The John Griff column: Flattery, or deception?
We constantly hear about innovation – as a species it is in our DNA to enquire about things, to find out how they work and then, after a little tinkering, re-invent them or declare that we have come up with something in the new iteration that is better than what preceded it. But it that truly the case? Which is better – the original – or the cover version?
The phrase ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ is often attributed to Oscar Wilde, but in truth he expanded the original words of the English clergyman Charles Colton to include ‘…that mediocrity can pay to greatness’. Wilde gave the original his own spin and over time became credited as being the originator when he wasn’t.
He’s in good company.
On my Radio NeneValley show on Sunday mornings I challenge the audience to identify whether they’re hearing the original or the cover version of a song. Simplistic in concept I accept, but depending on when you hear a song for the first time, you might think it’s the original you’re encountering when in reality it isn’t. The charts are full of such examples – many albums contain cover versions. Some are nothing but cover versions ‘in tribute’ to the originating artist, composer or both. Sometimes the cover version outsells the original. But not often. It’s the same for film and television, repackaging what was originally contained in a book. Sometimes the remake falls short, as seems to be case with the latest widescreen version of ‘Wuthering Heights’. Why should this be? Did the production team miss the point of the original Bronte story? Did they sensationalise the nuances of what went before in the interests of box office appeal? Or did they arrogantly imagine that today’s audiences would only engage if they were presented with something bolder, brighter or extreme? Might someone new Heathcliff and Cathy think that they’re taking in the original telling of the story? Without being told otherwise, maybe. I look forward to seeing how Andy Weir’s excellent ‘Project Hail Mary’ transfers to the big screen next month – and how well the film retells his story.
I thought about this on Saturday when Lois and I went to London to see the stage show ‘I’m Sorry Prime Minister’. I grew up with ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes Prime Minister’ on TV. Originating co-creator Jonathan Lynn brings his characters (now ‘Lord’) Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby together for a last curtain-call before mortality claims them as, in reality, it already has the original actors, Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. Griff Rhys-Jones and Clive Francis play the characters now. But entertaining though they certainly are, the originals kept coming back to my mind as the best version of what then seemed like razor-sharp wit. The current cast thrashes around, wrestling with what is a new kind of political commentary to that of Westminster’s elite from over forty-five years ago. Some of the brilliance is gone, the razor has blunted over time and it all seems a little past it’s ‘sell by’ date. If only I’d NOT seen those original series...
In real life there are parallels to the fictional Hacker and Appleby. We’re used to politicians jumping ship. It’s been happening locally of late – how do voters judge those actions? Do they still fully represent the views of their constituents post-jump, or have they broken former promises in the interests of self and become lesser politicians? On Monday the government abandoned plans to delay 30 local council elections set for May after legal challenge, so we might see. The spin machines are now all running at maximum capacity either gloating, chiding or defending. Perhaps chicanery has been at work as the new, global norm. It might depend on your era but is jumping ship a new or cover version practice of the past?
Back to music. On Sunday night a good friend and I went to see the band ‘Think Floyd’ play at The Stables in Wavendon. Not a facsimile of the original (nobody tried to look like Dave Gilmour or Roger Waters), six musicians captivated a sold-out audience which roared its approval of their versions of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’. I stress the ‘their versions’ bit. Clearly NOT Pink Floyd, their performances were accurate, respectful, appreciative covers of the music that they clearly love as much as we do. Bravo.
Cover versions will always be imitations – but they can be flattering ones without being mediocre.