Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) How do you maintain this list of covers?

-- I have a lot of help from sources such as Martina L. (ML), and Roxette websites that announce the covers.

2) Do you have all these covers in your collection?

-- No, it's almost impossible because there are so many.  We do not have them all.  If you want to find some of them you can look at the DOWNLOAD section.  It lists sites where you can listen or download the covers.

3) Why are covers so important?

-- Covering of songs is important because it allows someone new to recreate the song, transform it into something new.  While a majority of people would probably keep the song the same, there are a few who transform and make it their own.  This is very important because it gives new life and fans to the new and old versions of the song.

4) What is a cover?  Is a remix a cover?  If someone writes a song for an artist and that artist sings the song, then the artist later sings that song, is that a cover song?  How do you define a cover song?

First, a remix is not a cover because a remix uses the song by the artist (their original song--the audio) and mixes it to become a dance song (or whatever).  All that changes is the musical notes and maybe the audio was speed up or slowed down.  Therefore songs such as "Joyride 2005" or "Dancing DJs vs Roxette - Fading Like A Flower" are not considered covers because they use the original Roxette album track, and mix it with different musical notes.  Second, if an artist writes a song for someone else, and then that artist later sings that song--the original artist (the singer) has not "covered" the song.  For example, Richard Orange wrote a song called "Hole In My Heart (All the Way to China)" and Cyndi Lauper sung in the 1980s, later Richard Orange did his version in the 1990s.  That does not mean that Cyndi's version is a "cover" song because she did the original version.  Likewise, Per Gessle wrote a song for Paris called "I do believe," and Roxette later released a demo after Paris' release.  So Paris' version is not a cover song.

A cover song takes the artist's song (lyrics and/or musical notes) and reworks it.  Many times that includes redoing the music notes and how the words are sung.  Typically, a totally reinvented cover song with different audio and music notes are successful, but also some songs that use the exact music notes but different audio can be very successful.  An example of the forward would be Mediamaffia's cover of "Silver Blue," and an example of the latter would be D.H.T's cover of "Listen To Your Heart." 

A cover song is recorded or sung live for money or to further a band's career.  Typically, many bands will sing cover songs live for money and when they become more popular they will introduce more of their own songs.  Some fans record their tribute songs and release them onto the internet for free because they want their band to become more popular.  In the end, the bands will usually get money in some form or another--either from a record company or from paid mp3 websites. 

5) What about Mister Thorselius' book (The Look for Roxette)?  Didn't you take some of your covers from his book?

Yes that is correct, about thirty or forty of this lists covers come from his book.  His book had many covers that were not found by myself or ML, so we found some on his list.  I do not try to plagiarize, so I have given him credit in the "CREDITS" section above.  Plus, please realize that there are many advantages to having the cover list on a website as to a book (although I commend Thorselius' book, it is wonderful): (a) it can be put up to date at any time (instead of updating with new editions with a book), (b) it is free to access and (c) almost anyone can access it at a given time.

6) Will this list have a "printer friendly version"? 

Actually, I want to release a printer friendly version.  I'm looking for some dear people to help me "reload" (redo, makeover, beautify) this website.  If printed it is around 25 pages!  I know that is some serious paper.  So if you know anyone who will help that would be great.  Thanks a lot.

Last update: 25 December 2005