10 Classic Musical Costumes
In the spirit of Halloween, I decided to make a list of ten of my favorite officially released cover versions from the punk era on, or musical costumes as I’ve elected to call them here. I’m not saying these are the best. They’re just some of my personal favorites. What are some of your favorites? What would have been on your list?
Billy Bragg – “Walk Away Renee”
It’s absolutely inconceivable that anybody could best the original 1966 Left Banke version of this song. It’s one of the greatest singles of all time (written by a 16 year old, by the way). I’m not even sure if it is proper to call this a cover, due to the fact that it uses the melody of the song, but instead of Bragg just singing the lyrics he adds a spoken word part. But nevermind that, assuming that this is a cover in some sense, it is my favorite cover. Because it captures the essence of the original so perfectly, the way that it makes you feel, the sense of nostalgia that it evokes, while still adding Bragg’s unique stamp. This is just a wonderful piece of music.
The Vibrators – “Shake Some Action”
The original 1976 Flamin’ Groovies version of “Shake Some Action” is another one of my favorite tracks. It’s pure, driving, good time rock ‘n’ roll that builds during the verses and then becomes truly superlative with an amazing sing-along chorus that will stay in your head for days after the first time that you hear it. The Vibrators rendition is pretty faithful to the original, but amps up the volume and the punk rock attitude to take “Shake Some Action” to the next level. So, yes, I am saying that I actually like their version even better than the original.
The Posies – “I Am The Cosmos”
The Posies take on “I Am The Cosmos” is almost a facsimile of the Chris Bell original, recorded during the early 70’s but not officially released until 1992. But in the hands of a better-known band so clearly influenced by Bell, as well as his work with Big Star, I take this version as their attempt to introduce this song and artist to a wider audience. So, not adding their own imprint reads as an homage, if anything.
The Replacements – “Black Diamond”
I love this cover because The Replacements were able to strip this song of all of its overly theatrical pomp, and schmaltzy 70’s production and actually put some cock into this song, originally released by cock-rock kings Kiss (who I can’t stand, if that isn’t already clear). I always love to be surprised by a band that I love covering a song that I’d never listen to in its original form. It reminds you how important the individual/individuals are to the equation. In the right hands, almost any decent song can be elevated to something much greater.
Talking Heads – “Take Me To The River”
To be honest, I’m not very familiar with the Al Green original. I fell in love with Talking Heads during high school. This was immediately one of my favorite tracks. And I didn’t know for years that it was even a cover. So, this falls into that category of being one of those covers that doesn’t even feel like a cover to me.
Catherine Wheel – “Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely”
This is a cover that I was reminded of earlier this week by fellow Big Takeover contributor Matthew Berlyant. This is another case of a cover of a song that I already love, in my opinion besting the original. I’m not sure what makes me prefer Catherine Wheel’s take to the Husker Du original. They’re very similar, but this version maybe has a little bit more of the atmospheric, shoegazey sound that is Catherine Wheel’s calling card when they are at their best.
Nirvana – “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”
This cover is from Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance and is a cover of a Leadbelly tune. My assessment of this has nothing to do with the original, which I have not heard, but rather, with the sheer power and emotion with which Kurt Cobain belts it out. This was the last song of that set, and it’s clear when we arrive at the final chorus that Cobain is leaving it all out there, so to speak. I’m a fan of Nirvana and being someone who was in middle school when Nevermind dropped, I always have been. However, none of their studio albums ever quite affected me like this set did, as I think that by stripping back all of the fuzz and distortion this became the best representation of just how fragile, and thoughtful, and heartfelt both Cobain and Nirvana could be. And I think it showed better in this song than at any point in their too short career.
The Futureheads – “Hounds Of Love”
There are a slew of fantastic cover versions of Kate Bush songs, which speaks to her expert songwriting abilities. This is my favorite of them. The Futureheads take an already splendid song and transform it from a more introspective, melancholy affair into a frenetic, spiky, postpunk infused anthem that will have you bopping around the room and screaming along before it’s over.
Minor Threat – “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”
Something about a band like Minor Threat, with all of its aggressive stances and pent-up rage, taking a song by a band as harmless and approachable as The Monkees and turning it into THIS is just irresistible to me! Also, I love how this recording starts out even more stripped down and lo-fi that Minor Threat usually are at the beginning and then just goes balls-to-the-wall at at about the 44 second mark. Damn, I wish every rock song could fire me up as much as this one!
Johnny Cash – “The Mercy Seat”
The remake of Nine Inch Nails‘ “Hurt” from the same American Recordings collection got all the attention. And that track was certainly great too. But the cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds‘ “The Mercy Seat” is the one that always blew me away. Nevermind that I’m not a huge Cave fan at all, what’s important here is that Johnny Cash takes this song and sings it with such conviction and believability that you honestly believe that he’s singing it straight from death row. He trades Cave’s menacing version for a more haunting, heartbreaking rendition which reaches its peak when the piano takes center stage with about a minute remaining.
