There must be some kind of way out of here

[venta]

Well, today NME has published a chart of the "best cover versions of all time".

It's here: http://www.nme.com/news/muse/53090

Virtually none of them meet my criteria for a good cover. In particular, I don't believe that most people will have had any idea that the songs were covers when they first heard them. If someone had to tell you the song you know is a cover, it doesn't count.


[Poll #1622076]

Other reasons why the NME is wrong: in their corresponding chart of the worst cover versions ever, Madonna's American Pie only makes #8.

Edit The Beatles' song should of course be Twist and Shout. Search and replace error :)

Comments

[zotz]

You should read that article, if you haven't already. The Smithsonian disk of that family of songs is still available. I scraped it off emusic.

[venta.livejournal.com]

The whole "family of songs" concept is something I find endlessly fascinating. The other day I was reading about the evolution (http://www.planetslade.com/knoxville-girl1.html) of Knoxville Girl, and had on an LP I'd almost totally forgotten from childhood. It's called Young Hunting and is by the late, lamented Tony Rose. I was surprised to realise that the title song is basically exactly the same song as Nick Cave's Henry Lee.

I knew most of Cave's murder ballads were rooted in traditional songs, but it was still strange to have one suddenly jump out of a song I'd known as a kid.

[zotz]

Interesting. I'll have to chase that up - I've never heard it.

Stagger Lee's another recurring one, of course, and apparently based on a real argument. Over a hat.

[venta.livejournal.com]

The Knoxville Girl article I cited above comes from a very fine site which is well worth checking out for essays on a variety of topics. It has a history of Stagger Lee (http://www.planetslade.com/stagger-lee1.html), too. (Though it does have a typographically infuriating style of continuing side bars from page to page.)

I suspect Young Hunting is one of those albums which existed on vinyl in the seventies and hasn't since. I can sling you a low-quality mp3 taken from my parents' record, if you're interested.

[zotz]

I can't immediately find it anywhere. An mp3 would be very welcome - thank you. I'll have a trawl through that site too, of course. Also thanks.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

OH! Is that what they Oysterband song The Oxford Girl is about, then? I'd assumed it was about a more contemporary murder, but it makes sense in the context of the lyrics.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm ashamed to admit I don't actually know the Oysterband song.

Maybe oxfordgirl will come along and tell us :)

[ulfilias.livejournal.com]

*WHAT* Oh dear....one of my faves as an OB song and actualy of any songs !!!

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACC909NhTG8


I met a man whose brother said he knew a man who knew the Oxford girl ....
Is it true what you hear, did he do it out of fear?
Was the day drawing near when the child would start to show?
Was it rage or shame or damage to his name?
Was it something worse, does anybody know?
Did she pay a price for making men look twice
Like a glimpse of paradise across a dull and bitter land?
Did she pass them by, did she dare to meet their eye?
Did she scorn them all and did they understand?

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

I don't actually know the Oysterband song.
What the ...? [sigh]

[ulfilias.livejournal.com]

Hmm....I've always wondered and just started hunting and found this - http://web.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/riddleoxford1304.html

There is also mention here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Knoxville_Girl

Which seems to think the Oxford Girl is the ealiest version from which knoxville is derived !

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

I'll have to have a look when I have time - have bookmarked.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Having had a chance to read that now, I can also add that the bit about being 'wrapped in flannel/white linen' may well be a reference to the 18thC treatment of binding someone in wet cloth to ease the joint pain and fevers associated with advanced syphilis attacking the bones.

[zotz]

Good point. Hadn't occurred to me. Thank you.