Falling in love with a song is a fantastic feeling. But finding out that someone, who shares your love of that song, has interpreted it in a completely different way is an even better one. That’s where remixes come in. A remix turns a chill tune by a singer-songwriter into something that makes you want to turn the bass up, or be part of a spontaneous hoe down. Some speed up the song for maximum impact, while others slow it down to unimaginable speeds. The six remixes below are great example of seeing things from a different point of view, and paying homage to the original.
Original: ‘Mushaboom’ – Feist
Remixed by k-os
Feist’s original is an extremely happy song; so blatantly cheerful that it makes you want frolic in a field of white daises. It has a great bouncy feel to it, and some pretty irresistible finger snapping. Fortunately, k-os doesn’t take away any of the bounce, but instead adds a great bass line. Most importantly though, the finger snapping remains intact.
Original: ‘Coming Down’ – The Weeknd
Remixed by Slim K
The remix is tricky to talk about since, unlike the other cases in where songs have been transformed, Slim K’s rendition has been described as taking something already ‘drugged-out and syrupy’ and just making it even more so. I’ve mentioned it, though, because of the amazing job done. Taking something slow and making it even slower, without making people fall asleep, takes talent and a very large amount of patience. ‘Coming Down’ is the ideal song to do this to, as it takes one solitary moment in time and extends it out to infinity. It also has a great, steady, thumping beat to it, which Slim K stretches like silly putty.
Original: ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ – Adele
Remixed by Tiësto/Thomas Gold
What makes ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ the perfect power ballad to belt out in the shower (or is that just me?) is its intensity. The dramatic arrangement of the song matches the strength of Adele’s vocals perfectly, and adds melodrama where needed. A touch of electronica amplifies the intensity tenfold, while transforming the song into a dance anthem. The remix also speeds up the ballad, and cuts all the softer parts away. The changes lead to a great makeover, but unfortunately make it impossible to sing while shampooing. Just as a note; I was unable to get verification from another source that the remix is by Tiësto and/or Thomas Gold. Still a great remix though.
Original: ‘Reunion’ – Stars
Remixed by Jason Collett
If you squint while listening to the original ‘Reunion’, you’ll not only reduce the amount of light going into your eye, but might hear a bit of country twang. What you’ll definitely hear though, is Torquil Campbell’s ever present smoothness, and the band’s catchy lyrics. Anyone familiar with Jason Collett knows that the same qualities fit him perfectly too. Collett takes those lyrics, and that bit of background twang, to make a foot stomping pick-up truck kinda tune. Interestingly, the two versions sound like they’re being sung by two different male stereotypes; Campbell the sensitive hipster, and Collett the romantic cowboy.
Original: ‘The Dwarf and the Horse’ – Sleep Party People
Remixed by Trentemøller
The original version of ‘The Dwarf and the Horse’ is the most subtly creepy thing I have ever heard; like someone simultaneously played the soundtrack for a horror movie over one about a fairy-tale. The soft, gentle parts are played with extreme delicacy, making everything else seem harsh in comparison. The vocals float above all, in the most dismembered haunting way possible. And if the original is beautiful and ghostly, then Trentemøller’s version brings it to life. Delicacy is replaced by punchy, vibrant notes, and the vocals blend in with the music. It’s the kind of remix that the more you listen to it, the more you realise that’s it’s a completely different song.
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