The Idea of "Original"

--The Syllabus post can be found after this one.--

--If this post interests you, there are some assignments at the end of the post that you can complete. You can replace two or three assignments from the syllabus with this assignment if you think this assignment is better. If this post doesn't interest you, you can go back to chatting with your friends on MSN.


As I explained in class, the idea of "original" in popular culture can be very serious for some people. When a musician makes a new version of an old song, some people will insist that the original version of the song has to be the best. Some people get very upset when a new movie is a remake of an old movie because it is disrespectful to the old movie.

One argument is that the remake is a form of "stealing" from the original. Here is the original version of the song "Hound Dog," by Big Mama Thornton. This song is in a rhythm and blues style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y5SPFDMQ_I

The more famous version of the song is by Elvis Presley. This song is in a rock and roll style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU4i5gyFK1s


Perhaps the most important reason why people argue that the original is better than the Elvis version is because Elvis sings in a "black" style of music. Often in the past, when white musicians remade songs originally sung by black musicians, music companies did not make it clear that the song was a remake.

Here is another Elvis example. "Blue Suede Shoes" is a song originally written by Carl Perkins and recorded in a country music style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is4lWYGM6rM

The song was remade by Elvis and is now the more famous version. It is, again, sung in a rock and roll style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrjbwVhQOAw

Elvis was friends with Carl Perkins, and he recorded the song after Perkins was injured in a car accident as a tribute to Perkins. Still, some people will argue that it was wrong for Elvis to remake and will argue that Perkins' version is better because it is the original one.


Writing Topics (Do not pick more than two)

--Why do you think people are obsessed with originality? Why are new ideas important? Why is the original version of something supposed to be better than a new version?

--Write about some examples you know where people argue about "original" versions and "new" versions of something. This could be music, movies, technology, television, advertising, food, or even household items （日常用品）.

--What version of "Hound Dog" and "Blue Suede Shoes" do you prefer? Why? Do you understand why someone would argue that the other version is better?