“Never Let Me Down Again”
by The Smashing Pumpkins (originally by Depeche Mode)
from the album Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition]
Buy the album on Amazon

All week long I had been planning on a Pumpkins selection for #CoverFriday and then Chris up and did the same thing.  And while I absolutely adore “Landslide” — I’d even go so far as to call it superior to the original — I had a different track in mind.  

The Pumpkins’ version of the Depeche Mode classic is so delicate it becomes a completely different song.  The DM version seems like a rant, Dave has had enough of the situation whereas in the SP cover, Billy is lamenting how bad it’s gotten.  It’s almost a before and after vibe.  I love the Pumpkins when they’re loud and heavy, but there’s something kind of magical when they get gentle and sad.

Check out the original version for reference.  Two completely different sides of the same song.