…WISEY’S GREATEST COVERS…
There’s nothing I like better than discovering an interesting take on a song I already know. With the event of Marilyn Manson’s latest release of “In The Air Tonight” which everyone’s currently raving about I thought I’d drop a few of my favourite examples of songs you might or indeed should know which have been covered in a new/different style. There are some obvious instant examples, Placebo’s “Running up that Hill” being probably the most well known, although Metallica’s version of “Whiskey in the Jar” possibly comes in a close second, and of course Disturbed’s more recent but still now aging fast (possibly due to constant overplaying) “Sounds of Silence” is up there too, but I’d like to throw at you a few curveballs if you’ll let me to add something I consider more interesting into the mix.
Anyone who’s encountered me out and about in the wild knows I love me a bit of Clawfinger and here is absolutely where I start. Clawfinger’s cover of “Vienna”, originally by Ultravox just adds something extra to the original, like perhaps an inherent anger at having been kept off the top of the UK charts by the abomination that is “Shaddap You Face” by Joe Dolce! Who could blame them? As a personal homage I may have once ambled into a pub while visiting Vienna in Austria, procured the services of an internet jukebox, and played it at an obscene volume, much to the amusement (or maybe chagrin) of anyone else within the ale selling establishment! The fact that I was also adorned in a Clawfinger shirt only added to my own personal amusement as the sound of isolated drums and a distinctly cross sounding Swedish rock rapper inserted itself into the darkest corners of the establishment!
Faith No More love themselves a good cover version, but it would be far to *coughs* Easy *coughs* to mention the most obvious. Instead, I actually prefer their version of The Bee Gees “I Started a Joke”. It’s delicate in places, soulful even, but with a crispness and clarity and indeed power especially in the higher notes that is almost begging me to attempt it in our local singy thingy (I can’t spell karaoke!) and then be suitably rebuked for it by the audience.
Also not adverse to having a dig at other people’s songs are Therapy? They utterly destroy U2’s “With or Without You”, which is nice, but it has to be Hüsker Dü’s “Diane” which is the most evocative or their surprisingly substantial collection. A story of a murder first released in 1983 (but having existed for a couple of years previously) it became arguably Therapy?’s breakthrough single across Europe, although at times it was edited for content depending on the country and the time of broadcast if being played on TV or radio.
If you’re looking for something a little less harsh than Clawfinger and Therapy? Chris Cornell’s emotive “Billie Jean” really nails it in terms of delivery. Soundgarden’s frontman seems to feel every word as he espouses “remember to always think twice”, his voice evincing his feeling and thoughts about the subject matter.
Similarly, Corey Taylor’s version of “I’ll be your Lover too”, originally by Van Morrison, is spectacular in capturing the mood of the song. It appears desperately difficult to find a version of this online, however currently Corey’s whole “Live in London” show is still showing on YouTube, 23 million views later, so I don’t expect it to disappear anytime soon.
It would be remiss of me to not include a mention of Carter USM, the band I saw as my first ever concert live in Stoke, eons ago, purely as a personal nod to the artists which began my live music journey. Their versions of Inspiral Carpets “This Is How It Feels” and “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” made famous from the “Man of La Mancha” musical are frankly a joy to listen to as they bring so much more to the originals than perhaps could ever have been imagined at the time of writing.
Everyone will have an opinion as to what is THE best cover, especially now as you’ve people like Anthony Vincent and the guys (and girls) coming out of Frog Leap Studios etc floating about the internet ether. Megadeth’s version of “Boots” certainly adds a little something to the track, Metallica’s attempt at Deep Purple’s “When a Blind Man Cries” is… interesting, “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails originally, seriously no longer belongs to them, especially given the accompanying video by Johnny Cash and so really, it’s all very subjective.
Which is of course, why it makes it interesting! Feel free to drop your own selection in the comments. Perhaps you’ll show me something I’ve been missing for years, or something new which I’ve not encountered yet. The gift of new music is never to be sniffed at even at my ripe old age. I’ll look forward to reading/listening!
