Tune du Jour: “Waterloo Sunset” (Part #2) – The Kinks
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Def Leppard vs. First Aid Kit vs. Robyn Hitchcock
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The Original
The Kinks:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Def Leppard vs. First Aid Kit vs. Robyn Hitchcock
Def Leppard:
First Aid Kit:
Robyn Hitchcock:
Live at The Knitting Factory (March 12, 1997):
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 
Wow… I saw there was a part one to this, but I didn’t realize part two was going to be released on the same day. What a treat to have such a Kinky day. Well, for these non-Ray accompanied versions, I find myself surprisingly voting for First Aid Kit. Def Leppard’s metalizing of this sweet song was a no-go for me. Hated it. Robyn Hitchcock seems like a very natural fit for the song, and he is. I think if the fidelity of the version here was better, I might have given his version the nod. But I had never heard the song covered by a female, and this version was no sweetly done, so nice and low-key, but very talented. Don’t know who they are, but they did a great job.
Wow is right. Three good versions of one of my favorite Kinks songs.
Over the years I have heard Def Leppard do a good number of covers from the bands they admire the most. And as it turns out they are also the bands/artists that I admire most. I’ve come to respect Joe Elliott a lot more because of them. I think his band “suffered” from a music press and record company marketing department to sold the band a certain way back in the ’80s for the sake of record sales. They were amazingly successful at this. But along the way Def Leppard lost a lot of cred, a lot of cool, and a lot of respect from music people who won’t take them seriously. I think it’s a bit unfair.
First Aid Kit’s version is wonderful. Beautiful harmonies. I’m amazed how their Scandinavian accents completely disappear when they sing English.
And speaking of accents, both Ray Davies and Robyn Hitchcock were born and raised in London. That may explain how it is that Hitchcock’s vocal style seems to fit this song so well. In fact, if you had told me this cover was Ray Davies singing while trying to impersonate Robyn Hitchcock I might have believed you.
I listened to all 3 covers twice. It’s a tough call. But I’m going to show Joe Elliott a little love and go with Def Leppard.
Never heard of First Aid Kit, but really enjoyed that. I listened to an additional YouTube song of theirs which I also liked, then looked them up on Allmusic and read their bio. Good stuff.
Gadzooks! Whoever is picking these covers is surely no less than a Demigod!
All three are fantastic. The shocker for me was Def Leppard. When I saw they covered Waterloo Sunset I gave it a listen thinking it might have some comedic value. But damn they did a beautiful version! Robyn Hitchcock seems always up to the challenge of covering great songs and his effort here was simply fabulous. And who the hell is First Aid Kit?!!? Those two nailed this tune! Amazing vocals with perfect understated musical accompaniment. As I said all three covers were fantastic but, at least for tonight, my vote went to First Aid Kit.