Tune du Jour: “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: R.E.M. vs. John Otway vs. Snuff
VOTE, COMMENT, then GO ON , GO
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And In My Hour of Need,
I Truly Am Indeed,
Alone Again, Broccoli …
For every music-lover there are a few inherently bad songs that they inexplicably enjoy. For many these guilty pleasures are kept well-hidden, never to be disclosed, lest the humiliation would be too much to bear. But I have no guilty pleasures, only pleasures. Or, as others who know me might put it, I simply know no shame. For example, I will now proclaim to the world (or at least the multitudes of CMI patrons) that I really like this song. I’ve liked it from the first time I heard it and it still brings me a smile hearing it today. Gloria throws it down as if she’s in the midst of a real-time heated encounter. But who can blame her when some no-good cad returns from outer space to taunt her anew. You tell ’em Gloria!
The Original
Gloria Gaynor:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
R.E.M. vs. John Otway vs. Snuff
R.E.M.:
John Otway:
Sadly, the audio is poor on this particular clip. Yet it is well worth a viewing just to sample some of Otway’s maniacal genius at its best.
Snuff:
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 
Happily I can say with all honesty that I harbor absolutely no secret pleasure from or admiration for this song. To me it’s just another one of those unremarkable, forgettable, bad disco pop songs clogging the air waves of the late 70’s. I figured just about any cover would be an improvement, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found R.E.M.’s cover to be quite charming. For someone who admited he didn’t know the words, Michael Stipe did pretty well improvising. Otway is hilarious, as usual. And his parody of Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues video is brilliant. But I was completely unprepared to be bowled over by Snuff’s version. Musically (although not vocally) it sounds a whole lot like Bad Religion, definitely in my personal Top 10 favorites, and one of the all-time greatest punk bands. But the vocals are what really impressed me. Unlike the original hit of 1979, Snuff’s singer sounds like he really means what he’s singing. His performance along with the driving force of the guitar and drums really transforms this song into a dimension. This one’s a keeper.
Side note: Sometimes when I see the song to be covered in the Subject line of the covermeimpressed email I think to myself, ” Ah jeez, Dubbs, why are you subjecting me to this?! Just how bad does this have to get?!” But then I’m reminded once again that there are many pleasant surprises waiting out there coverland, today’s selections being a perfect example. And as I mentioned above, it’s the worst songs that often result in the best covers. So bring it on Dubbsy. May I suggest Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy or Muskrat Love?
or perhaps Run, Joey, Run or Havin’ My Baby.
It’s pretty much blasphemy for a gay man to declare his dislike of this song, but so be it. I always disliked this song. Perhaps it resonates with many of my comrades, but it does nothing for me except make me want to turn off the radio. REM’s stark version was okay, but it was so rudimentary and demo-ish….it just felt incomplete. Otway’s take on it was a riot, as expected. However, it’s no secret that I have a penchant for punk, and hearing this stupid disco song all punkified was great. Snuff gets it.
I gave to REM although I appreciate Otway’s Dylan imitation, I don’t think I could sit through it another time, I get it, but twice was enough…