Thursday, July 11, 2013

11 July 2013 - Special "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Edition

There are some songs that you're not supposed to cover.  Songs that are iconic, that defined a generation, usually fall into this category.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is the textbook example of a song you aren't supposed to cover.

Not like that stops anyone.  Like Miley Cyrus.  Sure, she does an admirable and faithful cover of the song.... but she's Miley Cyrus, not Kurt Cobain.  She kind of pulls it off.... but not really.

\

Perhaps I am not ever more annoyed than when someone mistakes Nirvana's song for cheesy rap metal. Here is my message to Fred Durst: You did a good job with "Faith."  Stay the hell away from this song.




I'm not really a fan of the Paul Anka lounge version either.  I think he was going for homage, but it seems more like parody to me.  YOU DON'T PARODY AN ICON!

 

The rare exception is when an artist can take such an iconic song and make it their own while still highlighting the lyrical strength of the songwriter.  Such is the power of the Tori Amos version of this song, which takes the power way down, translating the song to piano.  However, her voice, while nothing like the wail of Kurt Cobain, puts a beautiful focus on the lyrics as written.   I bet you didn't all know all the lyrics until you heard this version!



Tori Amos's cover was so good, IT gets covered! Here is the unique Yael Naim covering Tori's version, but still making it somewhat her own.  Frankly, it starts off like Tori, but ends a little closer to Nirvana. And I have to admit - it's pretty good.  Even if she can't pronounced "albino" correctly.



That leaves us with Patti Smith.  Ah, the great Patti Smith.  I don't know what to think of this version.  She enunciates too much - "dan-ger-ous".  She turns the song into a slow and angry song, almost lazy.  And it still kind of works.

16 comments:

  1. The Miley one is funny for two reasons:
    1) She's performing like she just finished a Lohan-esque bender.
    2) Most of the people in the audience are unfamiliar with the song.

    ReplyDelete
  2. There is noticeably a lot of money to comprehend this. I assume you’ve made certain nice points in functions also. Khairat kematian

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! I recently want to make a large thumbs up with the great information you’ve got here with this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon. เว็บแทงบอล

    ReplyDelete
  4. This web-site is often a walk-through for all of the information you wanted about this and didn’t know who to question. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it. เว็บบาคาร่าออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is actually interesting, You’re a particularly proficient article author. I’ve registered with your feed additionally expect finding the fabulous write-ups. Furthermore, I’ve shared your internet-site with our social networks. เว็บแทงบอล

    ReplyDelete
  6. Learn all about News is very much imptortant to us. pragmatic

    ReplyDelete
  7. I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks. 키워드

    ReplyDelete
  8. All the great facts about News facts within few minutes. pg slot ทางเข้า

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I study a few bonus stuff from it too, thanks for sharing your recommend. top casino sites

    ReplyDelete
  11. appealing, pronounce. I simply stumbled upon your blog and desired to make known that i have favored surfing your weblog posts. After each, i can definitely subscribe to your feed, and that i purpose you will write within the lower back again soon! luckyland slots reviews and free play

    ReplyDelete
  12. Here are some considerations that will help to answer your question on how to make profitable bets online. Bet Domains For Sale

    ReplyDelete
  13. thank you for the weblog stuffed while for that reason many records. stopping by your blog helped me to make a get hold of of what i was searching out. Now my challenge has come to be as easy as ABC. fb88b.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. at leaves us with Patti Smith. joker slot
    สล็อตออนไลน์ Ah, the great Patti Smith. I don't know what to think of this version. She enunciates too much - "dan-ger-ous". She turns the song

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love online slots games. If interested, apply now. บาคาร่า

    ReplyDelete
  16. An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who had been doing a small analysis with this. And then he the truth is bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him.. smile. So well then, i’ll reword that: Thnx for any treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending plenty of time to talk about this, Personally i think strongly regarding it and enjoy reading on this topic. When possible, as you become expertise, do you mind updating your blog site with increased details? It is highly ideal for me. Big thumb up due to this text! คาสิโนบาคาร่า

    ReplyDelete

Please, please, say something!