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by Jeff
Rated: 18+ · Book · Biographical · #1399999
My primary Writing.com blog.
#933049 added April 18, 2018 at 5:02pm
Restrictions: None
Burning Down The House with No Sleep

"Blog Harbor from The Talent Pond PROMPT (DAY 18): What cover version of a song do you think is better than the original?


I can't help it. This time I'm doing a two-fer. I can't pick just one cover song! *Bigsmile*

First up, is "Burning Down the House" by The Used (previously by Talking Heads). As much as I hate to admit that I discovered this song watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, mostly because I don't ever want to admit that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has any redeemable qualities whatsoever, this is actually a really good cover. Talking Heads' version is a classic, but I really dig the industrial sound The Used were able to get on this track. It feels retro and modern all at the same time.




Second, I can't in good conscience talk about covers versions without mentioning Jay-Z's cover of the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" from the All Points West Music & Art Festival in 2009. If you're not familiar with the story, 2009 was the year when Beastie Boys vocals/bassist MCA (Adam Yauch) was diagnosed with cancer. They ended up having to pull out of their Friday night headlining gig at All Points West and the festival got Jay-Z to fill in as the last-minute headliner. He thought it would be appropriate to open his set with a tribute to the band he was replacing and it... is... amazing.




There aren't many people that can pull off the energy and rhythm of a Beastie Boys track, but Jay-Z handled it like a pro. Maybe it was his practice doing rap/rock mashups with Linkin Park on their amazing Collision Course album in 2004... or maybe it's just the fact that Jay-Z is an incredible entertainer. Either way, he nailed it. I don't necessarily think it's better than the original, but I think he did a really great job trying to pay tribute to the Beastie Boys at a time when they were really struggling.

There are actually a ton of cover versions of songs that, for various reasons, I like more than the original. Some other finalists that were in close contention for this blog entry include:

         *Music2* "Tainted Love" by Marilyn Manson (previously by Soft Cell and Gloria Jones)
         *Music2* "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm (previously by Michael Jackson)
         *Music2* "I Fought The Law" by The Clash (previously by The Crickets and The Bobby Fuller Four)
         *Music2* "Landslide" by The Dixie Chicks (previously by Fleetwood Mac)
         *Music2* "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles (previously by The Isley Brothers)
         *Music2* "Blue Monday" by Orgy (previously by New Order)


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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/933049