A Review of Swiss Pleasure: Their Cover of 'It's My Party' Hits You Where It Hurts…
I was curious the moment I heard Swiss Pleasure had covered 'It's My Party', and a little apprehensive of its impact on me too.
This is a pop classic, still universal in its melody and arrangement, so there is not much room to improve on it. What the Berlin trio have done is something different: they have taken the song somewhere darker and more honest.
"We began working on a cover of 'It's My Party' in 2024, wanting to reveal the bittersweet emotions beneath its glossy pop sound and cheerful surface," the band explain.
"Our arrangement and interpretation are more melancholic and raw than the original, allowing some of the song's underlying rage to emerge, an expression that was likely not considered acceptable for women in Lesley Gore's era. Lesley Gore was also a queer icon whose openness and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights continue to inspire us."
Their version is more melancholic and raw, and the anger that was always lurking behind the cheerful surface is allowed out. Having read the band's explanation, it makes sense. They point out that this kind of emotion was likely not seen as acceptable for women in Lesley Gore's time, and they cite Gore's openness and LGBTQ+ advocacy as a continuing inspiration.
It is a thoughtful cover from a band with a clear point of view, and a good taste of what their next run of songs could hold. If you are a fan of Daughter or Ulrika Spacek, give it a spin.
Comments