Less a cover and more a reimagination of an Otis Redding classic, this song was unbelievably Aretha's only Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit. More importantly, it turned a song about a guy begging his girl for respect into a feminist anthem.
Music really lost a legend in Aretha Franklin today, but her songs will endure for generations to come.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
30 July 2018 - The Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira
A lot of you know there used to be two authors of this blog, as well as Wicked Guilty Pleasures. I miss writing with Scott Colvin - he brought a different feel to his postings than I did, and he kept me motivated.
But I have to correct a slight inaccuracy on one of his posts today, and it's a commonly held one.
In 2014, he posted what he called a cover of an Oak Ridge Boys classic, "Elvira", by Little Big Town. And, the song was definitely "Elvira", and a pretty interesting version of it. But the Oak Ridge Boys themselves covered the song, which was previously performed by Rodney Crowell (whose version is probably closest to the Little Big Town one), as well as Kenny Rogers and the First Edition...... and written and recorded in the mid-60s by Dallas Frazier.
He didn't write it about Cassandra Peterson, either - Elvira Ave. is a residential street in Nashville, Tennessee. And there's no Hungry House Cafe there. I checked.
Let's be completely honest, though - the Oak Ridge Boys owned this song, and they made it a classic. Scott got that part spot-on. No other version has such great harmonies, or nearly the energy of this version. These are some of the best harmonies ever recorded!
But I have to correct a slight inaccuracy on one of his posts today, and it's a commonly held one.
In 2014, he posted what he called a cover of an Oak Ridge Boys classic, "Elvira", by Little Big Town. And, the song was definitely "Elvira", and a pretty interesting version of it. But the Oak Ridge Boys themselves covered the song, which was previously performed by Rodney Crowell (whose version is probably closest to the Little Big Town one), as well as Kenny Rogers and the First Edition...... and written and recorded in the mid-60s by Dallas Frazier.
He didn't write it about Cassandra Peterson, either - Elvira Ave. is a residential street in Nashville, Tennessee. And there's no Hungry House Cafe there. I checked.
Let's be completely honest, though - the Oak Ridge Boys owned this song, and they made it a classic. Scott got that part spot-on. No other version has such great harmonies, or nearly the energy of this version. These are some of the best harmonies ever recorded!
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
19 June 2018 - Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life
This was a cover - which you know if you read Wicked Guilty Pleasures today...
It was also, bar none, the biggest hit ever up until that time, spending ten weeks at the top of the Billboard charts in 1977 (a feat matched by this song in 1980 and not eclipsed until 1993). It came to be when Joseph Brooks, the songwriter, became disillusioned for one reason (some say he was the Harvey Weinstein of his day) or another with the original vocalist, and had Debby Boone rerecord it - in a more Christian reading of the love song.
None of Brooks' ugliness is Debby's fault. She did a beautiful job singing this in her own right.
It was also, bar none, the biggest hit ever up until that time, spending ten weeks at the top of the Billboard charts in 1977 (a feat matched by this song in 1980 and not eclipsed until 1993). It came to be when Joseph Brooks, the songwriter, became disillusioned for one reason (some say he was the Harvey Weinstein of his day) or another with the original vocalist, and had Debby Boone rerecord it - in a more Christian reading of the love song.
None of Brooks' ugliness is Debby's fault. She did a beautiful job singing this in her own right.
Monday, May 21, 2018
21 May 2018 - I.O.I(아이오아이) - Whatta Man (Good man)
If you are a fan of my other blog, Wicked Guilty Pleasures, you know last week was a tribute to K-Pop.
In building those posts over there, I found this fun Salt 'n' Pepa cover. I didn't expect it, and the verses really aren't the same - much less sexually charged than the original. However, the beat, the feeling, the flow, the energy - all very similar.
In building those posts over there, I found this fun Salt 'n' Pepa cover. I didn't expect it, and the verses really aren't the same - much less sexually charged than the original. However, the beat, the feeling, the flow, the energy - all very similar.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
3 April 2018 - Juliana Hatfield - Physical
Honestly, didn't expect this to be the second single from Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John. My expectations don't matter. This version has a LOT more bombast than even what was arguably ONJ's most bombastic song and by far biggest American hit.
Wanna hear this one live? We got you covered (pun intended)! Juliana sounds like a natural singing Olivia. I'm impressed.
Wanna hear this one live? We got you covered (pun intended)! Juliana sounds like a natural singing Olivia. I'm impressed.
Monday, April 2, 2018
2 April 2017 - Juliana Hatfield - A Little More Love (Official Video)
I started this blog on March 18, 2012, with a Bruce Springsteen cover by Juliana Hatfield. I don't post as regularly as I should....
....but when Juliana Hatfield releases an entire album of Olivia Newton-John covers (Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John, officially released April 13th and available here), that gets my attention. I, like Ms. Hatfield, have been a fan of Olivia Newton-John since my youth. I have also been a fan of Juliana Hatfield since my teens, when she was in a band called The Blake Babies (featured here in the past).
Juliana has a much lighter and less husky voice than Olivia, but does the song justice while staying faithful to the source material. That in itself is impressive. I wasn't sure I'd like these covers, but the respect for the originals shown here have won me over.
If you want to hear the original, head on over to Wicked Guilty Pleasures. We featured ONJ's version six years ago!
....but when Juliana Hatfield releases an entire album of Olivia Newton-John covers (Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John, officially released April 13th and available here), that gets my attention. I, like Ms. Hatfield, have been a fan of Olivia Newton-John since my youth. I have also been a fan of Juliana Hatfield since my teens, when she was in a band called The Blake Babies (featured here in the past).
Juliana has a much lighter and less husky voice than Olivia, but does the song justice while staying faithful to the source material. That in itself is impressive. I wasn't sure I'd like these covers, but the respect for the originals shown here have won me over.
If you want to hear the original, head on over to Wicked Guilty Pleasures. We featured ONJ's version six years ago!
Monday, January 22, 2018
22 January 2018 - Florence + the Machine - The Chain
I promise you, this isn't a Fleetwood Mac tribute blog.
Florence + The Machine played "The Chain" exactly once, at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2010.
Once.
Once.
Florence Welch subbing in for Lindsey Buckingham. She really gets it - the anguish, the disjointed structure, the raw energy..... how to act during that bassline...
Florence + The Machine played "The Chain" exactly once, at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2010.
Once.
Once.
Florence Welch subbing in for Lindsey Buckingham. She really gets it - the anguish, the disjointed structure, the raw energy..... how to act during that bassline...
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