(Q) What is a cover song?
A cover song is something that a guy at a coffee shop plays before he plays his own material. It’s something that he feels the crowd will know and enjoy hearing. When I play a cover song at a coffee shop I play something that is popular on the radio and has a stylistic connection to my own songs.When picking a song to play in church, I’m asking similar questions.
1.) Does this song connect with culture?
2.) Does this draw a connection to the message that the pastor is speaking about?
3.) Can the band rock this like the original?
We’ve played somewhat controversial songs on a Sunday morning from time to time. During a series called “Shattered”, we played “Bulls on Parade” By Rage Against the Machine. Pastor Jeff was speaking about shattering the stereotypes on Christianity.
This was probably our most controversial choice of song. I did have to edit some words out of one of the verses. I don’t ever want to be controversial just for controversies sake. For folks who are coming into our church for the first time maybe hearing a song from a radio station from something other than “The Fish” will help them uncross their arms a bit. It is my goal to create a theme and momentum for what Pastor Jeff is going to share. Sometimes Jesus would use parables to help people understands His message. I think a cover song builds a similar bridge to culture and acknowledges validity to what our artists are saying. In our last series the band played “Alive” by POD, “Fully Alive” by Flyleaf and “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi. It was fun for the band and connecting for the crowd.
During our 11am service there was a guy in the crowd with a huge beard, shaved head, and tattoos. During our “worship” time he stood there with his arms crossed and looked pretty scary. When we played “Wanted Dead or Alive” my wife said she saw him uncross his arms and smile when our guitar player ripped the guitar solo. So for me that’s a huge win and why we play some songs you usually wouldn’t play in church.
One last story I’m reminded of is when we played “Best Friend” by Hillsong UNITED and started it with a Nirvana riff. A woman came up to me after service and was like, “you guys played “Smells Like Teen Spirit” didn’t you?
We’ll, we sort of did. This woman has been coming ever since.
Hey Drew, I think the ‘fun for the band thing’ can be a huge part of it. A lot of times churches have to recruit players that aren’t exactly familiar with worship music…so playing something familiar with them is a big morale booster.
Also, during my time at lifechurch.tv, we would play covers just for the heck of it to loosen up the hinges without nec. having doing anything with the message…
After only attending your church for 1 month, I have to say that the music selection has moved my spirit, to say the least. Only one suggestion…some of us are over 50! :}