Tune du Jour: “Going Underground” – The Jam
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Down by Law vs. The Guards vs. Lostprophets
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn’t.”
Tom Waits
The Original
The greatest 3 minutes of music ever? Maybe …
The Jam:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Down by Law vs. The Guards vs. Lostprophets
Down by Law:
The Guards:
Lostprophets:
Okay so the lead singer, Ian Watkins, is a despicable wretch of a human being. But if you could separate the degenerate from the song, you’d have to admit that this is a pretty damn good cover.
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?!!?
cover me impressed 
I think this is the 3rd time, going back to 2013, that this song has been on CMI. I’ve voted for Lostprophets the last two times, and today they complete the hat trick. Down by Law and The Guards both make valiant efforts. But neither is enough to top the Lostprophets, which may only be possible by Weller, Foxton and Buckler, for all I know. 38 year have dulled the impact of this song not one little bit.
Down By Law’s scintillating video very nearly stole my vote. They did do I nice little acoustic cover and I give them their do for that. The Guards obvious love for the song and band was endearing but, in the end, their version was a little too polished. As in the seventeen last times this song was featured, the Lostprophets once again rein supreme.
The first group seems like they sang pretty well, but the sound quality was so poor it eliminated them from consideration.
I had never heard of the second band, but they sounded pretty good.
Lostprophets sounded like they did last month when they were featured. Between this and recycling comments, Dubbs might sue himself for plagiarism.
Lostprophets still get the vote.
To combine the the incredible hooks and pop sensibility with dynamic passion and excellent lyrics, this is one of my favorite songs of all time. Eight is such a tough number and I constantly altered which I would pick. I probably should have chosen this one. It was considered. I like the idea of the acoustic version but the performance was B-. The Guards nailed all of the pop nuances of the song and it was fun to watch them play it. (does anybody remember The Housemartin’s and their great video/hit “Happy Hour?”) This reminds me of them covering Going Underground. They lack the scorn and menace that is evident in Paul Weller. Just because it’s catchy and there is la la la las there is no smile on Paul’s face. “Braying sheep, bodies strewn.” Lostprophets ramped it up and brought the heat.
I definitely remember the Housemartins. I still have that song on a 1980’s mix playlist. Their debut album was called something like, “London 0, Hull 4” after the final score of a football match.