Female Touches to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”

Reviewer: Karen M. 

     While streaming through a sea of music submissions late last night I stumbled upon Alice Michel covering Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”  I’m a sucker for most anything Eminem so I selected this link and discovered that Alice is a Parisian singer who, according to the email received, wanted to “highlight the amazing lyrics, get melodic with them but still keep the edge and the rawness of the song.  Also, I think it takes on a different meaning when sung by a woman.” 

     Prior to selecting this link I was contemplating enrolling in an American Zoetrope creative writing course, thinking about Wallace’s poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” and then watched Alice share her self-proclaimed raw version of “Lose Yourself.”  Barefoot in a wrap-dress, surrounded by bookcases stuffed with a variety of books, a pair of red sunglasses next to a framed family photo, architectural details a Paris apartment would seemingly promise, a seated eye-glassed man playing stark accompanying keyboard, I was entranced.  At 2:32 Alice looks straight at the camera saying, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”  Thanks Alice for sharing your profound raw version in such an inspiring way.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceMichelSings
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     Each year, the Austin City Limits Music Festival includes “signers” as an appreciation for attendees who are hearing impaired. In 2014, Shelby Mitchusson, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, submitted the audition video embedded below. She was given the job!