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Big Brother and online Hunger games.

Patrick's Song Contest - Round 11 RESULTS

Dec 17, 2020 by GrrrImABear
Come on in everyone, and let's get this started. For this round, you were tasked with two songs under the "Songs For the Better" title - one being a song that enticed the listener/the world to act for the better, and the other being a cover of a previous submission that did not win as a way to improve upon it.

From now on, there are no "SAFE" entries. Everyone gets feedback, everyone is a top or a bottom. First, I'll go through each contestant in submission order with my feedback, then announce the tops/bottoms/winner, and subsequently, the loser.

Let's begin with...

J2999

Song For the Better - Little Mix - "Power"

I am so intruiged by Little Mix - I saw Ariana Grande on her Dangerous Woman tour and they (along with Victoria Monet) opened for her and since then I've found their music interesting. This song itself really does stand out to me, and the women empowerment is very clear, specifically in the relationship dynamic ("you're the man, but I got the power"). My only complaint would be that I'm not a huge fan of the feature here because I think that in this track about female empowerment that having a man do a rap in the middle just... really felt out of place. But otherwise, a solid bop.

Cover For the Better - Anna & Vaanfluff - "I See The Light" from Tangled

I really think that the best types of covers are ones that take the original, honor it, but change and improve upon it. Using that criteria, I just don't think this is a "good" cover. It's very much the exact same, using the same backing track and having two singers that aren't as talented as the original Mandy Moore/Zachary Levi or putting forth the same characterization they did. It was a fine song, but there's not really a reason to listen to this when the original exists.

purplebb4

Song For the Better - Beyonce - "Formation"

This is the first song by Beyonce submitted for this entire contest and I'm surprised. This song is an amazing empowerment song for not just women in general, but women of color and it's a bop. This song was such a cultural reset for the industry. Now, I will say that I think Beyonce has other empowerment songs that I may enjoy more as a song, but for this category, this song really did nail it.

Cover For the Better - Nikki Minaj x Pachelbel - "Starships" X "Canon in D"

Okay so there are so many cringe mash-ups on YouTube that combine two songs that have no business ever coming into contact with each other. I found this one myself a few months ago, and oddly enough, this one actually works??! And there's honestly no explanation. As I explained when you originally submitted the Canon in D, I mentioned my distaste for the song because of how repetitive it was but I think that is what helps make it fit here. Now, I will say, that towards the end, there's a little disjointedness, but for the most part, this shockingly works.

Heavenlee

Song For the Better - Artists for Haiti - "We Are the World 25 For Haiti"

I think that while it's possible to knock this as being one of the most obvious choices for a category like this, you also completely subverted those expectations by selecting this version and not the original. I think that besides the singers being different, the most notable difference between the two is production and the inclusion of the rap. While the rap was and still is a little cringe, the singers and production really do improve a lot. I also think the inclusion of Haitian artist Wyclef Jean really helps add to the authenticity of this song. I think this was a really solid twist of a "basic" submission.

Cover For the Better - Lauren Babic & Seraphim - "Lovely"

I really think the theme for you this round was subverting expectations! As I was listening, I began to almost write this off for simply being a straightforward cover with very little changes, but as the second verse kicks off, this cover really begins to show why it stands out. The vocals are really strong from both artists and this is just fantastic. If this had been submitted in the Duet round, this would probably have won.

tbrown_47

Song For the Better - John Legend & The Roots - "Our Generation (The Hope of the World)"

So I've never heard this song but I really enjoy this soulful/funk side of John Legend and the inclusion of The Roots was such a solid choice. I think that this song is really strong and has very strong vocals on John (as always) and is something that I absolutely will continue to listen to. This was an extremely strong submission for this category.

Cover For the Better - Reggaeside - "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"

So I definitely appreciate the way that this cover was able to stay true to the original, while adding something new to this. I actually think this is a version that surpasses the original, outside of a few things. The opening, jarring harmonization is something that would make me probably avoid this just because it's... something. But as a cover, this was fine.

Insanity

Song For the Better - Marina and The Diamonds - "Savages"

I am a huge fan of Marina and I have always enjoyed this song from her! I think it's one of my faves off of FROOT, though I think "To Be Human" would have fit this just a little better, but that may just be personal preference. Her writing and vocals are so good here that this would never be a bad submission for this category. Very well done with this category this week.

Cover For the Better - Arcade Fire - "Green Light"

Uhh... who gave this cover the Green Light? Was this cover really for the better? This really was a dumpster [arcade] fire. I mean, in all seriousness, I appreciated the arrangement idea, but the actual vocals were... not great... and that's a serious understatement. This wasn't just bad, but the one good thing I will say is that I couldn't turn it off because it was kind of like a car accident you couldn't take your eyes away from. We all make choices, but this cover, and it being submitted... was a choice.

The top three this week are...

#purplebb4
#Heavenlee
#tbrown_47

The winner for this week is...

#Heavenlee! I really thought both of your submissions were extremely strong and subverted any and all expectations that I had. #purplebb4 and #tbrown_47, you're both safe. Well done!

The bottom three this week is...

#Insanity
#J2999
#Kevin0621

However, the person leaving is #Kevin0621. Unfortunately, you failed to submit anything, and fall short just here. Since we're so close to the finish, I didn't find it appropriate to cut #J2999 or #Insanity who did at least have one very solid submission each. Sorry to see you go as you've been a pleasure to see around here, maybe you'll make your return for Season 2!

Congratulatiosn to the Top 5! We had some very good submissions, and I'll have the Round 12 blog posted shortly!

Comments

Periodddd. I went to the Dangerous Woman tour too!
Sent by Heavenlee,Dec 17, 2020
Oh I hated the covers category and didn’t even listen to mine LOL
Sent by Insanity,Dec 17, 2020

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