I was just finding my own musical tastes when Guns N’ Roses released Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II on the same day. The albums had the same cover artwork with different color schemes – yellow and blue respectively.
One of the things that fascinated me about the albums was both albums containing a version of the song called “Don’t Cry.” While the lyrics were similar, there was enough variation in the verses that they are truly different songs. In fact, the version on Use Your Illusion II includes the notation (Alternative Lyrics) in the track listing.
On a more mundane level, the alternate version is pretty much standard practice in the different jobs I’ve made my living through over the years. In design work, it is common for multiple versions to be developed for the same project to give the client some options. For writers, especially in the fiction realm, there are often multiple versions of the plot and details that exist throughout the editing process. Sometimes, an author will even jump to the alternate version of a successful series in order to explore the different aspects.
For the youth in our care, finding the alternate version is important for their future. By the time they arrive on our campus or in one of our foster homes, the child has a vision of their future that can feel like it is set in stone. Many times, that vision is a simple extension of the hardships, traumas, and struggles they experienced to bring them into our continuum of care.
Our team is committed to helping the youth find their own future alternate version – the version where they succeed over the obstacles. The version where they can fulfill their potential, find success, and make a difference in the world.
Melissa Hopkins is the Public Relations and Marketing Specialist for Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina.
