Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
With an unusually low vote count, especially given the splendosity of our subject song, the 7-Day results of the competition between Bruce Dickinson and World Party covering “All The Young Dudes” by Mott the Hoople via David Bowie ended in a tie.
However, THERE ARE NO TIES ON COVER ME IMPRESSED!
Hence, a 3-Day runoff to settle the issue. If the runoff should also end in a tie then I’ll be forced to contract a maiming of the members of all musicians and bands concerned (i.e. David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Bruce Dickinson and World Party) and at least one individual totally unrelated to the proceedings (probably Billy Joel), which may seem a bit harsh and arbitrary but, hell, something will have to be done …
Now PLEASE VOTE. For those who do not partake in the voting I will hereby contract Bruce Dickinson to come to your home and sleep on your couch for two weeks. Did you get a good look at this gutterpup in the video? There’s more grease on that carcass than in your average Huddle House kitchen. So in other words, VOTE!
Original Studio Versions
As the story goes, due to a lack of commercial success, Mott the Hoople was ready to call it quits when David Bowie stepped in to help. David first offered the song “Suffragette City”, which the band rejected. So David wrote “All the Young Dudes” (supposedly while sitting cross-legged in his apartment with Ian Hunter intently looking on). Mott the Hoople released its masterpiece in 1972. Bowie also recorded a studio version of the song in 1972 but did not release it until decades later.
In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked “All the Young Dudes” No. 253 in its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and on its 2010 update the song rated No. 256. The song was also included on “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.
I guess passing on Suffragette City was the right move …
David Bowie (1972):
Mott the Hoople (1972):
A Couple of Great Live Versions
David Bowie, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Queen & others at the Freddie Mercury Tribute (London’s Wembley Stadium 1992):
David Bowie Live in New York (1997):
The Cover Songs Competition
Bruce Dickinson vs. World Party
Bruce Dickinson:
This video is sappy to the point of comical. Probably a good thing Dickinson never pursued acting as a career.
World Party:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
I tried to vote, but it said “Page Not Found!!”
Arnie
Once again going with World Party, although, I gave Dickinson more consideration this time around. The song requires an edge, which Dickinson certainly provides, but in the final analysis he’s done no more than an excellent reproduction of Mott the Hoople’s classic. World Party could have used a little more verve but at least they were a bit creative with the material.
Dickenson’s video is awful. And I love nearly everything that Wallinger has done with World Party. But for some reason I enjoyed Dickenson’s version more. I have no idea why. My favorite version, of course, is my own from about 15 years ago when I played it while I sat on the floor of my bedroom and figured out the chords to this song for the first time. It’s a little embarrassing because I’ve loved this song since about 1976 and I’ve been playing guitar since about that time. So why it took me 20 years to even try to play it I’ll never know. Just in case anyone is wondering, the key chord to unlocking the mystery is an F sharp.
By the way, Ian Hunter’s live version above backed by Ronson, Bowie, Queen, Def Leopard, et al is awesome. I converted it from Youtube to an mp3 so I could listen to it at will, which I have done several times. RDubbs and I saw Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson at the Metroplex in Atlanta around ’88. Great show. One of my all-time favorite singers. ,