Tune du Jour: “Just What I Needed” – The Cars
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Lindsay Mendez & Mario Paguia vs. Ghoti Hook vs. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz vs. Replicants
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I never really bought into The Cars and was always a bit surprised just how popular they were. And yet, I did not mind them at all either. Usually did not switch them off when they hit the radio and still don’t.
The Original
The Cars:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Lindsay Mendez & Mario Puguia vs. Ghoti Hook vs. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz vs. Replicants
Lindsay Mendez & Mario Puguia:
Ghoti Hook:
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Sara Niemietz:
Replicants:
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 
This album was the soundtrack of my undergrad college years. We played the grooves off this album. Ghoti Hook’s sped up version was uninspired. The instrumental track of the Replicants’ version was great, but I didn’t like their vocals. Lindsay and Mario did a nice reworking, but I have to give it to PMJ for their fresh, upbeat, toe-tapping version.
By the way, I was a massive Batman fan (the TV show) when I was a kid, so when I saw the name “Ghoti Hook”, I immediately got it.
The GH is like F, as in tough or laugh. The O is I, like in women, and the TI is SH like in nation. GHOTI = FISH. Ghoti Hook is Fish Hook.
Lindy Mendez & Mario Puguia … low-key, Latin-esque, lounge music … I guess it would be nice to enjoy over a Singapore Sling in a Caribbean bar lobby … but, here, today … not so much …
Ghoti Hook … now these guys deliver a nice, sped-up, frenetic take. This is what you’d be looking for while inebriated at some late night, slightly seedy, new wave dance club.
Sara Niemeitz seems to be a Scott Bradlee favorite and you could see why. Beautiful voice and stage presence! She looks the part … in any part! I love this ’60s pop interpretation!
Replicants … interesting, somewhat industrial/goth treatment on this new wave classic. Nice try …
Gonna go with the Postmodern Jukebox here … clearly the most fun take!
Today’s preface could have been written by me. I was never into The Cars, and didn’t understand their popularity. When I was in college, there was one major rock radio station that everybody listened to. And The Cars were among the most popular acts at that time. At least with Kiss they had the makeup, costumes and stage props. Alice Cooper had the horror show / halloween / monster stuff going on. The Cars didn’t even have a handsome or charismatic front man (although he was with a “supermodel”). But, at the same time, I didn’t hate them.
I didn’t like the original today, or any of the covers. I voted PMJ, cause even when they’re not at their best, they’re still pretty decent, and the videos are always worthwhile.
It always seemed to me that Benjamin Orr of The Cars who sings lead on this song and about 30% of their overall tracks had a little bit of Count Dracula in his delivery. Does that make it a Romanian accent? Lindsay Mendez gave the kind of jazz pop you might expect to find at your nice hotel bar in Peoria. Look about quickly and make sure you don’t spot Kamioner. I think the studio tech told Ghoti Hook that they would go into double time for the studio rental in three minutes. Sponsored by Monster energy drink. The Replicants went for slow and thundering and was more interesting than the first two for a minute but it wore off as they went on too long. PM Jukebox in a rout. Sleek, well timed and Tambourine Guy steals the show with energy and leaping interactions.