Tune du Jour: “Auld Lang Syne” – Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Me First & The Gimme Gimmes vs. The Smithereens
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Broccoli Fields Forever …
Auld Lang Syne was composed by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. The title may be translated into English literally as “old long since”, or more idiomatically, “long long ago”, “days gone by” or “old times”. Consequently “For auld lang syne”, as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as “for (the sake of) old times”.
Robert Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum with the remark, “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.” Some of the lyrics were indeed “collected” rather than composed by the poet; the ballad “Old Long Syne” printed in 1711 by James Watson shows considerable similarity in the first verse and the chorus to Burns’ later poem, and is almost certainly derived from the same “old song”.
Sang on New Year’s Eve for literally centuries, the first recorded version of Auld Lang Syne is believed to be by Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians.
The Original
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Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Me First & The Gimme Gimmes vs. The Smithereens
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Me First & The Gimme Gimmes:
The Smithereens:
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 
No matter the song, no matter the genre, Richie has a juvenile cover version by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes lurking somewhere. I give this one to the Smithereens.
The truth of the matter is that those guys live in my shed. And they’re constantly clipping beers from my frig. The only benefit is that they’re willing to knock out a cover of anything I want on a moment’s notice. Any requests (the Hokey Pokey, Theme to Laverne & Shirley, England Swings like a Pendulum Do? Just name it …)?
Guy Lombardo used to be on TV every New Year’s Eve. I’m talkin’ like, every year, without fail.
I even used to think of him as “Mr. New Year’s Eve”, for cryin’ out loud.
Then he abruptly disappeared and hasn’t been back since.
Both offerings are quite good but I’ve gotta go with Me First. The Smithereens’ version is a bit too “clean”. If your gonna knock out a song like Auld Lang Syne then you’ve got to sound like you’ve tipped at least a few.
I love the Smithereens; I love their covers; I love this version. Happy New Year to all my CMI buddies.
A belated HNY to you all and I give it to the Smithereens!