Tune du Jour: “Jump” – Van Halen
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Aztec Camera vs. Mary Lou Lord vs. Bruce Springsteen
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
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Have always hated Van Halen. Had to suffer through their awful din when they opened for The Rolling Stones in Orlando of 1981. But there are some pretty good covers of this otherwise mediocre song so I have begrudgingly allowed this overrated band onto my website.
The Original
Van Halen:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Aztec Camera vs. Mary Lou Lord vs. Bruce Springsteen
Aztec Camera:
Mary Lou Lord:
Bruce Springsteen:
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 
Honestly, the Van Halen version is the only one I really enjoyed. I wanted to love the Mary Lou Lord version but there wasn’t any fun in it. Springsteen seemed to actually get.
For my money, all three covers far exceed the annoying original.
Love Bruce’s enthusiasm and delivery but my vote went to Aztec Camera who throw down by far the best cut of their career.
I remember when this track dropped and then the video was omnipresent. Van Halen had one ace and it was Eddie’s flashy guitar. Then they put out this big synth pop cheese nugget. Sounds like it was written in 10 minutes with less than one spent on the lyrics. Kinda catchy though. That Springsteen and band have so much fun with this song and give it the full treatment is impressive. Big help from special guest Tom Morello on guitar.
Before The Swiss were known for watches The Aztecs were legendary for their cameras. Many times behind the bar gueste would ask if I would take their photo. I would oblige but often stifling the retort “what do I look like, an Aztec?” I can only surmise that when they recorded this that a couple musicians were waiting for the studio next. After several minutes of the most anonymous blandness imaginable they broke in and threw down some noise in their frustration. I voted for Mary Lou Lord. Not a big jump. Maybe only a hop but a beguiling sweet slow groove with Hammond B3 and a few guitar licks.
A song I’ve always despised, from a band I’ve always hated. The ONLY thing the band had going for them that I could tolerate somewhat was Eddie’s guitar playing. So this song, with that awful, non-catchy synth-pop beginning, managed to make something bad even worse.
I couldn’t imagine anyone could cover this song and make it listenable, and I think that’s the case. I love Bruce, but rockin’ out on a bad song doesn’t make it a good song. I give him credit for the Bruce treatment, but I still was cringing.
Aztec Camera does a legit version, but still, it’s too recognizable as that awful song. I gave it to Mary Lou Lord. It sounded least like the original, but I still didn’t like it.
I was at that Stones show in Orlando in ’81. Didn’t know you were also there. I came over from Tampa, where I was attending USF. Ran into Mike Norton at the concert. He was tripping, unlike me. That’s the only time I ever saw The Stones.