Posts Tagged ‘The Monkees’

Wreckless Eric: “Whole Wide World”

Posted: July 2, 2025 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Whole Wide World” – Wreckless Eric
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Monkees vs. The Proclaimers vs. The Wedding Present vs. Cage the Elephant
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The Original

Criminally underappreciated song by a criminally underappreciated artist. Love Wreckless Eric. Unfathomable why he didn’t become another of a long line of Stiff Records’ stars.

Eric actually did have a string of hit singles and lucrative record sales in Europe for a spell. Unfortunately, his sleezy manager stole all of the profits. Left Eric penniless. At one point he had to pawn his guitar for food money! Gradually he got back on his feet. I had a chance to chat with Eric years back. Really nice guy! I mentioned his manager and how awful it was that he stole all of the money. Eric had this to say on the subject (I’m paraphrasing): ‘You know, my good friend Ian Dury made a lot of money and he spent it all on drugs, which finally killed him. If I had gotten my money I probably would have done the same and thus, would also be dead by now. So, all in all, I’m good with how it worked out.’ Interesting take. Hopefully he’s still content and doing well.

And I truly hope he still has this sportin’ insect jacket!

Wreckless Eric:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

I know. I know. I am breaking protocol. But unprecedented action seemed required. I narrowed my research down to four interesting covers and I just could not seem to cut one of them. They all seemed to deserve consideration. It was further necessary in that there were not enough other quality covers to do an additional post of the song down the line. And so it goes …

The Monkees vs. The Proclaimers vs. The Wedding Present vs. Cage the Elephant
The Monkees:
The Proclaimers:

The Wedding Present:
Cage the Elephant:

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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!??!

   

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

 

Neil Diamond: “I’m A Believer”

Posted: February 9, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “I’m A Believer” – The Monkees
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Frank & Walters vs. Nina Hagen
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
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And In My Hour of Need, I Truly Am Indeed, Alone Again, Broccoli ...

I Thought Love Was Just a Bowl of Broccoli …

I’m A Believer was composed and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1966. It was released on his album Just for You in 1967. However, in November 1966, The Monkees recorded and released the song to immediate fanfare. I’m a Believer amazingly ranks as the third most popular rock song of the ’60s, behind only the Beatles’ Hey Jude and I Want to Hold Your Hand. It spent seven weeks at number one in America, hit the top of the charts in Britain as well, and charted in over a dozen countries.

The Original

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Neil Diamond:

This version is just plain weird. It sounds like…well… it sounds like Neil Diamond is singing it…some things are just not right!

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The Most Popular

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The Monkees:

There, now that sounds much better…

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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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The Frank & Walters vs. Nina Hagen

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The Frank & Walters:
Nina Hagen:

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.

Paul Revere & The Raiders: “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”

Posted: January 8, 2014 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” – Paul Revere & The Raiders
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Alliance vs. Sex Pistols
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
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Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles ... Oh Yeah!

Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!

(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was first recorded in May 1966 by Paul Revere & The Raiders. The song was also recorded by The Liverpool Five, a “British Invasion” band, sometime in 1966. Some sources claim that The Liverpool Five actually released their version of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone before Paul Revere & The Raiders. But this is probably inaccurate and, when you come right down to it, who really cares?

Between May and December of 1966, at least five bands released versions of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (i.e. Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Liverpool Five, The W.C. Fields Memorial Electric String Band, The Flies, and The Stillroven). The Monkees’ version of the song was also recorded in late 1966 but the album in which it appeared, More of the Monkees, was not released until January 1967. It’s somewhat mind-boggling. That’s a lot of versions of one song to be released within 9 months!

The lyrics, tone and pace of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone are rather remarkable given its release date, providing an early taste of the punk genre to follow. Not surprisingly, it is a favorite cover song for many garage and punk bands.

The Original

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Paul Revere & The Raiders:
The Liverpool Five:

There are many that would argue The Liverpool Five’s version of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone is superior to any that came before or after it. Given its superb quality and the chance that they did win the “race to release”, I’ve included The Liverpool Five’s version of the song in this section.

A quick tidbit of trivia: None of the band members of The Liverpool Five were from Liverpool (four were from London and the fifth from Cumbria).

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The Most Popular

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The Monkees:

The Monkees version of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone enjoyed the most commercial success. Although released as a B-side, it reached #20 in the US charts.

And yet another tidbit of trivia: Although all stemming from the same recording, The Monkees’ single version, mono album version and stereo album version all slightly differed from each other.

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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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The Alliance vs. Sex Pistols

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The Alliance:

Sex Pistols:

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.