The History and Evolution of Cover Songs: From Edison to Today

While the concept of cover songs is often associated with the 20th century, its origins stretch far back, harking back to the early days of recorded music and even beyond. This exploration delves into the emergence of cover songs, their significance in music history, and how they have evolved over the years.

The Early Beginnings of Cover Songs in the 1890s

One of the earliest forms of cover songs can be traced back to the 1890s, a time when the idea of re-recording and re-releasing existing songs gained popularity. The term 'cover song,' as we know it today, was actually first used around the year 1950. Back then, a cover song referred to a version of a song that was released in direct competition with the original, which was already on the charts. However, the practice of releasing re-recordings of existing songs was far more common.

Notable Early Examples of Cover Songs

The earliest known recording of a cover song is considered to be the 1912 release of 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe.' Although 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is often mentioned as the first thing ever recorded by Thomas Edison in 1877, it is not considered a cover song. Instead, it was the first mechanical recording ever made. A notable cover version came out in 1913, though somebody in the video mentioned an incorrect year of '1910.' It was actually from 1913, and while it is described as 'pretty damn awful,' it does count as a legitimate cover version. This era saw the birth of commercial phonograph recordings, where gramophones began to be housed in parlours, and people would pay to listen to music played on these early machines.

Early Recorded Music and Copyright

In the early days of recording, there wasn't a clear understanding of cover songs or even the term itself. Most performers played popular songs written by others, purchasing sheet music to perform. Talented musicians could create their own arrangements, but the copyright laws were focused more on the mechanical recordings themselves. Therefore, playing a song live did not infringe on copyrights, only the act of recording it for sale did.

Originally, gramophones were a novelty, often found in gramophone parlours. People would pay to listen to a song on a machine, much like inserting a coin to view the rotating cards on a Mutoscope that resembled moving pictures. Each person would use an earpiece, similar to individual jukeboxes that played one song at a time.

Classical Music and Early Cover Versions

The earliest musical recordings were of classical music and the standards of the day. Thus, the first musical recordings were also the first cover versions, and the practice of cover songs is as old as recorded music itself. The oldest known recording, made by Thomas Edison, was of the nursery rhyme 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.'

The Evolution of Cover Songs Through the Centuries

If we're talking about the first ever cover song, we would have to go back to the time when humans first started singing songs based on their history. Native Americans, for example, would chant stories of brave warriors and nature deities. Each time a song was sung, it might have evolved over the generations, much like a folk song.

Today, with the proliferation of music and the ease of sharing, it's almost impossible to keep track of all the cover versions that exist. However, the concept of re-recording and re-releasing existing songs has been a constant in music history, evolving from the early days of Edison's phonograph to the digital age where cover songs can be heard and shared in an instant.

While the first recorded cover song may have emerged in the early 1900s, the tradition of covering songs is deeply rooted in human history, echoing the timeless nature of music and our desire to adapt and reinterpret it.

Conclusion

The lineage of cover songs is as rich and varied as the human experience itself. From the earliest musical recordings to modern digital covers, the act of re-recording a song remains a powerful tool for artists to express their creativity and for audiences to experience music in new ways. As we move forward, the tradition of cover songs continues to thrive, evolving and adapting to the changing landscape of music.