Tune du Jour: “Just My Imagination” – The Tempatations
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Ted Hawkins vs. The Rolling Stones
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
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I Shouted Out, “Who Ate The Broccoli?”, When After All, It Was You And Me…
Perhaps The Temptations seminal work, Just My Imagination, was released in 1971 on the album Sky’s The Limit. The single was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and number one on the Billboard R&B chart for three weeks. The song ended up being The Temptations’ original members’ last number one hit. Afterwards Eddie Kendricks left the band to pursue a solo career and Paul Williams was forced to retire for health reasons. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed Just My Imagination as number 389 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Original
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The Temptations:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Ted Hawkins vs. The Rolling Stones
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Ted Hawkins:
Ted Hawkins is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold gold!
Ted Hawkins‘ triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:
1/20/2014 – “The 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” (Simon & Garfunkel) – Ted Hawkins (67%) prevails over The Coolies (33%)
The Rolling Stones:
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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?!!?
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cover me impressed 
I remember the night I discovered Ted Hawkins. It was fall of ’86, and I had just arrived in London for what was to be a year’s stay. I was delighted to score a ticket to see Billy Bragg at a small venue I hadn’t been to previously. I found the place and was glad to see the house lights hadn’t been turned down yet. So I leisurely looked around and got in line at the bar. I eventually took notice of the music being played in the background. It sounded like a middle-aged American black guy with a good, soulful, somewhat raspy vocal. I tried to figure out who it was, but I couldn’t even venture a good guess. Kind of a weathered, bluesier Sam Cooke wannabe. I gradually made my way toward the stage in anticipation of Billy’s set. As I neared the front, I was surprised to discover a middle-aged black guy sitting at the very front and center with his legs dangling off the stage. Only those at the very front could see him at all. I had assumed it was taped music I was listening to. I watched the rest of the set in awe, amazed that a guy his age with his obvious talent could remain so little known.
No contest. Ted all the way.
Yeah, yeah, Ted, fine, whatever.
I love Ted Hawkins. Just a great one-man act; a guitar, some stories to tell and songs to sing. I saw him on his last tour before passing away. And with all that said I’m going with the Stones on this one. Their version is flawless in its delivery. Mick’s crooning is at a peak and musical arrangement composed for the tune fits it like a glove.