Electronica artist Adam Young, who performs under the moniker Owl City, released a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Home of the Blues” on his blog. Young stated that the song is one of his favorites by Cash.
Owl City’s version of the song doesn’t pack nearly the same punch as the original, but it’s unlikely anyone expected him to surpass Johnny Cash with this cover. Young is sticking to the genre he knows, and that’s reasonable, however too many elements are lost in translation from country to electronica. The song, originally about having the blues because your sweetheart left you, and you’re miserable, and alone, and a loser, of course still maintains those themes with Young’s cover, but now the song sounds like the cries of an adolescent, instead of the woes of a man. Listen to the cover below. (Via Owl City blog)
Owl City – Home of the Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
I disagree…
Yes, while it is near impossible to beat Johnny Cash, Adam’s version of the song is like a different shade of the same color.
He is able to add, not just a new spin on the song, but also this optimistic vibe that still embodies the same sadness of the original song. The thing is, Adam’s version also has this undertone of hope like despite being heartbroken, it will get better.
Cash’s doesn’t have that same optimistic undertone.