September | 2013 | Dave's Strange World

“Summertime Blues” – Blue Cheer

Video

Here’s one of those cool oddities that occasionally can only find success in the Top 40 because it doesn’t fit into any format of its day. This example is a beyond metallic cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” from 1968 by the band Blue Cheer. Even nowadays, this is way heavier than anything that calls itself heavy metal and probably was shunned from rock radio because it was too harsh. So … it became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard charts. From the album “Vincebus Eruptum” … I have no idea what that title means, but it’s freakin’ cool.

Another similar example: Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock n’ Roll” which was too punk for rock stations and too rock for punk/new wave stations. It went to the Top 40 instead and was a #1 hit on the Billboard charts for 7 weeks in 1982.

The accompanying video for “Summertime Blues” (filmed for the German pop music show “Beat Club”) was an early staple of the “Closet Classic” segment of MTV back in the day. I love the fact you can barely see any of the band member’s faces because their hair is so long and thick. Just like the beyond muddy guitar sound.

“Time Has Come Today” – The Chambers Brothers / The Ramones

Video

One of my favorite psychedelic hard-rock soul songs from the 1960s, here’s the Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today.” One of the most brilliant uses of rock music in film was when Hal Ashby used this song to underscore a long and intense scene in his 1978 Vietnam drama “Coming Home,” the one where Bruce Dern confronts Jon Voight over Voight’s affair with Dern’s wife, played by Jane Fonda.

As a bonus, I’ve also included the Ramones’ kick-ass punk-metal cover from 1983’s “Subterranean Jungle”:

“Bo Diddley’s a Gunslinger” – Warren Zevon

Video

Awesome! Someone finally posted this beyond smokin’, show-stopping cover of “Bo Diddley’s a Gunslinger” by Warren Zevon from his classic 1980 live album “Stand in the Fire,” recorded during some legendary concerts at the Roxy in Los Angeles that same year. Way heavier than most music that calls itself heavy metal. Some very sick electric guitar. This album was dedicated to fellow survivor Martin Scorsese. What are you waiting for? Play extremely f–king loud!!!!!

“How Soon is Now?” – The Smiths

Video

I realize discussing this song is like discussing “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan. It’s a song that so epitomizes the artist, yet has become so commonplace that there’s nothing more that can be said about it that hasn’t already been said better.

All I will add is that no matter how many times it turns up on compilations, films, and classic “alternative” mixes, I still can’t turn this song off. It’s a song that completely epitomizes the Smiths, yet is so much better than most of their catalog.

“Tunic (Song for Karen)” – Sonic Youth

Video

From the 1990 album “Goo,” this is Sonic Youth’s non-ironic tribute to Karen Carpenter. I can’t say for sure whether this was inspired by Todd Haynes’ legendary underground short “Superstar,” but the spirit is the same. Both “Superstar” and “Tunic” may seem snarky considering that the artists involved came from the underground, but the sentiment is anything but. Which is why the song still packs a punch nearly 25 years later.

“Tear Off Your Head (It’s a Doll Revolution)” – The Bangles

Video

I can’t find the incredible Elvis Costello original on You Tube, so this totally kick-ass cover by the Bangles will have to do instead. However, please note this is no consolation prize by any stretch of the imagination.

“Little Red Riding Hood” from “Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl” (1982)

Video

Hands down, my favorite Python bit of all time, this is the Python’s infamous take on Little Red Riding Hood from their concert film “Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.” The “wolf” … and the wolf’s “handler” … are comic genius … like Ed Wood on shrooms.