When Smashing Pumpkins released their sixth single, "Disarm", from the Siamese Dream album, they included a couple of B-sides. One was this surprisingly faithful and reserved cover of this Stevie Nicks-penned classic, a stark contrast to the wall of noise bombast the band had been known for up to that point. Billy Corgan sings the song beautifully, which isn't an adjective I would have thought to use before this to describe his voice.
The song, which got significant enough modern rock radio airplay to reach #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart on its own, also ended up on their 1994 compilation Pisces Iscariot, a collection of B-sides that probably wouldn't exist if not for this song.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
16 January 2018 - Nina Nesbitt - Don't Stop
This song was legitimately a minor hit for Scottish artist Nina Nesbitt in the UK in 2013. Don't let the former model's looks fool you - she really understands the emotional depth of the song and does the Fleetwood Mac original justice, while giving it a janglier, popier sound. And, to be fair, a Scottish accent.
We don't get the guy showering in blue paint, though.
This song was originally featured in an advertisement for John Lewis, a UK insurance company known for their Christmas advertisements. This was not a Christmas advertisement, but it was still cute.
We don't get the guy showering in blue paint, though.
This song was originally featured in an advertisement for John Lewis, a UK insurance company known for their Christmas advertisements. This was not a Christmas advertisement, but it was still cute.
Monday, January 15, 2018
15 January 2018 - The Engagements - Say You Love Me
As a rule, we don't often feature wedding bands. The Engagements, from Brooklyn, NY, are going to be an exception to that rule. Because their version of this song is fantastic.
Their website claims that they "cover.. songs that haven’t been played to death at weddings" and we believe them. This is a bit of a depressing wedding song, but it sure sounds cheery. If you are in New York or the surrounding area, and want to book them for your wedding or corporate event, go to their website for details.
Their website claims that they "cover.. songs that haven’t been played to death at weddings" and we believe them. This is a bit of a depressing wedding song, but it sure sounds cheery. If you are in New York or the surrounding area, and want to book them for your wedding or corporate event, go to their website for details.
Friday, December 29, 2017
29 December 2017 - Girlschool - Fox on the Run
If Motorhead were all women, you'd have Girlschool. That's not just me saying that. Formed in 1978, they're still around, playing punk-tinged metal, and sounding great doing it.
This Sweet cover - a little more glam than their image - suits them well.
This Sweet cover - a little more glam than their image - suits them well.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
28 December 2017 - Jennifer Ellison - Baby I Don't Care
If you are reading this from the UK, it's a pretty good bet that you already know who both Jennifer Ellison is. You know that Jennifer won Hell's Kitchen. You might even know her from Dance Mums or her turn in the film version of The Phantom of the Opera. Or, maybe you are a fan of Brookside and know her from there.
You are probably also familiar with Transvision Vamp, if you are in the UK. Led by Wendy James, the pop/punk/rock group were never all that successful in the US, but did have modest success elsewhere. This song, in a punkier version, was their biggest hit in 1989, peaking at #3 on the UK Singles charts. This version made it all the way to #6 in 2003, proving that the song itself - an anthem about showing, not telling, one's love for another - was compelling. Sure, Jennifer Ellison is no Wendy James, but she clearly has fun with a fun song, and it shows.
You are probably also familiar with Transvision Vamp, if you are in the UK. Led by Wendy James, the pop/punk/rock group were never all that successful in the US, but did have modest success elsewhere. This song, in a punkier version, was their biggest hit in 1989, peaking at #3 on the UK Singles charts. This version made it all the way to #6 in 2003, proving that the song itself - an anthem about showing, not telling, one's love for another - was compelling. Sure, Jennifer Ellison is no Wendy James, but she clearly has fun with a fun song, and it shows.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
27 December 2017 - A "Changed The Locks" Special
You probably have never heard of Lucinda Williams. I hope I'm wrong about that. She's an amazing songwriter and performer in her own right. However, her best known song is "Passionate Kisses", and that's because Mary Chapin Carpenter recorded an amazing cover of that song.
So, today, we're going to highlight a different song of hers. "Changed The Locks" is about a person trying desperately to keep someone they have obviously been passionate involved with away, by any means necessary. It's an achy, desperate song. Here is Maura Tierney in the Showtime series The Affair singing along with it drunkenly (I assume she's acting drunk, and not actually drunk, but who knows how Method she went here).
It's also one of the most covered songs of all time. Take this version by the legendary Johnny Cash. Late in his career, he started covering everything. This song didn't make it onto an album - it was cut from his American II - but it's still a great, grungy, Cash-y version of a song destined for greatness.
I think that this version, by Tom Petty, might sound very influenced by that Johnny Cash version. The truth is, Tom was a guest on Johnny's album, and both of these versions were recorded in 1996. If anything, this version turns up the bombast to 11 at points. And it works.
You can't say New York band The Silos were influenced by anyone but Lucinda Williams. This version predated them by two years. However, this is proof that it is patently impossible to do an non-passionate reading of this song.
I have a confession now.
I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't know it was a Lucinda Williams song when I first heard it. I thought it was a Kasey Chambers song, as I first heard her perform it on the radio program Mountain Stage - which you should also be listening to. The way that Ms. Chambers owned this song should make that mistake understandable. As much as I've been praising Ms. Williams throughout this, it is this version that I find to be the best one.
This song - specifically Ms. Chambers' version - is a huge driver as to why I started this blog so many years ago in the first place. I'm somewhat amazed I never posted this before. That there are still great covers like this one still being made keeps reminding me that there are still more posts to write, and still more covers to bring you. I intend to continue that for years to come.
So, today, we're going to highlight a different song of hers. "Changed The Locks" is about a person trying desperately to keep someone they have obviously been passionate involved with away, by any means necessary. It's an achy, desperate song. Here is Maura Tierney in the Showtime series The Affair singing along with it drunkenly (I assume she's acting drunk, and not actually drunk, but who knows how Method she went here).
It's also one of the most covered songs of all time. Take this version by the legendary Johnny Cash. Late in his career, he started covering everything. This song didn't make it onto an album - it was cut from his American II - but it's still a great, grungy, Cash-y version of a song destined for greatness.
I think that this version, by Tom Petty, might sound very influenced by that Johnny Cash version. The truth is, Tom was a guest on Johnny's album, and both of these versions were recorded in 1996. If anything, this version turns up the bombast to 11 at points. And it works.
You can't say New York band The Silos were influenced by anyone but Lucinda Williams. This version predated them by two years. However, this is proof that it is patently impossible to do an non-passionate reading of this song.
I have a confession now.
I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't know it was a Lucinda Williams song when I first heard it. I thought it was a Kasey Chambers song, as I first heard her perform it on the radio program Mountain Stage - which you should also be listening to. The way that Ms. Chambers owned this song should make that mistake understandable. As much as I've been praising Ms. Williams throughout this, it is this version that I find to be the best one.
This song - specifically Ms. Chambers' version - is a huge driver as to why I started this blog so many years ago in the first place. I'm somewhat amazed I never posted this before. That there are still great covers like this one still being made keeps reminding me that there are still more posts to write, and still more covers to bring you. I intend to continue that for years to come.
Monday, May 22, 2017
22 May 2017 - Sky Ferreira - Falling
I shudder to call this a cover. Even though Julee Cruise provided the original vocal to this song, it was Angelo Badalamenti's haunting musical arrangement that makes the song memorable. And yes, he and his bands are accompanying here.
But it is a cover, at least of the vocal version. Sky Ferreira is much more of a belter than Julee Cruise, with a higher voice, bringing a slightly different feel to the vocals.
I'm down to the third paragraph and I haven't even mentioned the obvious - this is the theme from Twin Peaks, which is currently experiencing a revival on Showtime, and premiered last night. And yes, both Sky Ferreira (in a non-musical role) and Julee Cruise (as the roadhouse singer) are scheduled to appear. As a huge Twin Peaks fan, I am quite excited.
And when I found this cover, I was excited that everything had come full circle. So enjoy.
But it is a cover, at least of the vocal version. Sky Ferreira is much more of a belter than Julee Cruise, with a higher voice, bringing a slightly different feel to the vocals.
I'm down to the third paragraph and I haven't even mentioned the obvious - this is the theme from Twin Peaks, which is currently experiencing a revival on Showtime, and premiered last night. And yes, both Sky Ferreira (in a non-musical role) and Julee Cruise (as the roadhouse singer) are scheduled to appear. As a huge Twin Peaks fan, I am quite excited.
And when I found this cover, I was excited that everything had come full circle. So enjoy.
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