Weekend Listomania: Special "Cover Me, Baby!” Edition

So anyway, good friend of PowerPop (and moi) Sal Nunziato ran something like this over at his invaluable Burning Wood blog the other day, and I thought I would steal the concept with some slight tweaking.

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!!!