Happy Music Monday! There are many songs out there where a cover supplanted the original. But there are also song where two versions co-exist, occupying two very different spaces at the same time. That's what Scott's looking at today. Complex? Don't worry, you'll catch on quickly.
Tainted Love Gloria Jones & Marilyn Manson
She didn't write it, but Gloria Jones kinda started it off. Marilyn Manson, however, came in after Soft Cell chilled it up and turned a very poppy '60s dance song into, well, something more dark. Kinda the story of America, when you think about it.
But don't think about it, we've got eight more songs to burn through. See you after the jump!
My Way Frank Sinatra & Sid Vicious
My Way started as a French pop song then found its way to Paul Anka, of all people! Anka tells the story that he wrote the lyrics with Sinatra in mind, a tough guy looking back at his life. And that's the image that Sid sort of rebelled against with his famous version. Today the two are pretty much forever locked together in a fistfight over who gets to keep the tune forever. And meanwhile, David Bowie watches from the sidelines. Why, you ask? Because that French pop song inspired Life On Mars?!
Always Something There To Remind Me Dionne Warwick & Naked Eyes
These two songs aren't so different, really. One's a little more 1980s, one's a little more classic soul, but they both are dripping with love, talent and emotion. And yet, try and play Version A for fans of Version B and vice versa. You'll quickly see scowls and glares. Just goes to show: the best version is always the version you heard first.
Dream Baby Dream Suicide & Bruce Springsteen
Possibly my all-time favorite twist happens in Springsteen's unexpected cover of this Suicide song. In the original, it's a moody, trance-like city full of crazy, passionate young love. In the cover, it's an anthem someone's dad could sing at them. This is the sound of a young punk going through his old scrapbook before PTA night. But the songs are both so beautiful.
American Pie/The Saga Begins Don McLean & Weird Al
Let me sum up this work of genius in one simple story: Don McLean, author of the most confusing and iconic song in rock history, has said that sometimes he accidentally starts to sing Weird Al's near-perfect chorus instead of the one DonMcLean actually wrote himself. There's literally no greater compliment.
Let us also just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.