This cover of the Cure’s classic may be grungier and louder, but no less sweet. Apparently, this is Robert Smith’s favorite cover of this song.
“Just Like Heaven” – Dinosaur Jr.
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Yearly Archives: 2012
“Don’t Ask Me Questions” – Graham Parker and the Rumour
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The highlight from Parker’s first album “Howlin’ Wind” from 1976. A wonderfully bitter, hard-edged reggae / R&B song about Graham having no answers for God when God asks him questions about mankind.
“Once Bitten, Twice Shy” – Ian Hunter
Yes, I’m glad Great White’s version was a big hit because Ian Hunter finally got the payday he so richly deserved. But the original from 1975 completely kicks Great White’s ass. Wait until 1:56 into this clip when the wall of guitars kicks in. It’s one of the most transcendent moments in rock history. The absolute GREATEST hard rock song in rock history, bar none. You gotta love a song where the piano is rocking as hard as the guitars.
Brad Pitt in “True Romance” (1993) dir. Tony Scott
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Sorry, Sean Penn. Forget Jeff Spicoli in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Brad Pitt played the DEFINITIVE stoner in “True Romance” as Floyd. Pitt absolutely NAILS the lethargic hang-out-on-the-couch-all-day mentality of a chronic pothead. I don’t ever remember laughing so hard during a film than the moment when Brad Pitt asks the mobsters if they want to smoke a bowl. It was even more hysterically funny than the infamous scene between Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper.
“Slaughter” – Billy Preston
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From the Jim Brown blaxploitation classic “Slaughter” (and more recently, from Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 Oscar-nominated revenge thriller “Inglorious Basterds”) comes this kick-ass hard-funk song from Billy Preston. Hearing those guitars that slash like razor blades against that organ that rocks harder than the guitars, my advice to you is this: if you shoot at him bruthah, you betta not miss!!!!
“The Devil’s Right Hand” – Johnny Cash
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Cash does a superlative cover of Steve Earle’s classic about loving guns a little too much. I love Earle’s original, but I prefer this much tougher, rockin’ arrangement.
“Perfect Day” (BBC Charity Single) – Lou Reed and Various Other Great Musicians/Singers
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In 1997, a group of famous and talented singers and musicians got together to sing a cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” for the BBC. It was such a hit with viewers that it was released a single to promote the charity Children in Need, and went to #1 in Great Britain for three weeks, raising over 2 million pounds for the charity. Among the amazing artists here: Lou Reed, Bono, Suzanne Vega, Elton John, Burning Spear, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Shane McGowan, Dr. John, Robert Cray, Evan Dando, Tom Jones, Laurie Anderson, Joan Armatrading, and many many others. A wonderful cover.
“Innocent Man” – The Jam
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Here’s a terrific B-side from The Jam that really should have been an A-side or at least included as a track on one of their original albums. One of my favorite songs by the group. This sounds like a lot Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” if it had been recorded by the Who circa 1967. Available on the Jam box set “Direction Creation Reaction” or as a bonus track the UMD Deluxe Edition of “All Mod Cons.”
“Wild Horses” – from the Rolling Stones documentary “Gimme Shelter” (1970) dir. Albert and David Maysles & Charlotte Zwerin
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A rare quiet moment in the otherwise infamous documentary about the Stones’ tumultuous and tragic 1969 US tour. Nothing much happening here but the band grooving on an early take of “Wild Horses,” one of my 5 favorite Stones songs.
“Just Like Me” – Paul Revere and the Raiders
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More insanely terrific garage punk from the Pacific Northwest, this time from Oregon’s Paul Revere and the Raiders. I love the fact that all of these verses degenerate into screaming by the end, but please get that vocalist some lozenges quick.
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