Tune du Jour: “It’s A Heartache” – Bonnie Tyler
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: David Johansen vs. Ronnie Spector vs. Fun People
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog
The Original
Bonnie Tyler:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
David Johansen vs. Ronnie Spector vs. Fun People
David Johansen:
Ronnie Spector:
Fun People:
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 
Ronnie Spector is predictably excellent and the Fun People are interesting but David Johansen most fittingly delivers the gravelly voice of Bonnie’s original take. David was such an entertainer! Lucky enough to have seen him many times as The David Johansen Band, Buster Poindexter and at a fantastic New York Dolls revival tour (had everyone except, sadly and obviously, Johnny Thunders). And he did a fine acting job in Scrooged. Really miss that guy’s wit, charm and, of course, songs. R.I.P.
With a song this bad it would be worth taking liberties with any attempt to cover it. I don’t hear a clear winner with these 3 choices. Flip a coin.
I never particularly cared for this song but contrary to Arnie’s Law I think anything has a chance in the right hands. Wilson Pickett singing Sugar, Sugar anyone? I like Ronnie Spector’s singing in general but the terrible production sank the ship. No soul, grit a or believability. Fun People? Is that photo clever satire? Let’s listen and then guess. Hmmm not fun, not funny, things seem hopeless until the background ooh oohs led me to hope it would segue into Love Vigilantes. It should have. Then some angry Germans entered the session and it got a bit better but too late. David Johansen in an absolute rout! A great frontman and natural performer not blessed with a great voice but he uses it so well. Soul, pathos, tenderness and believability in spades.
Not a fan of the original. None of the covers wowed me. Ronnie Spector by default. Fun People a bizarre sideshow; jury still out on whether they’re “fun”. This song was also covered by Puddles.