Amy Winehouse was an English singer, songwriter, and musician. She was the first British Musician to win 5 grammys in one night. She died at her Camden Square home in London of alcohol poisoning in 2011 at the age of 27. Of the many songs in her catalog, I would like to highlight one… or two depending how you look at it: “Tears Dry on Their Own” regular & acoustic version.
According to Sellnow songs communicate in two key ways, musical communication: what a song communicates and rhetorical communication: what a song communicates rhetorically. With musical communication in music the instruments, tempo, and melody influence how listeners feel. With rhetorical communication the lyrics alone don’t make a song, it's more on how the lyrics work for the music. With these things in mind, different versions of the same song can shape meaning in different ways. Both versions have different perspectives on musical & rhetorical communication.
“Tears Dry on Their Own” original version has a motown-inspired upbeat tempo that makes heartbreak feel energetic, resilient, and something to not be scared of. Sellnow would most likely say that this is an example of musical irony and that this song has the contrast between the somber lyrics and the lively melody changes how the audience interprets the message. Rhetorically, the original version makes heartbreak feel more universal and digestible. It aligns with Sellnow’s idea that pop music can make serious messages more accessible through catchy melodies and polished production. The resilience in the sound suggests that heartbreak is survivable, appealing to audiences on a broader level.
https://youtu.be/ojdbDYahiCQ?si=BNW6RGXkJo0wKE-F
“Tears Dry on Their Own” acoustic version strips the song down to minimal instrumentation, and brings more focus to raw, unfiltered emotion. The slower tempo makes the song feel like a confession, admitting the pain and vulnerability of heartbreak - completely opposite from feeling energetic in the original version. The acoustic version shifts the rhetoric to a deep personal emotion. The absence of an energetic beat removes the illusion of emotional distance, making the song more direct like you yourself can relate to it. Sellnow may point out that this version relies on performance and vocal delivery to persuade listeners of pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vklE72KZLMQ
Both versions prove Sellnow’s point: music isn’t just about what is said in the lyrics, but how it’s delivered in the instruments, performance, delivery, and arrangement.
What is the significance in an artist being able to sing the same lyrics but convey a different message? What is the benefit from a consumer standpoint for one artist to alter music by the interpretation of lyrics?
Great example, Maeli! I agree with what Sellnow said in that music connection is delivered in the arrangement of notes, not just the lyrics. Sellnow also goes on to explain composer Igor Stravinsky's perspective in that "form is everything." Meaning that listeners who seek deeper connections, miss out on the musical experience. One example that comes to mind is Melanie Martinez's performance of "Toxic," originally written by Brittney Spears. Martinez's rendition of the song turns Spear's upbeat tune into a jazzy seductive song. I really enjoy when artists cover other successful songs, because it showcases their creativity and often revives forgotten songs.
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