Battle of the Songs: Three Ways to Sing “Do You Want?”

Welcome to another edition of Battle of the Songs. For this edition, I was debating to do one or two topics: either about Eurovision or Japanese songs. It looks like that this week is about Japanese songs as you can see Sunday’s and Monday’s post were both about Japanese songs. But, I am going to save the Japanese songs battles for May as it will be the first month of the new era in the Japanese calendar.

So for this battle, I want to do a song that was performed by past Eurovision winner as you know Eurovision is next month! )If you haven’t read my series about this year’s entries, you can find in these parts: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, and Part VI.) The song itself was never presented at Eurovision, but the group has. And, everybody knows this group as they are world famous. There have been a musical and two films that featured their songs.

Which group am I talking about?

ABBA!

I was inspired for this battle from a Spotify playlist called Discovery Weekly. This playlist is a personally crafted one as Spotify will find songs you probably have never heard before that are related to your playlist. One of the artists in today’s Battle of the Songs was featured in this playlist last week.

If I am not going to talk about “Waterloo”, what song am I going to talk about?

The answer is the 1979 song “Voulez-Vous”;

It’s not my number one favorite ABBA song (that honors goes to “Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)”), but it is a catchy song.

⚠️ ABBA is NOT for voting. It is only a reference! DON’T NOT VOTE FOR ABBA. ⚠️

There are three contenders in today’s battle that presents the song in a new flavor. Enjoy listening and let me know which one is your favorite!

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Nils Landgren – “Voulez-Vous”

This was the cover that popped onto my Discover Weekly playlist. I never heard of Nils Landgren until last week. What I have gathered is that Nils is a Swedish R&B, funk, and soul musician who mainly plays the trombone. He got his start in the early 1980s and has recorded lots of songs with famous musicians all over the world.

His cover of “Voulez-Vous” appeared on the 2004 album Funky Abba. I like his version because it’s slick, smooth, and so cool. He presents “Voulez-Vous” in a new light that if I didn’t know the original version beforehand, I would think that “Voulez-Vous” was originally an R&B song. Another reason why I like Nils’ version is that it reminds me of contemporary smooth jazz. Both smooth jazz and “Voulez-Vous” feels relaxed, has a sense of funk, and makes you feel good.

How about you? How does Nils Landgren’s “Voulez-Vous” make you feel?

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Erasure – “Voulez-Vous”

I’m a child of the 90s, but I know little about Erasure. Though I was a tiny tot when they were famous, my parents never listened to any songs from this duo when I was growing up. I think my mom and dad don’t like dance music (especially anything from the techno and electronica genres) that much. They lime music that was popular in the 70s and 80s like new wave, R&B (like the Jackson Five), and rock and roll. I probably have heard of one Erasure song, but only in passing.

It was when I was looking for other covers I encountered Erasure’s version. At first, I thought the cover was weird as a 90s’ electronica dance tune with that high pitched synthesized melody zooming in and out throughout the tune. But, the more and more I listen to it, I quite enjoy it. Also, singer Andy Bell’s vocals fit nicely with this version and make it enjoyable.

Does this version makes you want to get up and dance?

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Dạ Nhật Yến – “Voulez-Vous” (feat. Chosen One)

The last entry in this battle is from the Vietnamese American singer Dạ Nhật Yến (also known as Yenn). Yến has been active since 2006 when her first album was released. The singer released many DVDs and has appeared in various festivals and TV shows in Vietnam and in the US.

Out of the three contenders, Dạ Nhật Yến’s cover of “Voulez-Vous” is most like the original, The only difference is the tune has been modernized with a Bollywood flair, features an electric guitar and an electronic synthesizer, and features a rap section in the bridge. It isn’t a bad cover as Yến’s vocals are good, and the new rap section fits with the song pretty well.

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What Will It Be?

Now it is your turn to vote! Who will be the victor of the first-ever “Battle of the Songs”? Tell me in the comments below! Also, tell me why you choose a particular version! I can’t wait to hear what you guys think!

I am also part of The “Battle of the Bands” blog collection. After you vote, please visit the other battles from this blogger circle. There are really exciting battles!

🌞 Visit TOSSING IT OUT by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit MIKE’S RAMBLINGS’by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CURIOUS AS A CATHY by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING by clicking HERE
🌞 Visit JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit ANGELS BARK by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE DOGLADY’S DEN by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE by clicking HERE. 
🌞 Visit STMoC PRESENTS BATTLE OF THE BANDS by clicking HERE.

Remember….

⚠️ ABBA is NOT for voting. It is only a reference! DON’T NOT VOTE FOR ABBA. ⚠️

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