Tune du Jour: “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” – Hank Williams
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Sarah Bettens vs. Johnny Cash & Nick Cave vs. Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
VOTE, COMMENT, then STAND BY ME
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The Original
Hank Williams:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Sarah Bettens vs. Johnny Cash & Nick Cave vs. Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
Sarah Bettens:
Johnny Cash & Nick Cave:
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes:
SPACE
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 
Well, well. We finally have a straight country song on CMI. With the exception of an occasional Johnny Cash offering, this has to be a first.
On the left side of the page, under the heading “Music Genres?” there are no less than thirty-three different listings. But “Country”? Not among the 33 varieties. Yikes! I listen to as much country as rock at home, but I know I’m in the minority.
Also, the original dates to 1949. I don’t recall an older song being used on the site. I’m starting to wonder if an intern was responsible for today’s post.
I voted for Johnny, of course. I wasn’t expecting bagpipes from the “Me First” boys; better than expected. Never heard of Sarah Bettens, but I didn’t care for that. Nothing exceptional about the vocals and way over-produced.
I think the psychology of today’s picks is that we are immediately inclined to pick Nick Cave and Johnny Cash because they’re an amazing combo and of course the other covers won’t be able to hold a candle up to this version. And then we’re supposed to listen to the other artists and go whoa, I didn’t expect such great other versions, and then we end up, to everyone’s surprise, picking one of those other covers. That’s something that Doug would do, in fact.
Not happening today, though. Nick and Johnny, by a mile.
Hmmm, I really liked all three very different covers. From my perspective the mood that I’m in at any given time would greatly dictate which one of these versions I’d like to hear.
I think Sarah Betten has a fine voice and really liked her arrangement. In fact, for a good part of the day I thought I’d give her my vote. For the dark, sardonic days you just cannot beat Cash and Cave, two fantastic balladeers. As mentioned above, this landmark duo had to be huge favorites coming into this competition. In fact, word has it that Vegas took this competition off the boards completely. But in the end my vote went to Me First & The Gimme Gimmes. The inclusion of bagpipes was brilliant, which is what pushed them over the finish line first (gimme gimme …).