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Stuck in a Moment – And a Cover

26 Jul

I’m not the biggest U2 fan. I only like a few of their songs. This does not mean that I do not respect the work that Bono and the band does. Their philanthropic actions are praiseworthy and their musical contributions have been huge. But, like I just wrote, I only like a few of their songs. Out of this playlist that can fit on a standard CD (remember those), “Stuck in a Moment” has always held a special place above the rest. Perhaps it is because when I first heard the song at 14 years old I was maturing and the song’s catchy inspiration latched on like a fly to a light. I was hooked. I remember burning the track on a CD (wow I am really dating myself even though the days I speak of were only a few years ago) and listening to it on repeat. There was just something to the song.

Bono imagined “Stuck in a Moment” as a conversation with his late friend Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS, who committed suicide. Bono never was able to talk to Hutchence and persuade him against the reckless act. “Stuck in a Moment” is candid and uplifting. The song preaches the message that life is full of moments that seem incorrigibly bad, but they are just simple moments that will pass. You need to “stand up straight” and “get yourself together.” There is nothing hokey to this passionate lyric. And, with every performance, the song becomes more and more powerful.

I was reminded of it when Bono and the Edge performed it acoustically on David Letterman recently. Watch it:

It is tough to match Bono’s intensity (even when he is sitting down). But I happen to like a cover that Kris Allen, of American Idol fame, does of the song. His version is sweeter and softer. What do you think?

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Great Moments in Cover History: Mad World

6 Apr

 

Hilarious movie...nothing to do with this post besides the mad world

“Mad World” is a hit. There are many qualities that define a hit, but one of the most telling factors is where the song charts. I know, arbitrary statistics that I often pan on this blog. Well, yes, this may be true to a point. Charts still do tap into the public music psyche. A true hit reaches the charts as an original and as a cover. There is a good number of these songs. “Mad World” is a good example of this. I am profiling it because it changes so much from successful original to successful cover. Let’s go exploring.

“Mad World” by Tears for Fears was released in 1982. It was the band’s third single and first chart hit, reaching #3 on the UK singles chart. It is also a classic 80’s song. The somber lyric is backed by extraterrestrial synthesizer and eccentric percussion. It is quick-paced and odd (which pretty much describes most 80’s music). That is not to say the song is bad. Though, the song seems to me to be more suited for a slower pace. Well, Gary Jules, your move.

Gary Jules and Michael Andrews worked on a cover of this song. The cover was made for the movie “Donnie Darko” and released as a single in December of 2003. The cover went to UK #1. Now, I am not here to say that Tears for Fears recorded their own song wrong, but I will say that I am sure they enjoyed Jules’ cover. It is slow and drawn out. The piano works so much better than the synth.

I am eager to hear your opinions? What do you all think?

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Bobby Darin covers “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”

1 Mar

Often people forget about how multi-talented Bobby Darin was. There were many talented performers in the late 1950’s and Bobby Darin is always considered by experts to be near the top of that illustrious list. Darin wrote and performed, “Dream Lover,” and also saw tremendous success with his versions of “Mack The Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” He even wrote “Splish Splash” because of a bet that he couldn’t begin a song with the line “Splish Splash, I was taking a bath.” His excellent voice merged with his remarkable ability to play pop, rock, jazz, folk and country music with ease. He was an early example of a true singer/songwriter.

Perhaps he is forgotten because he died at 37 years old. Darin knew that his poor health would eventually catch up to him and it did at such a young age. His talent is remembered by fans of his music, but it should be remembered by fans of all music. He was a trendsetter. A few years after the release of “Dream Lover,” another singer/songwriter, Bob Dylan, would release “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” (which we talked about yesterday).

Here is Bobby Darin covering Dylan’s classic.

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Bad Moments in Cover History: The Story of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

1 Feb

So heaven's passageway is through a cave.

The image above is a cool depiction of “heaven’s door,” a mystical concept that has provided hope for the living and breathing. The concept is simple. This heavenly door is the zenith of Christianity, a gated passageway into the high heavens and cloud nine and the land adorned with all the awesome stuff you ever want, supposing you repent and have a friend in Jesus (according to Norman Greenbaum). But if you are not “good” you are not given the entrance code and you are forever stuck envying those who punched in the correct digits and are now lounging and eating buffalo wings with Babe Ruth and Abraham Lincoln (who I’m sure would have a lot to talk about).

“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is not really about heaven. It was written by Bob Dylan for the movie “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” and profiles an effete deputy who is dying. The song is more about ineptitude and old age. It is a melancholic masterpiece. Dylan presents something that is both melodic and austere. The simplicity of the chord structure mixed with the repetitive lyric provides a framework for all lachrymose and crestfallen pieces.

In 1987, the prototypical hair metal band decided they would start using it in their live sets. The song was then poisoned by the melodramatic, hyperbolic fingers of Axl Rose and a song loved for its downtrodden seriousness became the toy of unnecessary and cocky bedizenment. Guns & Roses destroyed a perfectly good song. Rose’s horrendous voice is so drawn out and fake it kills the song’s wonderment. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is somber. Guns & Roses’ version is an arena rock hugger-mugger that is vomit inducing. Everything from Slash’s screeching guitar to Rose’s awful voice turns the song into a showy piece of garbage. And, do you know what’s worse? People actually like it, no, love it. They think that it is the better version. Some don’t even know that it was originally recorded by Bob Dylan. Maybe it simply signifies a change in people. Seriousness in music is simply not appreciated.

Do you want to hear a good cover. Listen to Warren Zevon’s beautiful version off of his last album The Wind. That version is the model of verisimilitude. Zevon was dying when he recorded the piece and he knew its meaning.

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Great Moments in Cover History: “Blueberry Hill”

7 Jan

Mmmm...Blueberries...Homer Simpson guttural noises

“Blueberry Hill” has a history. It’s roots are in early 40’s music. This could come as a surprise to fans of the classic, most famously made a standard by Fats Domino 15 years after it was first released to the public. I’m sure when most of you read the title of the post the thought of a more recent cover came to mind. Yeah, probably someone covering Fats’ song. But, no, on the contrary, today’s great moment in cover history belongs to none other than Fats Domino himself.

So, where did “Blueberry Hill” come from? Slow the song down and you have the work of Mr. Vincent Rose, an Italian musician and band leader, who also wrote the music to Al Jolson‘s 1921 hit “Avalon.” Rose’s music was paired with the well-known lyric by Al Lewis and Larry Stock and the song was immediately recorded…in 1940. It was originally recorded by several orchestras. Glenn Miller and his orchestra laid down a version and so did Sammy Kaye, Russ Morgan, and Kay Kyser. But, perhaps the most famous recording was done by Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy for the aptly titled movie “The Singing Hill.”

Sounds slightly different than Fats’ hit, right. It has a country charm to it, obviously. The old-time guitar twang that comes off like a moan. It makes you feel like you are actually back in the 40s. Yes, the song is that dated. It also makes you yearn for the most innocent musical time ever. Seriously, this song was recorded when World War II was only a year old. It is 70 years old. Listen to that. The original song is 70 years old. Look what’s on the charts today. From Gene Autry to Kady Perry. Wow. That’s all I can say.

After Louis Armstrong did a version in 1949, Fats picked up the song in 1956 and put down the “Blueberry Hill” we all know and love.

Fats’ version hit at the right time. It is also clearly the best version of the song. The song works better up-tempo. It shot up to #2 in the Top 40 and was #1 on the R&B charts for 11 weeks. It sold five million copies in its first year. It also set the stage for several other musicians to cover the song. Keep this in mind. After Fats’ cover, 14 other musicians – including musicians like Duane Eddy, Cliff Richard and The Everly Brothers – all covered the song within the span of 14 years. It was that influential. Now, if we took this as Fats’ classic, which it mostly is, I can pose the question of what is the best cover of Fats Domino’s version.

One of my personal favorites is this version recorded by Nat King Cole and 11-year-old Billy Preston on the Nat King Cole show. The version was recorded in November of 1957. I cannot embed it into the post, but do check it out. Billy Preston is incredibly talented, even at 11.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loV9_xLF8Q

But, let us not skip over one of the most awesome covers of the song performed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He did a good job performing the song in English and it was at a children’s charity event. It is slightly odd, but, heck, the man likes to sing and play the piano so good for him.

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