Recording Other's Music

Singers So Often Choose To Record Cover Songs

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

Occasionally I'll listen in to what my kids are listening to lately. While sometimes I'm not "cool" enough, other times I'll know all the words to the songs on first listen. How, you may ask? Well, many of my kid's favorite singers are covering some of my favorite singers. Why are these stars remaking hits from my generation?

Sincerely,

"Cool" Parent 

A:

Dear "Cool" Parent,

Don't fear, you are a "Cool" Parent. And your children's favorite stars simply respect the artists of your favorite songs.

As a relationship advice expert, I can tell you that relationships in business are not very different from relationships in social lives. The reason one pop star would want to record something someone else wrote is to be affiliated with that person. Didn't you ever wear something your friend gave you -- not because you loved the item, but because you loved your friend? In fact, you don't even have to love the friend. You can simply respect the friend, and want to wear the gift as a sign of respect. It also makes you feel closer to that person. Many pop stars record other people's songs because they respect those people and want to feel close to them.

You will never hear a pop star record a song by someone they don't respect.

As for their recording a song that's ostensibly "hand me down goods" or "sloppy seconds" -- that's a bad rap. Hand me down goods can also be referred to as vintage or antique when valued. The same is true of songs. In fact, there is value to a song that is handed down from one person to another -- even in a sale. It's not always about the money. Some people will only sell their work to those they respect.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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