It's alright 'cos the historical pattern has shown how the economical cycle tends to revolve...

[venta]

It's Friday, it's a bit after 3 o'clock, but keris and I have been busy shopping. It's time to go underneath the covers (with the lights out).

I always recommend listening to a cover version without knowing what or who it is, so click on the link before reading ahead...

Today's cover version [link to cover version expired]

That was Editors covering French Disko, originally by Stereolab.

Now, I admit, this does actually break my own rules of cover versions, because I didn't know the original when I first heard the Editors version. However, my rules, I'll ignore 'em if I want to.

Mostly I'm posting this because I think this makes a brilliant Editors song in its own right. They've grabbed hold of it and made it sound exactly like one of their own. Knowing the original now, I'm still impressed at what Editors did with it.

Even if you don't give a toss about French Disko, I'd recommend going and watching the YouTube clip linked above of Stereolab performing it live on The Word. It's a masterpiece of so-dated-it-looks-plain-weird television.

Comments

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend going and watching the YouTube clip linked above of Stereolab performing it live on The Word. It's a masterpiece of so-dated-it-looks-plain-weird television.

Particular highlights were black!presenter's hand gesture at the start and the fact the audience had clearly never heard the tune before in their lives (and probably weren't going to again). The backing dancers looked pretty bored too. Were these people forerunners of the emo genre?

[venta.livejournal.com]

I was most impressed by the main singer's total lack of expression... a feat she certainly repeats in other videos (I've never seen Stereolab live).

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

They're great live, although she does indeed remain pretty impassive throughout.

[lnr]

Like you I didn't know the original, except of course as soon as I go and listen to it I realise I both know it and *really like* it. Funny how it sounding so different makes it so unfamiliar, but I like the Editors version too. I think I need to go listen to that again.

[phlebas.livejournal.com]

Not just me then! Possibly Stereolab fans don't listen to the lyrics so much.
Which makes me wonder how many Cocteau Twins covers I've heard over the years and just not realised.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I first read the lyrics to Ping Pong a couple of years ago, and totally failed to recognise any (see subject line for details).

I think part of the problem is that Stereolab's singer puts emphasis in really weird places, so the words don't sound like words.

[phlebas.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not sure I'd call it a problem :)

[lnr]

It sounds less weird if you consider what it might sound like if sung *in French*

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Quite a lot of the song lyrics are pretty much just expositions of Marxist philosophy / economic theory -- Ping Pong is in that category.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

I have a copy, possibly that’s where you know it from?

[lnr]

That could well be it, though I suspect I may have been more aware of popular music when it was out than I am these days.

Out of curiosity did *you* spot the original from the cover?

[ewx.livejournal.com]

It was familiar but I couldn’t place it - it’s been a while since I listened to any Stereolab.

[lnr]

Is the Editors version on release on a particular album? I can't find that version (or the original!) on Amazon mp3.

[venta.livejournal.com]

No, it's only available as a b-side - on the CD single version of Munich.

I only know this because my boyfriend is a lovely chap who relentlessly chases obscure b-sides for me :)

[lnr]

Oh bugger, I don't suppose if you know whether I need the white version with the swimmers on or the red version with what looks like a stained glass window?

I think from Wikipedia that I probably want the red one, which has fewer tracks. I'd buy it if it weren't nearly 6 quid :/ One for the wishlist instead I think :)

Or I could bid on one on ebay and hope ;)

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about the stained glass window, but my single is definitely a dark red colour. Not white. I'll check when I get home (which will be tomorrow). It does only have two tracks on it - the title track (Munich) and this cover.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

I only know this because my boyfriend is a lovely chap who relentlessly chases obscure b-sides for me :)
Obscure B-sides are love.