With the Weezer "pointless covers done exactly the same as originals" album coming out (I kid! I kid!), and with the fact that I don't know that we've really talked covers for a while, I thought maybe this would be a good topic for the week.
What's your favorite cover song?
What song that was covered do you much prefer the original of?
What song did you not know was a cover until much later?
What song would you like to see covered?
Which are the best and which are the most pointless covers? You know, that type of thing.
Anyway, drop a list, and give us some cover-age!
There are probably covers out there that I don't know are covers, but one I discovered late was REM's "Superman" was a cover of The Clique's 60's single.
I like Yes' remake of the Beatles' "Every Little Thing". Once you get past the two minute intro, their version isn't as flat sounding as the original.
If you're into it, I suggest checking out the Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil soundtrack -- great covers of Johnny Mercer songs
I have some thoughts on covers. So indulge me. I think for a cover to be considered worthy of comment and thought it needs to either bring a different perspective to a song or the singer/band needs to put their own stamp on it. Own it like they originally performed it.
I love Minutuemen's cove of Dr. Wu for these reasons. It takes a way too serious song by Steely Dan and basically mocks it. But they do it in a way that fits in with other original Minutemen songs. If you didn't know Dr. Wu originally, you'd think that it was a Minuteman original.
Johnny Cash does this all the time. Hurt of course is a prime example. He just owns that song, even though I bet no one thought when they heard the NIN version they thought, Johnny Cash could really do something with it. Another less striking version is Cash's version of The Devil's Right Hand. Steve Earle's version is great but you hear Johnny's version and it sounds like a perfect Johnny Cash song. The Man in Black could really put his imprint on a song.
Sturgill Simpson's The Promise is an example of taking a trite pop song and making it something all together different.
Iron and Wine's version of Such Great Heights captures must better the vibe of that song than The Postal Service's version.
That's why this Weezer stuff is so just meh. Africa was a note for note re-creation, who cares besides hearing River's voice on the vocals. Even the version of Velouria that Meat posted yesterday was boring. It kinda had crunchy guitars but if you don't have Kim Deal's background vocals, you better add something else to make me pay attention.
Also if you want to hear some interesting covers -- some that work and some that don't -- check out Under the Covers Vol 1, 2, and 3 by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Vol 1 is 60-70s's, Vol 2 is 70s, and Vol 3 is 80s.
Just my ordinary oldies list:
1. Heroes and Heroines--Mary Chapin Carpenter
2. An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
3. Help Me--Joni Mitchell
4. Wasted Time--Eagles
5. Dance With Me--Orleans
6. Secret O' Life--James Taylor
7. Time--Alan Parsons Project
8. Hasten Down the Wind--Warren Zevon
9. Telephone Line--Electric Light Orchestra
10. Philadelphia Freedom--Elton John
1. “Blister in the Sun” – Violent Femmes
2. “North to Alaska” – Johnny Horton
3. “Experimental Film” – They Might Be Giants
4. “I Need Never Get Old” – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
5. “To Forgive” – Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Sedona” – Houndmouth
7. “A Better Son/Daughter” – Rilo Kiley
8. “Hex” – Neko Case
9. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – Frank Sinatra
10. “Stubborn Love” – Lumineers
B: “Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major” - Mozart
I was AFK yesterday but seeing TMBG on your list... "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" is a great cover.