Blogocentric Formulations

Burning Down The House with No Sleep

"Blog Harbor"  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!

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:

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