Grade 6 (Assignment 2/Q1/ 2016/17) - Cover It {GarageBand)

Here's the deal. A big music producer heard through the grapevine that if he wants a cover of a song done, you're the person to do it. He says he's not picky about the song, as long as it's appropriate for his 10 year old niece to listen to with her friends, and something he wouldn't be afraid for his sweet 90 year old grandmother to hear!

Here is the email he sent you two last night.... 

Hey!

Thank you so much for agreeing to do a cover song for my music label. Business has been a bit slow, so we need a real winner to pump into the radio stations. Here are some guidelines that I need you to follow.

1. Appropriate theme and lyrics
2. You must cover 1 full song
3. The song you cover MUST have some kind of an underlying message (political, cultural, etc.) We have intelligent listeners, and they like meaning!
4. There must be at least 3 different layers (for example; guitar, drum kit, and voice)

Well, that's all from me. I really appreciate this!

Peace,
R.J. 

This guy means business, so you only have one month from start to finish.

The song you chose to cover must be approved by me first.

• chose a song
• figure out what chords/notes you will need to know
• do some of the necessary research behind what the song is about
• write up a paragraph on the meaning of the song or why it was composed

All cover songs will be presented to the class.

Below I have listed a few points you will need to present to the class, so start thinking about them now!

• Why did you choose this song? What is its significance? 
• What instruments are in the original version?        
• If you used different instruments than what the original song uses, what did you use, and why? (for example, if the song is originally accompanied by guitar, but you chose to use the piano) 
• What is the song about? What big issues does it touch on in past/present society?
• NOTE

Song Examples 

• Taylor Swift's Album "RED"

- All about her past relationships with Jake Gyllenhal and the Kennedy boy Key 

Cultural Factor: RELATIONSHIPS      

• Eminem ft. Rhianna "Monster"

- Eminem has dealt with bi-polar issues, which this song is entirely about. "The Monster" is the alter-ego he has developed since his early career days (ie. The Real Slim Shady). He's the trouble-making counterpart of Marshall Mathers. The one that the media deems as offensive and vulgar.

Key Cultural Factor: Mental Health    

• The Beatles "Yellow Submarine"

- This quickly became the anthem of the Vietnam War in the 1960's, by the American peace movement talking about peace over green waters and blue skies Key Political 

Factor: Anti-War 

• Green Day "Wake Me Up When September Ends"

- The entire 2004 album American Idiot sings about the shameful Iraq war that the U.S. evoked, and the president that was at the start of it all. Interestingly enough it later became the official tribute song to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane hit just as September begun.

Key Political Factor: Anti-War, Political Figure