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Cover Me Impressed
With a focus on the 60's-90's music scene, CMI is a Paradiso for Lovers Cover Songs! Each post focuses on a particular song and provides its original and most popular recordings as well as covers versions. Patrons of CMI vote on the most deserving cover version, which will then live to compete again, battling other cover songs in a future post.
Bands, musicians, troubadours, and their ilk, submit your cover songs for future CMI competitions.
CMI welcomes the opportunity to introduce new artists.
Contact RDubbs at RDubbsTunage@gmail.com
Music Genres?
We've Got 'em Covered ...
Rock / Alt-Rock / Rock 'n Roll / Rockabilly / Indie Pop / New Wave / Old Wave / Surf / Reggae / Ska / Punk Rock / Psychobilly / Cowpunk / Alt-Country / Bluegrass / Folk / Croon-Tunes / A Cappella / Motown / Gospel / Blues / Rhythm & Blues / Jazz / Big Band / Lounge / Classical / Celtic / Bossa Nova / Worldbeat / Show Tunes / Cartoons / Bizarro / Musical Calamities
Who In The Hell Do You Think You Are? A Broccoli Stalk? Well, Right You Are!
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Instant Karma! was written by John Lennon and released In February 1970. The song was written, recorded and released within a period of ten days, making it one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history. Instant Karma! reached the top 5 on the UK and US singles charts, becoming the first solo single by a former member of the Beatles to sell a million copies.
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The Original
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John Lennon:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Midnight Oil vs. Paul Weller
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Midnight Oil:
Paul Weller:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd
Tainted Love was written by Ed Cobb and originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965 as the B-side to the 1965 single My Bad Boy’s Comin’ Home. The single was a commercial flop, failing to chart in either the US or the UK. In 1973, almost a decade after its initial release, British club DJ Richard Searling purchased a copy of the single while on a trip to the United States. Searling introduced the song to the UK club scene, which embraced its Motown-influenced sound and eminent danceability. Due to the newfound underground popularity of the song, Jones re-recorded Tainted Love in 1976 and released it as a single, but that version also failed to chart.
English vocal-and-synth duo Soft Cell (i.e. Marc Almond and David Ball), became aware of the song through its notoriety as a UK club cult hit, and recorded a drastically different arrangement in 1981. Due to the then-dominant synthpop sound of the time, Soft Cell’s version of Tainted Love rapidly reached #1 on the UK singles chart and was 1981’s best-selling single in the UK. On January 16, 1982, Tainted Love charted in the US, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at #90. It appeared to peak at #64 before falling to #100 on February 27. However, after spending a second week at #100, it started climbing again and 19 weeks later it cracked the US Top 40. The song eventually reached #8 in the US and spent a then record-breaking 43 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Original
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Gloria Jones:
Great version of the song. A real shame Jones never charted with it.
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The Most Popular
Soft Cell:
Wildly popular yet, in my mind, dreadful when compared to Gloria Jones’ original version.
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Finger vs. The Lost Fingers
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Finger:
The Lost Fingers:
For those interested, The Lost Fingers’ studio version of Tainted Love is also available on YouTube but, despite the occasional annoying static pops, I love this live version:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
I’ve been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man …
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Written by Lee Hazlewood, This Town was first recorded by Nancy Sinatra in 1967. Old Blue Eyes was apparently intrigued by the tune and whatever Big Pops wants, Big Pops gets, releasing his own version in September 1967 on the album “Frank Sinatra and The World We Knew”. Although I’ve found no evidence that This Town was a “hit” by any conventional standards, apparently when Big Pops proclaims a song to be a hit, it’s a hit, as evidenced by its inclusion a year later on “Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits”.
The Original
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Nancy Sinatra:
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The Most Popular
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Frank Sinatra:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Gnome vs. The Tubes
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Gnome:
The Tubes:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Where Are the Strong, Who Are the Trusted, And Where is the Broccoli, Sweet Broccoli!
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One of my favorite Elvis Costello songs; oddly (and sadly) enough, after a good amount of research I was only able to find a total of two covers for (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes.
“I Said I’m So Happy I Could Die … She Said ‘Drop dead’ And Left With Another Guy”space
Now that’s entertainment!
The Original
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Elvis Costello:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Hem vs. The Klank
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Hem:
The Klank:
For some sinister reason I have not been able to identify many Elvis Costello covers. The handful of EC tribute releases that I have come across are either generally bland and unimaginative or released from very small labels that are difficult (or quite expensive) to acquire. But there does seem to be hope for the near future. Futureman Records will soon (hopefully) release “Beyond Belief: A Tribute to Elvis Costello”, which looks quite promising and, assuming the links below are accurate, will add 50 new EC covers to the vastly under-supplied market.
The Klank’s cover of (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes will be included on the Futureman tribute.
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
A rather obscure but nevertheless great song by the late Vic Chesnutt.
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The Original
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Vic Chesnutt:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Kelly Hogan vs. Dan Wilson
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Kelly Hogan:
Kelly Hogan is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.
Kelly Hogan’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
12/13/2013 – “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” (Bob Dylan) – Kelly Hogan (88%) thrashes Echo & The Bunnymen (12%)
Dan Wilson:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
When You’re A Jet You’re A Jet All The Way From Your First Broccoli Buzz To Your Last Dying Day!
West Side Story is one of America’s most acclaimed Broadway musical plays. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is the story of forbidden love between a former gang member and the sister of a rival gang member. Music for the production was composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim. The show, which opened in 1957, ran for 732 performances before going on tour (it had an even longer-running production in London). West Side Story was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical (the award ultimately went to The Music Man). In 1961 a musical film of West Side Story was produced, starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. The film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning ten including Best Picture. Ten Academy Awards remains a record for a musical film.
The Original Stage Production Version
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Rita Rivera & Marilyn Cooper:
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The Film Version
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Betty Wand & George Chakiris:
In the film West Side Story Rita Moreno and George Chakiris are the leading vocalists … or maybe not. Moreno’s singing was dubbed in by Betty Wand.
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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The Nice vs. Schlong
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The Nice:
Schlong:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Many would argue that The Night Chicago Died is the worst song of all time. However, they’d be wrong. The song’s potential for infamy is limited to possibly being the second worst song of all time as Billy, Don’t Be A Hero currently and mostly likely always will hold the distinction of being the worst the music world has ever produced. Amazingly, both abominations were first recorded by the same band, the all-time abysmal “Paper Lace”.
The Night Chicago Died reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in 1974, reached number 3 in the UK charts, and number 2 in Canada. And why not? This assault on one’s sensibilities had everything you’d look for in a 1970’s hit: rudimentary, grade-school level verses, lyrics teeming with sappy emotion, a simple John Wayne good guys always win in the end patriotic mentality, a catchy chorus that stays with you like herpes and some electric guitar licks to enforce just how hip the song and, by extension, its listeners must truly be.
“Paper Lace” sent a copy of The Night Chicago Died to then Mayor Richard J. Daley who apparently hated it. So at least there is one minute reason to extend a very small modicom of respect to the man.
The Original
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Paper Lace:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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No Empathy vs. Yo La Tengo
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No Empathy:
Yo La Tengo:
Beginning in 1996, Yo La Tengo supported the fundraising efforts of New York’s world-renowned independent radio outlet WFMU with annual studio visits. All listeners who pledged money during the band’s appearances were offered the chance to request a favorite song that Yo La Tengo would then attempt to perform; no rehearsals, no advance word of what the requests might be, just plug it in and kick it out. The spontaneous element is impressive and, at times, hysterical. It is from one of these sessions that Yo La Tengo’s version of The Night Chicago Died was produced.
Yo La Tengo is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.
Yo La Tengo’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
10/1/2013 – “Somebody’s Baby” (Jackson Browne) – Yo La Tengo (90%) annihilate The Gamits (10%)
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken? is a popular Christian hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song pertains to loved ones now departed and the hopeful reunion with them in an afterlife. It is generally played to be uplifting to the congregation, and is a frequent standard in gospel revivals. Will the Circle Be Unbroken? was first recorded in 1912 by William McEwan.
In 1935, A.P. Carter, founder of “The Carter Family”, revised and added to the lyrics of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?, reworking it into a song concerning the death, funeral, and mourning of the narrator’s mother. Carter named his revised version Can the Circle Be Unbroken?. As others later covered his song, Carter’s revised version subsequently became most often referred to by its original name, Will the Circle Be Unbroken?. The version of the song most often played today is Carter’s but under the title of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?.
The Original
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The Carter Family:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Mike Farris vs. Ken Parker
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Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue featuring the McCrary Sisters:
Ken Parker:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Duke of Earl was penned in 1961 by Gene Chandler, Bernice Williams and Earl Edwards. The song rose to number 1 on both the pop and R&B charts. It held the number-one spot for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the Hot 100 for a total of 15 weeks. Duke of Earl was a 2002 inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was selected by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Duke of Earl has a rather interesting origin. According to Wikipedia, the song originated from warm-up exercises by the Dukays, a vocal group that included Chandler (under his original name, Eugene Dixon) and Earl Edwards. The group would regularly warm up by singing “Do do do do…” in different keys. On one occasion, Dixon changed the syllables he was singing to include Earl’s name, and the chant gradually became the nonsense words “Du..du..du..Duke of Earl”. The pair worked on the song with regular songwriter and mentor Bernice Williams, and then recorded it with the other members of the Dukays. However, the group’s record company was not interested in releasing the song, instead leaving Dixon with the offer of releasing it as a solo artist. Dixon changed his name to Gene Chandler (a surname taken from that of the actor Jeff Chandler), and the song was released at the end of 1961
The Original
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Gene Chandler:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Alton Ellis and The Flames vs. Youth Brigade
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Alton Ellis and The Flames:
Youth Brigade:
Everybody Now: I’m An Individual, We Are Individuals!!!
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
An early classic from The Replacements 2nd album, Hootenanny.
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The Original
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The Replacements:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Asylum Street Spankers vs. Bright Little Field
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Asylum Street Spankers:
A great band from Austin, Texas. Their unique blend of acoustic blues, early jazz and overall bizarre zaniness make for an outstanding live show. Catch them live or regret it later!
Bright Little Field:
Bright Little Field was formed by Nashville-based ukulele duo Tom Littlefield and Jonathan Bright after the two veteran musicians discovered their shared love for The Replacements. Although both men had done their share of kicking up a racket in their day, they chose a stripped down primal level – ukuleles, pots and pans – to pay homage to The Replacements. The result, Treatment Bound: A Ukulele Tribute to The Replacements, is one of the finer and most creative and enjoyable tribute discs you’ll find. (Mostly lifted from AllMusic)
Bright Little Field is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title, Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.
Bright Little Field ‘s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
10/16/2013 – “Swingin’ Party” (The Replacements) – Bright Little Field (75%) wallop Popland (25%)
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 