Posts Tagged ‘mick ronson’

Mott the Hoople: “All the Young Dudes”

Posted: September 10, 2025 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “All the Young Dudes” – Mott the Hoople
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Robyn Hitchcock vs. Billy Bragg & Jill Sobule vs. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
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David Bowie wanted to help out his buddy, Ian Hunter and his band Mott the Hoople, so he wrote “Suffragette City” for them to use. Ian said ‘thanks, but I’m looking for something better’. As the story goes, Bowie sat in the middle of his living room floor, cross-legged, all night, and by morning he had completed “All the Young Dudes”.

This rock ‘n’ roll anthem consistently finds its way onto critic’s lists for best rock songs of all time.

The Original

Mott the Hoople:

And The Guy Who Wrote It

Bowie waited two years before he played it live:

And this is from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Aids Awareness Concert. It features an all-star cast of Bowie, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson and Queen. This classic clip also includes Bowie’s “Heroes” and ends with a touching tribute from Bowie to Freddie and all others with Aids:

I have never been a fan of Queen but my son, Sayed, insisted that I watch the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. He said I would enjoy it regardless. Man was he right! It is an excellent film. And I never thought I would say this but I just might be a fan of Queen now …

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

Well … after those clips these bands have their work cut out for them with their covers. But I think you’ll find that they all acquit themselves quite well.

Robyn Hitchcock vs. Billy Bragg & Jill Sobule vs. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
Robyn Hitchcock:

This was an encore performance at a show in 2011 at the Three Kings pub in London, a show in which Robyn and company played the entire Beatles’ album “Revolver”. Yeah, what would you have given to be at that show!

Billy Bragg & Jill Sobule:

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs:

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.

 

David Bowie: “All The Young Dudes”

Posted: October 17, 2013 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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As the story goes, due to a lack of commercial success, Mott the Hoople was ready to call it quits when David Bowie stepped in to help. David first offered the song “Suffragette City”, which the band rejected. So David wrote “All the Young Dudes” (supposedly while sitting cross-legged in his apartment with Ian Hunter intently looking on). Mott the Hoople released its masterpiece in 1972. Bowie also recorded a studio version of the song in 1972 but did not release it until decades later.

In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked “All the Young Dudes” No. 253 in its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and on its 2010 update the song rated No. 256. The song was also included on “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.

I guess passing on Suffragette City was the right move …

Original Studio Versions

 
David Bowie (1972):

Mott the Hoople (1972):

 

A Couple of Great Live Versions

 
David Bowie, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Queen & others at the Freddie Mercury Tribute (London’s Wembley Stadium 1992):

David Bowie Live in New York (1997):

 

The Cover Songs Competition

 

Bruce Dickinson vs. World Party

 
Bruce Dickinson:

This video is sappy to the point of comical. Probably a good thing Dickinson never pursued acting as a career.

World Party:

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?!!?

Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.

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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.