And then there were the ones that should have been left alone. You just don't tamper with perfection.
Disclaimer: My commentary does not reflect on the artists, some of whom I absolutely love. But anyone can make a bad decision, including otherwise talented people.
"Blinded by the Light" -- original by Manfred Mann, cover by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Nothing against the Boss, but this was not one of his better moments.
"White Lines" -- original by Grandmaster Flash, cover by Duran Duran.
"Lean on Me" -- original by Bill Withers, cover by Club Nouveau. To quote the Marvelettes, "Don't mess with Bill."
"Another Saturday Night" -- original by Sam Cooke, cover by Cat Stevens.
"Pretty Woman" -- original by Roy Orbison, cover by Van Halen.
"Papa Don't Preach" -- original by Madonna, cover by Kelly Osbourne. Kelly, you should have stuck to what you know best, namely, driving your parents crazy.
"Big Yellow Taxi" -- original by Joni Mitchell, cover by Counting Crows. Although the song's even more appropriate in this decade than it was in 1970, Adam Duritz et al. really didn't do it justice. Sorry guys.
"The Loco-Motion" -- original by Little Eva, cover by Grand Funk Railroad. (Aside: Kylie Minogue covered it much better in 1988.)
"Behind Blue Eyes" -- original by The Who, cover by Limp Bizkit. The former captures existential alienation; the latter is just whiny.
"Ooh Child" -- original by the Five Stairsteps, also done beautifully by Nina Simone and Beth Orton. Dino, on the other hand . . . but then maybe that's just my inner horror at most things associated with high school coming out.
"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" -- original by The Delfonics, cover by New Kids on the Block. See above.
"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" -- original by Nancy Sinatra, cover by Jessica Simpson. Can you say, "gimmick"?
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" -- original by Nirvana, cover by Tori Amos. I normally love Tori, but her piano work and gorgeous voice don't fit this herald of the grunge era very well.
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2 comments:
Sometimes great cover songs are done by bands you've never heard of: "Afternoon Delight" covered by Van Atta High http://www.purevolume.com/VanAttaHigh
Even Will Ferrell would like this!
i found another Toriphile??? I didn't like the CD"Strange Little girls" much since I adore her songs so much - but I did like "I'm not in Love" and actually "strange Little Girls - but i didn't know the original. I saw her one year ago in NYC and it was the best concert i've ever been to. Like your blog.Visit mine
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