this song listenable again. Good on you SA boys.
mindyjune77at 2-10-2009
Seether all the way!! Barry's is fine for the elevator...like all his music....
Christineat 2-10-2009
Seether rocks the socks off 'Careless Whisper' giving it a refreshing modern edginess and emotion... Sorry Barry...
Nickat 2-10-2009
Obviously you've never heard a rock song in your entire life, wolinamyrrab. That's not real anger you hear, that's emotion- something Manilow's version is lacking.
If you didn't get goosebumps when Shaun did the "PLEASE STAY!" part, than I don't know what will.
Once again, Vote Seether!
athenawpat 2-10-2009
Regret and anger are both emotions. Anger comes from pain. I might be an idiot, but I think regret is painful. Always has been for me.
joanneat 2-10-2009
I love you Shaun, will you dance with me?
y2jbonesat 2-11-2009
Are you kidding me? How is Barry Manilow winning? Seether kicks ass on this song. They took a sappy pop song and made it sound awesome.
SEXYat 2-11-2009
i agree.. barry made a very nice lounge/elevator song..
but seether definetly made something rad out of it.
there is no competition seether did better.
sierraat 2-11-2009
VOTE SEETHER VOTE SEETHER VOTE SEETHER.
Joe DeCaroat 2-11-2009
Barry Manilow... Are you kidding me?
If I wanted to hear a cover that sounded like the original, I'd buy the original.
Seether takes the original and runs with it to destinations beyond our imagination.
What was once a gushy teeny bopper jingle, is now a song with extreme depth, raw emotion, and a haunting and enduring sound.
Manilow imitating Wham at his age is like Carrot Top playing Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Oh crap! Now I can't get that image out of my head... Damn you Barry Manilow!