Earlier this year I heard a new song by singer Katy Perry, who is an emerging female pop star. The song was I Kissed A Girl, and of course, it stirred up controversy in the Gay community. This was nothing new, I thought. In fact, there was a song in 1995 with the same concept, and same title. This earlier song was by Jill Sobule, but sounded nothing like Ms. Perry’s take on the subject…I guess a decade is sufficient time for something to seem new and unique again.

This got me to thinking - I have heard a lot of songs re-done over the past 40 years. In fact, most songs are derivative of something. This does not necessarily mean musicians have no imagination – as a visual artist, I can tell you that there may actually be nothing new under the sun. Instead, there are innumerable ways to see the world, and to present it in the artist’s own perspective. Besides, isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?

It’s interesting to look at which songs have been re-visited over the years. Simply known as covers, these versions can be as different as the artists involved. For better or worse, here are a few examples:

My Way - Frank Sinatra released this Paul Anka composition in 1969. It became his opus. That didn’t stop Elvis Presley (1977), Céline Dion (1992) and a completely over-the-top Sid Vicious in 1978. In fact, I found well over a hundred different versions listed on Wikipedia.

Yesterday – Paul McCartney, 1965. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this song has been re-recorded more than any other song in history.

Light My Fire - This was recorded by The Doors (1967) and Jose Feliciano (1968). The two versions overlapped in terms of radio play, and couldn’t have been more different: Feliciano with a solo acoustic guitar, and The Doors dark, psychedelic rock.

Walk This Way - Aerosmith’s original 1975 rocker was converted to rap by Run-D.M.C. in 1986. The best part was featuring Aerosmith on the recording, and in the video. This actually helped re-launch Aerosmith’s career.

I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley wrote and recorded this Reggae standard first (1973), but Eric Clapton came out with his own monster version in 1974.

King of Pain – This was a 1983 release from Sting and The Police. Alanis Morissette did her own version in 1999.

You Shook Me All Night Long - ACDC's 1980 hit off of Back in Black. In 2002, Céline Dion and Anastacia covered the song in Las Vegas. It reached the charts in Hungary and Belgium... I thought what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas...

My Generation – Pete Townshend of The Who wrote and recorded this rock anthem back in 1965. Why Hilary Duff Thought she should re-record it in 2004 remains a complete mystery.

Besides re-doing individual songs, there are several other ways that musicians record and popularize other works. Successful singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Nora Jones and even Linda Ronstadt have built careers by being song stylists; that is to say, picking and choosing songs, and putting their own personal stamp on them. Although not generally seen as cover artists, that is essentially what they are.

Revival bands appear every now and again. Dedicated to a past era, they are usually steeped in nostalgia. One of my favourites in the 70s was Sha-Na-Na, who committed themselves to 1950s do-wap and rock ‘n roll. The Blues Brothers, although more of a movie than a band, tried to do the same for blues and soul music.

Finally, there are the tribute bands, and these usually stay at the local level, trying to sound like a well-established band for their success. Sometimes, however, these bands can rise above, and become something truly unique, and even bizarre. Take, for instance, Dread Zeppelin. This band can best be described as Led Zeppelin in a reggae style, sung by an Elvis impersonator. (I am NOT making this up)They have released 19 albums between the years 1990 and 2007.

Maybe there is something new under the sun...