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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
Pink Floyd’s first hit in the United States, Money, from the band’s seminal album The Dark Side of the Moon.
The Original
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Pink Floyd:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Easy Star All-Stars vs. The Flaming Lips (featuring Henry Rollins)
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Easy Star All-Stars:
The Flaming Lips (featuring Henry Rollins):
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 3 months 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
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Gadzooks! It has been exactly one year today since my last post. Due to family flapdoodles too numerous to count, as well as general malaise, I apostatized from my righteous charge of disseminating Cover Tunes. But I’ve recently awakened and recommitted myself to spreading the felicity that is reprocessed tunage. So from this day forward – and for at least a week or two more – Cover Me Impressed will rise from the slag heap of long-defunct blogs! With its second-coming there will be some subtle changes. For one, CMI will no longer offer a daily CLASH of Cover Tunes. The plan is to publish three, maybe four, CLASHes per week. Also the voting period will be significantly increased from the one week time frame used in the past to 3 months. And lastly, from hereon out, any visitors that do not vote will be haunted over the next three nights (as the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate, to be exact) by three spirits. And I’m here to tell ya, entertaining the Ghost of Cover Songs Yet To Come is by no means a joyous occasion. That is one tedious specter! And believe me, he will bore you to tears right through to the daylight hours with his insipid tales of self-important minutia!!
CMI’s inaugural blog and CLASH of Cover Tunes pitted two venerable old codgers – David Bowie and Neil Young – crooning their covers of John Lennon’s immortal masterpiece Imagine. Neil won that bout with 84% of the vote. For the sake of symmetry (and the fact that it is Doug Zaner’s favorite John Lennon song) we’ll reintroduce the blog with Neil defending his rendition of Imagine versus Eddie Vedder’s contribution.
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The Original
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Lennon:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Vedder vs. Young
Vedder:
Young:
Young holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Imagine“. Additionally, Young is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Bi 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!
Young’s triumphal exploits in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competitions are detailed below:
10/18/2013 – “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (Bob Dylan) – Neil Young with Booker T & The MGs (100%) throttle Robyn Hitchcock (00%)
9/27/2013 – “Imagine” (John Lennon) – Neil Young (84%) wallops David Bowie (16%)
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 of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
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Vintage Cash. Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two recorded Give My Love to Rose in 1957 at the legendary Sun Records studio. Give My Love to Rose was also included on the 1968 live album At Folsom Prison, which featured June Carter, Carl Perkins and the Tennessee Three (my how they grow right before your eyes!) backing up the Man in Black. And Johnny also recorded a new version of Give My Love to Rose in 2002 for what was to be the last album released in his lifetime, American IV: The Man Comes Around (American V: A Hundred Highways was released posthumously in 2006).
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The Original: 1957
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Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two:
Original … Well, not exactly. You’ve all heard the original Sun Studio version but this 1957 cut from the Tex Ritter television show might be a new experience.
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At Folsom Prison: 1968
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Johnny Cash, June Carter, Carl Perkins & The Tennessee Three:
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American IV: The Man Comes Around: 2002
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Johnny Cash:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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On Guard vs. Bruce Springsteen
On Guard:
Bruce Springsteen:
Bruce Springsteen 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.
Bruce Springsteen’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
12/9/2013 – “Love Of The Common People” (The Four Preps) – Bruce Springsteen & The Sessions Band (67%) repel Stiff Little Fingers (33%)
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.
GREAT SONG! Along with Fortunate Son probably Creedence Clearwater Revival’s two greatest numbers (although I’ve also always had a soft spot for Someday Never Comes and Long as I Can See the Light). Have You Ever Seen the Rain was written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971. It had originally appeared on CCR’s album Pendulum, released in 1970. The song charted highest in Canada, reaching number one on the RPM 100 national album chart in March 1971. In the US, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the same year. In the UK, it reached number 36.
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The Original
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Credence Clearwater Revival:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Minutemen vs. The Ramones
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Minutemen:
The Ramones:
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 don’t recall feeling worse over the passing of a person who I never knew or met. Pete Seeger, quite simply, was one of my favorite people. He seemed to embody everything that was good in the world.
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“Turn, Turn, Turn”
Nina Simone:
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Always on the right side of the issues.
“Where Have All The Flower Gone”
Peter Seeger:
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Never bowing to McCarthy nor the seemingly endless procession of right-wing thugs to follow.
“Bells of Rhymney”
Robyn Hitchcock:
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Always ready to fight – nonviolently, of course – for the dispossessed and downtrodden.
“Little Boxes”
Pete Seeger:
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Always ready to speak his mind regardless of perils or consequences
“Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”
Dick Gaughan:
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And always, always, always optimistic of the future.
“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd
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Guns of Brixton was released in 1979 on The Clash’s spectacular third album, London Calling. It was the first song recorded by The Clash that was written and composed by Paul Simonon. It was also the band’s first song to feature Simonon as lead vocalist. The Guns of Brixton was initially not released as a single. A remastered version was subsequently released as a single in July 1990, which reached number 57 on the UK Singles Chart (better late then never I suppose).
Brilliant song! One of my favorites.
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The Original
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The Clash:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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The Bandits vs. Nouvelle Vague
The Bandits:
The Bandits hold the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Guns of Brixton“. Additionally, The Bandits are recipients 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.
The Bandits‘ triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
10/31/2013 – “Guns of Brixton” (The Clash) – The Bandits (86%) expunge Honeydippers (14%)
Nouvelle Vague:
Nouvelle Vague means “new wave” in English and “bossa nova” in Portuguese. The band was the brainchild of producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, the concept being to remake classic new wave singles with a Brazilian pop twist. To add an unusual edge to the project, Collin and Libaux recruited French and Brazilian vocalists who were unfamiliar with the original versions of songs. The resulting songs were generally very interesting and, at times, excellent interpretations of the original material.
And will you look at this?!!? Nouvelle Vague has no reason to be intimidated as they too arerecipients of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication.
Nouvelle Vague’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
12/2/2013 – “Making Plans for Nigel” (XTC) – Nouvelle Vague (100%) trounce Franzi (0%)
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
The Pogues’ Christmas masterpiece, Fairytale of New York, was released in 1987 on their album, If I Should Fall From Grace with God. The song, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, features female vocal accompaniment by Kirsty MacColl and string arrangements by Fiachra Trench. It was originally planned as a duet by Shane MacGowan and Pogues bassist Cait O’Riordan, but O’Riordan left the band in 1986 before the song was completed. At the time the Pogues were being produced by Kirsty MacColl’s husband, Steve Lillywhite. Lillywhite asked his wife to provide a guide vocal of the female part for a demo version of the song. However, the Pogues were so impressed with MacColl’s contribution that they asked her to sing the part on the actual recording. Fairytale of New York has correctly been cited as the best Christmas song of all time in various television, radio and magazine related polls in the UK and Ireland.
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The Original
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The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Billy Bragg with Florence + the Machine vs. Third Eye Blind
Billy Bragg with Florence + the Machine
Billy Bragg 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.
Billy Bragg’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
11/18/2013 – “Which Side Are You On?” (Almanac Singers) – Billy Bragg (57%) bests Dropkick Murphys (43%)
This is a live rendition of Fairytale of New York played on BBC Radio 1 on December 19, 2009. I read somewhere that Bragg and Florence got the idea to play Fairytale of New York about two hours before the Christmas special was to begin. Assuming that’s accurate then this is what they put together within a couple of hours. Brilliant!
Third Eye Blind:
I read somewhere that Third Eye Blind got the idea to cover Fairytale of New York precisely 12 seconds before the studio tapes began to roll. Not bad…
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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Arguably the greatest train song ever written and it was composed by a folk – not C&W – artist. Imagine that! Steve Goodman wrote City of New Orleans while traveling from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad’s City of New Orleans. Goodman recorded City of New Orleans in 1970 and released it the next year on his self-titled album. John Denver released a cover of City of New Orleans in 1971 but it was Arlo Guthrie’s version – released in 1972 on his album Hobo’s Lullaby – that made the song famous. Guthrie’s City of New Orleans peaked at 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.
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The Original
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Steve Goodman:
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The Most Popular
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Arlo Guthrie:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Byron Lee & The Dragonaires vs. Vehoram Gaon
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Byron Lee & The Dragonaires:
Yehoram Gaon:
“ניו אורלינס” trans. “What do you think of that, Dougie?”
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.
You used to be so amused, At Broccoli Man and the carrot for a guitar he used …
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One More Cup of Coffee appears on Bob Dylan’s album Desire, which was released in 1976. Desire reached #1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart for five weeks, becoming one of Dylan’s top-selling studio albums (currently certified double platinum), while reaching #3 in the UK. It claimed the number one slot on NME Album of the Year. Rolling Stone named Desire #174 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. One More Cup of Coffee is a duet between Dylan and Emmylou Harris pertaining to unrequited love and the passage away from an apparently ill-fated relationship.
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The Original
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Bob Dyan:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Big Fish Ensemble vs. Steve Earle and Lucia Micarelli
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Big Fish Ensemble:
One of Atlanta’s great bands of the 90’s:
Steve Earle and Lucia Micarelli:
Treme’s street corner violinist & diva, Lucia Micarelli, pairs nicely with the esteemed Steve Earle on this number.
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.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
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The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) was written by Simon & Garfunkel and first appeared on their 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. The “59th Street Bridge” is a reference to the Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Interestingly, although it now seems like one of Simon & Garfunkel’s more popular songs, The 59th Street Bridge Song never charted. And with that I’ve pretty much exhausted everything I could say on the subject.
The Original
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Simon & Garfunkel:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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The Coolies vs. Ted Hawkins
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The Coolies:
Ted Hawkins:
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 