What A Difference A Version Makes.

[andy-hughes]

I wonder if anyone else has such diametrically opposed reactions to artists - especially those who sing the same song?

My example is the song Sway, and the two versions by Julie London, and Dean Martin.

Julie London's version sounds like sex on vinyl.

Dean Martin's version makes me want to wash my hands after hearing it.

Does anyone else have such extreme reactions to the same song - or is it just me?

Or to widen out the debate - directly opposite opinions of two artists -

Example again -

Dusty Springfield singing makes me think that all human emotion is there.

Chris Martin makes me think of a Sixth Former in a music room at school with (never-to-be-fulfilled ever!) dreams of being a pop star.

[Zacs-Master]

We'll, I'm with you on CM (and the rest if that lift music band). I think Joan Baez Diamonds and Rust is laboured and emotionally bankrupt whereas Judas Priest (or at least Rob Halfords) version is stunningly emotional and has a pent up energy.

[pixie373]

Yes, there can be such a difference-. Run by Snow Patrol turned into an earpiercing pain by Leona Lewis.

[yinyang]

Jeff Lynne singing ' Mr Blue Sky ' reminds me of the last twenty one years with my beloved, my children being born and, for the last two weeks, being in Hyde Park for one of the best afternoons of my life.

Lily Allen singing ' Mr Blue Sky' makes me want to run in head first into the nearest wall in the hopes of knocking myself unconscious so I don't have to hear it any more.

[Zacs-Master]

What was the queen song which McFly did? Jeez that was BAD.

[pixie373]

Oh yes- and lily Allen crucifying "somewhere only we know".

[pixie373]

Don't stop me now. Some if these just can't be imitated. That was my first ever favourite song when I was about 5.

[Zacs-Master]

Shudder.

[Arksided]

I'm unaware that McFly did a Queen cover but 5ive slaughtered 'We will rock you'.

[Prudie]

Love Affair's Everlasting Love makes my heart burst, evoking memories of awakening youth plus butterflies about Steve Ellis. Jamie Cullum's murderous version makes me want to tell him to eff off and nick someone else's song. Some things just can't be improved upon.

[pixie373]

There are a few here -

http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/music/feature/a577325/16-pop-acts-attempt-to-cover-rock-songs-including-one-direction-girls-aloud.html

[Captain2]

Jus putting a different slant on it though. 'I heard it through the grapevine' by Maryn Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival are both brilliant versions yet totally different (I actually prefer CCR)

[yinyang]

To answer your question about responses to different artists, I can close my eyes and listen to Steven Page singing certain songs and can feel every part of me relaxing. Robbie Williams has the opposite effect, I can feel my shoulders and teeth clench when I have to listen to one of his.

It's such a subjective thing though, and what sounds like music of the Gods to one person will sound like strangled wailing to another. The important thing is to find what works for you.

[Jeza]

Bob Dylans Mr Tamborine man is one of my faves of all time. The Byrds version however reminds me of the crucifixion.

[Stephen_G]

Biffy Clyro's Many of Horror and whoever murdered it.

The second version used to play in the Shop where I worked and I couldn't bring myself to sing it - it was just a reminder that that year's X-Factor winner had guaranteed a large cheque in their back pocket and the Christmas number 1 slot with someone else's song.

[Baldric]

Listening to Magic (radio) just played Minnie Riperton's 'Loving You', the one with the tweety birdies, all I could hear was Freddie Starr's version with the birds getting shot, same if anyone plays 'Feelings' straight back to Freddie again!

[Zacs-Master]

At the risk of turning this into a thread about cover versions being better than the original, UFOs version of Mystery Train (originally by Elvis, I believe, but stand to be corrected) is amazing. So much energy and amazing acoustic guitar playing at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIYpibjTdnI&sns=em

[pixie373]

Matt Cardle, I think, Stephen.

[horseshoes]

Andy Hughes, I remember MANY moons ago when I was little, being in Blackpool with my parents and my Mum put a sixpence in a machine and we not only heard but SAW Bobby Rydell singing SWAY. I think THAT was my first memory of recorded music!

[beckyboo]

You only need to listen to Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga - Anything goes, to realise some artistes should never be let loose in the recording studio.

[pips1]

Wet Wet Wet spent weeks at No 1 with 'Love is all Around' but I didn't think it was a patch on The Troggs version, which I loved, and yet everyone seems to think it was a WWW song! On the whole I rarely like covers but there are a few exceptions to the rule as with everything.