Really? Should Shila Amzah Sound Like Teresa Deng?

Every Chinese person knows who Teresa Deng was. She is the darling of Chinese music even years after her untimely passing.

Teresa Deng was one of a kind. An unique talent that will never be seen again for a long, long time. If ever.

But should those singing her songs sound exactly like her? Are we looking for a clone? Is it even desirable? Would Teresa Deng herself approve?

I understand that people want what they are familiar with. It gives them comfort and a feeling of assurance.

But really, if we can only appreciate a song sung by others when it sounds exactly like the original, then we are better off listening to a record.

No two person's voice will sound exactly alike. It is even undesirable that one should sing like the original singer.

The music world will become the poorer and deprived were it to be so. The beauty is that a song can be sung in so many ways, and a good rendition enriches the music scene.

Teresa's 月亮代表我的心 is the definitive Teresa and I can understand that people are uncomfortable or even upset when it is rendered differently.

Any artist who has any pretensions of conquering the Chinese music world would sooner or later have to contend with his/her version of the Teresa classic .

Many of her fans were upset when they heard Shila's rendition of the song. But I think we need to grow up.

Personally, I think Shila did a wonderful rendition of 月亮代表我的心. It just goes to show her versatility and how good she often is in the rendition of a song

If Shila had sung and sounded more like Teresa Deng, I would have also applauded. But that would have been a waste of talent!

Surely.