Sorry I'm Late (#BOTB results)

     Sorry, I'm late posting, but I've got a good excuse.  I've been in the hospital since Tuesday right before I was getting ready to prepare this post.  They've been running tests with some consultation to come later and maybe more tests.  I'm not sure of the problem yet, but I do feel fine and would like nothing more than to be at home with all those comforts and taking time to make blog rounds, etc.

      I had a lot I wanted to say for this post, but I guess it was not meant for me to say so I'm keeping it very short.  (I can hear a collective sigh of "thanks!")

My Vote
      In my previous Battle using the Justin Bieber song "Sorry", I liked both versions a great deal.  Both are winners in my view as both versions have strong points in favor of picking either.

        My final decision came with listening to both versions in surround sound watching them on my home theater set up.  The intricacy and amazing talent of the Nor'easters inclined my vote toward them.  I listened to all versions many times and was increasingly drawn to the college group for my vote.

        The victory was overwhelmingly on the other side's favor which is fine too.


Final Vote Tally:

Nor'easters                   8 votes

Postmodern Jukebox     23 votes




Next Battle on Wednesday June 15th

         I won't say much about that now other than the post will be somewhat a continuation of my most recent theme, but I promise there will be no Justin Bieber songs involved but the song I'll be using uses (steals?) a musical phrase from a piece by Tchaikovsky.  It could be considered a worse offense than the musical "stealing" Bieber is accused with.  Personally I don't have a problem with this.  I might add that the next song I'll be using is old, a popular tune with many covers available, and somewhat of a jazz standard.  Be here to find out what I'm talking about. 

Sorry (#BOTB) (#IWSG)

     I guess figuring as how there was such controversy over my last BOTB round with my using the Justin Bieber song "The Feeling" that maybe I should apologize to those who don't like the Biebster.  Some may look at this blog post title and figure that's what I'm going to be doing in this post.  But should I really have to say I'm sorry for using a song that I happen to like?   Heck no!  Instead I'm going to use another Justin Bieber song...

The Battle of the Bands
     
        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.


"Sorry"

          This catchy tune was the second single released from the Purpose album.  After its release in October of 2015, the song quickly secured places on numerous hit charts throughout the world reaching the number one position on many of them.  "Sorry" garnered much critical acclaim and appeared on several year end "best of" lists.  The song was written by Bieber about his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez

         "Sorry" ranked at number nine on the Billboard Magazine Critic Picks list of the 25 Best Songs of 2015 along with this comment:

       Justin Bieber should try apologizing more often. From the bright opening notes to the manipulated vocal loop in the chorus, the Biebs brought EDM to his pop palette and made fans out of haters with an unforgivably good single.

      Think what you will of the young man, with songs like "Sorry" Bieber is establishing himself among the greats of pop song writing history.  

       Flash update:  Lest anyone argue about the current copyright dispute regarding "Sorry", please be sure of any argument you want to put forth about Bieber's creativity.  This is another absolutely ridiculous claim on behalf an essentially little-known artist wanting to cash in on another recording artist who "used" essentially 3 notes of her original recording.  A claim of sampling might be argued, but White Hinterland probably should be thankful that someone has brought some attention to her song release.  I don't know that much about the infringement claim so if you happen to have more information by all means let us know in the comment section.  "Sorry" is a far superior song to Hinterland's "Ring the Bell".   Just look at the negative clicks her song has gotten.  Then of course you can listen to it yourself and make your own call.   When arguments such as these are given credibility then all of the history of music comes into question.  Classical and jazz particularly use musical phrases that can be found elsewhere whether it be in contexts of variations on a theme or mere quotations of previously existing musical phrases.

       A dance video of "Sorry" was released on October 22, 2015 and became an immediate sensation becoming the 2nd fastest video to attain a billion views.  This video now ranks as the 7th most highly viewed YouTube music video of all time and still climbing.  When I first checked the list of most viewed YouTube videos in April the video ranked at #16.  It's climbed considerably in less than two months.

       Many people like this song as evidenced by the numerous cover versions available on YouTube.  I had a tough time deciding on the two covers I wanted to pit against each other.  Those versions can be found if you scroll past the Bieber dance video version which I offer below.  Please don't vote on this version as I offer it for reference purposes only.  If you haven't seen this video before I highly recommend that you watch it before going on to the Battle opponents

Please Do Not Vote for this Version!!!

Justin Bieber   "Sorry"  (2015) 

       This official video features the music of Bieber's "Sorry" as interpreted by the ReQuest Dance Crew from New Zealand.  This hip hop dance crew headed by Parris Goebel has performed world-wide and won many dance competitions.  Not only has this video amassed a phenomenal viewership on YouTube, dozens of other dance crews have emulated the moves as well as been inspired to choreograph their own dance routines to the song.   A YouTube search of "Sorry" will yield hours worth of dance and cover videos.   In my opinion, this is one of the most well choreographed and well edited popular dance videos that I've seen.  Some nice dance moves as well.   Take a look and see what opinion you come to after watching the video.   

Please vote for one of the following
The Nor'easters  "Sorry"  (2016)

        From Northeastern University in Boston, here is the premier co-ed acapella group the The Nor'easters with their version of "Sorry" as performed with special guests, Kinematix Dance Crew on March 21st at BONR4: Best of the Northeast Region Acapella Showcase. I'm always kind of amazed to hear this kind of acapella music with the beatbox effects. This version is a lot of fun.

Postmodern Jukebox  "Sorry" (2016)

       Postmodern Jukebox is one of the best cover bands around.  Actually PJ is more a musical project devised by Scott Bradlee and performed by a rotating assemblage of outstanding singers and musicians.   In the following performance featuring the incredible Shoshana Bean on vocals, Postmodern Jukebox asks the question, "What would Justin Bieber's "Sorry" sound like if it was written and recorded in the Motown era?"  I think this is an excellent interpretation of the song.   Hope you enjoy this one.






Time to Vote!

        Hope you don't let the Bieber connection turn you off.  Just try to feel the music.  Let us know what you think about these two versions. Is there one that you prefer over the other?    If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain.  Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most.  If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.

     Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
  
J. A. Scott  

Quiet Laughter

Holli's Hoots and Hollers

Be ReInVintaged



Results on Wednesday June 8th

  
        One result of BOTB is that it results in some random posting. But that's fine. I'll post the results from this current match-up on Wednesday the 8th.   Don't forget to leave your vote in the comments.


Insecure Writer's Support Group

         Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 




When Should You Apologize for Your Writing?
        
         There's not anything that I've written that I would apologize for having written.   Whatever I have written I had a reason to write at that place and time of my life.  There might be things that I wouldn't show to many people, but I wouldn't say I'm sorry.  Not sorry for writing what was within me and I felt needed to be said even if I was only saying it to myself.

            At least I hope I haven't written anything that I'd feel sorry for if someone found it...


             Do you enjoy watching dance?    Have you seen any of the videos inspired by Bieber's song "Sorry"?   Is there anything that you've written that you feel you would have to apologize for if it fell into the wrong hands?

Related articles

• Watch Justin Bieber's Vibrant Billboard Music Awards Performance
• Selena Gomez Made a Pretty Good Point When She Destroyed Her Fan's Sign
• Justin Bieber Disses Award Shows Like Billboard Music Awards Because He 'Can't Feel the Recognition'