I don’t know if you guys knew that this happened, but it happened. Ellie Goulding did a cover of the Weeknd. I’m a pretty committed and loving Weeknd fan, so for me to admit that any covers are good is a huge step. But this track is playing right now and from beginning to end, I am in full on shivers mode. My skin won’t even calm down for a second, seriously. I’ve also never had a problem with any of Ellie Goulding’s music, she seems to do no wrong. Her angelic voice works in a different way from the Weeknd. It’s interesting because within each of their genres (Ellie Goulding primarily within the electronic-singer-songwriter realm, The Weeknd within R&B), they have managed to create a unique by melting genres together. The reason I love the Weeknd so much is because of his lyrical no bull-shit attitude. It’s all laid out on the table for us, but in the background, we hear an electronic R&B musical experience. I think that’s the first thing a friend said when I was introduced to the Weeknd It was something like:
You’re going to like him because he taps into that electronic shit you love so much, but with a heart and soul.”
Similarly, Ellie Goulding uses her vocals in a way that most electronic artists use beats. For her, the vocals are the instrument. Yes, the vocals are electronically mixed, but it’s the creativity that counts. It’s coincidental that both musicians are doing such unique things within their own genres, and that one would cover the other.
Music that gives us shivers. That’s why I write about music, I’m trying to translate that feeling into words on a page. Enjoy, lovelies!