Who Sang It Better?: The Forgotten Edition

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

Time for the second edition of "Who Sang It Better?"! I was looking at the nominees for the Best Vocal Performane in the Omona They Didn't! Awards (don't forget to vote!), and noticed a cover I knew had been done before, so I wondered, who sang it better...? Remember, judging can be done more than just vocals: stage presence, singing style, emotion, stage clothes, etc. all count! Share how you decided in the comments :)!

The Song: "Forgotten Season" by Lee Yong

The Covers:

Jaejoong's Version

Sandeul's Version

[Poll #1887210]

sources: carmelrocks @ Youtube and 1SteillallietS1 @ Youtube

EDIT:

Someone in the comments mentioned they were interested in seeing a performance of the original, if I could find it. This song was actually released in 1982! Check out the Youtube video under the cut to see Lee Yong singing.

source: 31carpediem @ Youtube

Even though Jaejoong and Sandeul are both fantastic singers, I think my vote goes toward Sandeul. It's not that you have to belt out notes to win in my opinion, but something about the way he brought the song to calm low and then up to a huge high was really impressive.

Comments

[oliwon.livejournal.com]

Sandeul's ver gave me goosebumps ..
the song fitted his rock-ish voice more ..
JJ sang it well, too.
but I choose sandeul's ver. :)

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

It gave me goosebumps too!

[shuumi-miss.livejournal.com]

My vote goes for Jaejoong.

From my point of view, Sandeul was too tense and his voice broke in a few parts while trying to reach the higher notes, beaking the emotion of the song for me. On the other hand, Jaejoong was relaxed and his version sounded more soft and the song flowed better. The background music of Sandeul's version sounded way better than Jaejoong's, though.

[edanz-castle.livejournal.com]

Sandeul gave me goosebumps!!! I liked Jaejoong's version but Sanduel's voice is just incredible. His stage presence was shaky at first but he did well as he went in. You can tell he seemed nervous but it was great.

[ghina93.livejournal.com]

Sandeul had a better setting and I feel like he's more focused on the song. Whereas jaejoong was surrounded by all those screaming and if I recall correctly, he was sick at the time :/

Between these two performances, I'd pick Sandeul! But really, I don't think Jaejoong was at his best for this song.

[soft-daisy.livejournal.com]

Jaejoong sang it better.

Before I say anything about Jaejoong's version, Sandeul sung the song very well. I personally enjoy listening to his kind of voice a lot.

However, just based on the lyrics/emotions of the songs, it's pretty clear that Jaejoong understands the song a lot better than Sandeul and is able to emote better. (Was that Hwayobi? I think her expressions were the redeeming factor in Sandeul's song tbh lol)

It's probably hard to compare for people who don't like and/or listen to Jaejoong sing a lot, but it was obvious halfway through the song that Jaejoong was sick and then his singing just continued to weaken from there. Not to mention that the background to Sandeul's song was more smoothing, the video is better quality and there are no fans screaming in the background. So that was too bad that we couldn't hear both at their best.

If I wanted to just listen to the song as a ballad-lover without knowing what it meant, I could see myself potentially choose Sandeul's version, but if I knew what the song meant and actually wanted to feel the emotions, definitely Jaejoong's version.

Btw, if we compare stage and mood created by the background/props, Jaejoong's is better but because of the LQ video, the two videos/stage visuals are about tied, so I didn't really factor this into my decision.

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

I actually had forgotten Jaejoong was sick when he sang this! Just goes to show even sick, he sounds really good haha.

Good points about how well each singer seemed to understand the real emotions of the song though. I agree that Jaejoong seemed to understand them better.

Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[ceecile.livejournal.com]

When asked this, “How do you feel when you hear the young people’s REMAKE of your song?” kind of question, Lee Yong replied, “The song “Forgotten Season” has been sung by more than 50 singers.” Lee Yong said, “Even many of my senior singers have sung this song.”
Lee Yong added, “Among all my junior singers who sang this song, TVXQ’s Hero Jaejoong’s REMAKE is the best, the changes sung the best.”

“From 30 years ago, many juniors have been continuing to remake that song, about 50 people. You can see many well-singing singers challenge it but it’s really hard to sing.” And he praised, “Kim Jaejoong and Seo Youngeun have very well remade the original song. Because they gave it right feelings, they sang it well.” “I don’t know how they could sing with that feeling. I think they sang it better than me.

Re: Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

I remember reading this when he first performed the song :). It's hard to disagree with the original artist haha.

Re: Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[ceecile.livejournal.com]

I think this is from 2011 but yeah. I love when Jaejoong actually gets into the song because sometimes he looks like a robot singing lol.

Re: Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

loooool i agree with the robot thing. it's like this weird blank stare.

Re: Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[ceecile.livejournal.com]

And unfocused eye too! Like randomly looking everywhere.

Re: Lee Yong said this about Jaejoong's cover

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

ahahahaha Jaejoong is such a weirdo sometimes.

[erisinia.livejournal.com]

they are both gorgeous!

Jaejoong has a more interesting voice, with more color; Sandeul's is amazing but it's a little generic, I guess, in it's tone? I love the clarity of his voice though.

I think I have to give it to Sandeul. I am biased, but I also love the background and arrangement, and even though his voice cracked...I think it actually added to the overall effect. He was trembling after it broke, but he pulled through and gained confidence as it went on, adding to the effect of it building...omg, he OWNED me by the end.


OP, thanks for the post! I do think that if it can be found it would be great to add the original though. ^^

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

I actually did see a youtube video of the original aritist singing it! It's from 1982! I will edit it in incase other people are interested.

[istalkalert.livejournal.com]

Jaejoong all the way.

Dang, Sanduel's voice cracked. But I really do like the instrumental better for his version.

[sky-fish7.livejournal.com]

My vote for Sandeul - I love this performance and I love his voice! He's putting so much feeling into this performance this one little crack of his voice can really be ignored XD Happens to the best and he definitely is one of the best Korean singers for me nowadays. I also like the setting more and the intstrumental. So for me it's clear =) (I also have to admit that I don't like Jaejoongs voice that much =/ )

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

I agree. One crack in your voice doesn't ruin the whole performance when other parts make up for it!

[sky-fish7.livejournal.com]

Definitely! =) I'm happy you share my opinion!

[aneeleniffum.livejournal.com]

This is totally my unbiased side talking because I love both Jaejoong and Sandeul but man, Sandeul lacked Jaejoong's emotions. The moment Jaejoong sang it, you can totally feel his pain despite the fact that I do not understand what's he singing about. My take on Sandeul's performance: Even though his voice cracked, it was still powerful but it was... bland.

I'm imagining Jaejoong singing on the same stage and I get goosebumps just by that only.

So, Jaejoong has my vote :)

[aneeleniffum.livejournal.com]

And I think it's best to listen to the album version of Jaejoong's version because it's just so damn good

[angela-derp-otp.livejournal.com]

Forgotten season lyrics are very emotional imo, and I think Jaejoong did a good job imprinting the emotions in the song.

[kamakazza.livejournal.com]

I picked Jaejoong, he just had more emotion when he was singing and he really got my heart when he sang it. Also the fact that I have the Mirotic album and he sounds the same live as he does in the album, he is amazing.

[wtshibal.livejournal.com]

i picked both
i've heard jaejoong sing it before many times but i rewatched it again after i watched sandeul's
i def like the instrumental background sandeul had more
and even tho he cracked he made up for it in the end, i was pretty impressed.. im slowly learning that b1a4 is pretty good vocally
but ia jaejoong definitely had a lot more emotion in it, felt like he really meant and understood the lyrics
even if he doesn't have a dramatic climax at the end like sandeul's he still manages to stop my breath ..

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

never put JJ in a poll.. Never.. LOL

But anyway, I love JJ voice and despite the lousy sound system he still sound great

[bubblyshades.livejournal.com]

Sandeul's performance gave me goosebumps. This is just my personal preference speaking, because I'm not too fond of Jaejoong's voice, even though I recognize that he's a good singer.

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

I got goosebumps from Sandeul's performance too~

[palebluedot09.livejournal.com]

I get goosebumps from Sandeul's performance too.

[iylover.livejournal.com]

That video of Jae singing this was not the best version in my opinion, but I've always loved this song by Jae. I used to fall asleep to it.

Sandeul, I love you too, but just not as much as Jae's voice.

[lucyownsjoaquin.livejournal.com]

i'll pick sandeul, but 4men's yong jae performance on is2 was top notch regardless of the cracks in his voice.

[weirdw0rld.livejournal.com]

Both are great! but I love Sandeul's ver. more <3

[lonelymoon.livejournal.com]

I have to say Sandeul once he picked up the pace in the middle of the song. The beginning was weak, tentative, and shaky.

[11th-dance.livejournal.com]

jaejoong. the emotions were very strong and just ; ;

[hitsujiga.livejournal.com]

i am biased but i admit deullie had a weak start and a crack in his voice... i don't think he lacked emotion compared to jj though. he just expressed it differently...and tbh i still get goosebumps listening to his version.
maybe i don't like jj's voice that much and maybe sandeul is still not good in all vocal ranges he sings (it seems more like screaming in some parts) but to me jj's version sounds really boring. there is emotion but idk..it lacks highs and lows.

omona's bias is obvious but i vote deullie <3