James Barker Band: Never Be The Same
As part of its Spotify Single sessions, the gold-selling award-winning Canadian country group takes a song from an unlikely source, pop hitmaker Camila Cabello, and adds its own spin that includes a compelling video.
By Kerry Doole
James Barker Band - “Never Be The Same” (UMC): Pop hitmaker Camila Cabello may seem an unlikely source of a cover song for a top Canadian country act, but, in a smart move, The James Barker Band has done just that.
The group recently tackled Cabello’s massive 2017 hit, “Never Be The Same,” recording the cover at Toronto studio Revolution Recording, the first-ever Spotify Single session to be recorded in Canada and released globally.
A video for the track features World of Dance contestants Luka & Jenalyn, and the well-executed dance moves are integrated with performance footage that offers a nicely-paced depiction of the power of an addictive love affair. Sample lyric: "And I'm a sucker for the way that you move, babe And I could try to run, but it would be useless."
In a label press release, lead singer James Barker explains the band’s connection: “We landed on this song because it is just a plain and simple HIT. The chorus melody just sounds like a smash. That melody would have been a hit no matter the genre or generation; it made our job pretty easy!”
Formed five years ago, The CCMA-winning James Barker Band has earned over 50M streams for its material, including four gold-certified singles.
The group plays Gold Horse Casino in Lloydminster on Jan. 19 and has summer shows lined up.
Links
Publicity: Allison Phillips, UMC
Aya NakamuraMarion Gomez/Billboard France