Tune du Jour: “This Town” – Nancy Sinatra
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Firewater vs. Gnome vs. The Tubes vs. Mari Wilson
VOTE, COMMENT, then do FLOSS YOUR TEETH
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I’ve been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man …
Written by Lee Hazlewood, This Town was first recorded by Nancy Sinatra in 1967. Old Blue Eyes was apparently intrigued by the tune and whatever Big Pops wants, Big Pops gets, releasing his own version in September 1967 on the album “Frank Sinatra and The World We Knew”. Although I’ve found no evidence that This Town was a “hit” by any conventional standards, apparently when Big Pops proclaims a song to be a hit, it’s a hit, as evidenced by its inclusion a year later on “Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits”.
The Original
Nancy Sinatra:
The Most Popular
Frank Sinatra:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Firewater vs. Gnome vs. The Tubes vs. Mari Wilson
Firewater:
Gnome:
The Tubes:
Mari Wilson:
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?!!?
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
I’ve always loved this song, after Kathy Messer included it on a mix tape for me about 33 years ago. I listened to all six versions on here, and then Firewater again, and then Mari Wilson again, so I’m about ThisTowned Out already. Mari Wilson’s smooth vocal stylings are perfect, however… the backing track on Firewater’s version was superb… the ominous bass, the blaring staccato horns, then the menacing bass again… that did it for me.
Gnome is all over this one. Really good vocals. I like the guitar and organ solos in particular. Their’s is the only one of the 4 covers that I think is better than the original.Reminded me a little of the Yardbirds, which ain’t a bad thing.
Nice versions all. Of course Mari’s reverent take is in a different genre than the frenetic pace of the other three. But as I said all good.
The Tubes late homage to the Tijuana Brass almost stole a victory but I’ve long been a Gnome sympathizer and as such they were destined to rule the day.
Well, that’s the first time I’ve listened to six versions of that song back-to-back.
Looks like you saved the best non-Sinatra version for last: Mari Wilson.