|
Pick a Classic, Rank its Covers
This is different than the normal cover thread because you rank and review the covers of a favorite or classic song.
Here's mine to start things off. The Orange Blossom Special started out as a famous passenger train and ended up as an even more famous bluegrass song. Born in an old alcoholic fiddler's bedroom late one night, the song grew into an anthem of bluegrass and showcases what the genre is all about. Many bands throughout the years have covered the song and I want to review some of the more memorable performances and rank them. ORIGINAL Chubby Wise is the fiddler who claims to have created the song but there is a dispute who originally composed the song between Wise and the Rouse brothers. It definitely is very basic and doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it provided that great classic bluegrass foundation for all these other guys to expand on and make their own. 1st Place Johnny Cash always had a bit of a soft spot for the old ramblin' train song, so its only fitting he would do this song justice. Even though this piece is normally performed as an fast paced fiddle instrumental, Johnny Cash changes the rules a little bit and opts for a slower paced melody, sings the old and nearly forgotten lyrics, and uses a harmonica in place of the fiddle. I really think he knocks it out of the park because he gives the song his personality but keeps all the important parts like that you want to hear like the chugging train beat intact. 2nd Place I feel Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs have perfected the classic fiddle instrumental. You wouldn't even think this was the same song as Johnny Cash's version. Its the fastest, most fiery, and most groomed out of the bunch. IT WILL MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN. This band is the most skilled in general and it shows the difference between a bluegrass band playing the song and a country and western band playing the song. The bluegrass guys just know what they are doing. 3rd Place *song coming soon* Bill Monroe. You gotta love this version because it sounds OLD AS THE HILLS. Bill Monroe's got that voice of a feeble 90 year old hillbilly and the bit of banter they do in the middle is priceless. 'Birmingham, the best ham around' har har. :laughing: Its pretty slow and the sizzle and bang just isn't there as much as it is in the others though. 4th Place This is an admirable version by Mickey Gilley's band the one thing it's got that the other's don't is that it ends on a bang where the others just kind of fizzle out. 5th Place Charlie Daniels is claimed to be one of the best fiddle players in existence. But I was dissapointed with his cover. Its was like he was trying too hard. And it was too fucking long. Sorry Charlie. |
For christs sake, don't everybody post at once. :laughing:
I think I'll go back to hiding in my journal now. |
Wow, this is actually one of the better thread topics that's been thrown out there in a while. I'm surprised no one has contributed so far. I'll throw mine down soon.
|
Oh goodness thank you Satchmo this thread definitely could use your emergency CPR. :laughing: I can't wait to see what you come up with.
|
I'm gonna cheat for now and throw down a post from a thread that I started from a journal of mine a while back:
Quote:
|
I don't have a series of covers but this is probably my favorite cover.
Lovefool - The Cardigans The Morning Benders - Lovefool (The Cardigans) |
Wow... this is a really awesome thread. I'll be sure to post in here if I ever come up with an idea. I found both of these posts really interesting.
|
Yes yes yes. Wonderful addition SATCHMO. Just the kind of thing I want this thread to be about.
and Quote:
|
Since SATCHMO can cheat, I'll cheat, too! :p: Here's a post I made in a reggae thread, Flower Child:
I looked up the one reggae-style song for which I actually remember the title: "Red Red Wine." I learned that the original song was written by Neil Diamond! Huh, I thought to myself. Huh. That doesn't sound very promising as a reggae song...and it isn't. The song is more of a ballad and I don't think I missed much by never having heard it before today. The song was then covered by Tony Tribe, a Jamaican rocksteady singer who recorded a reggae-influenced version in 1969. I feel Tribe's version is a little better than the original. Many other people covered this song, too. Finally, in 1983, UB40 created the version that I always liked and that probably most of you have heard. I don't think I heard this song when it came out in 1983 but later in college, so it brings back memories of dorm rooms and drunk people and failed love. As an aside, I really think the UB40 song is pretty and melancholy, but drinking oneself into oblivion to forget someone is not a very productive coping mechanism!! Maybe that's why people like the song: it shows human frailty...and sometimes it is nice to know you aren't the only weak one pining away stupidly for someone. Since I hate wine, I'd probably just use some nice fruit juice...maybe rice drink mixed with coconut-pineapple juice (yum!). Here you can compare the progression of songs, culminating in UB40's performance of "Red Red Wine," which I enjoy the most: ORIGINAL: Neil Diamond - Red Red Wine (written and sung by him) - 3rd place Tony Tribe - Red Red Wine (cover) (1969) - 2nd place UB 40 - Red Red wine (cover) (1983) - my favorite! :) - 1st place!!! |
Okay, since I cheated in my previous post, I will write a whole new one here!
ORIGINAL: "Material Girl" by Madonna - I always liked this song when I was little because she was so brazenly confident about herself and her allure, and I secretly longed to be that popular, even as I pooh-poohed such base desires. Now I like the song because it opposes materialism...but lets you get to enjoy it at the same time! :) Here is Madonna singing "Material Girl" with some friends in 2008: COVER 1st Place: Someone doing a metal version of "Material Girl." I don't know who did the "singing," but I gave this cover my top rank for the humor factor. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't this! I really can't get through this video without laughing, so that biased me in its favor: COVER 2nd Place: Hilarie and Haylie Duff singing "Material Girl." I thought they did a nice job singing the song...it sounds light and airy...and they are just so darn cute! The updated beat modernizes the song nicely for today's teens: COVER 3rd Place: Heller singing "Material Girl." I didn't care for this harder rock version so much, partly because the video made me feel Heller is mostly singing it to look sexy and misses some of the irony of the song. Still, she sings it well...once you get past the beginning car scene and her squeaky voice. |
Down From Dover
written by Dolly Parton in the early 60's (when she ruled the world)...but her producer would not let her record it...saying no radio station would ever play a song like this and it would ruin her career.....she finally recorded it and it was released on her 1970 album 'The Fairest of Them All'.... according to Dolly this is one her most requested songs when performing live....and in my opinion is one of the greatest examples of story telling in song there is Dolly Parton - The Fairest Of Them All - 1970 in 1972 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood got back together and recorded their second duet album 'Nancy & Lee Again'....they recorded the first cover of this amazing song....but adding the male perspective to a horrible situation....Hazelwood's almost gruff and uncaring voice and almost monotone vocal delivery is perfect for a man who abandons his pregnant lover....and Nancy really brings forth the emotional nightmare... especially at the end when she practically breaks into tears...the light almost 'groovy' music i feel just adds to the atmosphere of the song....this version was sampled in 2004 by The Go! Team Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood - Nancy and Lee Again - 1972 in 1993 shock/noise artist Boyd Rice (NON, Wold Pact, Boyd Rice and Friends) and the beautiful Rose McDowall (Strawberry Switchblade, Current 93, Death In June, Sorrow) got together after touring Japan together and decided to create a concept band called 'Spell'...in which they both express...in their own special way...their love for old pop songs....one of the covers they did on their only album 'Season In the suN' was a cover of Nancy and Lee's duet cover of Dolly Parton's heart wrenching song.....this was the first version of this song i had ever heard.....and since Rose's voice already puts me near cloud 9....after paying attention to the lyrics i was really taken back....and thus had to hear the original(s) Spell - Seasons In the suN - 1993 in 2008 60's pop icon Marianne Faithful released a cover album called 'Easy Come, Easy Go'...which contains all kinds of great covers from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to Morrissey to Neko Case...but it opens with a cover of Dolly's 'Down From Dover'....with her somewhat 'weathered' voice...and adding a bit or intensity to the music....this shows the haunting nature of this song....and i think also shows its lasting ability Marianne Faithful - Easy Come Easy Go - 2008 *edit so sorry i forgot to rank them! Dolly Parton takes the cake and is the bees knees Spell comes in second...mainly because i love both Boyd and Rose Nancy & Lee in third just for their matter of fact approach at the subject Marianne Fathful in forth...well because i could only find four covers |
House of the Rising Sun
covers: 1. animals! i honestly believe this performance is the rubric for musical perfection. 2. frijid pink the darker/fuzzier versions of this song are best! 3. leadbelly this one's kinda fun though 4. cat power this one was between cat power/joan baez/nina simone/dolly/dylan but i've got a soft spot for chan plus it's a more interesting version i ****ing love this song |
Dear bob. and crushedblind,
you two were sent from heaven. Wonderful posts. A+ VEGAN, excellent contributions. Even though seeing Hilary and Haylie Duff in a 2nd place position in this thread made my eyes bleed, you're Red Red Wine more than made up for it. :thumb: |
someone should probably rank covers of Helter Skelter. I'll start it by putting Motley Crue at #1. You can continue from there.
|
by the way
Quote:
I don't know why but I just by listening to this song for a long time and not actually seeing the frontman, I had always pictured him to be 7 foot tall, in his 40s, and missing some teeth. I can't believe such power can come from such a pipsqueak. I'm in love with him. Quote:
Quote:
|
that leadbelly version is ****ing amazing!....
and the cat power version was also great.....i have to agree with omitting Dolly....her version is somewhat cheap and way to happy and thank you flower child :) |
Quote:
Yay, this thread is picking up some steam. *ques the Orange Blossom Special* NOBODY DO HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN. I'm doing that next. :D |
"Time After Time" The Original First it was a number 1 hit for Cyndi Lauper, co-written by Lauper and Rob Hyman of The Hooters it has become a multi genre classic. The Best For my money the best version is by Miles Davis from his "Your Under Arrest" album. Second Place "Time After Time" was recorded by Cassandra Wilson for her tribute to Miles album called "Travelling Miles". Third Place One of the most beautiful voices belonged to Eva Cassidy, here she is singing "Time After Time" live. Honorable Mention Honorable mention goes to The Hooters since one of their members co-wrote the song with Cyndi Lauper, her original version I would place in 4th or 5th place. |
Quote:
And they're just so cute! http://www.yenra.com/venus-razor/haylie-hilary-duff.jpg (Now your eyes will REALLY bleed! ;) ) They might have improved their version of the song by growling it...but, oh well, not everyone is a good growler. |
Some Velvet Morning Original version by Lee Hazzlewood and Nancy Sinatra: Haunting and bizarre, almost circus-like. I find that the ending is a bit off, but it's a classic nonetheless. 1. Slowdive This cover captures the essence of the song beautifully. The sound is rich and full and it's all ethereal and never ending just like shoegaze/dream pop should be. 2. Starpower This one gets second place because they didn't get rid of that bloody ending. It was a tough call but I had to do it. The orchestral arrangements on this are spot on and it gets rather chaotic, which is amazing. 3. Primal Scream Completely different approach. Much more hypnotizingly lustful. 4. Beloved Enemy Apparently a German Gothic Metal band. In any case, I wasn't expecting the lad to start singing like that at all, found it a pleasant cover, rather powerful. Let's say these last two are tied. |
I'll do a song that I know has been covered many, many times. I know I know, another post made by me related to Hank Williams, sorry. heh. I kinda obsess over covers of his songs, and this is one of his most covered songs.
Original by Hank Williams This lonesome song basically defines heartbreak and lonesomeness. If you are a Country music fan, you've no doubt heard this song, and this song has been covered by so many and throughout so many genres many many non-country fans have had the chance to hear it. Anyway, this song just captures feelings you've never known were there before. If you're feeling down this song can almost pick you up out of it because you realize you're not nearly as down as ol' Hank seemed to be when he recorded this. First Place cover: By Johnny Cash and Nick Cave I think this version of the song worked it so well because Cash done a very good job at capturing the overall mood of the song. He had that very rough sounding voice in his later years and put such a depressive spin on everything. I suppose he was a fairly depressed man at this particular point in his life though. Also, Nick Cave does a very good job with the backup vocals in my opinion. Second place cover by Dax Riggs Alright, maybe this isn't fair but its too good not to include and honestly what of the best versions of the song I've heard. Its live and the only recording I can find of Dax doing this, sadly. He does a damn good job with this cover and I highly recommend it. Weird and cool versions of this song, By The Residents Well, you can't expect anything but weird out of The Residents, but that's certainly not a bad thing. This is them mixing up a bunch of old Folk songs to make I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry. Wow, this is different but very cool. This has such an eerie atmosphere that its super depressive and once again catches the overall mood of the song. Sorry for the kinda hurried writing guys. I'll write something else for this thread at a later time. |
I Heard It Through the Grapevine This song has quite an interesting early history. It is probably the most famous Motown Records song and most people know it as a Marvin Gaye song (including me before this research). It was written in 1966. by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and was recorded first by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, although went unreleased at the time. The next two versions were both recorded in 1967. a few months apart from each other. Marvin Gaye song was recorded first, but Gladys Knight & the Pips version was released first in 1967. and went to become a big hit. Marvin Gaye's song was added to his 1968 album In the Groove and after its success, 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' was finally released as his single and became an even bigger hit then the Gladys Knight version and one of the biggest Motown hit singles. Now, I won't rank these first three versions, but will rather pick a classic. All three songs are very good for different reasons, be it an r&b cool flow of The Miracles version or Gladys Knight's strong, almost gospel feel, but my favorite is by far Marvin Gaye's song. He added a certain melancholy and sadness that give those lyrics even more layers. His song is undeniably the classic, as it is the version that is covered the most. 5. The Temptations (1969) The Temptations were one of the first acts to record their own version in 1969. after Marvin Gaye made a huge hit out of it. This one is more in that soul line of Gladys Knight & the Pips version and since I like that one a lot more, The Temptations take 5th place. 4. Roger Troutman (1981) Roger Troutman, singer of the funk band Zapp made this extremely catchy, dance version for his solo album The Many Facets of Roger in 1981. This song was a big hit in the 80s and another 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' version that managed to top the charts. And I can just see why :afro: 3. The Slits (1979) Well, everybody on this forum knows The Slits, I hope, a famous female punk/post-punk band. Their highly energetic cover is on the 1979. album Cut and it almost made it to the second place on this list. Actually, I'll consider it a tie with the 2nd place. With heavy bass opening, funky groove and African rhythms it still manages to retain that punk feel, which makes it a great post-punk cover of a soul classic. 2. Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970) This is maybe the most famous 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' cover and the one I heard first, even before Marvin Gaye. That is one of the reasons it's in the second place, as this is the band I used to listen a lot when I was in my classic rock phase. Beside nostalgic reasons, this is a ****ing great song, especially the 11min. album version from Cosmo's Factory (1970) 1. Tuxedomoon (1977 - 1983) This cover appears on the compilation of band's rare songs from 1977 - 1983., Pinheads on the Move (1987). So why is this bizarre, iconoclastic version in the first place? Tuxedomoon took a classic, transformed it and totally made it their own. We can still recognize the song just fine as it retains the same lyrics, although delivered with a lot of humor and hinting on a gay relationship. But beneath this seeming bizarre playfulness there is a constant intense whirlpool of contrasting sounds that give us a feel of madness and desperation that's going on in the mind of a lover when he finds out he's been cheated and is not loved anymore. So, in some strange way this cover actually complement that pain which can be sensed in Marvin Gaye song. And, of course, I'm incurably biased towards Tuxedomoon. |
City of New Orleans
original: covers: perfect. the song is perfect. the atmosphere is perfect. the singularity and the sobriety is perfect. may be the most sincere version of this song i've ever heard. god bless shotgun willie. this is the first version i heard and deep down still probably my favorite. i'm going to be really biased here and not include any other covers---but! a lot of other great artists cover this song so don't let me discourage you from checking their versions out---John Denver, Arlo Guthrie, Jerry Reed---these are songs for the day but the good versions--the johnny cash and the willie nelson versions--are songs for the night. these are the versions you scream out the window on a midnight drive. the voices of the disappearing railroad blues. |
THE ORIGINAL: Divinyls - "I Touch Myself" (1991)
When I first heard this song on the radio, I felt it was very liberating to have a sexuality-drenched song sung by a woman. I also thought to myself, "Ooo! Is it legal to broadcast songs like this?! Is no one listening to the lyrics?!" And then I listened again and again. And again. ;) Apparently, other people *were* listening to the lyrics, because they have made covers. I just realized that today, hence this post. Here is the original by the Divinyls followed by covers that I have ranked in order of my preference: * * * 1st PLACE: Genitorturers - "I Touch Myself" (Cover) (2000) :love: :love: This delicious industrial metal song is much better than the original, in my opinion, because of the Genitorturers' harsher, more powerful sound and the slight change they made in the lyrics to turn the woman from the desperately desiring party into someone who desires but is also the recipient of adoration. This cover is sometimes erroneously thought to be by Jack Off Jill...which is how it came to my attention as I was listening to some of their music. * * * 2nd PLACE: Tiffani Wood - "I Touch Myself" (Cover) (2006) I didn't know what to expect from this cover, and, having been spoiled by Genitorturers, I wasn't expecting to like it, but *gosh darn it*, that Tiffani Wood is so cute and humorous in the role of horny girlfriend chasing after reluctant and rather horrified boy, that I couldn't help but be charmed. I gave the song 2nd PLACE mostly for the boy's expressions...but also for Tiffani Wood because she does have a very nice, strong warm voice, and brings some wholesome girlish fun to a topic often seen as a little lewd: * * * 98th PLACE: Scala & Kolacny Brothers - "I Touch Myself" (Live) (2005) Now this classical choral version of "I Touch Myself" by the Belgian all-girls choir startled me with the creepiness of all these teen girls singing about touching themselves and giving blow jobs (implied by the lyrics) as if this were a simple love song instead of one dripping with lust, while the director encourages the audience to clap along Kumbaya style! * * * 99th PLACE: The Girls of FHM - "I Touch Myself" I almost always loathe this style of dance song with the repetitive pulsing beat that makes we want to slash off wallpaper, and this song was no exception. Ear torture: * * * 99.5th PLACE: Eve6 - "I Touch Myself" For some reason I imagine Muppets are singing this annoying, acoustic guitar version of the song that I find to be completely unerotic...although I couldn't help but notice that the shrieking female audience members didn't seem to share my opinion! :p: * * * Last PLACE: Pink - "I Touch Myself" (Cover) (2009) There must be other covers of the song out there, but without even listening to them I am sure that Pink's is the ABSOLUTE, ROCK-BOTTOM!! Horrifyingly insipid, this song is an insult to the good name of masturbation: |
Have a Cigar, by Pink Floyd
10. Foo Fighters It's not that it's worse than number 9... I just really hate the Foo Fighters. Even when the drummer sings... 9. Felipe Limon - If you want your Have a Cigar with an accent... 8. Out of Phase no Youtube video it seems 7.House of Fools 6. Rosebud This disco one is probably the most different, and is a very fun concept. I just don't like disco that much... 5. Gov't Mule - "That's really cool by the way...Which one's the Mule?" 4. Walter Ego 3. Neal Morse 2. Bobby Kimball of Toto On an unrelated note, excellent music video here. Not too shabby of a cover here at all... 1. Primus Primus' version is my favorite, merely for loving all of Les' Pink Floyd covers. I think he's got a great voice to cover these songs; yes it's different, yes it's still correctly and well done... Especially the instrumentation Honorable remix: Wick-it Dubstep remix |
Ted Nugent's Stanglehold
1. Tool 2. Cross Canadian Ragweed 3. Killdozer |
The Classic: "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James & The Shondells (1968).
I've always liked this song. I was in a mood to listen to it tonight, which caused me to discover that there are two covers. Since there are only two, ranking them will be easy! :) I like the original because of the phaser effect (such as at 2:25) that gives a dreamy feeling to the song. I like the way the song alternates between longing and confidence, sounding first wistful and yearning before becoming more energetic and excited then reverting to yearning again. A sweet, intriguing song: * * * * * * * * * * * * * FIRST PLACE: Joan Jett and The Blackhearts - "Crimson and Clover" (cover) :) She's hot, what can I say. I mostly just spent the video watching her and forgetting about the music. But when I paid more attention to the song, I thought that it's interesting to hear a woman singing it, since the song is about being in love with a woman. I'm glad they didn't change the lyrics to try to make the song hetero. I feel this cover sounds stronger and more seductive than the original...less wistful, more confident and raunchy. It's a very good cover, although I prefer the classic's subtlety and variety of sounds. DEAD LAST PLACE: Prince - "Crimson and Clover" :mad: I don't like this cover at all! I don't like the placid drum beat, I don't like the electric guitar warble that makes it sound Country to me, I don't like the boring electric guitar solos that sound like a zillion other electric guitar solos I've heard. And YIKES! I really don't like Prince's voice in this song! His voice sounds too warbly, whispery, and whiny for my tastes. I view the song as being just a step above elevator music. That's not good, because I really don't like elevator music. Ah well, here is the video below. If you're a knitter, keep the needles farrrrr away from you so that you aren't ovecome by the sudden, desperate urge to jab them into your ears and end your awareness of this song: |
A lot of really good songs and some amusing reviews in this thread. Well done, MBers. :)
Quote:
-------------------- I`d like to share a song that almost everybody knows - an evocation of adolescent romance from a more innocent age, called Do You Wanna Dance In the case of this song, some of the covers are better known than the original, so I`m going to start with them, in reverse order of merit : No.8 By Walter Beasley (1998), who gives it the Kenny G treatment. Not worth posting a link to this ! No.7 By Cliff Richard (1962). A very mundane pop version that doesn`t hold any real interest either. No.6 By Marc Bolan (1975). He gamely rides it out over some hammy background vocals and seems to be treating the song as a joke:- No.5 By The Ramones (1977). They run through this so fast, that the speed is the most exhilarating thing about it. I liked dismissive vocal delivery, but the rather sweet lyrics don`t really match the Ramones` style, or their reputation as punk rockers:- No.4 By Del Shannon(1964). A spirited, sincere-sounding version with a surprising change of register from our man, Del:- No.3 By the Mamas and The Papas (1966). This starts out so well, with an exquisite voice and slow pace that wrings out every drop of sentiment from the lyrics.The voices rise up and cut through a rather saccharine backing of strings, but unfortunately,as the song progresses, the saccharine slowly triumphs :- No.2 By John Lennon (1975). Lots going on musically in this version, which showcases the biting voice of John, who has changed the song into a loping, slow reggae number:- No.1 By The Beach Boys (1965) The song is so appropriate for The Beach Boys, and was such a hit for them, that for years I assumed it was one of Brian Wilson`s own songs. I suspect that after it was released, this was the version that other artists covered, rather than the original. That`s why I`m putting it at number one - and also for the glorious moment at 0:27 when the chorus slams in :- Saving the best for last, here is the original, recorded in 1958 by Bobby Freeman with its brief, but unequalled, guitar break. What`s surprising, though, is that the song`s real hook, the repetition of " Do ya, do ya, do ya...." is only squeezed in at one place, just before the song closes. It`s as if Bobby Freeman didn`t realise the value of the unforgetable gem he had just written :- |
Quote:
* * * Today I heard the song "The Good Life" for the first time while starting to watch the movie "Nothing But Trouble." I felt the song offers wise words about love, relationships, and life choices, so I became curious about it. I looked up the song (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Life_(1962_song) and learned that numerous covers exist. I won't be able to rank all the covers in one sitting, but here's a start: THE ORIGINAL: "La Belle Vie" sung by Sacha Distel and composed by Jack Reardon (1962) A nice, stereotypical, crooning love song...in French! * * * * * COVER #1: "The Good life" by Frank Sinatra (1964) He sings this peppy version very clearly. * * * COVER #2: "The Good Life" by Tony Bennett (1963) Slower and a little schmaltzier, but still nice. * * * COVER #3: "The Good Life" by Ray Charles I had difficulty understanding all his words in this recording, in which he sings the song much faster than the original. This version sounds a little more humorous than the other covers. * * * A surprising number of additional covers (more than twenty) exist. Maybe in time I'll rank a few more besides those I've done. Seeing how many covers of "The Good Life" exist made me wonder which song has been covered the most in all of human history. If the number of covers is a good measure of a song's popularity, then "The Good Life" seems to be an extremely popular song! |
While watching "The Full Monty" yesterday with my parents, I realized during the final scene that I'd heard the song, "You Can Leave Your Hat On," in another movie, "9 1/2 Weeks."
So I became curious about the song...although perhaps that was due to its tendency to be paired with scenes of stripping. I don't know, maybe that has something to do with it. :p: Below is the original, followed by my ranking of its covers: THE ORIGINAL: Randy Newman - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (1972) This song appeared in his album Sail Away. It's a good song. It serves its purpose well. My only real complaint about the original is that it lacks a little pep compared to some of the future covers. * * * * * * * COVER #1: Tom Jones - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (1997) Tom Jones covered the song for the British film "The Full Monty." This cover has a lot more pizzazz and excitement than the original. I like the trumpets! Below is the song used in the cute final scene from the movie, which I feel is sweet because it shows how anyone can be sexy, since sexy is an attitude and not just a look. My favorite scene happens earlier, though, and is when Dave, who feels self-loathing and shame over his weight, doesn't want to strip and asks his wife dejectedly, "Who would want to see this?!" She looks at him and answers, "I would." Awwwww. :love: * * * COVER #2: Joe Cocker - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (1986) Used in the movie "9 1/2 Weeks." Maybe I'm biased by seeing Kim Basinger's playful striptease, but I think the cover is pretty nice. * * * COVER #3 Michael Grimm - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (2010) I didn't expect to like this cover, since I wasn't too impressed by Michael Grimm's style of singing on America's Got Talent, but I admit his voice works well for the song. This was a disappointment, because I liked disliking his music. * * * COVER #4 Ty Herndon - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (1999) I also didn't expect to like this version, since Ty is a country singer. Although I don't prefer his country accent and I feel the song seems a little bland, I still didn't hate the cover. I think that's because I feel the song is simply a good composition: short, sweet, amusing, seductive. Even a country singer couldn't kill off its good qualities entirely. * * * COVER #5 Three Dog Blind - "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (1975) Sounds a little sluggish and I don't care so much for the singer's slurred voice or the organ (of course) in the background. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Yeah, "Three Dog Blind" are pretty good...for a non-existence band. ;) I think I got confused by thinking of three blind mice. * * * * * Today the song "Blue Moon" was going through my head, and I determined to track down the origin of this song. * * * * * THE ORIGINAL: "Blue Moon" Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934; first recorded by Connee Boswell (1935) I learned from Wikipedia that "there is another verse that comes before the usual start of the song. Both Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart used it in their recent versions of the song. The last line of this extra verse is 'Life was a bitter cup for the saddest of all men.' " That line doesn't work so well when the singer is a woman, so that is probably the reason Connee did not sing it. * * * * * I'll post a few covers and rank them. It looks like there are a lot of covers...over 60. I'll have my work cut out for me if I listen to them all! Cover #1: Joe Robinson - "Blue Moon" (instrumental) (2007) When deciding which covers to listen to, I picked Joe Robinson's as one of the first six because I read on Wikipedia that he is a 19 year old Australian virtuoso guitarist. I wanted to hear what a virtuoso guitar player would do with the song. He makes it interesting and I enjoyed his bluesy performance, so currently his cover is in The #1 Spot. You have to get through the little intro before you can see him play: * * * Cover #2 My Morning Jacket - "Blue Moon" (2005) I didn't expect to like this cover after I read that My Morning Jacket is a rock band, but I was curious what they'd do to the song, so I listened. And although I think they got a little too electro-dancy with the beat, I liked the pretty, bell-like electric guitar, one of my favorite sounds to create with an electric guitar. I gave their cover extra points for surprising me with its sound and for making me feel a little wistful, which the other versions don't do. * * * Cover #3: Johnny (Sha Na Na) - "Blue Moon" I was familiar with this version from the movie Grease. I like that the song sounds solid and confident. I had thought it was the original version until I learned better (while creating this post): * * * Cover #4: Greta Keller - "Blue Moon" (1935) A very sweet version, I felt, with pretty, tinkling piano. I liked the depressed lyrics that proceeded the traditional "Blue Moon" song. I hadn't heard those before. * * * Cover #5 Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra - "Blue Moon" Pleasantly jazzy and light * * * Cover #6 Rod Stewart - "Blue Moon" Too gentle and syrupy. Sounds like elevator music or, more specifically, the background music that would be playing in Hobby Lobby. I know that, because I go to Hobby Lobby. They've got some really nice kids' crafts and paint stuff and fabrics. * * * More covers to come...only around (let's see now) 58 - 4 = 54 more. :/ |
Louie Louie. Yes, I know it's been covered by just about anyone with a music career. I'm pretty sure 75% of the members of this board have covered it, even if they don't realize it; much like we were all in King Crimson for some period of time between their first album in 1969 and now. But anyway... so how can I rank THE cover song of all time? By limiting my choices to the versions that came out of the northwest garage rock scene of the early and mid 60's.
The Evolution of Louie The Original: Richard Berry & The Pharaohs The original was recorded in 1957. It had some moderate success on the Billboard charts, but didn't sell as well as Richard Berry and his record company hoped. He sold a portion of the rights to his company for $750 in 1959. The song became a popular song for DJs in the northwest and received more airplay than anywhere else in the country. It took hold of the garage rock scene thanks to... Cover #1: The (Fabulous) Wailers- 1959 Record by the Wailers at Spanish Castle with Rockin' Robin on vocals. I like this version because of the groove it has. It rocks pretty hard for the late 50's as well, and I have always liked that (I always prefer garage rock and proto-punk over punk). Their recording started a contest between Paul Revere & the Raiders and the Kingsmen to record their own versions and see whose would be more popular. Cover #2: Paul Revere & the Raiders- 1963 I really do not like this version at all. This is one of those recordings that tries to straddle the line between mainstream accessibility and a underground sensibility. I think it fails at both. It really feels a cover of the Wailers' cover, rather than the Raiders' take on the Richard Berry original. I do like the sax in this version, however. It was initially more successful that the Kingsmen version in the northeast. Cover #3: The Kingsmen- 1963 This is the version everyone knows. It was recorded in the same studio that the Raiders' used. The Kingsmen's version really a piece of shiitake. The sound quality is amateur at best, singer comes in early and has his drummer do a quick fill to cover the mistake and the drummer also yells out clearly audible 'f*ck!' when he hit his drum sticks together. Did I mention the FBI spent millions of dollars and 31 months trying to find the song's dirty hidden meaning and found absolutely nothing? Yeah. But the song was and is a hit to this day. I like it for the organ being the driving force of the song rather than the sax and because it is the antonym of the Raiders' version. Cover #4: The Sonics- 1965 I love this version and it easily is my favorite. The Sonics take the Kingsmen's 'We don't give a fudge!' attitude and basically record a punk rock song in 1965. The Sonics are easily one of my top 5 all time favorite bands, so I'm not exactly impartial. But, it's hard to argue with the crunch and buzz of this version. I think this one even stands up to the versions done by Motorhead and Black Flag. |
^ I was surprised to learn that the Kingsmen, who sing the best-known version of "Louie Louie," were this straight-laced looking band of white boys. I wouldn't have guessed that from listening to their song:
The Kingsmen - "Louie Louie" I prefer their version, but I'd say second-best is the cover by Paul Revere and the Raiders, who still sounded a little indignant in 1986 that their 1963 cover of "Louis Louis" got beat out by the Kingsmen's. Hey, at least they were still performing it more than 20 years later! Paul Revere and the Raiders - "Louie Louie" (performing in 1986) * * * Now on to my current song obsession: THE ORIGINAL: "Goodbye To You" by Scandal (Patty Smyth) A great song, Scandal's "Goodbye to You" has a driving beat that makes you want to dance, and excellent, sassy, emotional vocals by Patty Smyth, who sings them with attitude and strength. No cover comes close. Scandal;Patty Smyth - Goodbye To You - YouTube 1st Place Cover: Alvin and the Chipmunks - "Goodbye To You" It's memorable. I'll give it that. I don't like it, but I'll remember it: 2nd Place Cover: The Veronicas -- "Goodbye to You" The Veronicas do a fine job, I suppose, but this dance-pop version just doesn't catch my interest like the original. I think it sounds too pretty and over-worked with all its sweet duets and instrumental fireworks. Sounds like a Disney channel song: 3rd Place Cover: Allison Smith - Kate and Allie - "Goodbye To You" A fairly insipid, pleasant cover, it tries to match the original but lacks its pep and punch: |
A guy playing around on his guitar for his own amusement is nothing out of the ordinary, but one London evening in 1966, that strumming would end up reverberating for decades:
Quote:
This is Donovan, years later, talking about his song: Quote:
And the same year as Donovan's bust I enter the story myself: a schoolboy watching tv one evening as Julie Driscoll wove her extraordinary magic. Brian Auger takes the song for a leisurely excursion, but it's JD’s captivating voice and performance that stays in the mind: Next up, chronologically, is probably best known cover of SotW, on the 1968 Super Session album. The highlights for me are the organ/guitar jams that punctuate this version. As the song develops, a horn section comes in with some great touches too. For me, as for many I imagine, this version is the yardstick against which subsequent covers must be measured: And subsequent versions there are in abundance - here's a list which should explain why I'm not reviewing them all: Spoiler for List of versions:
Just a couple of versions I'd like to mention quickly: > Vanilla Fudge start out well enough, but when a solumn voice intones, “ And here we sit immersed in a liquid sea of love…” I was too embarrassed to continue. > Dr. John’s version was disappointing; just the usual Dr.J treatment. > Richard Thompson plays very well on a track made for a tv series. > “Boneyard Ghoul of Blues” aka Alan Pizarelli creates a spooky atmosphere, stopping just short of parody:- ..... So why is SotW such a popular song among musicians? Well, we have actual musicians on MB who are invited to answer that question with more authority than me, but I did find this out: i) Jimmy Page played the guitar on Donovan’s original, which is presumably why Led Zep regularly used it as their sound check/ warm up song when they were touring. That’s got to be pretty good publicity for a song. ii)According to Mojo magazine: “ This song is ideal for long jams. The two main chords (A and D) are played during the verses, and during the chorus there are three chords (A, D and E).” iii) Donovan again: "Season of the Witch continues to be a perennial influence because it allows a jam – not a 12-bar or Latin groove, but a very modern jam... it makes me very proud that I've created certain forms that other bands can get off on, to explore, be experimental, or just break the rules." |
^ Grading the versions of this song is pretty simple. Modestly-issued as a B-side, the original from Them was outstripped by the leering sexual version from Jim Morrison [Lisna Discretion advised with the lyrics, ok?]:- In the past a female singer's version of a male-point-of-view song often sounded a little false, regardless of how carefully the pronouns were swapped from "her" to "him". In a surprise development, Pattie Smith completely side-stepped that awkwardness; she took on the Morrisons- Van and Jim- and outdid them both by turning Gloria into a proud declaration of lesbian lust:- Plus, Pattie Smith's lyrics are gloriaous (geddit?) :- Spoiler for Pattie's Gloria:
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:11 AM. |
© 2003-2025 Advameg, Inc.