03-22-2006, 03:53 PM
Hi
When perusing the headlines at the New York Times this morning, I came across this story about the originator of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
It got me thinking again about cover versions of songs, and how sometimes a song gets transformed and 'owned' by a different artist than the original one.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", in my mind, is owned by The Nylons, with their a capella version.
But there are many songs like that. Some were lacklustre; some stand out. I want to hear about the stand-outs.
Here are some that fit that description for me:
"Me and Bobby McGee" is owned by Janis Joplin; no matter that Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded it.
"Fever" has been recorded by too many artists - period. But I do love Rita Coolidge's version of it - smouldering and sexy.
"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" was recorded by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (written by Shel Silverstein), but Marianne Faithfull did a cover of it that is sublime.
"Honky Tonk Women" was originally done (and well) by The Rolling Stones, but Taj Mahal took that song and stripped it down to pure pain and sleaze in a magnificent version.
There are more I could come up with. But I would like to know what others have taken a song, transformed it and "own" it now.
Nominations?
When perusing the headlines at the New York Times this morning, I came across this story about the originator of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
It got me thinking again about cover versions of songs, and how sometimes a song gets transformed and 'owned' by a different artist than the original one.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", in my mind, is owned by The Nylons, with their a capella version.
But there are many songs like that. Some were lacklustre; some stand out. I want to hear about the stand-outs.
Here are some that fit that description for me:
"Me and Bobby McGee" is owned by Janis Joplin; no matter that Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded it.
"Fever" has been recorded by too many artists - period. But I do love Rita Coolidge's version of it - smouldering and sexy.
"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" was recorded by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (written by Shel Silverstein), but Marianne Faithfull did a cover of it that is sublime.
"Honky Tonk Women" was originally done (and well) by The Rolling Stones, but Taj Mahal took that song and stripped it down to pure pain and sleaze in a magnificent version.
There are more I could come up with. But I would like to know what others have taken a song, transformed it and "own" it now.
Nominations?
And you may call it righteousness
When civility survives,
But I've had dinner with the Devil and
I know nice from right.
From Dinner with the Devil, by Big Rude Jake
When civility survives,
But I've had dinner with the Devil and
I know nice from right.
From Dinner with the Devil, by Big Rude Jake