How To Make A Cover Song Your Own (And Release It)

Arranging, recording and releasing a cover song is a great way to establish your own voice and style. Releasing cover songs will help you build your repertoire, and attract new listeners.

In this video, Jesse Daniel Smith explains his C.O.V.E.R system. It'll help you to develop an effective cover song, and promptly release it.

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#coversongs
#songwriting
#releasemusic
#arranging
#musicproduction
#musictheory
#landr
#music
#creation
#DAW
#musicmaking
#musiccreation

[LANDRmusic]

What's the one song you've always wanted to cover?

[AlexanderFromTheStarDimension]

I can't believe there was so many references to older musicians and not modern contemporary pop musicians. I can't believe there was a Paul McCartney mention, who is who I'd like to emulate. I'm here because I want to cover OLD songs, not modern radio songs. And I love how it was exemplified how to take an older song and MAKE it your own, and sort of modernize it. The definition of cover song was explained perfectly -- to give someone a taste of what they know, but introduce your own brand as well. And segue them into your originals. Great video.

[waz]

I agree with covering a bigger artist you're not necessarily into and making the song your own. But on the other spectrum, whenever I hit a brick wall while working on my latest album I would cover a song by a band that I'm influenced by and try do it EXACTLY like they did. This revealed a few tricks and I could apply them to one of my original songs. Bonus, I ended up with an excess of 6 or 7 solid cover versions and I could throw a different one or two of them into my live set to keep things interesting. I also recently put out a weird conceptual mixtape with those covers just to remind my small fanbase that I'm still around while into the 3rd or 4th year trying to complete my next album.

[evilcowboy]

I had plateaued with singing and couldn't figure out how to get better, I was listening to everyone and trying to do it. Then I came across this one artist that made it all click and improved it by at least a good 50%. The singer is Mathew Bellamy of Muse, trying to emulate how he is getting his sounds is how I got there. Someone had said he always sang with a neutral position on his larynx, it wasn't raised and it wasn't lowered it was neutral and when he goes to that high falsetto he is still open throat singing. Knowing he had an open throat like most singers try to do, I understood why his vibrato is like it is. He is a good person to emulate for learning.

[vasirus]

I’ve only watched half of this video and I had to pause and write this comment about how good this video is. Very informative and clear. Thank you!

[mblyster]

3:44 soooo true. Then when u try to correct it later it's impossible because the rough draft is memorized and permanently etched in ur brain!

[dwaynealicie]

Thank you so much for this! Really appreciate the help. Love the cover you made for it!

[Rubyymusic]

Mad respect to you and your fiancé!! y’all sound awesome!!👏🏻👏🏻

[Lexdivinity]

Thank you so much for sharing your insight. This system is very helpful and easy to remember honestly! I had to subscribe!❤

[_bonezguevara_]

Another great example of an artist varying their cover is Whitney Houston covering Steve Winwood's Higher Love. I love the contrast between the male and female voices. And while I still prefer the original, the quality and control of Whitney's vocal acrobatics are unmatched.

[sylviasday]

Thank you, this inspired me to really polish a cover. Can you explain a little more about the 10 dollars on a song thing? I'm not sure how much to invest into my covers if I just start posting on youtube.

[adrieadgerjudd]

Great advice and system . Very helpful. Thanks

[elejemplomusica]

Question 🙋‍♂️ do you still need permission to release a song if you remake the whole production into a different style and translate it into a different language, changing certain words? I would assume the answer is yes but I just want to get clarity. Thanks for the information

[MrFacproductions]

Cheers for the info pal as a aged artists trying to get on the digital platform needed this. Cheers.

[Sam.xoxo]

guy is looking like santa claus has reincarnated and started music journey and now instead of giving gifts, he is giving music lessons for free

[ChrissyBae]

How do you make an instrumental for song covers? I do vocaloid song covers if that helps

[bmecham]

Love the guidance! Thanks for the help!

[kalyanewarren]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting!

[gabriellavalentine]

This video was awesome I'm confused a lil bit but I'll re watch it a few times so I won't be...but y'all should make another video like this

[Purple.]

I need to try pick a song that isn't in a style I'd normally sing, because I have a tendancy to imitate the original singer rather than do it in my own style. After saying that, I don't really know what my unique style is...