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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
I’m Gonna Have Fun in the City, Me And My Girl And Mr. Broccoli
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What a great song! One of my favorites from the ’60s, a decade that produced an incredible amount of marvelous tunes. Seems every band with a modicum of aesthetic awareness has covered this gem at one time or another. If not recorded and cataloged then at the least live or in practice. Yet, through all its covers, weak and strong, I’ve yet to hear one that exceeds The Easy Beat’s original take.
The Original
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The Easy Beats:
And check out this great live version. Notice they’re wearing the same natty attire as on the cover of the 45. Why wouldn’t they I suppose?
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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David Bowie vs. The Space Negros vs Richard Thompson
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David Bowie:
The Space Negros:
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Richard Thompson with Judith Owen & Debra Dobkin:
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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Unrelated But Not Without Ample Merit
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It’s Murder by Numbers…
A plurality of Democrats, 39%, say John Lennon is their favorite Beatle. Just 15% of Republicans agree. 49% of Republicans name Paul McCartney as their favorite. (Public Policy Polling)
There’s plenty to be read between the lines in this polling. Just saying …
I was working part time in a five-and-dime, My boss was Mr. Broccoli
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The Original
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Prince:
Apparently Prince does not allow his songs to be played on YouTube anymore. I tell ya, ever since that guy became a symbol he’s become miserable to deal with! Anyway, if you’ve got an uncontrollable hankering to hear his version of Little Red Corvette then you can try this link:
Loved these guys. Really, really loved them. And how did they repay me? By breaking up without as much as a word to me. And I really, really loved them 😦
Sarah Bettens:
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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Unrelated But Not Without Ample Merit
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So What’s Been Spinning on R Dubbs’ Stereo Lately …
Just for You, Here’s a Dubbs Song!
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“Shivers” – Rowland S Howard:
Beautifully haunting song by Australian underground legend, Rowland S. Howard. Howard wrote Shivers when he was only 16. It later became the only single off of The Birthday Party‘s debut album, Door, Door. Shivers later appeared in an Australian independently released film, Dogs In Space, which is centered around a fictitious punk band’s demise amid abundant drug use and dysfunctional lifestyles. Shivers is a classic post-punk ballad and one of Australia’s most enduring cult hits.
Alvin & The Chipmonks (with significant input from The Chipettes):
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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Unrelated But Not Without Ample Merit
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You Can Read All About it in the Sunday Papers:
Flying is so much fun! Les Price, a 518-pound Brit, was recently forced to pay for two airplane seats to account for his extra heft, only to discover upon boarding the plane that the seats were not side-by-side! “One was in row 17 and the other in row 19,” said Mr. Price, 43. Nice!
It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)appeared on R.E.M.’s 1987 album Document. It was released as a single in November 1987, reaching No. 69 on the US Billboard Hot 199 and later reaching No. 39 in the UK singles chart on its re-release in December 1991. In an interview with Guitar World magazine published in November 1996, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck agreed that End of the World was in the tradition of Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues (a song notable in that RDubbs does not particularly care for it).
The Original
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R.E.M.:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Discount vs. Pickin’ On Series
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Discount:
Pickin’ On Series:
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
1952 Black Lightening, one of the all-time great ballads.
“Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme…”
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The Original
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Richard Thompson:
Great live version recorded around 2006 when Thompson crashed at my apartment for a few weeks. I dearly love the man but he still owes me $20 dating back to that sojourn!
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Mary Lou Lord vs. Sean Rowe
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Mary Lou Lord:
Sean Rowe:
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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Unrelated But Not Without Ample Merit
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Won’t You Listen to What the Man Says?e)
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” John Lennon as quoted in CNN.com
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. 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”.
“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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Frontier Wives vs. Jaak Joala vs. No Empathy vs. Yo La Tengo
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Frontier Wives:
Okay, these guys’ rendition was included because it looks like they are having a really good time and the raucous audience is definitely enjoying themselves as well.
Jaak Joala:
This guy’s version was included because it is sung in Estonian and any significant change as such to this miserable song is most certainly a welcome relief.
No Empathy:
This version was included because it is forkin’ great and something had to save today’s blog from its own misery.
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.
And so this version was included because … it’s YO LA TENGO so of course it had to be included!!!
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
In honor of one of the most talented, creative and bizarre musicians of our lifetime, Starman David Bowie.
The Original
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David Bowie:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Anabot vs. The White Stripes
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Anabot:
I came across this incredibly talented musician last night and have not been able to stop listening/watching her videos all day!
The White Stripes:
Great old recording of The White Stripes. Gotta love the background comment, “Sounds like a weirdo”.
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Oh Look Out You Rock ‘n’ Rollers, Pretty Soon You’re Gonna Get Older…
What could you say? Last night we lost an icon, innovator, genius. David Bowie will surely be long remembered as one of the most talented, creative and bizarre musicians of our lifetime!
Enjoy a bevy of tributes to David Bowie. The styles and genres of these cover songs are as diverse as the man himself.
Absolute Beginners
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Carla Bruni:
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Ashes to Ashes
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Paul Dempsey:
Hezekiah Jones:
Happy Rhodes:
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All the Young Dudes
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Billy Bragg & Jill Sobule:
World Party:
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Changes
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Echo and the Bunnymen with Sharleen Spiteri:
The Illinois State University’s Clef Hangers:
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Heroes
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Magnetic Fields:
The Coal Porters:
Nico:
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It Ain’t Easy
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Hazel:
Kelly Hogan & Robbie Fulks:
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Jean Genie
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Camp Freddy:
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Kooks
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Brett Smiley:
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Life on Mars
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Robyn Hitchcock:
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain:
And of course it would not be a proper tribute without … ABBA!!!:
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Moonage Daydream
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J. Hell:
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Oh You Pretty Things
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Jun Jun Clinic:
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Rebel Rebel
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Iggy Pop & Lenny Kravitz:
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Sound and Vision
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Beck:
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Space Oddity
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Real-Life Astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield:
(Shatner cannot be happy over this infringement of his territory!)
John Otway:
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Starman
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of Montreal:
Arcadian Walnut:
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Under Pressure
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Flaming Lips:
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Watch that Man
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The Fur Ones:
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Ziggy Stardust
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Def Leppard:
Massacre:
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A Late Addition
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“Life on Mars” happens to be one of my favorite Bowie songs. So when I saw this interesting rendition, I just had to add it to the tribute. Reminds me of the classic Procol Harem church scene in “The Commitments”.
By the way, if anyone has a favorite Bowie cover that is not included then please let me know. If possible I will add it.
Nicholas Freestone (organ scholar at St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire):
The Commitments: Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) and Steven ‘Soul Surgeon’ Clifford (Michael Ahern):
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Another Late Addition
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This next video is proof-positive of just how cool David Bowie was. From The Cher Show, Bowie and Cher begin a set collaborating on Young Americans, which is weird enough. But things turn completely bizarre as Young Americans morphs into a very long medley of bad songs. Bowie had to be suppressing laughter throughout yet on the exterior appears way-cool to the nth degree. Now I ask you, how many musicians could have pulled this off without looking completely ridiculous?
David Bowie on The Cher Show (November 23rd 1975):
Paranoid was released in 1970 on Black Sabbath’s second album, which was also titled Paranoid. The song’s popularity in the US started slowly – reaching only as high as number 61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 – but built over time as album rock radio stations played it incessantly. On the other hand, the U.K. fell in love with it immediately. Paranoid reached number four on the U.K. Singles Chart in 1970 and, amazingly, appeared on that same chart again in 1980, breaking into the Top 20. In fact, unlike the U.S., Paranoid was an immediate success throughout Europe and South Africa.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
Among Paranoid’s awards:
1976, NME (United Kingdom) ranked it number 41 on their All Time Top 100 Singles list.
1989, Spin (United States) ranked it number 81 on their 100 Greatest Singles of All Time list.
1989, Radio Veronica (Netherlands) ranked it number 16 on their Super All-Time List.
1994, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (United States) named it to their The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.
1998, Guitarist (United Kingdom) ranked it number 84 on their Top 100 Guitar Solos of All-Time list.
2004, Rolling Stone (United States) ranked it number 250 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
2004, Q (United Kingdom) named it to their 1010 Songs You Must Own! list.
2006, Q ranked it number 100 on their 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
2006, VH1 (United States) ranked it number 34 on their 40 Greatest Metal Songs list.
2008, VH1 ranked it number 4 on their 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list.
Paranoid is generally thought of as Black Sabbath’s crowning achievement. Yet, it almost did not come to be. According to Black Sabbath’s bass player, Geezer Butler:
“A lot of the Paranoid album was written around the time of our first album,Black Sabbath. We recorded the whole thing in about 2 or 3 days, live in the studio. The song Paranoid was written as an afterthought. We basically needed a 3 minute filler for the album, and Tony came up with the riff. I quickly did the lyrics, and Ozzy was reading them as he was singing.”
And that my friends is how you compose a heavy metal anthem! Can you imagine a world without Paranoid?
The Original
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Black Sabbath:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Ruder Than You vs. Soft Cell
Ruder Than You:
Ruder Than You holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Paranoid”. Additionally, Ruder Than You is also 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 orange!
Ruder Than You’s triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
11/6/2013 – “Paranoid” (Black Sabbath) – Ruder Than You (71%)expunge The Dickies (29%)
Soft Cell:
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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 three months from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 