Late Night Music Part 37......................"Scattered, Smothered, Covered, and Beatled"
Most of you know my fondness for cover songs. However, what about when an artist goes for the "Holy Grail" of covers? What if you go for the gold and cover a Beatles song? It's pretty obvious where I hold the Fab Four as far as musical folklore and inspiration, as I have gone as far as to call them "the four most influential human beings to ever walk the face of the earth".....other than Jesus. The Beatles, as you will see, have reached across many music barriers and have had all kinds of artist pay homage to them in different genres and different eras. I think it's interesting how most Beatle cover songs aren't even released as singles, I think, just due to the tough comparison of "being as good as the original", so most of these are simply "album fillers". Obviously, in order to qualify for this list the song had to be by the BEATLES (not by any post Beatle acts or side projects). Also receving votes in this category were "It Won't Be Long" by Franz Ferdinand, "Get Back" by Billy Preston, and "Yesterday" by Donny Hathaway.
"Got To Get You Into My Life"- Earth Wind and Fire. This gem from the cinema "blockbuster" "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is a valiant attempt to save the movie from ultimate suckage. Earth, Wind, and Fire do a great job covering this 1966 "Revolver" hit that is arranged perfect to fit with the horns always used by EWF. Most people don't know that this song is 100%, completely, and only about marijuana. Paul McCartney said this himself in his autobiography "Many Years From Now". Funny how you hear so many people call this a "love song" once you know the facts about it, But, I guess it still could be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBBN0T5PYXY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3MkEC_YS6A
"Dear Prudence"- Alanis Morrissette. One of the lesser known songs from "The White Album" that was actually written about Mia Farrow's sister Prudence who constantly stayed in her room meditating while the Beatles were in India in 1968. This is a great effort by Alanis Morrissette- however I have no idea what awards show this is where she is introduced by Dustin Hoffman. Whoever can tell me when and where this was gets to request my next list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeGgT5XEnxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-2lMstw6qs
"Something"- Musiq Soulchild. He's making alot of appearances on "Late Night Music" lately- interesting. This track from his sophomore album "Juslisen" from 2002 is a perfect example of how diverse the Beatles music can truly be. Great video of the Beatles and their wives also- Paul said that "Something" was probably his favorite Beatles song ever recorded. Also, while one of their last singles, it was the only A-side single of the Beatles ever written by George Harrison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VeLFunSQ20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkhOmKVW08
"Yesterday"- Boyz II Men. Great way to close out their 1994 sophomore album "II". "Yesterday" has been covered more than any other Beatles song. This is the best of all of those cover versions. The key to making this song awesome is keeping it simple just like Paul did in 1965.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgtByWlBSdA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXp-vpE9eU
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"- Elton John. Ok a few myths and facts about this song. First of all, it is NOT about LSD or drug use like so many people speculate. Growing up in elementary school, Julian Lennon had a friend named Lucy that he always talked about. One day he brought home a drawing and when John asked him what it was he simply said "Lucy in the sky..........with diamonds". The rest of the song is about a dream John Lennon had. Elton John recorded this version in 1974 with a deal that if the song reached #1 John Lennon would appear live with him on stage. Most of you know the rest of the story- the song reached #1 and John Lennon appeared live on stage in one of his last public appearances with Elton John on Thanksgiving Day in Madison Square Garden. Oh yeah, on the recording, John Lennon is playing guitar and singing background vocals. Might be the best on this list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SZ6J6fjw9w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDl0qPfkSRw
"If I Fell"- Maroon 5. Adam Levine grows on me more everyday. Once again, a good Beatles cover that is made simple rather than over analyzed. Good change of pace for Adam Levine- his acoustic stuff might be where he is best suited instead of his complex Maroon 5 stuff. I love this song montage in "A Hard Day's Night". The Beatles look so nonchalant playing this song in the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyOFVX_W29M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYKSeYuOvps
"Getting Better"- Gomez. VERY underrated Beatles song from "Sergeant Pepper", and one of Paul's best songs. The version by Gomez was made famous on the Phillips TV commercials in 2001.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VKDfWJsjnA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk0dBZ1meio
"Across the Universe"- Fiona Apple. Fiona Apple is one of the brave souls to actually record a Beatles song and release it as a single. Odd video here, strangely enough, I think it's pretty appropriate because I always thought it was a weird song. One of John's more intimate efforts before his Plastic Ono Band days of the 70's, but I still don't know what "Ja Guru Dei Ba" means. (If those are the words). Of course, this one is for you Michelle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gLWTtlMwo4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN9n1bAahg4
"Don't Let Me Down"- Stereophonics. One of the better Beatles songs (along with Day Tripper and Hey Jude) that was never released on a studio LP, this 1969 song was the B-Side of "Get Back". Never a big stereophonics fan, but a surprisingly solid effort by them. Bonus points for the Spanish subtitles. I love the way they try to almost imitate the Beatles without making a mockery of the song. Threw in the "rooftop concert" version of the song as seen in the film "Let It Be".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0E2UnYjEeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lwzzln1WIk
"Come Together"- Aerosmith. Best Beatles cover ever.................period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klvWtrtIRyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcQGtigeadM 
"Got To Get You Into My Life"- Earth Wind and Fire. This gem from the cinema "blockbuster" "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is a valiant attempt to save the movie from ultimate suckage. Earth, Wind, and Fire do a great job covering this 1966 "Revolver" hit that is arranged perfect to fit with the horns always used by EWF. Most people don't know that this song is 100%, completely, and only about marijuana. Paul McCartney said this himself in his autobiography "Many Years From Now". Funny how you hear so many people call this a "love song" once you know the facts about it, But, I guess it still could be.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Dear Prudence"- Alanis Morrissette. One of the lesser known songs from "The White Album" that was actually written about Mia Farrow's sister Prudence who constantly stayed in her room meditating while the Beatles were in India in 1968. This is a great effort by Alanis Morrissette- however I have no idea what awards show this is where she is introduced by Dustin Hoffman. Whoever can tell me when and where this was gets to request my next list.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Something"- Musiq Soulchild. He's making alot of appearances on "Late Night Music" lately- interesting. This track from his sophomore album "Juslisen" from 2002 is a perfect example of how diverse the Beatles music can truly be. Great video of the Beatles and their wives also- Paul said that "Something" was probably his favorite Beatles song ever recorded. Also, while one of their last singles, it was the only A-side single of the Beatles ever written by George Harrison.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Yesterday"- Boyz II Men. Great way to close out their 1994 sophomore album "II". "Yesterday" has been covered more than any other Beatles song. This is the best of all of those cover versions. The key to making this song awesome is keeping it simple just like Paul did in 1965.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"- Elton John. Ok a few myths and facts about this song. First of all, it is NOT about LSD or drug use like so many people speculate. Growing up in elementary school, Julian Lennon had a friend named Lucy that he always talked about. One day he brought home a drawing and when John asked him what it was he simply said "Lucy in the sky..........with diamonds". The rest of the song is about a dream John Lennon had. Elton John recorded this version in 1974 with a deal that if the song reached #1 John Lennon would appear live with him on stage. Most of you know the rest of the story- the song reached #1 and John Lennon appeared live on stage in one of his last public appearances with Elton John on Thanksgiving Day in Madison Square Garden. Oh yeah, on the recording, John Lennon is playing guitar and singing background vocals. Might be the best on this list.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"If I Fell"- Maroon 5. Adam Levine grows on me more everyday. Once again, a good Beatles cover that is made simple rather than over analyzed. Good change of pace for Adam Levine- his acoustic stuff might be where he is best suited instead of his complex Maroon 5 stuff. I love this song montage in "A Hard Day's Night". The Beatles look so nonchalant playing this song in the video.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Getting Better"- Gomez. VERY underrated Beatles song from "Sergeant Pepper", and one of Paul's best songs. The version by Gomez was made famous on the Phillips TV commercials in 2001.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Across the Universe"- Fiona Apple. Fiona Apple is one of the brave souls to actually record a Beatles song and release it as a single. Odd video here, strangely enough, I think it's pretty appropriate because I always thought it was a weird song. One of John's more intimate efforts before his Plastic Ono Band days of the 70's, but I still don't know what "Ja Guru Dei Ba" means. (If those are the words). Of course, this one is for you Michelle.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Don't Let Me Down"- Stereophonics. One of the better Beatles songs (along with Day Tripper and Hey Jude) that was never released on a studio LP, this 1969 song was the B-Side of "Get Back". Never a big stereophonics fan, but a surprisingly solid effort by them. Bonus points for the Spanish subtitles. I love the way they try to almost imitate the Beatles without making a mockery of the song. Threw in the "rooftop concert" version of the song as seen in the film "Let It Be".
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"Come Together"- Aerosmith. Best Beatles cover ever.................perio
http://www.youtube.com/wat
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Across the Universe
these guys were "Boyz II Beatles" in 1994
It's not a drug song!
posted by General 5A Pigott at 1:57 PM
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