Do You Prefer the Original or Stripped Down Version?
Written by Danielle Abram and Tyler Johnson
As bands start evolving, they tend to push their successes to try and reinvent them into something new. Listeners now get to hear their favorite songs, with amazing breakdowns, with a softer edge after being stripped or made acoustic. Sometimes these transitions don’t sit right with everyone, but there are some songs that can be argued to sound better as an acoustic over the original.
1. A Day to Remember - “All I Want”
Even though this song was released on What Separates Me From You in 2011, this track is still number three on the band’s Spotify. After seeing how successful that song was, A Day to Remember decided to release an acoustic version of the song later that year. Both are amazing, but does the softer version beat the original?
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2. Wage War - “Johnny Cash”
Wage War decided to create a stripped version of this track from their second album Deadweight. The original song was debuted in August 2017 and the stripped version was released months later in February 2018, sounding pretty amazing. Some say the version you hear first is better, but that’s only a rumor … what do you think?
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3. Paramore - “Decode”
Paramore released this iconic track in 2008 for the Twilight soundtrack and it went on to earn a Grammy nomination. Given the success of the original, there’s no question why it earned a rework of sorts, but which do you prefer?
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4. Our Last Night - “Sunrise”
“Sunrise” remains Our Last Night’s number one original song on Spotify, because of their powerful message. Our Last Night are known to do a variety of different covers, but after their Oak Island EP was released in 2013, the band chose to showcase how they can also make new renditions of their own music. They created Oak Island Acoustic in 2014, even adding a bonus track, but was it better than the original?
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5. Sleeping With Sirens - “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn”
Sleeping With Sirens debuted “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn” in 2010 on With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear. Two years later, the band released an acoustic EP, If you were a movie, this would be your soundtrack, with new songs and songs that have been toned down. Quinn’s voice is easier to be heard in this version and the song is softer overall. Is hearing Kellin Quinn’s voice enough to make it better than the original, or are you missing the high notes from the OG?
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6. Neck Deep - “In Bloom”
The band’s sound changed a bit as they made The Peace and The Panic in 2017, but listeners can agree that this track is extraordinary. Being the top played song on their Spotify, Neck Deep released an acoustic version of the song, as well as another version of the hit, in 2018. Did Neck Deep live up to expectations, or should they have stuck with the original version?
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7. Architects - “Doomsday”
One of the most emotionally powerful songs ever delivered by this staple metalcore band, Architects released “Doomsday” in 2017, the first material to come following the loss of founding member Tom Searle. Architects then released the ‘piano reprise’ version of the track in 2018, emphasizing the underlying emotionality this song holds. Both songs are incredibly moving, but which resonates with you more?
#qp_main2808432 .qp_btna:hover input {background:rgb(0,53,95)!important} #qp_all2808432 {max-width:815px; margin:0 auto;} Doomsday Original Piano Reprise Created with PollMaker