#BattleOfTheBands : Sheeran vs Vance



Welcome to the second installment of Battle of the Bands for the month of February!

Today’s battle is going to either turn out pretty good, or turn out really bad. There is no in-between with this one. 


Today, I’m doing something that is typically warned against, but I’ve been feeling quite rebellious lately, and going to bend some battle rules *not a rule, per se, but a ‘strongly recommended suggestion.

As a reminder for you seasoned readers and to help out those of you who may be new here

Here is how a battle works:

Step One - Listen to each of the contenders. TRY not to be persuaded by the videos (unless specifically requested - in the case of today’s battle, listening is more important than watching) 

Step Two - Pick  the contender that you prefer the most (not just the one who’s name you are familiar with)

Step Three - Comment  with your selection. The comment section has been set up so that anyone can leave a comment. I do ask that you please include your name, should you use the anonymous feature.

Step Four - Visit Stephen’s blog to check out his battle and for a list of other bloggers that have have battles going on. We each have different battles, so please be sure to visit everyone. I'll provide a link below the videos to Stephen's blog for your convenience.


Today’s song was written by Foy Vance. Foy Vance is an Irish musician. He toured as supporting act with Ed Sheeran, and his music has been featured on numerous television shows. He is scheduled to tour as supporting act with Elton John and Josh Groban.

Ed Sheeran is a fan of the television series Sons of Anarchy. He tweeted about the show, which caught the attention of Kurt Sutter (the creator of the show). Kurt got in contact with Ed, and proposed that he record a song to be used in the series. Ed was touring with Foy at the time, and one of Foy’s songs starts with the lyrics  "When the sins of my father / Weigh down in my soul" Ed thought these lyrics would be appropriate for the show, and asked for permission to record the song. The song was recorded and used in the second to final episode in the series. If you’re not familiar with the show, the episode is an extremely emotional one. With the song playing in the background, I was brought to tears.

Today, we’re going to see how well Ed’s cover does when placed up against the Foy’s original recording. 

Please do not let the videos sway your decision. Close your eyes and feel the music. Base your decision on this.


Contender #1 - Ed Sheeran





Contender #2 - Foy Vance





Now, to repeat myself again:

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AN ARTIST OR A SONG TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. You only need to listen to the videos and choose which one sounds better to you.  There are no right or wrong votes, unless you vote for someone not listed as a contender or don’t vote at all.


For those of you who may be interested in joining in our fun - The battles take place twice a month. Once on the 1st, and again on the 15th. Some participants have chosen to participate only once a month - and that’s okay - we’re just happy to have you join us! Your battle can consist of covers of the same song, different songs with the same title, or even a themed type battle. We just want you to join in the fun!  Catch the link to Stephen’s blog to join in - all you need to do is drop him a comment on his blog stating you’d like to participate and he’ll add you to the roster of participants.

I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands blog hop as well.  We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into putting together these battles and they are a lot of fun. Each blogger has a different battle taking place. You can find a current list of participants on Stephen’s blog (don't forget you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop by simply commenting on his blog that you'd like to join us). 


Alright now… Cast your votes for either Ed Sheeran or Foy Vance!
Voting will end on Thursday, February 21 with results being posted on Friday, February 22.









Comments

  1. Ed Sheeran had a much better sound for my tastes, not as plodding as Foy Vance.

    An easy vote for Ed Sheeran.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary, this is fabulous! Sons of Anarchy was one of my favourite shows and Ed Sheeran's version of "Make it Rain" gives me chills. He gets my vote, but I also enjoyed Foy Vance's rendition. It just didn't give me the same emotional reaction. Great battle! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debbie!

      This song makes me think back to those last scenes in the series. It's still emotional for me.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
    2. Same here! That series had the BEST soundtrack I've ever heard.

      Delete
  3. MMQE ~
    Well... well... well... (If I dig this well any deeper, I'm-a hit China soon!) I'll give my vote to FOY VANCE. I guess I kinda prefer the White wannabe Motown soul singer to the wannabe Van Morrison who looks like Van's red-headed stepchild.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey CCB

      I get where you're coming from. Remember how I said not to watch the video, but to close your eyes and feel the music? Yeah.. this is why :)

      A vote for Foy Vance

      Delete
  4. Ed Sheehan is my choice. This is always fun to do and find out the results

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Candy!

      I like to think that it's fun as well. I guess that's one of the reasons I join in twice a month. When it stops being fun, I'll take a break from it.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
  5. Ed Sheeran's version was great until he started singing. Foy Vance was more to my liking, so he gets my vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! John!

      I know what you are saying... but after you listen to it a few times, it kind of grows on you.

      A vote for Foy Vance

      Delete
  6. Hands down..Ed Sheehan..always loved to hear him!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Holly!

      I think he does a pretty decent cover, here.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
  7. Did you know it is Ed Sheeran's birthday today? I loved him since I heard of "Shapes of You" and he is super cute when he interviews.

    My vote goes to Ed Sheeran, not because I am a fan, but because it just packed with lots of emotions and like someone said before me, it gives me the chills.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Amy!

      I didn't know it was his birthday today. That is quite the coincidence.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
  8. my vote goes for ed sheeran, It have alot a emotion in his words, that makes me think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura!

      He does put quite a bit of emotion into the song. You can definitely feel that he is a fan of the show and portrayed those emotions quite well.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
  9. This was definitely a tough choice for me. But I think that Ed Sheeran pulled it off better. Not as heavy as Vance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      It's going to be a tough choice for me as well. I think the heaviness the you feel from Vance is part of the emotion he puts forth.

      A vote for Ed Sheeran

      Delete
  10. I prefer the original by Foy Vance. Although Ed Sheeran version is comparable.Keshia Richmond

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hmmm, another tough once. So, again let me be biased - I will be choosing Ed Sheeran.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like Ed sheeran. I enjoy listening to his songs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow what a beautiful and powerful song. Both performances were brilliant Ed's had a moving almost gospel feel to it and Foy's original had a deeply bluesy and lilting sound. It's a tough battle. I love Ed's opening beats and clear enunciation. I love Foy's deep, wounded soul connection and that rings true to me. I generally don't like battles because the creative process is a gift to the artist not a competition. They are both beautiful renditions however, original credit goes to Foy.

    ReplyDelete
  14. To me...hands down Foy Vance because he has an emotional power to it that makes you just sit back and feel his pain. Ed Sheeren is excellent but his youth shows in the delivery of this song. Give him a good 10 or more years and I bet he will sing this with more emotional depth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Birgit!

      I think you may be on to something here. Foy Vance has a good 17 years on Ed Sheeran (and looks it, too!) I think he's experienced a bit more 'life' than Ed.

      A vote for Foy Vance

      Delete
  15. Mary,

    Sons of Anarchy is sitting in our watch cue. We've heard that it's a good series, so I'm anxious to get started on it. Ed Sheeran's song is dramatic but his vocals don't do too much for me but I really liked the songwriters version. I like the way Stephen describes him as a white wannabe Motown soul singer. lol Please give my vote to Foy Vance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy!

      The entire series is full of emotion. Some episodes were hard to watch due to the nature of the show, but they are important as they add to the story. I don't know that I've ever had a series stay in my head as long as this one has.

      A Vote for Foy Vance

      Delete
  16. This is a cool idea. I can use this for our upcoming team building activity at work.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think I would choose Ed Sheeran out of the two because his voice is very nice. I always enjoy his songs!

    ReplyDelete

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