"Qué Sera, Sera" by Pink Martini from the album Sympathique. 1997.
There was a time where I'd dismiss any song that was a cover of an old classic (or the one most widely considered so, such as the ever-popular Kingsmen version of Richard Berry and the Pharaohs' "Louie Louie"). I'd like to blame it on childhood ignorance, as that unforgiving attitude set me away from some amazing rewrites. Nowadays thankfully, that stubbornness has evolved into caution. In live concerts especially, covers of other artists' songs can enliven by providing familiarity with a twist. Studio recordings still catch my weary side, however. In most cases, an original song gets released in the style the artist intended it to be in, and any band mirroring that exact sound just shouldn't try to beat the original at its own hand. A copy is still a copy, regardless of a better vocalist or instrumentalist or whatever. In an exaggerated example, you wouldn't take "Anarchy in the U.K." and have Michael Bolton belt out the lyrics because, besides the deadly head-on genre-collision, making the lead singer stronger takes away the grit and appeal of the tune. ..Although, Bolton leading the Sex Pistols would make for quite a show....
Perhaps that justification didn't convince you that I no longer flat out reject cover songs. Well here's the crucial part for a good cover: it must be done in the style of the band who's covering it. Not necessarily wild, or on the fringe of any genre unless the band normally dresses in those suits. One of the clearest samples you'll likely know: Johnny Cash's heart-shredding cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt". The industrial band believed Cash would just gimmick through the song and slap it on the album for some mainstream attention. Upon hearing the final cut though, even they admitted he took the song as his own. And while many pick Cash's cover over the original these days, it cannot be called a rehash. His version packs more emotion just through that personal touch, but the original Nine Inch Nails song still stands on its own as a Nine Inch Nails song. That distinguishes a good cover from an unnecessary one.
Pink Martini achieved the same here with "Qué Sera, Sera". For those in the dark, Doris Day launched the song towards its massive success in 1956. Both literally and figuratively, it became her theme song (her TV show The Doris Day Show used it for as such). Simply summarized, she advises you to not worry about the future because "whatever will be, will be". Listening to her, you'll immediately notice the difference in tone with the selected cover. Day brightly punches an upbeat feeling with the lyrics while Pink Martini dress them in a somber and haunting attire. That music-box tinkling and chilly ambiance drive it in like a garage. Amazing how the same set of words can be so calming or unsettling in different hands. And I'll point out as before, neither intrudes upon the other. Each song has its appropriate moments simply through Pink Martini's excellent handling of the cover version. No unnecessary cover song here.
Speaking of that eerie manner, let me introduce you to the method of discovery for this piece. Perhaps you've heard of a TV show Dead Like Me? The premise is very creative, and I do recommend checking it out if you haven't (it's on Netflix Instant Watch last I checked). In half-a-nutshell, the show revolves around a newly selected Grim Reaper (against her will, mind you) who must learn the unpleasant ropes. Her first "victim" so-to-speak happens to be a little girl, and the internal struggle and justifications our young, new Angel of Death must balance gets floated upon a backtrack of the ghoulish "Qué Sera, Sera". The tune pairs perfectly with the odd circumstances. If you don't mind spoilers, this clip shows the heavy scene. Mayhap you won't feel the impact if you don't know the whole story though... That clip comes from the first episode, and again I do vouch for the show's uniqueness. Try it out and see if you get sucked in! (My little description just can't do it justice!)
Straying from that bit of promotion, take a look at the band. I just recently took the microscope to them, and I must say: what an interesting group! Just for the sake of ease, Wikipedia states that this "little orchestra" defines their sound as "music of the world without being world music." A wide spectrum of language rests in their lyrical arsenal, including what some might call more "standard" (such as Spanish, French, Italian) and perhaps a bit "exotic" (including Japanese, Croatian, and Arabic). They thrive in the Lounge and Jazzy genres, but also have been cited as some forms of Pop, and many have a Latin influence. You may point out that "Qué Sera, Sera" steps out of their bounds a bit, but there's not much I'd put past them. I'd guess they would never open for the Sex Pistols- even if Michael Bolton was fronting.
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