“Jessie’s Girl”
by Matt the Electrician (originally by Rick Springfield)
from the album Made for Working
2003 Buy the album on Amazon
Not a ton to say on this song. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but just a nice, mellow version of a classic song. I’ve said before I have a weakness for cookie cutter emo and punk bands doing covers, but also included in that list are acoustic covers in most genres. I’m not very good at it, but I occasionally check the rss feed for http://coverlaydown.com/, and I’m pretty sure that’s how I came across this song one day.
“Fuck You”
by Bad Religion
from the album True North
2013 Buy the album on Amazon
I’m cheating a bit with this month’s theme, but give me a break. I’ve been Hollywood for a week. Also, June Power Songs were so much fun, and I still have a massive list of tracks I want to slot in there, so since it’s my turn to pick the theme, I’m extending power songs into July.
This post is gonna be quick, like this amazing song from Bad Religion. I like Bad Religion a lot, but I’m not a disciple by any means. Their album Stranger The Fiction is definitely in my top 100 albums of all time, but I realize for most Bad Religion fans that’s like saying Wings was Paul’s McCartney’s best band (I should also come clean and say that I don’t really love the Beatles). But after The Gray Race I kind of lost track of the band. Until True North.
“Never Say Never”
by Queens of the Stone Age (originally by Romeo Void)
from the album Rated R (Deluxe Edition)
2010 Buy the album on Amazon
Yep, it’s a QOTSA week here on MNP, especially if Chris doesn’t get off his ass and post. That’s right motherfucker. Called you out. What are you gonna do?
Sorry, QOTSA does that too me… get’s me in a fighting, fucking or drinking mood. Sometimes all three. I didn’t discover this song until a few months ago. I picked up the reissue of Rated R like any good QOTSA fan would, but I never really gave it a good spin. Like most of my musical discoveries, this song came into my life via shuffle. Quickly followed by pounding the back button two times so I could hear it again. Continue reading Cover Friday: “Never Say Never”→
“Make It Wit Chu”
by Queens of the Stone Age
from the album Era Vulgaris 2007 Buy the album on Amazon
“Who is your favorite band?”
It’s almost an impossible question to answer and completely unfair to ask, because the response can change based on genre, mood, the weather, what you’re eating, etc. For years I would say the Smashing Pumpkins were my favorite. And while Gish is still in my top ten list of all time and Siamese Dream is up there too (we’ll get into my issues with Mellon Collie at some point), I wouldn’t consider them a favorite anymore. The Pixies occupy a spot in the favorite list that’ll probably never fade, unless they keep releasing albums (tarnishing the memory of the original releases). King’s X – the Texas, metal power-trio – will always have a soft spot in my heart. Are these my favorite bands? Yes and no. Yes on some kind of honorary list, but is their current output what’s fueling my fire. No. I think the better question to ask is
“Who is the best band in the world, right now?”
The best band in the world right now is Queens of the Stone Age. The albums are chock full of wonderful and bizarre songs. Nothing quite sounds the same, but you can always tell it’s them. And for a long time I’ve wanted to perform a QOTSA song at karaoke, but the Ginger Elvis‘ range is just so huge that most of my favorites are beyond reach, not to mention unavailable in the book. But I think I might be able to pull off this gem. Maybe.
“Back in Black”
by Living Colour (originally by AC/DC)
from the album Collideøscope
2003 Buy the album on Amazon
It’s hard to improve upon the AC/DC classic which was that band’s stake in the ground, telling the world know they weren’t going anyway following the death of original lead singer, Bon Scott. When Living Colour decided to include on their first album in over a decade, it took on some new significance.
“A Quick One While He’s Away”
by My Morning Jacket w/Eddie Vedder (originally by The Who)
from the film Immagine in Cornice
2006 Buy the DVD on Amazon
Even if you’re not the world’s biggest The Who fan (I’m not), chances are that you’ve heard the original version of this song during the payback scene from the film Rushmore. The mini-opera runs about nine minutes and is kind of all over the place. I wouldn’t necessarily called it a fun-filled song (although *spoilers* there’s a happy ending), but there’s something about the way My Morning Jacket and Eddie Vedder bring this song to life that is just so joyful.
“The Middle”
by Jimmy Eat World
from the album Bleed American
2001 Buy the album on Amazon
I’m going for the low-hanging fruit with this selection because Chris and I just discovered how fun it is to do as a duet a few months ago. What a great tune to switch hit with your friends. It’s totally easy to pass the stanzas back and forth and then come together on the chorus. Plus it’s got some fun air guitar moments if you’re into that sort of thing… which I am. Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “The Middle”→
