Perhaps, one of the greatest guilty pleasures in my life: the perverse enjoyment I get listening to musicians covering other artist's songs. The weirder the cover, the better! It doesn't matter how awkward or horrible the quality (shitty cell phone video, I'm looking at you), I'm an absolute sucker for this stuff. Here's the latest installment of "under-covers."
Today we head back to the 1960's and feature one of the greatest pop songs ever written with Tommy James & The Shondells' classic tune, "Crimson and Clover."
How could you not love that song? It's so ethereal and spacey, almost trance inducing. The guitars echo in your mind while Tommy James' voice haunts you till the end of days. The whole package is so sweet and saccharine I swear I get a tooth ache every time I hear it yet cannot stop pushing replay.
Now we come to the sexiest woman in the history of music (period), the one and only, Joan Jett. She and her merry men of black-hearted musicians add some serious UMPH to this song. Beefing up the guitars and injecting Joan's snarly attitude all over it's DNA. Still, her voice remains pleasant and dare I say soft throughout, well as soft as Joan Jett can get I suppose. Here it is:
*SWOONS*
I don't care if she's in her 50's and could kick my ass. Joan Jett...you had me at hello.
Don't you love how Tommy James sounds more feminine than Joan does?
I honestly can't choose between these two versions. Let's just play it safe and assume that any version of "Crimson and Clover," hell...even any reference to it (hello there Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus") is going to rule.
What do you kids think?
There are some good covers but I'm usually careful about giving them a go.
ReplyDeletePerverse enjoyment, my kind of joy..hahaha...both are good, I may like Jett a little better.
ReplyDeleteWhile the covers are crazy I honestly like them both man. I think I like Joan Jett a lot as well but both are good versions!
ReplyDeleteTommy James is the best! Joan Jett's version is good, too. The connection between TJ & JJ is Kenny Laguna. Kenny has played in the band of both artists from time to time, and Kenny produced several of Joan's recordings. Dale Smith, Lebanon, IN
ReplyDeleteI like the second one.
ReplyDeleteI have a preference for the original, but her cover is still pretty good. Nice
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment of the song, of Joan Jett's hotness, and your assertion she could kick a lot of asses.
ReplyDeletegod Joan Jett I've not heard her in years...she's still hot
ReplyDeleteOldie but goodie.
ReplyDeleteThe original is one of the best songs of all time.
ReplyDeleteJoan Jett's version is great too, but my favorite cover is the one by Prince. Look it up!
I'm with you on that even a reference to this song pushes some music into a bigger realm.
ReplyDeletei'm with you on the covers in general. Sometimes it's nice to hear a band step out of their comfort zone, but with a familiar and catchy song. And Joan Jett always rocks.
ReplyDeletepretty sound okay with me :D
ReplyDeleteintro is relaxing somehow..
oh! now I'm saying it's a good one :D
Yeah she is a cute broad :)
ReplyDeletei like both. didn't know about these songs. thx for letting me know about em.
ReplyDeleteCrimson and Clover is one of my favorite songs. My mother has a home video of me trying to emulate that part where they go nuts with the effects toward the end.
ReplyDelete"Cri-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i [breath] i-i-i-mons and Clo-o-o" and so forth.
I tagged you in a questionar, btdubs. No worries if it's not your thing.