jeudi 19 Oct 2006, 22h47m
I've been listening to a lot of cover songs recently. It's actually very interesting to compare the different versions.
Ain’t She Sweet: I first heard this song on a 60s compilation CD – one of those cheap compilations that can’t afford the well-known Beatle songs. Of course, I really liked it. Then I heard it from my recently acquired Frank Sinatra. Turns out it was originally written by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen in 1927! The Beatles actually have two versions: the Tony Sheridan version sounds very much early 60’s, while the Lennon version is more clearly Beatles. Sinatra, of course, only has some vague idea of when he’s supposed to be singing, but it’s still swinging!
I’ve Got a Feeling: Another relatively unknown song by The Beatles. In one of the last Beck episodes, Yukio goes onstage and starts singing this song while the rest of the band is breaking up. I immediately thought, “Wow, this sounds so Beatle-like,” but was surprised to learn that it actually is one of their songs. They again have
Blue Moon: This is another old, old song, written for MGM Studios in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. I first heard it performed by Sha-Na-Na at the prom in Grease. Of course, Frank Sinatra also has his interpretation of it, as does Elvis Presley.
Moon River: This adorable song, one of our standard waltzes, was written for Audrey Hepburn to perform in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It has been covered by loads of people (Frank Sinatra once again), but Hepburn is peculiarly suited to her “Huckleberry friend”.
Love is Blue: I had a lot of trouble finding out the original artist, which was Vicky Leandros at Eurovision 1967. There’s also a well known orchestral version by Paul Mauriat, which I admit does nothing for me; and we have one in the deep voice of Al Martino (Spanish Eyes) which seems somewhat lacking in emotion.
Leaving on a Jet Plane: Originally written by John Denver (Take Me Home, Country Roads), it became a hit when covered by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1969. I also have a Frank Sinatra version, and apparently there are several others in existence too.
These Boots are Made for Walking: As Nancy Sinatra’s big hit, I expected a bit more. Clearly, although her face was quite familiar to me, her voice has not the same claims. I saw this song performed at a small show, Feelin' Groovy, where it was sung to a clear bass that really thrummed up the song, walking down the octave.
It's Raining Men: Another song where the original turned out a disappointment. Hearing the Geri Halliwell version on the radio reminded me that I should try to get hold of The Weather Girls' original . When I finally did, however, the funny thunderclaps in the background did not seem to ring a bell, so I suppose it must be the Halliwell version I was looking for, after all.
Somethin' Stupid: I was very surprised, on comparing the original father-daughter hit by Frank and Nancy Sinatra to the recent hit by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman, to find how similar they are. They have really retained that nostalgic sound, perhaps only adding some Caribbean percussion. And Nicole has a better voice than Nancy.
Elephant Love Medley: An amazing medley sung by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge, which draws from, amongst others, Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Frank Sinatra), All You Need Is Love (The Beatles), Up Where We Belong (sung by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for An Officer and a Gentleman), One More Night (Phil Collins), Pride (In The Name of Love) (U2), and Your Song (Elton John). For the complete list, see the article in Wikipedia.
The Air that I Breathe: I got the Simply Red album Blue a few years ago and, not realising that it was a cover album, had always attributed this song to them. The album contains two versions, the reprise which has that Simply Red R&B’ish feel. Last a year a friend told me that the song was originally performed by the Hollies – which turned out to be not entirely true. It was actually written by Albert Hammond (Free Electric Band) and Mike Hazelwood, and performed by one of the Everly Brothers. However, The Hollies’ 1974 version is the best known. Simply Red does a creditable job, though; perhaps more so with the reprise, in which they made the song their own.
Under Pressure / Ice Ice Baby: One of the essays I had to write in African Studies was about the influence of rap music on the African diaspora. I got hold of Rapper’s Delight (by The Sugarhill Gang in 1979) and Ice Ice Baby (by Vanilla Ice in 1990). It really helped me see what sampling is, because David Bowie and Queen’s bassline is clearly audible.
The Last Time / Bittersweet Symphony: Sampling reminded me of The Verve song, and I tried finding the Rolling Stones song. However, it apparently came from an orchestral version by Andrew Loog Oldham – because I could not distinguish which part of the Stones’ song was sampled. It would be very interesting to compare all three songs!
99 Luftballons / 99 Red Balloons: The original Nena song is one of my favourites. Even before I ever heard this song, I fell in love with the lyrics. The English lyrics are less politically active and less original, but at least the Nena version still retains some of its charm. The Goldfinger hit of a few years back is annoyingly punk, with a verse of bad German thrown in for good measure. There are many other covers of this song, but I haven’t bothered about any of them.
Big in Japan: This song first came to my notice in Germany, 2000, where the Guano Apes were very popular. When I realised that the original was by Alphaville (Forever Young), I had to get hold of it – and liked it even better than Forever Young! Recently hearing the Apes’ version again, I must say I am quite disappointed. The original reminded me strongly of One Night In Bangkok (sung by Murray Head in the musical Chess, by amazing Tim Rice and ABBA’s Björn and Benny) while the cover is simply a rock song.
Smooth Criminal: When I saw this song in my newly acquired Michael Jackson collection, I wondered whether it could possibly be the same song as the Alien Ant Farm hit from a few years ago, but I didn't really think so. Of course, it is. Except for the different chorus, which quite took me by surprise, both versions are quite fun.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This): This breakthrough Eurythmics song was also the song that established Marilyn Manson in mainstream conciousness a decade later. Interestingly, the Eurythmics also use some of the lyrics again in their 1999 song 17 Again, to good effect.
The Sound of Silence: This song, written by Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel after President Kennedy's assasination, and featured on The Graduate soundtrack, was their first major hit. And, as Sweet Dreams did for Manson, a cover by South African goth band The Awakening first brought them to the local public's attention.
The Safety Dance: From The Awakening's CD Response, I gathered that this song was a cover of some 80's song – by Men Without Hats, as I soon found out. The two songs are surprisingly alike, given Ashton Nyte's deep vocals and the two decades separating them. I feel like doing a Futurama-type dance – whatever that might look like! – whenever I hear one of them.
Dance Like This / Hips Don't Lie: Another dancable track, although of a completely different nature. Dirty Dancing 2 features this song by Wyclef Jean and Claudette Ortiz. A few weeks ago, I was surprised to hear it on the radio, especially when the words “Shakira Shakira Shakira” was audible in the background; and, although I could not be sure, I rather imagined it sported an extra verse. Indeed, Shakira decided to collaborate with Wyclef Jean, changing all Ortiz's words to stupid things like “I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie” and the annoying trademarking “Shakira Shakira” every other moment. But it was a hit…
The First Cut is the Deepest: This song will always be a sore point with me. Originally by Cat Stevens, it was everything a Cat Stevens song should be. Covered by Rod Stewart, it became a soppy song with the throaty Stewart bouncing from note to note, the drum tsh-tsh-ing out the rhythm, and a silly instrumental break in the middle. But, to heap insult upon insult, it has now been covered by Sheryl Crow. The local radio station has switched over from playing Stewart's version to playing hers, and, bad as his version had been, the change was for the worse. Just another hit…
Father and Son: In comparison, when Ronan Keating worked with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) to produce this new version, I had to admit that I was impressed. With Keating acting the son, and Islam the father, the dialog really came to life. I do not know the original Boyzone cover so well, but as far as I can remember, even that was tolerable.
I will finish this off by a rant againts the countless Westlife covers, such as I have a Dream (ABBA), Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks), Uptown Girl (Billy Joel), Mandy (Barry Manilow), Angel (Sarah McLachlan), and You Raise Me Up (originally by Secret Garden). Talk about unoriginality.
Wait, now I've thought of more covers that I have. So,
Londonderry Air: Some further explanation concerning the above-mentioned You Raise Me Up is due. Originally released by Secret Garden in 2001, it has since recorded more than 125 times, and in several languages. I have the Josh Groban version, and by comparing it to my Spirit of the Dance DVD, you can hear that it resembles Danny Boy, which, in turn, are lyrics set to the old Irish tune known as the Londonderry Air. Although these lyrics are apparently the most popular, many others also exist.
Greensleeves / You're Living Inside My Head: This traditional English song has quite an interesting history in itself, with popular legend asserting that it was composed by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn, who was to be his second wife. I myself have the Loreena McKennitt version. I also have a song, You're Living Inside My Head, by South African artist John Ireland (better known for his song I Like…) which is based on the Greensleeves melody, albeit with an upbeat tempo.
Charlie: South African band Rabbitt recorded this song in the mid-seventies, and it is still played on radio stations here (not to be confused with the song Charly by, according to the compilation CD, Sean Reddy, but of which I have found no trace on the internet, and therefore suppose to be an even more unknown South African artist). The 2002 cover by Wonderboom, subtitled Ain't Slavin' 2 Da Habit, was one of the biggest hits that year, mixing in some kwaito and rap influences. I've always wondered whether it wasn't sampled off Mandoza's Nkalakatha, as I used to get monstrously confused, but have never been able to compare the two.
So You Win Again: I know this song, originally by Hot Chocolate, better for it's cover by Copperfield, who were actually British but lived in South Africa, where their version reached #2 in 1978. In fact, I saw it performed by one of their original members, Peter Taylor, in 1997.
Love is All Around: Although the cover by Wet Wet Wet (for Four Weddings and a Funeral) is probably better known, it was originally recorded by The Troggs (of Wild Thing fame) in 1968. Of course, there is also the Christmas is All Around version that appears in Love Actually.
See? Now I don't have a nice concluding remark. I knew the Westlife ending was perfect!