The Truth Behind Cover Songs on YouTube

[@MarySpender]

First 1000 people to sign up get 50% off my latest online course: bit.ly/4aFnwKa You'll find a bonus chapter where I explain the data I've accumulated from 41 cover song videos.

[@user-gg2rs8vu2x]

Maria, please come to Russia, St. Petersburg. I really like to look at you and listen to you))

[@BarbaraEllison]

You're KZbin rich, let's get married!🥰🥰🥰🤣💋

[@user-go6ce8kp3x]

You r awesome and very pretty lol Bless you chick oh yeah he already has amen thank you Jesus amen ❤❤❤

[@gordonanderson3111]

The story of what Prince did to other musicians and songwriters is too long and nasty to go into - yet I do clearly remember having a dream about the world ending, the sky turning colors and everybody running around screaming. I went down to our basement and with my brother on drums and wrote the song 1999. I know the name of the drug dealin' criminal that brought the tape to PRN, in Edina MN, where we lived. Nothing we can do now, but - much more to this story and what was done to me {made a "homeless person" for 10 years} AND to HIM in the 'aftermath'. So... ...would you consider running for president of the USA? You could not win or serve but we need a large dose of your kind of class over here, desperatly!

[@13IanH]

Ok, I definitely need a lot of help with songwriting, so I’ve jumped aboard and look forward to what you both have to offer😊

[@leftyjaysmith]

Unfortunately, I did a cover of Lyin Eyes back in April of 2020. It was agreed that there would be revenue sharing, but it would be viewed in limited countries. Everything was fine till February of 2024 when I got a copyright strike and they took down the video. Universal was who sent me the email. I repealed the strike, to no reply. They claimed my version matched the original for over 3 minutes and claimed I used their backing track. I responded by saying "Thank you for thinking my version was the original. That was quite a compliment". My version of Sultans is going strong and make a little on it in the revenue sharing. Thank you Dire Straits

[@TheRayfield77]

I think I'd be flattered if they ever bothered with me too.

[@kanesanders6669]

The Eagles, specifically Don Henley, is a real prick about copyright. He has no idea how the internet works and that covers and educational videos only helps keep his music alive.

[@itsyourturncom]

Don Henley... not a fan of KZbin, shall we say

[@cataclysmicconverter]

“What does the money machine eat? It eats youth, spontaneity, life, beauty and above all it eats creativity. It eats quality and shits out quantity.” ― William S. Burroughs

[@Fureroncord]

100%!

[@0dium.]

insightful !

[@artysanmobile]

Yet one more Burroughs bit of brilliance.

[@travisthornton1792]

Exactly how I feel. I’ve posted over 400 crappy covers of songs that I love and haven’t ever expected to make a penny from this. I do it because it’s fun. Or at least, it was. A month ago, I got my first copyright strike (for “Boys of Summer”) and I haven’t really wanted to post anymore. I don’t know why it matters if no money is being made one way or another.

[@TheRayfield77]

Star Wars and college football say hi.

[@mark.guitar]

Dang! I'd forgotten how much fun that Sultans of Swing cover is.

[@DonFredricks]

This is the clearest and most comprehensive treatment of this topic I've heard! Bravo!

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

Super intelligent. Female skill!!

[@SydneyDrums]

I have a player piano, also called a pianola.. from 1926 made in Sydney Australia at the Beale piano factory . . I also have over 700 rolls to play on it. My grandfather restored them for over 50 years

[@jesseperrett3692]

I have my grandmother's "Farrand" player piano with aluminum pipes rather than rubber hoses. I probably have 150 rolls.

[@mrgallbladder]

I wonder how it works when artists sing covers during their live shows... Also I would love to hear you narrate an audiobook. Your voice is just so easy to listen to.

[@johnnydelmar]

Wouldn't you rather hear Mary's cover of "Love to Love You Baby" or perhaps a disco version of "Venus in Furs" by the Velvet Underground than narrate an audiobook?

[@mrgallbladder]

Honestly no. I admire her musical talents and skills, but don't care for her singing voice. She has a naturally deeper voice that is smooth and melodic when she speaks, but when she sings, she uses falsetto and her natural voice disappears somewhere. So if I had to choose, I prefer narration and video essays over her singing. With that said, I think she's a very talented artist and lots of people like her singing, as they should.

[@ivanheffner2587]

NGL: I found Mary Spender thanks to Leo. I think I was going through his back catalog of videos when I found “Sultans of Swing.”

[@JohnLnyc]

OK. Imagine no YT or Spotify etc etc etc. where would you have “found” Mary?

[@casaraku1]

i replay it a few times a year...

[@em21701]

Same. I bought that cover from Leo. Another instance where the cover is better than the original.

[@onawednesdaymusic]

Take It Easy was written by Jackson Browne.

[@BobStein]

...and Glenn Frey. The lyrics and composition were a collaboration.

[@tmign]

Dear Mary, I have followed you for years, and without your channel youtube would be less valued to me. This video, as usual , was an entertaining and informative. You provide so much differing content. As you did in this one you share your personal experience, which most others wouldn't, but i find the most useful and informative. I love your covers. Far and away my favorite is basket case - i prefer it to green days original. Scott's guitar is spot on, but what is amazing is that we get to see a very different side of you. You connect to the viewer in a way that is so direct and fun and allive and personal. When I need a lift, it is my goto video - it is guaranteed to make me smile. One more thing - i think you should do a new version of Bobby long dead and done. It would be interesting considering how far you have come and the improved production quality available. Thank for everything you do and share!

[@GuerreroGamez]

Wow!! I had to go watch basket case cover by Mary and I agree a masterpiece all around, vocals and visuals!! Thanks for sharing

[@tasilovonheydebrandtundder6851]

Thank you, Mary. I'm a subscriber, professor, songwriter and recording engineer. This is your usual high quality great stuff. Keep it up. Fan forever.

[@Fastvoice]

"Take it easy" -has been- was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey - so no Don Henley involved here. 😉 Maybe that's why your cover video is still online.

[@samsprague2846]

Yes Brown plays it in concert and points out he wrote it.

[@user-ug3fn4xu3y]

Probably true.

[@jasonelliott3162]

Ahhhh! This makes total sense.

[@ViaticalTree]

Has been written? It WAS written by them. 😂 a song is only written once.

[@Fastvoice]

@@ViaticalTree Sorry, English is not my 1st language.

[@mark.guitar]

I performed a Darlene Schzeck(sp) song at a church and the service was streamed. The stream was cut 15 seconds into the song as the almighty algorithm thought we were streaming the original. Nice compliment for me and the vocalist.

[@seancregomusic]

That happens to me, too. It's flattering at first, but it gets annoying to counter-claim by the 12th time... :)

[@smhdpt12]

It's a computer. Don't flatter yourself too much. It's just hearing note sequences and banning stuff in its millions of references.

[@mark.guitar]

@@smhdpt12 Yep. It shows we nailed the intro...

[@dreamernator]

​@@mark.guitar I'd settle for that! 😂

[@basscase78]

Actually, I think that’s a different issue. Has your church paid for a CVLI license? There actually is a license fee your church has to pay to stream cover worship songs during your worship service, or else your broadcast could be shut down.

[@Lexy-O]

The Bangles cover of Hazy Shade of Winter is my favorite

[@magic_hotel]

Ooh nice! I'd probably go for Moby's version of New Dawn Fades by Joy Division.

[@k2thepeak]

Totally agree. That’s a great example of a cover that took an excellent song and added even more texture, emotion. Do I still listen to both? Heck yeah. So in this case, the Cover really adds to the exposure of the song. I hope Paul Simon sees it that way as his rock poetry should get all the exposure possible. Fully acknowledge I’m sure all the royalties were paid accordingly back in the day.

[@samsprague2846]

extremely fun

[@invitia901]

Always on My Mind - I always thought it was written by Willie Nelson instead of Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James. A hit by Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, Willie himself and the Pet Shop Boys.

[@EricBRowell]

So glad you did the Sultans (Leo) cover. Might have never found your music. I’m better for finding your music and passion for sharing your knowledge. I will never be a musician (cannot keep time), but I love the process.

[@photographicamateur]

As a non musician, I love watching your content and your covers. This video helped me understand the metrics better.

[@Sams911]

The way guys like Rick Beato get demonetized when they post a clip of a song while having an academic discussion about it is utterly lame tho.. it's too much.

[@rmp5s]

Indeed. That's about as fair use as fair use gets.

[@Fastvoice]

@@rmp5s Don't forget that "fair use" doesn't exist in most parts of the world - and YT is global.

[@rmp5s]

@@Fastvoice Obviously it's global, but what I'm talking about isn't. I'm talking about usually American bands making claims against usually American music on an American platform that affects an American creator.

[@Fastvoice]

@@rmp5s Mary Spender is not an American creator and YT is not only an American platform.

[@rmp5s]

@@Fastvoice Dude. OP and I are talking about Rick Beato.

[@JulianHarris]

Amazingly generous sharing this insight thank you!

[@davidsheppard4884]

Great video - thank you. Very interesting. Also, love listening to you talk. Clear, concise, and lovely accent 👌😎

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

Agree that her voice is wonderful. Going to see Mary in Bristol in the Autumn and am really looking forward to seeing her speak live.

[@CefinBeornMusic]

Very insightful video. Thank you for uploading this.

[@jasonelliott3162]

Superb in-depth video. Well done.

[@whyis45stillalive]

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s biggest hits; “Blinded By The Light”, and “Spirit(s) In The Night”. Both were written by, Bruce Springsteen.

[@mrwittyone]

Before I'd even heard of Bruce Springsteen, I knew two of his songs by other artists, "Blinded By The Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and "Fire" by the Pointer Sisters. It was only later, when he came out with his "Born in the USA" LP that I knew who he was lol.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

@@mrwittyone There's also David Bowie's cover of "Saint in the City", and Frankie Goes to Hollywood's (far less known) cover of "Born to Run".

[@theglobetrevor5212]

I found that very informative and interesting. I'm not even a music creator, I just enjoy how things work. Thank you

[@alexstillsmusic]

So useful! Thank you! Just posted my first cover and this was gold. Enjoying your content 😊

[@ScottatHouseonaHill]

Folks should check Alex out - I clicked through to give him a listen and it's quite good.

[@davetay44]

Oh man, it was only a video or two ago I was wondering how I originally found your channel, and I couldn't for the life of remember what brought me here, just that I've been subscribed for a while and watch every new video you post. But that clip at 1:10 brought it right back! It was seeing you in Leo's video that brought me here - crazy.

[@piano2873]

Thank you Mary. We can always depend on you for informative, as well as entertaining content.

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Wow this was a great video Mary! I have tried getting answers on how to be allowed to do covers, and hadn't thought of doing it on KZbin. You've not only answered questions for me, but also given me an additional idea with KZbin. Thanks tons! You Rock!

[@StubertStudios-Audio_Engineer]

Your videos are great Mary, You always describe in a clear distinctive way. Looking forward to hearing more soon. Thanks again.

[@MorisoniProductions]

Thanks for a very useful reference video!

[@DanLisboa]

I'm Brazilian and I'm no "Fluent" in English, but your videos are very simple to understand and learn a lot about music on youtube and social medias! Oh, you are a very good musician too! Congrats and keep on !

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

What an incredible voice. Even just listening to her talk. She should be in radio, or doing voiceovers, or an announcer, or even TV or movies. She needs an agent.

[@JohnBodoni]

i love your educational essays SO much!

[@haydenduvall162]

Brilliant job, as always, of walking us through something with absolute clarity

[@alixlm1]

I love all of your work and the honesty that comes from it all. Thank you for sharing and offering some killer advice. I’m waiting for your tour and next original LP. Keep doing what you do best. You!

[@frankboyd.]

Bring back guitar stories 💙

[@mikebibler6556]

Loved this transparency and education! So I smashed the like and subscribe.

[@stephendevore]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@slide6strings]

Thanks for another clear informative post! Bravo!!! "Take It Easy" was written by Jackson Browne and covered by the Eagles, tho Glenn Frey did help w the lyrics.

[@MrChopsticktech]

It was also recorded first by Jackson Browne I believe.

[@TroyNaumu808]

Your videos are always useful and informative. You are a inspiration.

[@jvblhc]

I love some many cover versions you have done! I love a lot of your own songs too!

[@robinsonbalbuena6708]

Wow, I had never seen your old videos and it’s crazy to notice that you have not changed at all

[@juanjo-Casanova]

Tks Mary!

[@retired_USAF]

Subscribed because I saw another video you did earlier. Your voice is amazing and you're a good teacher. Thanks happy to help you get to one million.

[@reagangundersen3490]

I love the transparency and thoroughly laid out videos you have been doing that demystifies alot of confusion around topics x keep it up. PS When are you coming to New Zealand?

[@synthverkstad2093]

But your new album is absolutely amazing and hopefully most of the money straight to you! You can really feel how years of hard work and songwriting has gone into the album. Love it!

[@Silverwing_Band-1021]

Thank you so much for answering so many of my questions and alleviating my fears as well. I've wondered at least a million times how people are making lyric videos of someone else's song????? But I think I get it now. Thanks.

[@mksln]

Brilliant and super useful video, thanks Mary! And it prompted me to sign up to your and Rachels course too, please keep up your awesome work! 👍

[@artysanmobile]

Excellent video, Mary. Thanks for all your research and knowledge. Many need this information.

[@danielgalindo2617]

Info presented concisely. Straightforward and entertaining…especially for a video without much or any actual music to hear/enjoy. Really hard to do. Thank you for the explanation!

[@alexdonovan1974]

Thanks for posting this. I've been thinking about starting to post videos, and most of them would be covers, so this was informative and encouraging. Now I just need some equipment and a spine. 😁

[@mrelmoresmusiclab]

This could have not come at a more perfect time for me Mary! I'm about to start doing covers soon to promote originals. Thanks for the vid. This information is gold for me. I will say I had an original bass line I wrote as a teaching point get flagged. I fought that and won. Did a behind the band where we did Cherub Rock...copyright claim. Just did another behind the band and have Just Like Heaven played all the way through with no claims. haha. Will see what happens when I upload behind the band 3 with a little piece of a Weezer song. :) Thanks too for checking out my newsletter too. Keep crushing my friend.

[@natesonemanduet8043]

Thanks so much for this info! It validated my negative experience with The Eagles and it was comforting to known i was not the only one!

[@allenhudson3519]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I'm very impressed with your skills as a musician, song writer and a beautiful person with a lovely voice. And now you have taken it up to another level. Your teaching skills are excellent. I'm sure that is aided by loving the sound of your voice. Oh yeah and the fact that you are quite beautiful. Keep your dreams alive and thriving and know that you are loved

[@GroinStrain_]

I came by you because of your cover with Paul David of Under the Bridge. It’s because of that cover and your amazing voice that I’m now subscribed to your channel and following your music

[@francoisbouvier7861]

I appreciate your talent oh so very much. Hopefully the compensation and the satisfaction make it worthwhile. Thanks again.

[@docjeffry]

Very insightful. Thanks, Mary!

[@perrydickerson9055]

Always a inspiration, thank you. I have no musical talent but I do video at events, in particular musical events. Those events include bars and eateries and I would like to persuade the performers to publish on KZbin. I do try to highly recommend your content to all those folks.

[@brandonwilloughbymusic]

Very informative. Thank you so much for this video!

[@ericgriffin120]

You helped clear up alot of uncertainty of my strategy that includes cover songs. Thanks!

[@alphonsesynrem28]

The way you says or speak, it's so nice to listen to you speaking or maybe your voice is so beautiful.

[@ssmithstudios]

Still watching this video but, thank you Mary for your takes, music and inspiration!

[@terranborn56]

Excellent post. Thanks!

[@okonh0wp]

very good video, might be worth supporting on patreon or wherever!

[@williamroberts6937]

very interesting insight into 'how it all works'. Thanks for the schooling!

[@petertrubody8463]

Thanks. This clears a lot of questions up for me

[@sylvaindion8419]

Thanks Mary, verry helpfull vid...

[@hinnelein1]

Great video! Thanks Mary! I will get back to this one.

[@MotifMusicStudios]

Great video always! Taking a peek at your Ableton course too - sounds fantastic!

[@Wairoakid]

Loved the CD Mary. On copyright, I am in a small acapella choir and our director arranges popular songs for us to sing. We sought permission for public performance of the arrangements ( 4 songs) at a future gathering of multiple choirs. Each cost us about US$250 with 100% of any money from the arrangement going to the original composers and nothing to the arranger. We did not get permission from one copyright holder -ABBA- (the score had to go to Sweden) as they stated the arrangement was too far removed from the original song so we won't be singing it.

[@ericfielding2540]

I am glad you got paid enough by KZbin to cover (no pun intended) your expenses for the Sultans of Swing video performance. That was outstanding.

[@jayseacreative]

Thanks for the insight. As cover musicians, it's nice to know that, even though we may interpret the music [original music] differently, we can still get paid for our creative license!

[@intersexcryptid]

This is so useful to know. Thank you for making this video!

[@AMCPW]

This is excellent! Thank you for creating this video.

[@Kevtheguitar]

Thanks for the insight Mary, very informative 👍🏻😊

[@1jahr3instrumente]

Useful ! Keep it up, Mary! GOD bless you!

[@user-wt7pq5qc2q]

Thank you for educating us,.

[@structurescience]

You've such a lovely voice. Perfect Beeb documentary voice-over stuff.

[@vincelupone]

There was that one girl that did an amazing singer/songwriter version of Toxic. My absolute favorite version of that one.

[@Scarabinomusic]

I've posted many covers throughout my youth, and I've found that as long as I include a note in the description stating that the artist, it's label, and all affiliates have the right to the music, then I'm fine! I've seen other people cover the same song, and their videos were removed. Perhaps I'm lucky? But I doubt that. My biggest cover is Invincible by Muse, everyone loved that one for some reason, and KZbin REALLY let that one go around! Thanks for another informative and well done video, Mary!

[@k2thepeak]

A quick question: how do you identify all of those parties easily? When I use Wikipedia, for example, I don’t always see a clear declaration as to copyright ownership/affiliates. Just curious if you know a trick I haven’t stumbled upon. Thx!

[@Scarabinomusic]

@@k2thepeak Hey! That's an excellent question! Personally, when I cover a song, 95% of the time, its' from a band that I consider to be a top favorite. I own all of their CD's. So I'll pull the info from the CD credits itself. It's the label and publisher that you want to get the names of.

[@k2thepeak]

Great - makes sense. These days I’m reaching less for CDs and accessing through AppleMusic or similar. I’ll check to see how complete of credits are available when streaming or downloading.

[@Scarabinomusic]

@@k2thepeak Yea its great to still have them around! Keep doing you thing dude!

[@loficody]

Starting to do covers is what made music a career for me. The irony is now I don't feel like I can release originals or my fanbase will just leave.

[@grogueQ]

Thank you for this, you've inspired me to start posting videos again.

[@bradnewman7018]

Thanks! Great Info. Its fun to see you with other You Tube artists... Small World!

[@traviswinger3991]

Just a couple comments here on this video. 1) Thank you, great info clearly communicated. 2) Subscribed!. 3) De-Esser :)

[@chrspod4133]

Thanks for all you do!

[@Rjhs001]

Really interesting stuff Mary, although I'd be happy to listen to you read the phone book, you have such a fabulous speaking voice. Cheers.

[@leesargent65]

You read my mind. Mary is a fantastic musician and songwriter, but I just love hearing her speak. No matter what the subject matter is, her voice is just so relaxing. Maybe a sideline doing audible books perhaps?

[@thetragicyouth]

Mary is a great talent (and has the best eyebrows on KZbin!). Looking forward to seeing her on tour later in the year!

[@samhill3496]

They will be ready when you come to town. Good informative vid for those thinking about it

[@hegz1484]

Thanks!

[@freesk8]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing. I had been very curious! :)

[@ELEVATETHESKY]

Thank you so much for the advice and insight. I have been debating whether or not I should do covers to bring traffic to my channel. I did one so far, Billie Eilish "I love you". Thank you once again. Your videos always help me on my quest. Also your covers and originals are awesome.

[@grzesiektg]

Just landed on your channel today. already passed two videos. I am hipnotized by your voice and way you talk.

[@thewiseoutlaw41]

I recently made a channel for fun, not expecting any revenue. I was unaware of copyright laws, but figured as long as I wasn’t making any money it was cool, but after two weeks Hotel California by The Eagles was removed, and it mentioned that was one of three strikes! So I watched your video, and i think as long as I avoid certain artists, I won’t strike out…. The covers are meant to be fun, and ideally lead people to my own songs. It’s early days, thanks for the primer!

[@RobertGavila]

I love the sound of your voice, your range, the resonance in the lower registers, your facility in jumping across octaves. I was once in a band where the singer would talk endlessly on the mic. Finally, one day, our drummer yelled out, “Shut up and sing!” Okay, it’s not that bad with you, but like I said, I’m here for your extraordinary singing and songwriting. You’re just terrific, really.

[@pkbreeze08]

If I could subscribe twice I would, this was so insightful!

[@TheMuirClan]

Very informative - thanks Mary :)

[@DirkLarien]

one of my favs. Ror-shak - Forest. Unlike original it has lot stronger melody. It is just perfect.

[@mastercraft5798]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@OblivionAviator]

Wonderful explanation! Thank you!

[@J.B24]

Thank you for devoting time and energy to education.

[@jsos9434]

I remember when John Mayer covered your Last Train Home. I like both equally