How Would I Re-Make a Song From Scratch??

I've been looking everywhere but can't seem to find the right answer. Hopefully someone on here can point me in the right direction.

Here's what I want to do:

9MBjP0xw2HM

Notice how he completely re-did the song in his own way? And by song I'm referring to the backing track he's playing over.

What do I need in order to cook up such a thing, and is it even possible without having to record everything yourself? I.E, using EZdrummer for the drums, ect..

I tried downloading midi files of the songs and editing them in Garageband, but they sound pretty trashy. And a lot of the midi files have mistakes/tempo issues. Not looking forward to meticulously going through them for fixes either.

Currently I have Garageband, Reaper, Cubase LE5, and a Casio keyboard from 1983 I'm using as a MIDI interface. What else do I need? I would use instrumental tracks that are readily downloadable, but that would bring up copyright issues I don't want to deal with.

Thanks for helping a newbie out.

You might investigate whether Band in a Box would suit your needs.

I concur with the man of wood.

That MattRah guy is pretty cool!

I concur with the man of wood.

The man of wood... priceless!

- Jagg

How would the use of downloadable instrumental tracks bring up copyright issues that aren't brought up by recreating copyrighted material in the first place? Regardless of where the tracks come from - downloaded content, your fingers/head, or canned "band-in-a-box" tracks - the original material is still copyrighted and is due licensing fees if you are doing this for any kind of release. If you have no plans to release your finished product, then who cares where the tracks come from...