Hear What I Hear
  • Home
    • Features
  • Earshot Interviews
    • Jazz
    • Soul
    • Gospel
  • The Greats
    • And Their Beloved Instruments
  • Sample Game
    • Samples vs. Originals
    • Vinyl Visits
    • Put the Needle Down
  • Song of the Day
Sample Game 0

Samples vs. Originals: One song…Many Versions.

By T.L. Brown · On August 11, 2013

So as I was listening to some music earlier today and I stumbled across a familiar Michael Jackson classic, “Lady in My Life. (I still have a hard time believing he’s gone.) However the version I was listening to definitely wasn’t the original. In fact, it was an instrumental coupled with some newly added flair from jazz drummer and percussionist, Jacob Melchior. (Add him to your list of cats to check out.)

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed what I heard. But it started me thinking about how music affects each of us differently given the time, place, artist, and circumstance in which we experience it. And that thought led to another and another, which ultimately got me to thinkin’ about the common practice of sampling in today’s music. (Yeah, I know…my musical thoughts were all over the place today, but it couldn’t be helped.)

Sampling. Borrowing. Or whatever you might want to call it has been around for a long time. Love it or hate it…it’s probably here to stay. And as I let my mind wander some more, I arrived at the question…”What happens when today’s artist run out of things to sample?” “Who’s making original music that will be sample-worthy 20 years from now?” (That sparks an idea for future discussion.) But…I digress.

Sadly enough, the sampled creation often gets more praise and/or accolades than the original. Let me show you a few examples of what I mean. I’ll start with an easy one. Up first…the sample:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap6O9nWDpw8]

I’m sure most folks recognize this one without hesitation: The Notorious Biggie Smalls’ “One More Chance.” But the real challenge is in naming the artist and title of the original song. Now take a listen to the original:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDu-wplZSpQ]

See what I mean? Most folks would have difficulty with naming Debarge as the group, let alone the title of the song as “Stay With Me.”

Ok, we’ll do one more example. First the sample–another easy one and a personal fave from Camp Lo–“Luchini” :

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXyFYNiV-9I&feature=player_embedded]

Now…the original:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYxoPUjOHU&feature=player_embedded]

Did you remember that it was DYNASTY who first sang “Adventures in the Land of Music?”

Now, let’s be clear and set the record straight. I am not an extremist, anti-sampling kinda girl. I just believe in givin’ credit, where credit is due. And with that, I encourage us all to stay teachable. Take the extra step. Look deeper into the origins of that “new” jam you’re bobbin’ your head to. Chances are our grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles were bobbin’ their heads to it first…imagine that!

Until next time…

-T

(And don’t worry, this is the first of many installments of “Samples vs. Originals. Pickin’ out originals is one of my most favorite musical past times! We’ll roll-up our sleeves and really start “crate-diggin” in the weeks and months ahead!)

Share Tweet

T.L. Brown

You Might Also Like

  • Features

    Black Music Month Treats…Just For You!

  • Features

    Samples vs. Originals: Just Jaco!

  • Sample Game

    Hark! We’re Heralding Heron!

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Latest News

  • HWIH Proudly Presents…Pick Up The Needle!

    January 17, 2019
  • Come Do Nothing…or Something with Avery*Sunshine!!

    October 18, 2016
  • Happy Stank-aversary…ATL-iens Turns 20!!

    August 27, 2016
  • Mr. Coley…We Thank You!

    March 16, 2016
  • Maurice Will Be Sorely Missed.

    February 5, 2016
  • Home
  • Media
  • About Us
  • Advertisement

ABOUT US

HearWhatIHear.com is a creative space where our passions for music can AND will run free. This site is designed to be a forum where we speak the same language, share a common bond and express our true devotion for what we’re hearing, be it new or old. I’m here to lend you my ears…figuratively, so that you can HEAR music the way I hear it–the way good music is intended to be heard.

CATEGORIES

  • Culture & Travel (1)
  • Earshot Interviews (16)
  • Features (82)
  • Food & Health (2)
  • Gospel (1)
  • Hear Me Out (2)
  • Jazz (2)
  • Lifestyle (2)
  • Musicophilia Memorabilia (9)
  • On the Scene (1)
  • Quick Reviews (1)
  • Sample Game (8)
  • Song of the Day (17)
  • Technology (2)
  • The Greats (7)
  • Uncategorized (10)

Latest News

  • HWIH Proudly Presents…Pick Up The Needle!

    January 17, 2019
  • Come Do Nothing…or Something with Avery*Sunshine!!

    October 18, 2016
  • Happy Stank-aversary…ATL-iens Turns 20!!

    August 27, 2016
  • Mr. Coley…We Thank You!

    March 16, 2016
  • Maurice Will Be Sorely Missed.

    February 5, 2016

SEARCH THE SITE

Gospel Goodies!

© 2014 Hearwhatihear. All rights reserved.