Covers of Pop/Rock Question?

[tuite]

NEW LISTING -- COVERS OF POP/ROCK TOP 40 HITS (from throughout the years) WITH VOCALS are needed by a Major Video Game Developer and Manufacturer for one of their most popular Karaoke games. Mid-tempo to uptempo songs are welcome with male or female vocals. Think Pop/Rock hits that would be sung in Karaoke bars. Male or female vocals are welcome. Broadcast quality is absolutely a must, though great home recordings should work just fine. Please, no uncleared samples or profanity! These games give excellent exposure to the artists/bands behind the songs and the company likes to promote the artists they feature. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, April 29, 2009. TAXI # Y090429PR Hey guys,Would you say this listing is asking for covers of rock songs, as in, a fresh, original take on the song you've chosen, for example, a dance/pop version of Queens' Bohemian Rhapsody. Or would you say it's asking for Bohemian Rhapsody recorded as close to the original as possible?Thanks,Colm.

[t4mh]

The whole Karaoke thing makes me think of music that is pretty similar to the original and a bunch of people who can't sing. I probably should do something for this listing along those lines because I am a guy you don't want near a microphone... Seriously, I don't think they want a re-write but thats just MO.Keith

[tuite]

So you reckon if I record a Top 10 song by a well known band as close to the original as possible, I should be on track?It just seems a little odd that a major video game like Singstar or rock band would use a song recorded by some guy in Ireland? Why don't they use the original like?

[t4mh]

Well they have to pay a lot of money for that!Keith

[tuite]

So would they really take the second option to save money? I would have thought a top game company would have the money?It's easy enough to get it sounding similar, but it's so annoying that they didn't give references. You could record 3 pieces perfectly and it wouldn't be what they are looking for. Any ideas on what song to pick?

[t4mh]

Well figuring profit margin is the same for all businesses. It is what it is...As far as the song(s) they obviously don't want something obscure. It needs to be a hit. I don't know what you're good at but I would make my pick(s) based on what I feel capable of doing well. Then give it a shot! If you get rejected its not like its the last thing you'll ever do!Good Luck!Keith

[tuite]

Ok, thanks for your help! I'll give a few songs a go! If you give it a shot post it up so I can hear?Cheers,Colm.

[ciskokidd]

Hey Colm,My take is they want as close a copy of the original as you can get.And yes in many cases they will use the cover over the original if the original ends up costing them a mint to license.For instance, let's say they want to use a song by U2. U2's management is famous for getting large license fees for their songs. In the case of the Batman movie song they wrote, the license fee U2 got was 2 million dollars!!!!If they can get your "close" version for a mere fraction of that amount you can easily see the math there.Best,Cisko

[tuite]

Yeah I see where your coming from.The listing just threw me off a little, I mean, I'm sure they have a track listing in mind that they want to have in the new game? Well I'm sure if they posted the song names, they could easily get someone on TAXI to nail a cover version? It's just awkward that they left it so vague?Also, why would they want a song with vocals if the game is all about people singing over karaoke versions?

[ciskokidd]

If it's a game like Rockband then they want the lead vocal so they can mix it in low- as a guide track for those non singers around.