Tune du Jour: “Pablo Picasso” – Modern Lovers
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: John Cale vs. David Bowie vs. Iggy Pop vs. Talking Heads
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
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The Original
Modern Lovers:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
John Cale vs. David Bowie vs. Iggy Pop vs. Talking Heads
John Cale:
David Bowie:
Iggy Pop:
Talking Heads:
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 
John Cale does a good version, but didn’t stray far from the arrangement of the original.
Bowie does alter the song, and I like what he does with it.
Iggy delivers a stripped down version, with his distinctive vocals and almost got the vote.
Talking Heads’ cover was hampered by poor sound.
Bowie gets today’s vote.
Just where did this song come from? Early indication of the brilliance of JR’s psyche! Some great guitarwork here. I assume that’s Jonathan?
John Cale … must have been quite a thrill for a former member of Jonathan’s beloved Velvet Underground to cover his song! Nothing particularly standout but the gravitas of Cale alone lend credence to this more than able cover.
Somehow it just makes sense that Bowie would cover this song … the peculiar lyrics place it right in his wheelhouse. But Bowie definitely put his touch on the song, transforming it from pre-punk snarl to a fast paced swaggering rock number. And you gotta love baldie on the bass! Tremendous!!!
You also gotta love Iggy’s marching forward with four strings … and who knew that Pablo Picasso was a good song to do with only four strings?!!? Such a great voice-forward cover with a kickass, four string solo placed smack dab in the middle and replete with a strange new verse at the end!!!
Poor quality on the Talking Heads’ version. Notably only a three-person ensemble at the time. Absolutely had to be included for historic relevance alone. Highly enjoyable to hear Byrne’s signature vocals on this venerable punk classic!
This one is hard, I mean really hard. Sorry, John, but your pulling up the rear here. Bowie, Iggy and the Heads all managed to stay reverent while adding their own undeniable stamps on the tune. Damn … David Bowie … I guess … yeah … Bowie …