The Recycled Music Cooperative

Livin' Thing - The Beautiful South

2008-09-12T11:08:00.003-04:00

Here it is-the number 1 'Guilty Pleasure' single of all time, according to Q Magazine. And here I thought such a title would involve Michael Jackson in some way.

In 1976, Electric Light Orchestra released the platinum-selling album, 'A New World Record', and 'Livin' Thing' was released as a single late in the year. It reached number 4 on the UK charts, number 4 on the Canadian singles charts, and number 13 on the US singles charts over the Christmas period.

The Beautiful South released an album of covers in 2004 entitled 'Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs'. This was one of three singles released from the album, and it reached number 24 on the UK charts, also late in the year.

You Shook Me All Night Long - Celine Dion

2008-09-08T14:44:00.003-04:00

So, it's been a while, hasn't it?

I figured it was time to get back at this. Well, whenever I get the chance to. And today, that chance is one that will make stab your ears with a jackhammer.

This cover of 'You Shook Me All Night Long' by Celine Dion was recently voted the Worst Cover Ever by Total Guitar magazine.

I believe the video shows why. And make sure your stomach is empty. Dry heaves might be better in front of your monitor.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

My Way - Sid Vicious

2008-06-18T18:18:00.002-04:00

When it comes to covers, it just doesn't get any more frightening or terrible than this. Not frightening in a bad or scary way-probably more of a 'what the hell were you thinking' kind of way. Being Sid, I'll go with 'not really thinking because he was shooting heroin.

In 1967, Paul Anka acquired the publishing rights to a French song entitled 'Comme d'habitude' by Claude Francois. By 1969, he had rewritten the tune and the lyrics and came up with 'My Way. but Paul did not want the song for himself. He wrote this song specifically for Frank Sinatra.

In 1969, Sinatra released the album 'My Way' and released the title song as a single. It performed respectably in the US, reaching 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, and did quite well on the Adult Contemporary charts, where it peaked at number 2.

The single reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and became the year's best-selling single-a much better performance than in the mainstream US chart. Amazingly, it reentered the UK chart six times until 1971, becoming the single with the most total weeks on the UK charts at 124.

The song, while considered a signature song of Frank's throughout his career, was not one of his personal favourites. He described the song as 'self-serving and self-indulgent'.

In 1979, Sex Pistols 'bass player' Sid Vicious released a cover that managed to reach number 6 on the UK Singles chart. This version was notable not only for the sped up arrangement, but also for the changed and improvised lyrics. The improvisations were because Vicious did not know the words, and threw in some barbs at former band mate John Lydon (Johnny Rotten).

It was one of only three singles Vicious released on his own, and his death would follow soon after in early 1979.

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)/I Want You - Robert Palmer

2008-06-14T23:01:00.004-04:00

Were there two classier singer-songwriters than Marvin Gaye and Robert Palmer? I mean, these guys made women wet with their just voices-the sound, the feel, the emotion.

I may be wet myself now that I've thought about them.

In 1971, Marvin Gaye released his legendary album 'What's Going On', and released the memorable 'Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)' as the second single in June of that year. The song relates to Marvin's sad views of how we as humans have dealt with the environment, and has prven a popular song to cover, especially today-see the two different artists, Corinne Bailey Rae and Alicia Keys, performing the song at Live Earth in 2007. It stormed the charts in the US, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart and number 1 on the R&B Singles Chart.

The other Marvin Song in this double-cover, 'I Want You', was released in April of 1976 from the album of the same name. The song is considered one of Gaye's most romantic songs, and reached number 15 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart and number 1 on the R&B Singles Chart, just as 'Mercy Mercy Me' did.

Robert Palmer decided that women weren't getting excited enough by his recordings and cut a cover version that combined both of these singles, thereby making women wetter than water.

Palmer released the dual cover in 1991 after including it on his extra-long 1990 album 'Don't Explain'. It reached number 9 in the UK Singles Chart, as well as number 16 in the US Singles Chart. Not too shabby.

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Devo

2008-06-12T22:24:00.003-04:00

Back to cool covers. Because I can't take much more crap this week. Maybe next week-who knows?

Seriously-if you don't think Devo are cool, then you are lame. Lamer than a lamoid who is lame as a lamey lamerson who is lame.

The Rolling Stones originally released this single in June of 1965, and would be on the subsequent full length album 'Out of Our Heads' the following month. A smash hit, the song gave the Stones their first number 1 single in the United States.

After controversy arose around the single in Europe (it was oringially played on pirate radio due to 'issues with the lyrics'), it was eventually released in the UK in August of 1965 and also reached number 1 there. This marked the Stones' fourth UK number one single. The song did not feature on the UK version of 'Out of Our Heads' since previously released singles were not added to albums at the time.

In 1978, after a number of years together, Devo released their first studio album entitled 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!'. Their cover of Satisfaction wa splaced right up front, as the second track on the first side of the album (just the second track now). The song was performed live by the band on an early episode of Saturday Night Live and remains a popular cover version by the band.

Mad World - Gary Jules

2008-06-11T22:38:00.003-04:00

My God. Has it been that long since I posted? That's what happens when vacations, new jobs, eating chips, sleeping, and added work after hours get in the way.

And what better way to start than with a cover song so grating, I want to walk right up to Gary Jules and punch him repeatedly in the groin. Yes, he sounds 'deep'. To me, it's deep all right. And I'm pulling up the hip waders to wade through the fecal matter this cover produces. I mean, what was this all about?

In 2001, Jules released the album 'Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets', and included his cover of 'Mad World'. The album literally took years to climb the charts, reaching the UK Top 40 and Billboard 200 in 2004, a good three years later. The cover song was included on the soundtrack to Donnie Darko in 2002, and demand for the song forced Jules to release it as a proper single in 2003. It reached number 30 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart (WTF?) in 2004, while over Christmas of 2003, it became the UK Christmas number 1. How...seasonal.

The original Tears For Fears version was sung by bassist Curt Smith, a rare departure from Roland Orzabal on lead vocals. The 3rd single by the band, it was released in November of 1982 as a single, later to appear on the 'The Hurting' album the following year.

It was also the band's first international hit, breaking in to the Top 40 in many countries, including number 2 in South Africa, number 6 in Ireland, and number 12 in Australia. Surprising success the band and the record label did not foresee, especially since the original idea was to make the song a B-side to 'Pale Shelter'.

Immigrant Song - Dread Zeppelin

2008-05-22T23:01:00.003-04:00

Tortelvis! Tiny Bass! Butt Boy!

This is the greatest cover band ever. I mean, ever. An Elvis impersonator fronting a Led Zeppelin tribute band that plays in reggae fashion? Awesomeness times a thousand.

Way back in them olden days known as the 1970s (1970 exactly, in fact), one of Led Zeppelin's rare single releases came out. 'Immigrant Song' was written in the summer of 1970 and debuted at the Bath Festival, before being released as a single in November of that year, against the wishes of the band. It managed to reach number 16 on the Billboard charts, and was the opening track on Led Zeppelin III, released the month before.

The single was released in Japan with 'Out on the Tiles' mistakenly replacing 'Hey Hey What Can I Do' as the B-side, making that single an incredibly rare and valuable item.

In 1989, Dread Zeppelin recorded their cover version at the home of Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and released it as a 7" single exactly as Led Zeppelin did, with a cover of 'Hey Hey What Can I Do' as the B-side. It was a surprising success, and the song was included on the band's 1990 debut album, 'Un-Led-Ed'. The album also surprisingly reached 116 on the Billboard Album Chart.

Lovers In A Dangerous Time - Barenaked Ladies

2008-05-20T22:10:00.005-04:00

Well, that was some break. But in the words of Rainier Wolfcastle, "Laughing time is over."

So, where to start? Well, how about with a cover of Bruce Cockburn? Heh. Cockburn.

Back before the Barenaked Ladies became filler for CRTC-mandated airtime, Steven Page became Jack Layton's shill and gave up his Dante Hicks impressions, and Ed Robertson lost enough weight to create another Rita MacNeil, the band actually put out interesting, creative music. This cover seemed almost perfect for them.

In 1984, Cockburn released the album 'Stealing Fire'. He released 'Lovers' as a single, and it managed to reach number 25 on the Canadian singles chart in August of that same year.

In 1991, the album 'Kick at the Darkness' was released as a tribute to the work of Bruce Cockburn. The song was released as a single in Canada and is considered BNL's first significant singles chart success. It reached number 16 on the Canadian singles charts, and was subsequently included on the band's compilation album 'Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits' in 2001.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Minipops

2008-05-09T15:25:00.003-04:00

I've been really busy this week. And now I'm speanding a few days relaxing, sleeping, and boozing in beautiful Quebec City.

So let me present the most frightening cover version ever made. Well, for now.

That ought to hold you over for a few days.

Home - Westlife

2008-05-03T23:22:00.004-04:00

Canadian jazz and big band singer Michael Bublé released the single 'Home' in 2005 off of his hugely successful album 'It's Time'.

The single managed to top the Adult Contemporary charts, while also making respectable showings on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the Adult Top 40, Pop 100, Hot Digital Songs, and UK Singles charts. It helped to continue Bublé's attraction to a wide variety of music fans.

Just two years later, in 2007, Westlife recorded and released their cover of the song, the first single from their album 'Back Home'. It was selected for them to record by the world's nicest person and uber humanitarian, Simon Cowell.

As Westlife were already a hit with the more youthful audiences of the UK and Europe, the single performed a bit better than the original. It made number 3 in the UK Single chart, and cracked the top ten in Ireland, Norway, and Sweden, while also being oddly successful in Taiwan. Who knew?

And is that the 747 aircraft you see on the tarmac at Dunsfold Park Airport on Top Gear? And what's up with the double engine?

Instant Karma - Duran Duran

2008-05-01T23:34:00.007-04:00

Less known by it's full title, 'Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)', this song is one of three John Lennon songs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lennon's third solo single for Apple Records, it is also one of the fastest released songs in music, having been written and recorded on the same day, and released about ten days after that.

The single debuted on February 10, 1970, and managed to reach number 3 on the US Hot 100 chart and number 5 on the UK Singles chart.

In 2006, Amnesty International released an album to support their fight against suffering in the Sudanese region of Darfur, entitled 'Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur'. Yoko Ono donated the rights and royalties to Lennon's songs to Amnesty for use in the 'Make Some Noise' project, of which this album was a part.

Duran Duran's cover of 'Instant Karma' was not on the initial release of the album. It was made available as an iTunes bonus track, and then made it's way on to Disc Two of the international (non-US) album.

The band performed the song live a number of times while on tour in 2006, and it has the 'honour' of being the last studio recording featuring guitarist Andy Taylor before he quit Duran Duran. Again.

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

2008-04-30T23:13:00.004-04:00

Psych.

You thought it was a Soft Cell original, didn't you? Well, you're wrong, Bubba. And now you'll be haunted for weeks by the freaky Star People in the video.

Gloria Jones recorded 'Tainted Love' in 1964 and released her first soul album, 'Come Go With Me' in 1966. She also worked as a songwriter for Uptown Records and Motown Records while continuing both her solo and backing vocal careers. She also worked with T. Rex, and dated lead singer Marc Bolan. T. Rex fans know her as the one behind the wheel in the car crash that killed Bolan in 1977.

Soft Cell released the song as their third single in 1981. It managed to reach number 1 on the UK Singles charts, as well as number 1 in numerous other countries. The UK release was backed by a memorable appearance on Top of The Pops. What for, I'm not sure, though I'd make it a toss-up between Marc's pants (please Hammer, don't hurt 'em), or Jimmy Savile's sweater. I'd swear there's a pot of gold at the end of it.

Dead Souls - Nine Inch Nails

2008-04-26T20:02:00.003-04:00

Wow, I've been lazy this week. No posts since Tuesday? Yikes.

In 1994, the movie 'The Crow' was released. It is best known as the movie where Brandon Lee died on set in mysterious circumstances when he was shot by a live bullet.

The soundtrack to the movie featured a number of covers, including this cover of Joy Division's 'Dead Souls'. The song was originally released on the 1981 compilation album 'Still', a collection of rare recordings and their last ever live performance at Birmingham University.

Nine Inch Nails recorded the song for The Crow soundtrack, as mentioned above, and was one of a number of cover songs on the album, which also included the Rollins Band cover of 'Ghost Rider' by Suicide.

Green Green Grass of Home - Tom Jones

2008-04-22T22:58:00.003-04:00

In 1964, Porter Wagoner released the single, 'Green Green Grass of Home', a song written by Claude "Curly" Putman Jr. And while made famous by Porter, it was covered almost yearly for the next few years, including versions by Bobby Bare in 1965, Jerry Lee Lewis in 1966, Johnny Cash in 1968, and Joan Baez in 1969.

The Wagoner original managed to reach number 4 on the US Singles chart by the time 1965 rolled around.

However, one of the more successful versions of the song was by Mr. Sexual Welshman himself, Tom Jones. Jones released the album of the same name, 'Green Green Grass of Home' in 1967, but the single preceded the album during the winter months of 1966. In fact, the single managed to hold on the the number 1 spot in the UK for 7 weeks, and was the Christmas Number 1 for the year 1966.

Lola - Robbie Williams

2008-04-18T23:39:00.004-04:00

In one of the first posts on the blog, I highlighted 'Band on the Run' by the Foo Fighters, from the 'BBC Radio 1 Established 1967' compilation album. Here's another one from that same album, this time by Robbie Williams.

In 1970, The Kinks released the album 'Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One', and in June of that year released what would become one of their most famous singles, 'Lola'. The song detailed a romantic encounter between a man and a transvestite in a London club. Lead singer Ray Davies was inspired to write the song after band manager Robert Wace spent an evening dancing with a transvestite.

The single reached number 2 on the UK Singles charts, while reaching the 9 spot on the US Hot 100 chart.

In September of 2007, Robbie Williams selected the song as his choice for a cover song on the 'BBC Radio 1 Established 1967' album, a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the BBC station. No official video or single release was done, as you can see by this lovely overdub of some other footage.

Yay for that. I think.

Live and Let Die - Guns N' Roses

2008-04-16T23:05:00.002-04:00

Any else want a free Dr. Pepper? Well, then tell Axl to get working on Chinese Democracy, would you?

Released in 1973 for the soundtrack to the James Bond movie, Live and Let Die, this Wings wingle was the first rock song to be used as a theme to a Bond movie. The song reunited Paul McCartney with his former Beatles producer George Martin, and also marked the first Bond film that John Barry was not a part of when it came to music.

The single was quite successful itself, reaching number 2 in the US and staying there for three weeks, while it reached number 9 on the UK Singles chart. The song became a highlight of Wings and McCartney's live shows, and he continues to play it to this day, including during Paul's appearance at Super Bowl XXXIX.

Guns N' Roses included their cover of the song on their 1991 album, Use Your Illusion I, notable for being release simultaneously with the album Use Your Illusion II. The song was one of a number of singles off the 'double album' release, only reaching number 33 on US charts, but hitting number 3 in the UK.

Go West - Pet Shop Boys

2008-04-14T22:55:00.002-04:00

Okay-I've had enough crap for one week. How about some fun, campy dance songs? And if it's fun and camp you want, how about Village People and Pet Shop Boys in one?

The Village People released the single off the album of the same title, 'Go West', in 1979. However, it did not enjoy the same success their previous singles 'YMCA', and the big single from the 'Go West' album, 'In The Navy'.

The Pet Shop Boys enjoyed much more success with the song, releasing it in 1993 off the album 'Very'. It managed to reach number 2 on the UK Singles chart, as well as in Austria, France, and Sweden, while it reached number 1 in Germany, but only 10 in Australia.

The music video was honoured with a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1995, but lost out to the old and decrepit Rolling Stones.

Yvan eht nioj.

Papa Don't Preach - Kelly Osbourne

2008-04-12T21:40:00.006-04:00

It takes a special kind of talent to turn a song into a 'musical abortion'. Strangely, Kelly Osbourne doesn't have that, or any other, talent. And yet she still managed to turn this Madonna single into something resembling drunken monkey vomit being spit up by an elephant with the flu.

Released by Madonna in 1996 as the second single from her third album 'True Blue', the lyrics depicted a teenage girl who becomes pregnant and decides to keep the child. The controversial topic contributed to the single's success, as it reached number 1 in countless markets and on numerous charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot 100 Airplay in the USA, and the singles charts in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Italy, and Australia.

Osbourne released the song as her debut single from the album 'Shut Up' in 2002. It managed to-through some unworldly reason-reach number 3 in both the UK and Australian Singles charts.

There apparently were whispers making the rounds that her version was about her famous father, Ozzy. Unless Ozzy became a pregnant teenage girl at some point and kept his (her?) baby, I doubt it. I mean, really...

Blue Monday - Orgy

2008-04-10T22:34:00.004-04:00

Remember this abomination? If you didn't, my apologies for reminding you.

I mean, we get it, guys. You made Orgy emo before emo was cool (or depressing?), and you enjoy attempting self-fellatio while showing your 'mad skillz' on the guitar. This song wasn't mean to be 'moaned', either, you douchebags.

New Order released the original 'Blue Monday' in 1983, and is one of the longest tracks (at 7 minutes-plus) to chart in the UK. It is also recognized as the best selling 12" single of all time. And while Bernard Sumner never really discusses lyrics from New Order tracks, there have been guesses that this song is about their friend and former Joy Division singer Ian Curtis' suicide, the effects of cocaine, and even the Falklands War.

The song originally hit number 13 in 1983, then re-charted up to number 9 on the UK Singles chart. It was remixed and re-released twice, in 1988 and 1995.

Orgy released their depressing (in a bad way) cover in 1998 off the album 'Candyass'. Not a very emo title, is it? Anyway, the single actually did well, and everyone who bought it must report to jail for a severe beating. I mean, it hit number 56 on the US Hot 100 chart, and 18 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, and a more baffling number 4 on the US Modern Rock chart and number 2 on the US Dance Club Play chart. Dance Club? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Hurt - Johnny Cash

2008-04-08T21:40:00.004-04:00

I've been sick, sneezing, and have had those all-over body pains the past few days. So I'm going to post a depressing cover. You'll get over it.

Just say the name Johnny Cash and you immediately think cool. This song was the last single Johnny released before his death in 2003. He released it in 2002 from the album 'American IV: The Man Comes Around', and the accompanying video made it all the more depressing when you think about his health, his wife's Rosanne's health, and how they must have felt those last few months.

The cover was awarded the Country Music Award for "Single of the Year" in 2003, and was the top video on CMT for 2003. The single was released with two more covers, 'Personal Jesus' by Depeche Mode and 'Wichita Lineman' by Glen Campbell.

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails never released the original version of the song as a commercial single, but did distribute a promotional CD with 6 different mixes. Even without the commercial release, the song managed to reach number 8 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

It's My Life - No Doubt

2008-04-05T21:56:00.003-04:00

I almost forgot about this cover. Then, while following the other half dutifully through a store looking at furniture, it began playing over the in-store system. And all was good in the world.

In January of 1984, Talk Talk released 'It's My Life' as the first single off of their album of the same name. The song was considered a disappointment in the UK, where it only reached number 46 on the UK Singles chart. It managed to reach number 31 on the US charts, and even higher in some European markets.

In 1990, the song was re-released to promote Talk Talk's compilation album 'Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk'. This time around it managed to reach 13 on the UK Singles chart.

In late 2003, No Doubt released their cover to promote their own singles compilation album 'The Singles 1992-2003'. The band initially had doubts over recording the song, but in the end decided to record it over covering 'Don't Change' by INXS or writing a completely new song. That decision paid off as it was nominated for a Grammy Award for 'Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal' and won the Grammy for 'Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical' for the 'Thin White Duke' remix of the song.

20th Century Boy - Placebo

2008-04-03T23:15:00.003-04:00

Why bother with clips from the movie our latest cover featured in, or a sad homemade video, when you can just use the clip of Placebo and David Bowie performing live?

Exactly-you don't bother with the others.

In 1997, Placebo were asked to play at David Bowie's 50th birthday party celebration at Madison Square Garden, and selected the T. Rex classic, '20th Century Boy'. They also played the song with Bowie at the 1997 BRIT Awards. A year later, the band recorded a studio version of the song for the soundtrack to the movie 'Velvet Goldmine', a movie in which the band also performed the song. It was never officially released as a single, however.

T. Rex released the original in 1973, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles chart. The song was never an original track on a full-length album, but it was included as a bonus track on the reissue of the band's 1973 album 'Tanx'.

Castles Made of Sand - Red Hot Chili Peppers

2008-04-02T23:17:00.002-04:00

Appearance number two for the Peppers on our little list.

While this video and the more popular recording of the song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers are live, the band did record a studio version of the song and included it as a bonus track through iTunes on 'Blood Sugar Sex Magic', so it qualifies here.

Jimi Hendrix released the song in 1967 in the UK and 1968 in the United States on the 'Axis: Bold As Love' album. It was written about his childhood, and it has been claimed by his brother that Jimi, himself, and their mother are all subjects in the song.

The Chili Peppers included the live version on the 'Out in L.A.' compilation of live tracks, b-sides, and outtakes in 1994, and then added it to the remastered 'Mother's Milk' in 2003. The studio version was actually recorded in 1991, and as mentioned, was made available on iTunes.

By the way-Flea's pants? Awesomeness.

China Girl - David Bowie

2008-04-01T22:21:00.005-04:00

Bet you didn't see this one coming, did you? Okay, maybe if you're a Bowie fan or a music nerd.

No, David Bowie didn't record this song first. He wrote it first, though. Well, he co-wrote it with Iggy Pop. And Iggy was the first to record the song for his 1977 album, 'The Idiot'. The two wrote the song, as well as the 'Idiot' album during their time together in Berlin the late 1970s.

The song, originally titled 'Borderline', was about the feelings Iggy felt toward Kuelan Nguyen, the partner of a French singer also recording at Château d'Hérouville with Iggy and Bowie. She did not feel the same, as you might imagine.

Bowie rerecorded the song and released it as a single off of his highly successful 1983 album 'Let's Dance'. He did so to help his friend Iggy, who was experiencing financial troubles at the time. By releasing the song not only on the album, but as a successful single, Bowie was able to let Pop collect royalties as co-writer.

Sweet, isn't it?

Iron Man - The Cardigans

2008-03-31T22:10:00.003-04:00

Yes, you are reading that right. The Cardigans do the Black Sabbath classic, 'Iron Man'. I don't know what to say, either.

Ozzy Osbourne and Sabbath released the album 'Paranoid' in 1970 with this song, and it has since become a signature song for the band. The song itself was released as a single in October of 1971, only managing to reach 52 on the charts. In 2000, it was awarded the Grammy for Best Metal Performance.

Wrestling fans may even recognize it as the original entrance theme of the famous tag team The Road Warriors.

The Cardigans never released the song as a single, only including it on their breakthrough album 'First Band on the Moon' in 1996. This version lacks the distinctive guitar riff of the original, and is a lot more mellow. You could almost say it was recorded as a ballad, if you weren't aware of the dark lyrics and story behind the song.