Tune du Jour: “I Can’t Control Myself” – The Troggs
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Buzzcocks vs. Elakelaiset vs. R.E.M.
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
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When I’m With You …
I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF
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The Original
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The Troggs:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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The Buzzcocks vs. Elakelaiset vs. R.E.M.
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The Buzzcocks:
Fantastic old live footage:
Elakelaiset:
Amazing just how well this song lends itself to the classic traditional Finnish oompah sound!
R.E.M.:
October 31, 1983, R.E.M. performs at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City under the pseudonym It Crawled From The South. The footage is lacking a bit in quality yet still a treat to behold!
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Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On?!!?
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HHH
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
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cover me impressed 
I love the Buzzcocks and REM. So I honestly expected to like their covers. But I found them a bit lacking. I think it’s because they both sound too sloppy. Elakelaiset’s was a bit of a joke. But I did find it a little somewhat amusing. So I’m going with Elakelaiset. None of these covers can hold a candle to the original. The band is perhaps more well-known for Wild Thing. But I think I Can’t Control Myself is their coolest.
I have a fantastic live bootleg of the Buzzcocks from 1977/1978 that contains the exact live version that Richie posted. It’s great to finally see the matching video footage. Classic. It’s nice to see Devoto back with his old buds here. The Buzzcocks’ studio version is good, but I prefer Shelley’s voice over Devoto’s in general. Elakelaiset does a pretty good job, I will admit. But I give this one to REM. The fidelity is awful, but you can still hear that they’re playing really well. I listened twice, and it grew on me. Dougie’s right, though, the original is unbeatable. I prefer it to Wild Thing, although I’d pick Love is All Around as my fave Troggs song overall. (REM does a pretty good cover of that one, as well.)
After listening to each cover a few times I’ve got to go with the Buzzcocks. And the live version is much better than their studio release. I heard a few covers by Elakesaiset and they are all entertaing. I saw R.E.M. in 1983 in a small college’s auditorium. I do not recall them playing I Can’t Control Myself but, sadly, I can’t seem to forget their staid version of Moon River.
Buzzcocks take this one but maybe not had Peter Patrick been involved. I didn’t know the song until I heard him doing it. The Troggs are one of the many bands which had a much bigger impact overseas. I liked The Buzzcock’s studio version better actually. I agree with Arnie that Shelley is easier to like as a vocalist. REM sounded kind of muscular for them and I enjoyed their inspired version despite limitations. The Finns were fun as well. Should also say With A Girl Like You is another fine Troggs track. Rich, was that show at FAU in Boca? I believe that’s where I saw them. I have the ticket so I can verify later.
Agreed Pete. There are some songs that make me immediately picture the Z-Cars and Peter’s endearing zeal for rock ‘n roll. And this song is certainly one of them.
You are correct. It is the show at FAU that I was referring to. We trekked up there in the Dean-mobile and, needless to say, it was a rollicking good time.