Nope, this is not a post about duets. It is about songs that have been recorded by both male and female singers.
If you belong to the cooler half of the population who sings KTV, you would have encountered a time when you wanted to sing a song by the opposite gender.
The easy way out of adjusting the pitch on the karaoke system seems to work until the chipmunk or doopy-like backup vocals sends everyone cracking.
The problem is only really solved when a singer of the opposite gender records the song and the karaoke version is produced.
So here they are, 10 of my favorites and my preferred version for each:
(Click on links for the chords to each song)
#10 傻瓜
Verdict: 温岚 hands down
It takes some talent to be able to bring out the cocktail of emotions embedded in the song: desperation, resignation, anger, sadness. And Landy nailed it. I especially love the last line where she drew a soft sob (listen closely!) before singing the last two words, 傻瓜.
For 吴克群, his vocals unfortunately did not match up to his songwriting prowess.
#9 遗失的美好
Verdict: 张绍涵
Like #10, the songwriter failed to express the song as well as the original singer. But boy, the lyrics are so beautiful.
Side note: Can both MVs get anymore budget? Actually, maybe yes. See 张惠妹 - 我恨我爱你
#8 勇气
Verdict: Draw
梁靜茹's version has more omph which makes the lyrics resonate deeper. But 光良 is my idol. Who said the judging is going to be fair?
#7 记得
Verdict: 张惠妹
JJ’s vocal is good. But I don’t think anyone can render love songs better than A-Mei. The music arrangement (编曲) for A-Mei’s version is also superior. The violins really brings out the sadness in the song.
#6 遗憾
Verdict: Draw
The song feels like it is written exclusively for Mavis. But A-Bin has the ability to turn any song into his. I hear more emotions in A-Bin’s rendition but like I said, the song is just so Mavis.
#5 可惜不是你
Verdict: 梁靜茹
This is a hard one for both have their own pluses. 曹轩宾's version is cleaner and has a raw appeal to it. I was so absorbed in his singing until he somehow broke into an Indian accent at the 2nd bridge (3:00 onwards). 梁靜茹’s expression is more subtle but just enough to stir up the torrent of emotions.
#4 爱笑的眼睛
Verdict: 徐若瑄
Both versions have different ‘feels’: JJ’s is more optimistic and hopeful while Vivian’s embodies more sadness. But the song obviously suits the female better. The image of JJ admiring his beautiful eyes in the mirror is well not exactly beautiful.
#3 倒帶
Verdict: 周杰倫
Jolin’s singing is a tad too laid back and monotonous for the song. As usual, 萧敬腾 dialled up the emotions a notch too many. It takes the song writer to demonstrate how the song should be sung.
#2 孤单北半球
Verdict: 欧得洋
欧得洋 has the voice. 林依晨 has the looks. God is fair.
#1 我的歌声里
Verdict: Draw
Both versions are equally heavenly. 曲婉婷’s low husky voice complements the song so well; 李代沫’s high husky voice complements the song equally well. I can’t decide.
What other songs can you think of?
Disclaimer: these are purely my amateur views. I am by no means a music connoisseur nor am I half as talented as any of the singers mentioned.
