Tune du Jour: “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Leningrad Cowboys vs. Indigo Girls vs. U2 and Pearl Jam
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The Original
Neil Young:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
The Leningrad Cowboys vs. Indigo Girls vs. U2 and Pearl Jam
The Leningrad Cowboys:
Indigo Girls:
U2 and Pearl Jam:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
I mentioned in my comments for ABBA’s Dancing Queen that some songs are just so well-written and inherently fine that almost any cover version can sound good. Dancing Queen is not one of those songs, but Rockin’ in the Free World certainly is. And all three versions here are pretty darn good.
I certainly didn’t expect a rocking, kick-ass version by the Indigo Girls, but they fooled me, and gave a great performance.
I’m a big fan of both U2 and Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam loves doing cover versions, and Eddie Vedder is a major Neil fan, and PJ collaborated with Neil on Neil’s album Mirror Ball. They do a good version here, but not as good as I was expecting, to be honest. I think they were resting a little on their laurels here. I do like the part where Eddie hits the tambourine on his head, and his head goes through it.
I’m giving this one to The Leningrad Cowboys. Never heard of them before, but this is a high-energy, crankin’ version. I like how they got the crowd singing along at the end. Great version. And those shoes! I gotta get me a pair of those.
Arnie, you shocked me by not voting for U2 and Eddie Vedder. Had you squarely in mind when I put this blog together. Can’t argue with your choice of The Leningrad Cowboys though. Came very, very close to voting for them myself.
Well Neil certainly created an anthem on this one!
Three fantastic versions. Would have loved to have been at any one of these concerts.
The Leningrad Cowboys … What a spectacle!. The singer’s kickass ‘do and elven shoes are worth the price of admission.
Never knew the Indigo Girls could rock out like this. Major kudos to my hometown band.
U2 and Pearl Jam! What could you say? Love the vocal exchanges between Bono and Vedder. And they are clearly having so much fun with it.
What a ridiculously hard choice. As I listened to each one I thought sure they would win my vote. Had my finger on The Leningrad Cowboys’ button but at the last minute caved-in to the duo mega-bands U2 and Pearl Jam.
Of the three live covers the U2 and Pearl Jam collaboration felt underwhelming to me. Technically solid, but I’m just not a fan of either band. The Indigo Girls, on the other hand, brought a raw sincerity and urgency to their version that stood out, their harmonies aligned well with the song’s protest roots. But style points have to undeniably go to the Leningrad Cowboys, who turned the track into a spectacle. Wild, irreverent, and unforgettable. Even though it absolutely borders on parody, they fully commit, and in doing so, give the song a whole new kind of punch. I will be checking out more of their music and hope to have the opportunity to see them perform live one day.
Richie, I can’t remember (old brain) did we see Neil live on this tour or was it the Trans tour?
I’ve seen Neil so many times that I honestly don’t remember.
Never heard of Leningrad Cowboys, but quite the stage show! A lot goin’ on there.
Indigo Girls are always good, but I’d never heard them rock so hard.
Voted for the U2 and Pearl Jam collaboration, helped along by the video.
Everyone acquitted themselves well me thinks. Indigo Girls brought a band with some chops to add to their impassioned vocals. Leningrad Cowboys who were actually from Finland were a circus of strange and lots of fun. I need those shoes. Cherry-topped dancers? Yes, please. The hair, the colors, the Women’s Navy Choir? I see Kerry reaching for the Gimmickry button. I almost voted for them but changed to what I would have assumed I wouldn’t like. I think the guest Pearls brought out the best in U2. Although you could tell how unscripted it was, the still played the so g the best. Henry Rollins once said that U2 had the most plodding and corny rhythm section to ever fill a stadium. The weren’t exposed here but then this song is so simple that even Crazy Horse can play it.
Yer just gonna have to count my voice twice, as The Missus wandered by whilst I was basking in the pulsating opulence of stilted Russkies, Hullabaloo style go-goers, and was that Comrade Lenin I snatched a glimpse of at about the 4:40 mark? We both agreed that barring a miracle this contest was officially Dunzo…
Indigo and the U2 Pearl Jam jam were both lovely too, But double me down on the Leningrad Circus
What he said.