Tune du Jour: “Rivers of Babylon” – The Melodians
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Byron Lee and The Dragonaires vs. Steve Earle vs. Sublime
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The Original
The Melodians:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Byron Lee and The Dragonaires vs. Steve Earle vs. Sublime
Byron Lee and The Dragonaires:
Steve Earle:
Sublime:
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 
Damn, I can listen to this song all day. Such a wonderful reggae song from one of the greatest soundtracks of all time.
All three covers are admiral and this was a very tough call. But for whatever reason, hillbilly reggae wins out this morning. My vote went to Steve Earle.
The Harder They Come soundtrack was the first reggae album I bought when I was about eighteen. I agree with Dubbs that it’s “one of the greatest soundtracks of all time.” It’s also my favorite single disc reggae compilation.
I don’t know Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, but that was good. I liked the faster pace, but it was also very close to the original.
When I first bought that Steve Earle album and checked the song titles, I probably assumed he was performing a different song with the same title. Obviously very atypical cover from him. But I like his offering, and I’m a big fan so he gets the vote.
Sublime is good, and in their case, I’d be more surprised if they didn’t cover this at some point. Extra points for the video.
Byron Lee & Co are earthly and authentic. Maybe if The Melodians weren’t so damned good they wouldn’t seem so pale in comparison. Steve Earle has wide range in genres. He has done a blues album, a bluegrass album, a rippin’ cover of Nirvana’s Breed, and a fine version here featuring Emmylou Harris among others on fine harmonies but Bradley Nowell has such a facility with reggae and ska and his voice fits this style so well that it was easy for me to vote Sublime.
I agree with y’all, The Harder They Come soundtrack is one of the greatest ever. (For reggae soundtracks, the Rockers soundtrack is also fabulous, but The Harder They Come edges it out, in my opinion.
I liked all three versions. Byron Lee gives a nice, rootsy version that stays close to the original. Steve Earle’s version was very good and I was inclined to vote for it, but Sublime’s version just seemed right. It was the right combo of homage and originality. They snagged my vote.