I have to say that the internet, for all of its wonders, has kind of killed cover songs for me. They’re just so goddamn many of them floating around there at any given moment that it actually takes an effort on my part to press play on most of them. I mean, how many different variations of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used To Know” or Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” does the world need? And when I do actually take the time to watch/listen to a cover, rarely do I come away impressed anymore.
But this is different.
I don’t know how else to put it: I was kind of blown away by this cover of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” by Usher. I mean, it’s just so unexpected — which is probably why I’m so taken by it. Anyway, I’ll get out of the way now. Enjoy…
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After watching this video I can’t help but think how Usher has been successfully able to change both his image and sound over time to keep selling records (just look at the variation of sound in his newest album from Hip-Hop to R&B to Dance tracks). It has been far more subtle than the Pitbull’s unbelievable musical assimilation over time but Usher’s ability to crossover and consistently appeal to the masses is impressive and a big reason he is able to pull this cover off. In many ways this song is perfect for him to cover. It’s just like Florence and The Machine’s cover of Drake’s “Take Care.” Just the hottest artists hitting the hottest songs with cross-over appeal and bringing the masses behind two very popular but very different genres together. After watching this video and seeing Usher crush this song I bet a bunch of Usher fan are now wondering if they could be fans of Foster The People’s music and vice versa.
So he’s Mandonna?
Musically that was great and I really liked the composition. Maybe it’s because I expect more of Usher but I felt he could have sang it better. I was also disappointed that he didn’t play bass and sing at the same time. Why not just get an actual bass guitarist to play and have them rip it up?
Oh well, I’m just nitpicking. I enjoyed it.
“This video is private.”