Keep on Loving You (REO Speedwagon cover)

For the Challenge: I attempt to massage a horrible song by a horrible band into something Not Bad.

I pretty much hate the late-'70s/early-80s Lite-FM power ballad thing. I mean, I'll recognize quality songwriting or musicianship or production when it happens (I dig some Toto and Chicago, for example), but I hate hate hate hate HATE REO Speedwagon.

I originally had a much more elaborate backing vocal arrangement planned, but: a)my voice isn't strong enough to pull it off, b)I wouldn't have time to do it justice and still have the track done by month's end, and c)I'm willing to spend only so much time on a goddamn REO Speedwagon cover.

• play
• pause
• min volume
• max volume

posted by DiscountDeity (4 comments total)

let me just say that i LOVE this and would like to nominate it for a "best of the worst" MeFiMu compilation. my only critique would be that it's too easy to understand the lyrics, and that it sounds like you know all the words. perfect otherwise. +10 harmonica points.
posted by mexican at 8:57 PM on May 25, 2011

Is is a horrible thing to admit I still have a soft spot for REO? I still have R.E.O./T.W.O. and Ridin' the Storm Out on vinyl...

All the same, I definitely can't blame you for hating it, nor for morphing the crap out of it into something properly awesome.
posted by askmeaboutLOOM at 6:18 AM on May 26, 2011

Not bad! (except for the bizarre vocals.)

Also, your conceit - declaring your work superior to the original - is very amusing.
posted by ganatronic at 11:46 AM on May 26, 2011

This is a sweet departure from the original, cool cover. I have to say though, that as much as I hate these guys and bands like Air Supply, no other bands recall for me such great memories. Think 7th/8th grade in '81/'82 and REO as magic bra remover. Ahhhhhh.
posted by snsranch at 2:57 PM on May 27, 2011