Creative Momentum: Viral Creativity
Now that I am back in the English speaking world, I have been desperately trying to catch up with the latest flows of western Pop Culture. The other day, I heard this catchy tune on the radio... Somebody That I Used to Know by Goyte. When I got home, I was tired of the same iTunes Genius Mixes that I had been playing for the past few years. So, I decided to listen, I mean watch Goyte on YouTube...
Anyway, after I Google Goyte, I realized that I stumbled on somewhat of a phenomenon...apparently I was not alone in my affinity for the song. As with so many hits, Goyte had his following of cover artists who posted their versions on YouTube as homage. However, most of the covers had a really creative twist...it was obvious that people really put their heart and soul into their own cover...
And, I believe, the torrent of covers was first put into motion by the band Walk Off the Earth. Who...I must say, set the bar high with their version using only one guitar played simultaneously by all five band members...
...their cover set off a fire storm of creativity.
So many people have somebodies that they used to know...but they never had a way to express themselves in a globally cathartic way. It is almost as though, everyone is saying, hey me too, here is how I feel, listen to this! The exact details are not as important as getting out the emotion that is behind the ache. It is the creativity that releases that emotion...
Walk Off the Earth’s cover not only gave permission to let it out, but they set the boundaries for how far to do it. YouTube provided the white space...
Here is Walk Off the Earth’s five man, one guitar cover that really set everything in motion...OK, four man, one woman and a guitar...
The melody and lyrics struck such a nerve in so many artists that it has inspired a well spring of creativity of musicians from all genres and age groups. They each added their own unique flavor to the song.
All of their work clearly illustrates that creativity seeks boundaries, even though as artists, people are always yearning for more freedom. The boundaries, being that the artists have to be true to the lyrics and melody, but are allowed the creativity to play and sing anyway they can. The song is so good it can withstand almost any attempt to break it.
The cover just has to be innovative...
I believe it is a glimpse, not only of Goyte’s genius, but a window into the creative consciousness of humanity when it is allowed to connect...viral creativity...
ARMY of 3
Christina Grimmie Cover
Pentatonix does it acapella...in a basement...this is really nice!
Matthias Harris in the Brady Bunch version...
Students? Ardlee
School buddies? Michael Schulte & Max Giesinger
Sam Tsui’s “solo” acapella...this one is kind of creepy to me.
And you have to admire this effort by the Dutch Choir...
The list of covers goes on and on...
...But what really strikes me, is the collaboration and exchange that has been underway for the past few years. Not businesses copying each other to make a $, but artists collaborating and building for the sake of creativity itself. For me, this phenomenon confirms a belief I have, that humanity need not be defined by greed and self interest, but by creativity and collaboration.
For too long, the modern era has controlled human connectivity and stifled meaningful collaboration that are needed to build sustainable communities. It is collaboration and creativity that will define us as human beings...
We are in a new age where we must foster collaboration and build unfettered connectivity that will unite us and resist what may divide us...where ever that may be.
Oh...and a prank phone call!
Labels: Ardlee, ARMY of 3, Christina Grimmie, Dutch Choir, Goyte, Matthias Harris, Michael Schulte Max Giesinger, Ownage Pranks, Pentatonix, Sam Tsui, Somebody That I Used to Know, Walk Off the Earth
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