Friday, December 22, 2023

La Fin De La Semaine Essay Question: Special Hardcore Pre-Xmas Edition

From 1988, please enjoy So-Cal political roots-punkers Social Distortion and their absolutely brilliant re-imagining of The Rolling Stones' "Backstreet Girl."

The above just slays me, frankly; I mean, in a million years, I would never have thought to transform the Stones' original gently ironic chamber ballad (it fatures a lead French cabaret accordion, fer crissakes!) into a raging guitar rocker, but hey -- Mike Ness and company did, and god bless 'em.

But in the meantime, now to business. To wit:

...and your favorite (or least favorite) cover of a Rolling Stones song by a solo artist or group is...?

Self- explanatory, so no arbitrary rules of any kind.

Please, discuss.

And have a great weekend everybody!!!

Also -- sleep well in the knowledge that next Monday, i.e. Christmas, you will wake to the return of a beloved PowerPop tradition, which -- as always -- will be there to add some joy to your otherwise parched and pathetic lives.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fave? Ruby Tuesday by Melanie. Hard to believe it's by the same woman who sang Brand New Key (shudder).

edward said...

Heh, Melanie was the first to come to mind, too, because I knew it would make Steve cringe.

Paint It Black by the Mo-dettes would be my real favorite.

MJConroy said...

I really like this one:
JOHNNY WINTER - Jumpin' Jack Flash (1974 UK TV Appearance):
https://youtu.be/wQPlU5q1CBI?si=yX7bZZIn3LXPW-eD

John K said...

Out Of Time. Elvis Costello & The Imposters from " The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook."

Dave said...

Gee, Can't believe that I'm the first to mention David Bowie's "Let's Spend The Night Together"!

Anonymous said...

Start Me Up covered by Toots and the Maytals is a contender.

steve simels said...

Ooh -- gotta go hear that Costello cover. "Out of Time" is one of my all time favorite Stones songs and I betch he sings the pants off of it.

The Kenosha Kid said...

Favorite? maybe Tumbling Dice by Linda Ronstadt
Least favorite? Let's Spend the Night Together by Jerry Garcia

(and if you're a fan of awful covers, may I recommend Sunshine of Your Love by Ella Fitzgerald?)

Sal Nunziato said...

Johnny Adams- Salt Of The Earth, which I think is actually better!

J. Loslo said...

No Expectations, by Odetta.

cthulhu said...

Johnny Winter’s blazing guitar-rock cover of Let It Bleed is killer.

Devo’s cover of Satisfaction…I love it and hate it simultaneously. I was a teenager watching SNL when they performed it; certainly one of the most, well, creative covers of the song. I have a soft spot for the Troggs’ version too.

Anonymous said...

Ramblin’ Jack Elliot’s version of Connection is wonderful.

- Paul in DK

Anonymous said...

Devo's Satisfaction--weird (and funky!) in all the right ways. I saw Warren Zevon on a solo tour play Before They Make Me Run. It was the perfect match of performer and song.

Bill

BG said...

What, no love for Otis Redding's "Satisfaction"?

And how about Bette Midler's "Beast of Burden"?

Love them both.

Alzo said...

'Honky Tonk Woman' is the greatest single ever, so any cover is welcome (except the one performed by geese). I'm fond of Pascal Comelade's version played on toy instruments.
Dave is right. Bowie's take of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' is the origin of the term 'cringey.'

Anonymous said...

Gone & Passed By - The Chocolate Watch Band.

Listen to it, more Stones than many Stones tracks from the 65-66 era.

Captain Al

Anonymous said...

Come's version of I Got The Blues takes a stone (sorry...) classic and amps up the midnight somber gloom to epic proportions.
Knaughty Knights make Connection into the garage rumble the Stones could only stab at.
C in California

Anonymous said...

Alright, I'll play it straight this time:

Carla Olson (w/ Mick Taylor)

Winter (or Sway or Silver Train)!


Captain Al

edward said...

Since Alzo brought it up, The Pogues cover of Honky Tonk Women is everything you'd hope it would be.

Alzo said...

Yes, edward, the Pogues version is terrific... and so is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1kIqKA1SOg

ChrisE said...

Really like: Gabor Szabo's instrumental version of "Paint It Black" (from Gabor's album JAZZ RAGA).

Marc said...

Does the Flying Burrito Brothers' version of Wild Horses count as a cover? I mean, it was released before the Stones' version. Anyway, that's probably my favorite.

Marc

getawaygoober said...

Nanci Griffith - No Expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Bl1hcWsmk