Have you ever gone to listen to your favorite song only to realize some of the lyrics have changed? While covers of songs typically produce the idea of a double, I have come to realize that the re-recording of a song by the same band or artist also exhibits a double. Oftentimes, lyrics in songs change due to backlash or becoming too outdated, because while a certain phrase might be acceptable at the time, feelings are subject to change. The most widely known example of this phenomenon is in The Black Eyed Peas song “Let’s Get It Started.” The song was originally titled “Let’s Get Retarded,” but shortly after the group released their album, the song began receiving backlash for utilizing a now-considered slur. While the original song can still be found in the depths of the internet today, the well-regarded re-release and double of the song has garnered a significant amount of attention. Another example of a re-released song becoming a double with variated lyrics is in Taylor Swift’s “Better Than Revenge.” The original lyrics of the song feature a line that faced backlash for “putting down women,” however catchy it may be. But since, Swift has re-recorded her entire album ‘Speak Now,’ with every song broadcasting the same well-known lyrics except the aforementioned one. With the lyric change, fans can choose now to either listen to the original or the re-released double. There are many other examples of this, with artists tending to re-release or remaster songs, creating an entire world of doubles within the music industry.

November 13, 2024
Comments by Zoe Whitfield