I like seeing Switchfoot step even further outside the "Christian" box. This song definetly shows off thier diversity as artists. I think it was a good move, but I don't think most of the general public will even know about it, honestly. They aren't really publicizing it. Anyways, yes, good idea, GREAT cover... I adore Beyonce, just for the record. I have all her albums.

 

Oh yes! The fact that you love Beyonce,Vicky, makes me love you even more!

As a lot of people know I was born and grew up with R&B and hip-hop and can be very critical about it. Coming from Africa, beats that are like that are everywhere! You ever find an Angolan that likes rock? Nuh uh...you wont find out anywhere.

I think it was a bad idea. Though they are two of my favorite band/artists I dont think the song turned out well. I think it took away the energy that Beyonce's orginal was meant to portray. I have the original song Crazy in Love in my ipod and I listen to it occasionally...compared to the Switchfoot cover....lets just say that I wont get off my chair and start shaking my booty....

Sure, it is a fun thing and it sounds great speaking in musical terms but....for reals. I kind of laughed at it. Im a huge fan of Swtichfoot, but when it comes to incorporating a completely different genre into a Switchfootized song, I dont think its valid.

But Im really critical when it comes to RandB. I separate the genres and like to keep them separated because they are completely different...its just wierd when they all come together....

But it was good, I enjoyed it, I just dont think they should do it again.

(I feel like someone is going to kill me for disagreeing with half of the Switchfoot population! :)

 

If that made sense...Id like to know!

 

another thing, I respect Beyonce a lot and love her music! :) I have her albums as well, and I love her performances and character!

She's a Christian who shakes her booty! In my school thats blasphemy! *gasp*!! *rolls eyes*

:)

 

i voted, "can't say," because I don't know. I mean, I enjoyed it because it was so ridiculous & hilarious, and one of the last things i ever expected from switchfoot. I think it showed off their diversity and ability to pull of >almost< anything. (they did do a pretty good job turning this into a rock song - although i prefer the live version from DC). It also showed that they don't take themselves too seriously, which they've said before, and which i think is a good thing.
on the other hand, just because of who beyonce is and the image that she's built up - which some people look upon negatively - it could have negative repercussions. now, mind you, those repercussions would probably only be from people who also misunderstand SF's stance on not being a Christian band. So it's not like that would start anything new. And as jon said, if they are going to judge and misunderstand, they aren't really the type of people he's making music for anyway.

in conclusion, i personally enjoyed it, and it doesn't change my image of them. but i'm still not sure i can call it a good thing. (woot. 3 cheers for riding the fence!)

 

I voted "No" on the grounds that no self-respecting rock band should ever cover Beyonce. The are hundreds of songs I'd rather here Switchfoot cover. (I'm still thinking they should cover something by the Whol)

 

I voted " yes" because I thought they did it just for fun, and to be silly.

and what better song to be silly with then something like beyonce?

it made me laugh.

 

I agree with Gellie.

I don't think you can really say it was a good or bad idea.

 

pip, well, I don't think SF wants their version to make you shake your booty - I mean, they turned the song into a rock song, so its not R&B anymore.

"I separate the genres and like to keep them separated because they are completely different...its just wierd when they all come together...."
I don't think SF's about keeping genres together - especially O!G is a bunch of genres fitted into one album, even though its broadly alt-rock.

I didn't know you loved Beyonce, Vicky. :p

Even though I'm the one who prompted the discussion, I'm gonna go ahead and say that not much should be made out of it. I don't think SF gave it much thought either... in their classic sense of humor, they prolly just felt like doing a random cover, and picked this hipshakin' one.

They also probably wanted to attract an R&B audience, what with new songs like "Amateur Lovers" and "4:12".

 

I feel like someone is going to kill me for disagreeing with half of the Switchfoot population! :)

haha no.. I like seeing disagreement in here - especially since SF fans are by nature loving and civil, disagreement brings some much-needed spice to the table. ;)

...those repercussions would probably only be from people who also misunderstand SF's stance on not being a Christian band. So it's not like that would start anything new. And as jon said, if they are going to judge and misunderstand, they aren't really the type of people he's making music for anyway.

ditto that.

 

I liked the Bob Dylan reference...

And, I love the Beyonce cover and I think it was a good idea for them to do it...for reasons cited before.

 

Heh, I don't know where to start. I already told you what I think, though.

 

yep, Phil, I knew you would say that! I knew you would say that they probably didnt want to make the song a "get up and shake your booty!" kind of song.

But stil, I just think it was a bad idea. I know some Beyonce fans who didnt like it, but not everyone is going it like it.

Yes, Oh!Gravity is a sort of mixture but, as you said its more turned to alt rock rather then some other genre.

I dont know, I just think the song doesnt have enough energy (I dont know if thats what they intended to do...probably not)

----

yeah I rememher when you said that you liked it when people disagreed with you. Thats why I did!!!! MUAHHH!!!!!

lol
thank you for the lovely discussion. if you would like to proceed with it, please do so:)

 

I would say it was nothing more than a funny, light-hearted, non-message cover.

As for Beyonce being a Christian, welll...

 

I would say it was nothing more than a funny, light-hearted, non-message cover.

As for Beyonce being a Christian, welll...

 

Oh! and i don't really like Beyonce rolling around in the background. That was pretty lame...

 

haha well pip, we can agree to disagree =]

haha beyonce rolling around in the background made it funnier for me. they tried to sync jon's vocals with beyonce's as closely as they could, that made me crack up too. maybe i'm just easily amused.

its fun to have you guys come out with your honest opinions - its threads like these that make me motivated to keep doing this site :)

 

I said "No."

Mostly because it's not a great song for his voice and although I'm a huge Switchfoot fan I don't think it's one of their best covers. I like the instrumental part of it and some other things but otherwise it could have been better.

I see what you mean about it possibly affecting their image with some provocative parts of Beyonce's video in the background.. I personally didn't love it and don't think it fits with what we know as Switchfoot.. More conservative(?).. Which is I guess what someone would call me. Anyways I'm sure the guys didn't hand pick those parts of the video, but that's the final outcome anyways.

Even though I feel this way I think it was quite entertaining to watch this video of them and a goofy cover by these fun guys that I'm sure I'll listen to again.

 

^I actually think Jon's vocal style suits R&B (it may not sound like mainstream R&B, but he sure does pull it off as his own style). As for the provocative parts of the video, well, I don't have much to say about that except that those were added to the video after it was recorded. The video wasn't being played when the guys were playing the song - there were green screens where you now see the video. Not that that answers your concern, but I guess it means something, at least.

 

^ Yeah I could tell there were green screens. I guess that does count for something.
And yes, I agree that Jon's vocal style works with R&B but the speed of the words in Crazy In Love just felt kind of fast for him
for me.
But hey, maybe I'm being a little harsh.

 

Jon could replace John Legend any day....:) I think thats more the kind of R&B that his voice fits.
(www.myspace.com/johnlegend)

Im glad you are enjoying this Phil, keep up the good work. :)

 

I voted no. I don't think that it is a really big deal though.

 

it's definetly rather in between for me, i mean, do i think it was wrong for them to cover a Beyonce song? no. but i found the music vid in the backround distracting. but like everyone else knows, it's not like SF wanted it that way, it's just how it came out

 

it's definetly rather in between for me, i mean, do i think it was wrong for them to cover a Beyonce song? no. but i found the music vid in the backround distracting. but like everyone else knows, it's not like SF wanted it that way, it's just how it came out

 

I really enjoyed it. They gave it the switchfoot sound, and it turned out great. It also shows the talent they have as musicians. I especially love Chad getting crazy at the end.