This round of tributes to good cover songs is a fun one with some offbeat observations of some past songs.
SUZY BOGGUSS- “Drive South”- As a forever admirer of John Hiatt’s songwriting and recordings, I examine covers of his music with a critically careful ear. His 1988 “Slow Turning” record brought us the original version of this song and two years later the Forrester Sisters country group covered it. Not long after, Aledo Illinois native Suzy Bogguss tracked the cut for her ‘Voices in the Wind” album. Bogguss had earlier top 10 country hits like “Aces.” “Someday Soon” and “Letting Go.” Her version of the Hiatt travel tune landed at number 2 on the Country charts and it’s damn good. John’s recording features his growling voice but Suzy’s cover has a breezy tone to it. It’s always interesting to compare a male and female version of the same song.
BONNIE RAITT- “Thing Called Love”- This is another great John Hiatt song, this one from the 1987 album “Bring the Family.” His track has a funky hop to it, while Bonnie’s version is more bluesy, with a touch of twang. Both styles do the song up right but Hiatt had to be out of his mind thrilled that Bonnie covered “Thing Called Love.” It was the lead single and video for her “Nick of Time” album which sold loads of copies and put some serious dollars into John Hiatt’s pocket. Bonnie would go on to cover another Hiatt track, “No Business” but “Thing Called Love” was the better of the two.
THE WHO- “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”- Here’s a fun one to compare. I grew up being dedicated to the music of Elton John and The Who. So back in 1991 there was a multi artist album “Two Rooms”done to honor the music of Elton and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. Sixteen Elton/Bernie songs were covered and The Who took on this great rocker. It starts out with a gradual slow flurry of guitar and keyboard before Pete Townsend clocked in his Fender Telecaster guitar licks. Roger Daltrey’s vocals are singed with the proper street fighting attitude. Then in the last 90 seconds of the track Townsend throws in the chorus from another Elton oldie, “Take Me to The Pilot.” Just a cool surprise before getting back to the “Saturday, Saturday” chorus. I’ll always prefer the Elton version and put it at #1 but The Who’s novel approach to it earns a spot at 1A.
EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL- “The Only Living Boy in New York.” I was never familiar with this oldie from Simon and Garfunkel until I saw the 2002 indie movie “Tadpole” which is a film that deserves its own blog from me in the future. EBTG’s version of this song was featured and it was totally enchanting. After seeing “Tadpole”, I had to research the history of this track. Paul Simon wrote it as his partner Art Garfunkel flew to Mexico (as the song says) to act in the movie “Catch 22.” Simon was left alone to work on their next record and he felt alone, like he was the only living boy in New York. This is one of those songs so well written that it really doesn’t matter who sings it, the tune is soothing and great to hear over and over again.
NEXT BLOG- More Great Movie Scenes Take #2.