Thoughts on "Honest Man" and "Believe", One Song - Two Versions Options

[Hoodstock]

You guys do realize that music from "Honest Man" by TGF comes from the song "Believe" by Live.

Just give it a listen:

Honest Man: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/gracious...-man--218696430

Believe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqT0stibWs

New lyrics - same base song . Ed had his chance with it and then Kevin (or the band) redid the song.

I wish I had a studio version of Believe to directly compare the two vocal performances. I prefer the lyrics of Honest Man but I would have loved to hear this as a Live song.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Aug 3 2010, 7:54 am

[+Ed+]

Holy fuck, the melody in this one is so much different from Honest Man. And it is not that bad at all. If only it has not been for the text.

I want my Live back.

[PurdueSteve]

I'm glad you made the thread Hoodie. I never really listened to "Believe" because I can't stand watching/listening to poor handheld cellphone or camera recordings. I guess since "Believe" was a hot-topic around here, I've since become familiar with "Honest Man". Now, having really listened to Believe for the first time today, I can say that I do NOT like it as much as Honest Man, because I love the lyrics of Honest-Man alot, however, had Live put that song out, it would have been the best song they've done in a LONG time. Ed seemed to have gotten semi-aggressive and even lyrically it wasn't that bad. I think "No Return" may have been a better song-title.

I'd really like to hear Ed on the track singing the Honest-Man lyrics.

This post has been edited by PurdueSteve: Aug 6 2010, 3:09 pm

[thefunkyredcaboose]

I'd really like to hear Ed on the track singing the Honest-Man lyrics.

Objectively speaking, Ed would have to either sing it an octave lower or sing so much of the song in falsetto that it would be un-listenable. I'm sure I'll get ripped for that by someone, but Ed would have never written this melody because it is going to be out of his range.

Besides that, Kevin wrote the lyrics, so let's just leave the credit where it belongs and not in some crazy hypothetical universe where Ed actually still writes interesting lyrics. I'm totally cool with people not liking Kevin's voice, but if you like his lyrics then at least give him credit for that.

Saying otherwise is quite the musical slap in the face, IMO.

[PurdueSteve]

Objectively speaking, Ed would have to either sing it an octave lower or sing so much of the song in falsetto that it would be un-listenable. I'm sure I'll get ripped for that by someone, but Ed would have never written this melody because it is going to be out of his range.

Besides that, Kevin wrote the lyrics, so let's just leave the credit where it belongs and not in some crazy hypothetical universe where Ed actually still writes interesting lyrics. I'm totally cool with people not liking Kevin's voice, but if you like his lyrics then at least give him credit for that.

Saying otherwise is quite the musical slap in the face, IMO.

I don't think it's outside of his range, in fact I think it's well within his range.

As for the lyrics, I wasn't making a claim that Kevin didn't write them, I just wouldn't mind hearing Ed's voice on the song. One doesn't have to write the lyrics to sing them. That and are you certain Kevin wrote all of the lyrics, I remember CT tweeting/blogging about how difficult it was, and how long it has been since he last wrote lyrics. I think of the song in a semi-political tone and it seems to align to a degree with CTs spoken positions.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

I don't think it's outside of his range, in fact I think it's well within his range.

As for the lyrics, I wasn't making a claim that Kevin didn't write them, I just wouldn't mind hearing Ed's voice on the song. One doesn't have to write the lyrics to sing them. That and are you certain Kevin wrote all of the lyrics, I remember CT tweeting/blogging about how difficult it was, and how long it has been since he last wrote lyrics. I think of the song in a semi-political tone and it seems to align to a degree with CTs spoken positions.

Find me a song where Ed hits a note as high as where Kevin goes before the final chorus of "Honest Man." I bet you can't do it. I bet you also can't find a modern recording where Ed has the level of aggression necessary to pull off that melody. It unfortunately just isn't happening.

There was some mention of others writing lyrics (and they may have for this track), but my main point is that saying you would rather hear Ed sing something that he had no creative part in is a slap in the face to the folks who created it. If you enjoy the lyrics/melody then enjoy it for what it is, not wish someone else was performing something they didn't create.

I too wish Ed would write something besides uninspired Christian pop lyrics and safe melodies, so don't get me wrong there. But he doesn't and that's that.