I’ve always enjoyed listening to singers’ and band recordings of songs that were established hits for other artists. Known as ‘Cover Songs,’ sometimes they’re awful, sometimes they’re pretty good and every once in awhile a they can be better than the original. This is all subjective and I know some people feel the ‘original’ is always the best and no other version of a song should be given any credence. I think that’s closed mind thinking but then again what do I know?
Anyway, here’s a first sampling of cover songs that I appreciate at least as much as the original and maybe even more. Again, everyone hears things differently but here’s my take.
ROLLING STONES- “Just My Imagination.” Covering a classic Temptations hit takes some real ‘stones’ and while this may sound blasphemous, I actually like the Stones’ version better. The Temptations’ recording of it was sad and self-pitying. But Mick Jagger and company sped this one up a bit and put more soul into the song about longing for that special girl.
MILEY CYRUS- “Jolene.” So many singers have covered this Dolly Parton written standard both in concert and in recording studios. Dolly’s version still ranks as the best one but Miley, who is Dolly’s real-life goddaughter, does a damn good stab at this one. When you take away her goofy ways with the body filled with tattoos, the bawdy talk about sex and drugs and her tongue always hanging out of her mouth like a dog waiting for its supper, Miley Cyrus is a really good singer. While she may fight it, I think Miley’s true forte is in singing country classics like “Jolene.”
THE SEARCHERS- “Switchboard Susan.” Pub rocker Mickey Jupp wrote and recorded this as a gritty country roadhouse hop. It’s not what you’d call a “hit” but the track earned more attention when Nick Lowe recorded a punkier styled take for his “Labor of Lust” album. Yet my favorite version of “Switchboard Susan” was done by The Searchers. They recorded it as a harmonized and folksy unplugged rendition. I’ve often said some younger artist should take a stab at recording this 70’s tune but in our modern times I’m betting many listeners would ask “What the hell is a switchboard operator?”
TOM PETTY- “Feel a Whole Lot Better”- Tom Petty grew up idolizing the recordings of The Byrds. Years later he even went on to produce solo work for Byrd man Roger McGuinn. However, when Petty released his own solo effort, “Full Moon Fever” he tossed in a great cover of this Byrds song. Side by side, Tom’s version has a brighter and much fuller sound to it. And yes, I dare say it’s better than the original record.
NEXT BLOG– Appreciation for an under-appreciated singer.