And here it is.
BEST OR WORST COVER VERSIONS OF POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK/COUNTRY SONGS YOU REALLY REALLY LOVE!!!
And my totally Top of My Head Top 10 is...
10. Loudon Wainwright III -- Daughter
I first heard this on the soundtrack to Knocked Up, a film I don't dislike as much as a lot of people. In any event, I was instantly taken with it, despite the fact I had no idea that it was written and first recorded by the estimable Peter Blegvad.
9. Any Trouble -- Dimming of the Day
An utterly gorgeous Richard Thompson song, and one of the rare covers of his stuff that -- IMHO -- surpasses the original.
8. The Floor Models -- 5D
Our Celtic remake of the great psychedelic Byrds original, and I'm not ashamed to claim that it just might be an improvement over the hit version.
7. The Beatles -- Words of Love
Buddy Holly's original 50s track is, of course, a meisterpiece, but The Beatles remake -- and I think a lot of it is down to George Martin's amazing production -- is clearly an improvement.
6. Linda Ronstadt -- Tumbling Dice
Oh yeah right, Linda. Jeebus H. Christ on a piece of burnt challah toast, but that's awful. Especially considering you're supposed to be a great interpretive artiste.
5. Sandy Denny and Linda Thompson -- When Will I Be Loved
Quite possibly the greatest female pop vocal duet of all time.
4. Mick Jagger and David Bowie -- Dancing in the Street
Quite possibly the worst male pop vocal duet of all time.
3. The Smithereens -- Girl Don't Tell Me
The Beach Boys classic of course, and the 'Reens do it better. Heard it live at a 'Reens gig in the late 70s, and have been forever jealous
2. Miley Cyrus -- Heart of Glass
I generally like Cyrus -- her cover of "Jolene" is absolutely transplendent I think -- but god, the above is just awful.
And the number one cover that improves upon a great song is without question...
1. Ronnie Spector -- Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Posted that yesterday on the sad occasion of her death, but I think it's even more relevant now.
Awrighty then -- what would YOUR choices be?
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
14 comments:
Someone tuned me on to this Mamas & Papas cover last year and it immediately became a favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uI9XFMqVPg
Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend - T-Bone Burnett
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Jackson Cage - John Wesley Harding
Like A Prayer - John Wesley Harding
Oops, I Did It Again - Richard Thompson
Jump - Aztec Camera
Somewhere - Tom Waits
Needles and Pins - The Ramones
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Shake Some Action -- Tommy Keene
Bruce Springsteen -- Who'll Stop the Rain
Steve Earle -- Dead Flowers
Tommy Keene -- Kill Your Sons
Blue Ash -- Dusty Old Fairgrounds
Bill Lloyd -- Step Inside
Cyndi Lauper -- Money Changes Everything
The Yayhoos -- Roam
The Sidewinders -- Solitary Man
Heard it Through the Grapevine..CCR
Twist and Shout, The Beatles. without a doubt.
Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty
Around and Around - the Rolling Stones
Don't Do It - the Band
I Heard that Lonesome Whistle Blow - Little Feat
The Kids are Alright - me
One Way Out - the Allman Brothers Band
All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
I know you don't care for him, but Bryan Ferry's 'Let's Stay Together' and Canned Heat's 'Let's Stick Together' are excellent takes on Wilbert Harrison's self-plagiarizing original(s).
OMG. That's 'Let's Stick Together' and 'Let's Work Together.'
A few of my choices for the "Best":
Red Rockers - Eve Of Destruction
Electric Flag - Killing Floor
The Who - Heat Wave
Linda Ronstadt - Heat Wave (sorry, Steve)
Flamin' Groovies - She Said Yeah
Beatles - Long Tall Sally
Robert Gordon & Link Wray - The Way I Walk
Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars - Milkcow Blues Boogie
Marshall Crenshaw - Right Now (Gene Vincent obscurity)
Marshall Crenshaw - Valerie (Richard Thompson song)
Marshall Crenshaw - Soldier Of Love (Arthur Alexander/Beatles song)
Marshall Crenshaw - S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight) - a "Live" bonus track on Rhino's expanded CD reissue of his first album, cover of Edwin Starr song
A couple more for "best":
Three Dog Night - Eli's Coming
Eagles - Ol' 55 (many fans of Tom Waits, who wrote the song, would disagree but, I'm sorry, I love their version)
Eric Burdon & Animals - River Deep Mountain High
Lots of favorites, too many titles.
I will list one and only one -
Gregg Allman, "These Days" by
Jackson Browne.
'Nough said -
Rob
As for Mssrs. Jagger et Bowie. They are not so much the Righteous Brothers as they are the Ambiguously Gay Duo.
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