There are a lot of times where I'll hear a song — often far outside of the "guy with a guitar" genre — and just know that I have a "way in": that I can do a cover version in "my style" (whatever that is). But even more often, even a fairly straightforward song seems out of reach.
"There is no try; only do." — Yoda
What I've found is that so much is possible if we just forget what is "impossible" and do it.
Last night I recorded a medley. It happened almost my accident, since what I really wanted to do was record a cover of a favourite song for someone. But in the process of learning it, I discovered that it was — that I was — really, really close to three other songs.
Two were kind of an afterthought — a lark. It was just fun to put them in there. But the third is a favourite song that someone else introduced me to a long time ago, which I thought I could never do. The original involves several electric guitar parts, prominent bass, and some interesting vocal progression.
But I did it. It wasn't perfect, but I can forgive a lot to get a solid, 10 minute take involving four separate songs. I guess the reason this is interfering to me is the before, I wasn't sure I could even do ONE of them. But that's the one which I was most able to embrace in the end. Maybe it's because I've had that song in my brain for so many years. But I think it has more to do with the fact that I finally forgot that I couldn't do it, and just went for it because I was inspired.
It's actually one of my poorest recorded performances, but it means a lot to me and I'm really proud that I've "done the impossible". :)