The Truth Behind Cover Songs on YouTube

You'll find a bonus chapter where I explain the data I've accumulated from 41 cover song videos.

*My Online Courses*
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💔 *My Debut Album. Super Sexy Heartbreak*

00:00 - Why Covers Matter
02:33 - Copyright History
04:38 - My Experience with YouTube Covers
07:10 - Who to Avoid
08:24 - Sultans of Swing
09:56 - Shape of You
10:31 - Flowers
11:48 - Final Thoughts

[MarySpender]

You'll find a bonus chapter where I explain the data I've accumulated from 41 cover song videos.

[cataclysmicconverter]

“What does the money machine eat? It eats youth, spontaneity, life, beauty and above all it eats creativity. It eats quality and shits out quantity.”
― William S. Burroughs

[leftyjaysmith]

Unfortunately, I did a cover of Lyin Eyes back in April of 2020. It was agreed that there would be revenue sharing, but it would be viewed in limited countries. Everything was fine till February of 2024 when I got a copyright strike and they took down the video. Universal was who sent me the email. I repealed the strike, to no reply. They claimed my version matched the original for over 3 minutes and claimed I used their backing track. I responded by saying "Thank you for thinking my version was the original. That was quite a compliment". My version of Sultans is going strong and make a little on it in the revenue sharing. Thank you Dire Straits

[loficody]

Starting to do covers is what made music a career for me. The irony is now I don't feel like I can release originals or my fanbase will just leave.

[christopherbedford]

I am in awe of anyone who has the stamina, grit, guts, tenacity to make a go of music as a livelihood. I mean, never mind the talent which is of course the primary requirement, but to be able to push past all the obstacles to making money is tough enough without the additional shit YouTube 'creators' throw in your way. Hats off to you, Mary, and anyone else who persists at it.

[DanLisboa]

I'm Brazilian and I'm no "Fluent" in English, but your videos are very simple to understand and learn a lot about music on youtube and social medias! Oh, you are a very good musician too! Congrats and keep on !

[photographicamateur]

As a non musician, I love watching your content and your covers. This video helped me understand the metrics better.

[DonFredricks]

This is the clearest and most comprehensive treatment of this topic I've heard! Bravo!

[EricBRowell]

So glad you did the Sultans (Leo) cover. Might have never found your music. I’m better for finding your music and passion for sharing your knowledge. I will never be a musician (cannot keep time), but I love the process.

[hugoantunesartwithblender]

AS someone that had a band, cover songs is what teach us almost everything. How to be on the rythm, in sync, having material to present. Basicly cover songs are the fundation to the rest.

And also for teaching. And youtube is specially usefull to learn music. But now with this begins to be harder

[AnnoyingCritic-isrp]

What an incredible voice. Even just listening to her talk. She should be in radio, or doing voiceovers, or an announcer, or even TV or movies. She needs an agent.

[whyisstillalive]

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s biggest hits; “Blinded By The Light”, and “Spirit(s) In The Night”. Both were written by, Bruce Springsteen.

[tmign]

Dear Mary,
I have followed you for years, and without your channel youtube would be less valued to me. This video, as usual, was an entertaining and informative. You provide so much differing content. As you did in this one you share your personal experience, which most others wouldn't, but i find the most useful and informative.
I love your covers. Far and away my favorite is basket case - i prefer it to green days original. Scott's guitar is spot on, but what is amazing is that we get to see a very different side of you. You connect to the viewer in a way that is so direct and fun and allive and personal. When I need a lift, it is my goto video - it is guaranteed to make me smile. One more thing - i think you should do a new version of Bobby long dead and done. It would be interesting considering how far you have come and the improved production quality available.
Thank for everything you do and share!

[Twominutedevotions]

The Mary Spender Trio cover videos where the three personas banter with each other are some of my favorite videos and have inspired me to want to start a cover songs channel. This video appeared in my feed at the right time. Thank you for your transparency and your research on this.

[SydneyDrums]

I have a player piano, also called a pianola.. from 1926 made in Sydney Australia at the Beale piano factory . . I also have over 700 rolls to play on it. My grandfather restored them for over 50 years

[alphonsesynrem]

The way you says or speak, it's so nice to listen to you speaking or maybe your voice is so beautiful.

[tasilovonheydebrandtundder]

Thank you, Mary. I'm a subscriber, professor, songwriter and recording engineer. This is your usual high quality great stuff. Keep it up. Fan forever.

[scottybee]

Mary can always have a stupendous future in Voice Overs... perfect enunciation..

[mrgallbladder]

I wonder how it works when artists sing covers during their live shows...
Also I would love to hear you narrate an audiobook. Your voice is just so easy to listen to.

[mrelmoresmusiclab]

This could have not come at a more perfect time for me Mary! I'm about to start doing covers soon to promote originals. Thanks for the vid. This information is gold for me. I will say I had an original bass line I wrote as a teaching point get flagged. I fought that and won. Did a behind the band where we did Cherub Rock...copyright claim. Just did another behind the band and have Just Like Heaven played all the way through with no claims. haha. Will see what happens when I upload behind the band 3 with a little piece of a Weezer song.

:) Thanks too for checking out my newsletter too. Keep crushing my friend.