Do Pronouns in Song Lyrics Matter?

This topic was inspired by...well I don't actually remember, i just remember listening to a cover song on YouTube and in the comments people were talking about the lyrics being changed from 'him' to 'her' or maybe it was the other way around? I really don't remember. Point is, people felt in unnecessary for a cover to have to change the use of a pronoun in a love song because it's 2015, a man is allowed to sing about a man and a woman about a woman. Which on one hand they are right, there is nothing wrong with that but just because they don't have to change the lyrics doesn't mean they can't. In my opinion the whole point of doing a cover of a song is the same as remaking a movie, to show things from a different perspective or a different style. Even if the lyrics are the same, a ballad being sung by a man has different connotations than being sung by a woman, and the same can be said for the sexuality of the singer or the character in the narrative of the song. That's not me saying that it's a bad thing, but implications and listener's opinions can change all because of a pronoun. Some might think it rather sweet that a man is singing about a man and their opinion on the song may be improved by it, while someone else who may still like the song might subconsciously find it a bit more divisive. A lot of people like to put themselves in the shoes of the singer and imagine the song is either being sung by them or about them and there is a lot that can effect that outcome. Hence why covers exist, so if someone doesn't connect with a song originally, hearing it from a different singer and a different perspective might be closer to them personally and thus will connect with it more. They would also (for the better covers) change the instrumentals around a bit, so why not change some of the lyrics at the same time.

Again, if someone's opinion on a cover is changed for better or worse based on a pronoun it will most likely be very miniscule and if they dislike it, chances are they'll get over it eventually and just appreciate the song for what it is. But to answer the question on whether or not pronouns in songs matter...well yeah, a little bit at least. Admittedly it is all subjective and some people might not give a crap about the lyrics at all, but i'm willing to bet most people's enjoyment of a song, for better or worse will be effected by it.

-Danny