Amen on the Devo, though it does cause a chap to dance in a frankly unfortunate manner.
The Otis version has that “Ohhh f*** it” vibe of being thrown together in the studio at the last minute, which is exactly how the Stones created the song in the first place.
I’m not sure the amount or variety of covers dictates how great a song is.
Is “Blowin’ in the Wind” better than “I’m Not There” or “To Ramona?”
Is “Yesterday” better than “Tomorrow Never Knows” or “Penny Lane?”
Hay Joe is the ultimate chameleon. I am constantly on the search for new varieties. Here are a few I may not have offered before:
Celtic Collections band, with Tim O’Brien
https://youtu.be/p6BJLjTDtXo
Wet wet wet
Joe Cocker
a brief history of Californian gubernatorial politics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPuTlCYiSo
Ohh, you said “gubernatorial”
*rubs thighs*
Ed Sheeran will be comforted to know this.
Only one version (“”Penny Lane” please,” “There you go, mate.”) – announces itself within 5 seconds – catchy – ends three minutes later.
McCartney was the master: “We Can Work It Out,” “Paperback Writer,” “Penny Lane,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “Lady Madonna.”
Yesterday has been covered hundreds of times but right now I can only think of the original.
Late 70s Punk (that blew John Peel’s mind)
French Cafe Latin Jazz / Bossa Nova / Wotsit
The song with the greatest variety of covers? I give you Satisfaction.
Otis Redding
Aretha Franklin
The Residents
https://youtu.be/jadvt7CbH1o
Devo
Britney Spears
Cat Power
and Mr J King (under the guise of Bubblerock)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vDXSjPJnU
I was hoping to overlook that one. Jerry Lee Lewis also did a cracking version but not available on YouTube.
I haven’t heard that Cat Power version for years. Very hurrr-worthy.
It seems my post can only cope with five clips. Six is one too many. However, you could make a case for Devo being the boss version.
Amen on the Devo, though it does cause a chap to dance in a frankly unfortunate manner.
The Otis version has that “Ohhh f*** it” vibe of being thrown together in the studio at the last minute, which is exactly how the Stones created the song in the first place.
for your consideration
Televsion
The Incredible Bongo Band
I found the video for the last one by typing “bongo satisfaction” into the YT search box. For some reason, that made me think of Moose.
I’m actually quite a fan of the Incredible Bongos.
And, the Dan’s Bhodisattva and Pharell Williams Happy?
Come on.
You’ve Got A Friend
James Taylor
Donny Hathaway
Dusty Springfield
Brand New Heavies
Michael Jackson
and The Housemartins
(but my phone is rubbish, so I can’t prove how great it is)
…and the one on Aretha’s Amazing Grace.
I’m not sure the amount or variety of covers dictates how great a song is.
Is “Blowin’ in the Wind” better than “I’m Not There” or “To Ramona?”
Is “Yesterday” better than “Tomorrow Never Knows” or “Penny Lane?”
Agreed – my original point (in so far as there ever was a point) was about diversity, not volume
Hay Joe is the ultimate chameleon. I am constantly on the search for new varieties. Here are a few I may not have offered before:
Celtic Collections band, with Tim O’Brien
Brad Mehldau
Cher(!?)
Charlotte Gainsbourg