This happened recently when I heard a song on 96X I didn't recognize but quite liked. Shazam told me it was "Beggin'" by Maneskin, and I was feeling pretty happy with myself for "discovering" a new song. When I got home and did some digging, I realized:
- The song came out in 2017, on their debut EP "Chosen", and at seven years old, I'm not sure it still qualifies as "new".
- Upon reflection, it occurred to me that the arrangement borrowed heavily from the Violent Femme's "Add It Up" (1983).
- And finally, I realized it was a cover of the 1967 song by the Four Seasons.
As a big fan of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, I was disappointed that I did not immediately recognize it. Although it was not one of their major hits, Frankie Valli even performed "Beggin'" when we saw him at Chrysler Hall in 2022. In my defense, Maneskin does a great cover with the arrangement sounding more like the Violent Femmes than the Four Seasons.
So the self-satisfaction of being open minded enough to take in new music evaporated, but I was left with a new-ish cover, arranged in a classic, college-alternative 1980s idiom. Still good stuff.
Maneskin - "Beggin'"
Violent Femmes - "Add It Up"
The Four Seasons - "Beggin'"
PS -- At about the same time, I heard on 96X "Sad in Carolina" by Dexter and the Moonrocks -- an actual new song that's great.
