Tune du Jour: “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: R.E.M. vs. John Otway vs. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz
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I hated the disco years as mush as anyone. Yet I have always liked this song …
The Original
Gloria Gaynor:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
R.E.M. vs. John Otway vs. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz
R.E.M.:
John Otway:
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz:
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 
R.E.M.’s version is lackluster at best.
When Otway is firing on all cylinders his satire is just superb. Don’t know if Dylan could have done Dylan any better than what Otway does here. Parody doesn’t get any better than this!
As usual Scott Bradlee delivers an ostentatious and formidable reinterpretation. And Sara Niemietz never fails to deliver the goods. The dancers also added a very nice touch.
As much as I love the Postmodern Jukebox presentation, I have to give my vote to Mr. Otway for his brilliant parody.
Better post than I expected. Great range. REM really changed it up. Michael Stipe’s singing gives me such a warm reassuring feeling. Something like an imaginary father’s hand jostling me from a typical nightmare. Postmodern Jukebox are so good and the vocalist was all that plus the dancing! What? Where’s the tip jar? I don’t recall Dylan doing this! How do we know some chap called Otway had anything to do with this? Who hasn’t paid some down and out guy to paint their basement and take part in a recreation of Subterranean Homesick Blues? One time I enticed six with just the promise of PBR and corn dogs and we acted out Renaldo & Clara. I was playing Joan Baez playing Bob Dylan, of course.
I know I’m supposed to like this song, but I just don’t. Never have. That said, it’s always nice to hear Michael Stipe’s voice. I miss it. But his version here is really pretty dull. Postmodern Jukebox are clearly super-talented and should probably get the vote, but I have to give it to Otway’s hilarious parody.
Post Modern really deserved some votes based on pure talent and performance value, but how do you possibly vote against a Mark Barnett lookalike with paint roller in hand pushing top shelf buffoonery to the next level and beyond???
If only he and Sara ensemble would have collaborated on a duet …. But then the downside might be that Rich would have pulled a mic drop, shut down the site and declared ….. Mission Accomplished!
Otway and the big 40s jazz thing were good, but Stipe really channels Leonard Cohen on this is a very good way.
I like this song and this lady, always have, its a disco Aretha Franklin, why isn’t that in and of itself sufficient
Ok, enough of that drivel–Post Mod Jukebox would have taken my vote, loved everything about it but would also love it with eyes closed listening to a radio. Otway is a great Dylan, great parody, loved it all but not so sure it would not lose a LOT of what works so well without the video. anyway.
now Stipe is one of those singers that always seems so connected with what he is actually saying and feeling which is why part of this is so exciting and alive and some is just “eh”. he doesn’t stay connected to the song, he can’t, he’s being honest. other singers with this ability are/were Cohen as mentioned, Judy Garland (a really underappreciated artist), her daugthter at times but not consistent, and believe it or not Mandy Patankin-quite amazing.
voted for Jukebox because it put a smile on my face.