Opposite Gender Covers?
 

How do you feel about the opposite gender covering a song, specifically if the song contains clear references to the vocalist's gender?

I think Bow Wow Wow did one of the best "opposite gender" cover songs, I Want Candy. The Strangeloves did the original. I know I know a few examples, but I can't think of any of them right now, except the one mentioned.

I love the Raincoats cover of Lola, I don't even think about the gender difference.

Certainly never mattered any to me. If an artist is really so concerned with the thought that their fans might think they're a homosexual just because they've covered a song and haven't changed the gender pronouns to suit a heteronormative point of view, maybe they ought to be a little more focused on the music.

Here's a classic example of a cover in which the lyrics were not changed, and it still turned out great.

edit: tried to post a video, just got a white box, wtf

Joan Jett's cover of "Crimson and Clover" is lovely as can be.

The songs that I have heard do that usually change the gender pronouns to fit.

I don't care if they do or not but they usually do it.

Well ****.

I came in here all pissy and about to rant off but LiLs done beat me to it

I'm torn on it. On the one hand, it shouldn't matter, and faithfulness to the original material should be taken into consideration purely as a matter of respect on top of it. However if a chick's screaming 'I'M JUST A LONELY MAN!' it's hard not to giggle and hard not to notice she's indeed not a lonely man, taking away from the power of the song. It might be more powerful to change those lyrics slightly, lest people lose focus.

It is a cover though, I don't feel like artists that do covers have to be extremely faithful to the original song. I rather they put their own spin on it.

I can see that. Maybe some songs you just have to approach in a really over the top way to compensate for the difference? I dunno, just thinking out loud.

I guess it'd depend on the prevalence of gender in the song. If it's not a major focus, nobody's gonna care or notice, but if you got the chorus or some loud lines bringing up that identity it's probably best to change it. Not out of fear of being seen as something you're not, just for the sake of the audience and ensuring they can focus on the main point.

I know I'd be pretty annoyed if I was enjoying myself headbanging to a song and then had to hear a dude say 'I'm just a young girl with dreams' or some ****. I'd bust out laughing, sure, but it'd totally ruin what was previously meaningful.