It may be a song much used & abused by karaoke maniacs, bedroom youtubers, & egotistical pop stars but let us not forget what a phenomenal tune it really is. Cat may have sold it to PP for £30 back in the day – but which version of the three do you prefer? Or do you know of a better one (I have looked for a noisy indie rock version, and failed, but would love it if there was one in existence)?
‘Spill points are available, and there are bonus ‘Spill points if you can explain why Tom Waits is holding a bunny. caption the Tom Waits & bunny photo.
The last version of the three is definitely the best ! ! !
The reggae version is nice because it has an interesting arrangement. Actually I hope I do not offend anyone but I think the first two versions would become annoying if I heard them too often.
Top one, no contest.
It’s P.P isn’t it ?
Agreed!
Yep, the first – it must be PP Arnold. Gotta lotta soul.
Tom: The missus suggested a rabbit might spice up our love life. Now I really feel perverted.
A few reggae versions, but this one is pretty good:
I Roy
PP!
PP’s is the only one I own, but I have never felt her vocal is very sympathetic/complementary to the musical backing. Or perhaps it’s the other way round: the music is too plinky-plonky delicate (and then full and warm) for the rawness of the vocal. Either way, they feel to me like they belong in two separate recordings.
Cat’s voice is more harmonious to the musical setting but lacks PP’s power. And he makes the chorus sound too cheery.
Reggae lady certainly has ‘made the song her own’ (even to the extent of, slightly nonsensically, rewriting the lyrics). I like it but it may be too laidback. I want angst as well as tenderness.
These are all quibbles, mind. It’s a great song and all three versions have their merits. I can’t believe I’m about to say this though, but I think I prefer the first version I ever heard – and that was Rod Stewart’s. The rasp in his voice seems to me to suit the ruefulness of the lyric well (even if he leaves out half the chorus).
Here’s Rod. Lovely jumper-blazer combo, Rodders.
I still go for Rod’s too. Big time. Sheryl Crow’s is pretty enough though, but i don’t really feel it.
I so love that song though.
Is this gonna be a regular series, Blimpy? Can I put in a vote for “Different Drum”? Now PP Arnold did a great version of that (and there’s deffo at least one noisy-ish indie rock version I can think of)…
I love Different Drum, ESPECIALLY the noisy indie rock version. Big time!
Me too! Quite possibly Evan’s finest hour.
I never knew there was a Pastels version til just now! Golly, they’re really going for the Beat Happening, aren’t they?
An Evan Dando related ‘Spillover? So many good songs – “Ride With Me”, “Confetti”, “Stove” not to mention the covers like “Luka” & “Different Drum”
that’s a cover???! bollocks, nobbled again….it’s just so… Lemonheadsey…!
Do it Blimpy!
Can I put in a vote for Big Gay Heart??
Oh..and PP for me too, I even own that one.
Didn’t we have a post a while ago about same name, different song?
I’m sorry, Blimpy, I keep doing these off-topic things to you, but have you seen this? I’m not imagining they’re one of your faves, am I?
They are! Cheers for the link!
I’m going to be a peasant and say I prefer Rod Stewart too – sorry. Have some Sheryl Crow while we’re at it:
It has to be PP for me. I quite like Duffy’s version on Later too, not sure how to post it here though…
yay, it worked!
Nice one!
I had a rare trip to the pub qquiz I used to go to every week, and there was a round of “did it get to number 1″, including Rod doing “I Don’t Want To Talk About It”, the double A-side to this. The point being that it was indeed “official” UK #1 in HM silver jubilee week, and Sex Pistols shipped a lot of vinyl for a runner-up.
But I’m a fan of both those Rod tunes, as long as I don’t have to watch the Top Of The Pops footage.
Completely irrelevantly, at the Christmas quiz, the “name the artist” round required the full “John and Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band With the Harlem Community Choir”. “John and Yoko” scored nul points. Luckily the same question has been in there for the last 4 or 5 Christmasses, so we know what to revise…
Not a fan of this one – even the reliable wobbly voice of Gene Pitney can’t save it.
PP Arnold certainly has soul, but neither can one ignore that Rod had Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Al Jackson among the musicians for the LP “A Night On The Town”. It’s not easy to find credits for who played on which track, but it certainly sounds like them on “First Cut Is The Deepest”.
OK, PP is edging over unexpected competition from Rod, she will be declared winner – unless anyone else has anything to say?
Wilemena gets the ‘Spill points for the caption competition, careful though, these Spill points may contain traces of horse.
Well it was a one horse race really wasn’t it?!
Extra ‘Spill points awarded, careful though, these ‘Spill points may contain traces of Alanis Morrisette’s face.
Or Sarah Jessica Parker. Or Leona Lewis. Ouch! Bitch!
tom holds up rabbit ‘ hey what’s up doc’
doctor replies ‘ actute larynxgitis i reckon’
shame i can’t spell .. anyway did alice cooper do a cover
Did he? I can;t find any evidence online, would love to hear it though!