cover #37: girls on film

song: girls on film
cover: wesley willis
original: duran duran

comments: you can't possibly comprehend with 100% of your brain how happy i was to discover that this exists.



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
duran duran - girls on film
wesley willis - girls on film

lyrics: see them walking hand in hand across the bridge at midnight
heads turning as the lights flashing out, it's so bright
then walk right out to the fourline track
there's a camera rolling on her back, on her back
and i sense the rhythm humming in a frenzy all the way down her spine

girls on film
girls on film
girls on film
girls on film

lipstick cherry all over the lens as she's falling
in miles of sharp blue water coming in where she lies
the diving man's coming up for air cuz the crowd all love pulling dolly by the hair, by the hair
and she wonders how she ever got here as she goes under again

girls on film
two minutes later
girls on film
girls on film
got your picture
girls on film

wider baby, smiling, you just made a million
fuses pumping live heat twisting out on a wire
take one last glimpse into the night i'm touching close i'm holding bright, holding tight
give me shudders in a whisper take me up til i'm shooting a star

girls on film
she's more than a lady
girls on film
girls on film
two minutes later
girls on film
girls on film
see you together
girls on film
girls on film
see you later
girls on film

covers #36: the epic all-nirvana forwards tribute

oh snap, we're breaking format again to bring you the antithesis/doppelganger/opposite of last week's epic all-nirvana backwards tribute, featuring nirvana covering other bands... with bands... covering nirvana.

"OH MY GOD THAT'S SO REVOLUTIONARY I DON'T EVEN KNOW I'VE LOST THE ABILITY TO CAN"

yeahyeahyeah, anyway. it is my desire to bring forth some maybe lesser known (except for tori amos' cover of "smells like teen spirit"; i think we've all heard it by now, but it is pretty darn different, and therefore earns a spot here) and slightly weirder covers, whilst at the same time avoiding ripping off the entire nearvana - san francisco album. (seriously, it's pretty awesome) so yes, now, to the music~

song #1: in bloom
cover: hooverphonic
original: nirvana



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
nirvana - in bloom
amazon doesn't have hooverphonic's cover of in bloom available in mp3 format... i hope you packed a snack.

lyrics: sell the kids for food
weather changes moods
spring is here again
reproductive glands

he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say
he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say

we can have some more
nature is a whore
bruises on the fruit
tender age in bloom

he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say
he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say

he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say
he's the one
who likes all our pretty songs
and he likes to sing along
and he likes to shoot his gun
but he knows not what it means
knows not what it means
knows not what it means
knows not what it means when i say


song #2: negative creep
cover: lilla prinsen
original: nirvana



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
nirvana - negative creep
not only is lilla prinsen's cover of "negative creep" not available on amazon, lilla prinsen, the group, is not available. good luck with that one.

lyrics: this is out of our reach
this is out of our reach
this is out of our reach
and it's grown
this is getting to be
this is getting to be
this is getting to be
a drone
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
and i'm stoned
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
and i'm

daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more

this is out of our reach
this is out of our reach
this is out of our reach
and it's grown
this is getting to be
this is getting to be
this is getting to be
a drone

i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
and i'm stoned
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
i'm a negative creep
and i'm

daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more

daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more


song #3: lithium
cover: maxence cyrin
original: nirvana



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
nirvana - lithium
maxence cyrin - lithium

lyrics: i'm so happy
cuz today i found my friends
they're in my head
i'm so ugly
that's okay, cuz so are you
broke our mirrors
sunday morning
is everyday for all i care
and i'm not scared
light my candles
in a daze cuz i've found god

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah

i'm so lonely
that's ok, i shaved my head
and i'm not sad
and just maybe
i'm to blame for all i've heard
i'm not sure
i'm so excited
i can't wait to meet you there
and i don't care
i'm so horny
that's okay, my will is good

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah

i like it, i'm not gonna crack
i miss you, i'm not gonna crack
i love you, i'm not gonna crack
i killed you, i'm not gonna crack
i like it, i'm not gonna crack
i miss you, i'm not gonna crack
i love you, i'm not gonna crack
i killed you, i'm not gonna crack

i'm so happy
cuz today i found my friends
they're in my head
i'm so ugly
but that's okay, cuz so are you
broke our mirrors
sunday morning
is everyday for all i care
and i'm not scared
light my candles
in a daze cuz i've found god

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah

i like it, i'm not gonna crack
i miss you, i'm not gonna crack
i love you, i'm not gonna crack
i killed you, i'm not gonna crack
i like it, i'm not gonna crack
i miss you, i'm not gonna crack
i love you, i'm not gonna crack
i killed you, i'm not gonna crack


song #4: scentless apprentice
cover: bile
original: nirvana



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
nirvana - scentless apprentice
big shocker, amazon doesn't have bile's cover of "scentless apprentice". damn, amazon, you're really dropping the ball here, son. however, they do have bile's cover of "midlife crisis". that's some good stuff there... gonna have to get that one. anywho.

lyrics: like most babies smell like butter
his smell smelled like no other
he was born scentless and senseless
he was born a scentless apprentice

go away
go away
go away

every wet nurse refused to feed him
electrolytes smell like semen
i promise not to sell your perfumed secrets
there are countless formulas for pressing flowers

go away
go away
go away

i lie in the soil and fertilize mushrooms
leaking out gas fumes are made into perfume
you can't fire me cuz i quit
throw me in the fire and i won't throw a fit

go away
go away
go away
go away
go away
go away
go away


song #5: smells like teen spirit
cover: tori amos
original: nirvana



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
nirvana - smells like teen spirit
tori amos - smells like teen spirit

lyrics: load up on guns
and bring your friends
it's fun to lose
and to pretend
she's over-bored
and self-assured
oh no, i know a dirty word

hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello

with the lights out
it's less dangerous
here we are now
entertain us
i feel stupid
and contagious
here we are now
entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido

i'm worse at what i do best
and for this gift i feel blessed
our little group has always been
and always will until the end

hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello

with the lights out
it's less dangerous
here we are now
entertain us
i feel stupid
and contagious
here we are now
entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido

and i forget just why i taste
oh yeah, i guess it makes me smile
i found it hard, it was hard to find
oh well, whatever, nevermind

hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello

with the lights out
it's less dangerous
here we are now
entertain us
i feel stupid
and contagious
here we are now
entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido

a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial
a denial

special cover song update: eye of the tiger

i was recently (read: two minutes ago) made aware of green day's "cover" of "eye of the tiger":



the most popular comment on the video is most popular for a reason, as it is entirely accurate:

Billie: you guys know the lyrics?
Mike: i dunno?
Tre: improvise
Billie: BA NA NA

i don't even really like green day, and yet this will hold a special place in my heart, as it is similar to how i "cover" songs by pearl jam when they come on the radio.

cover #35: it's tricky

song: it's tricky
cover: bloodhound gang
original: run DMC

comments: my first encounter with this song (that i can remember) was not in the 80's, or 90's, but a few years ago, when barats and bereta used it at the end of their video, the good word:



sometimes i'm a little slow on the uptake.



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
run DMC - it's tricky
bloodhound gang - it's tricky

lyrics: this speech is my recital
i think it's very vital
to rock a rhyme, that's right on time
"it's tricky" is the title, here we go

it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, it's tricky
tricky, tricky, tricky
it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky

i met this little girlie
her hair was kinda curly
went to her house and bust her out
i had to leave real early
these girls are really sleazy
all they just say is "please me"
or spend some time and rock a rhyme
i said "it's not that easy"

it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, it's tricky
tricky, tricky, tricky
it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky

in new york the people talk and try to make us rhyme
they really hawk but we just walk because we have no time
and in the city it's a pity cuz we just can't hide
tinted windows don't mean nothing, they know who's inside

it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, it's tricky
tricky, tricky, tricky
it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky

when i wake up people take up mostly all of my time
i'm not singing, phone keep ringing cuz i make up a rhyme
i'm not bragging, people nagging cuz they think i'm a star
always tearing what i'm wearing, i think they're going too far
a girl named carol follows daryll every gig we play
then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jocking jay
i ain't lying, girls be crying cuz i'm on TV
they even bother my poor father cuz he's down with me

it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, it's tricky
tricky, tricky, tricky
it's tricky to rock a rhyme
to rock a rhyme that's right on time
it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky

we are not thugs
we don't use drugs
but you assume on your own
they offer coke
and lots of dope
but we just leave it alone
it's like that y'all, y'all
but we don't quit
you keep on rock, shock
cuz this is it

covers #34: the epic all-nirvana backwards tribute

today we shall break format, for the following post is a multi-song extravaganza dedicated to the covers of nirvana.

no, not nirvana songs covered by other people (that's what nearvana - san francisco {linked here in both cd and mp3 format, respectively} is for). no, today we talk about the songs that nirvana has covered.

it's been weird to go through my nirvana collection. it's been a long time since i've considered myself a big fan, and even then it wasn't in a fan-y way; no pilgrimages to seattle, no scouring of my local and not-so-local shops for nirvana rarities. i didn't even get into the music until after kurt cobain's death, so i never saw them live, never waited around after a show in the cold for a glimpse of something, anything. no, for me it was a search on a then-blossoming internet for what little-known and rare tracks i could glean from napster, then kazaa, then limewire. a low quality copy of "beans" here, a mis-labeled "don't want it all" there. it wasn't nearly as easy then as it is now, with torrents spanning entire careers up for the taking, and box sets for cheap on ebay. this all makes me sound like an old man yelling at kids to get off my lawn, so i'll leave that train of consciousness up there.

anywho, to the songs!

song #1: where did you sleep last night
cover: nirvana
original: lead belly



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
lead belly- where did you sleep last night?
nirvana - where did you sleep last night

lyrics: my girl, my girl
don't lie to me
tell me where did you sleep last night
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

my girl, my girl
where will you go
i'm going where the cold wind blows
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

her husband was a hard working man
just about a mile from here
his head was found in a driving wheel
but his body never was found

my girl, my girl
don't lie to me
tell me where did you sleep last night
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

my girl, my girl
where will you go
i'm going where the cold wind blows
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

my girl, my girl
don't lie to me
tell me where did you sleep last night
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

my girl, my girl
where will you go
i'm going where the cold wind blows
in the pines, in the pines
where the sun don't ever shine
i would shiver the whole night through

song #2: son of a gun
cover: nirvana
original: the vaselines



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
the vaselines - son of a gun
nirvana - son of a gun

lyrics: swing, swing
up and down
turn, turn, turn around
round, round, round and about
and over again
gun, gun, son of a gun
you are the only one
and no one else can take my place

the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away

swing, swing
up and down
turn, turn, turn around
round, round, round and about
and over again
gun, gun, son of a gun
you are the only one
and no one else can take my place

the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away

swing, swing
up and down
turn, turn, turn around
round, round, round and about
and over again
gun, gun, son of a gun
you are the only one
and no one else can take my place

the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away
the sun shines in the bedroom
when you play
and the raining always starts
when you go away

song #3: ain't it a shame
cover: nirvana
original: lead belly



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
lead belly - ain't it a shame
nirvana - ain't it a shame

lyrics: ain't it a shame to go fishin' on a sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to go fishin' on a sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to go fishin' on a sunday
when you got monday, tuesday, wednesday
oh, thursday, friday, saturday
ain't it a shame

(i think)ain't it shame to get your gun on a sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to get your gun on a sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to get your gun on a sunday
when you got monday, tuesday, wednesday
oh, thursday, friday, saturday
ain't it a shame

ain't it a shame to have a drink on sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to have a drink on sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to have a drink on sunday
when you got monday, tuesday, wednesday
oh, thursday, friday, saturday
ain't it a shame

ain't it a shame to beat your wife on sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to beat your wife on sunday
ain't it a shame
ain't it a shame to beat your wife on sunday
when you got monday, tuesday, wednesday
oh, thursday, friday, saturday
ain't it a shame

song #4: plateau
cover: nirvana
original: meat puppets



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
it seems that the only meat puppets version of "plateau" that you can get on amazon, in mp3 format, is a live version. there is, of course, the wilds of the internet to explore, but if you're not feeling quite so adventurous, have at it.
meat puppets - plateau
nirvana - plateau

lyrics: many a hand has scaled the grand old face of the plateau
some belong to strangers
and some to folks you know
holy ghosts and talk show hosts are planted in the sand
to beautify the foothills
and shake the many hands

there's nothing on the top but a bucket and a mop
and an illustrated book about birds
you see a lot up there, but don't be scared
who needs actions when you got words

when you're finished with the mop, then you can stop
and look at what you've done
the plateau's clean, no dirt to be seen
and the work it took was fun

there's nothing on the top but a bucket and a mop
and an illustrated book about birds
you see a lot up there, but don't be scared
who needs actions when you got words

well, the many hands began to scan around for the next plateau
some said it was greenland
and some said mexico
some decided it was nowhere except for where they stood
but those were all just guesses
wouldn't help you if they could

song #5: do you love me
cover: nirvana
original: kiss



first song is cover, second is original.

where can you get it?
KISS - do you love me
well spank my ass and call me sally, amazon doesn't have nirvana's cover for sale. to internet with you, away!

lyrics: you really like my limousine
you like the way the wheels roll
you like my seven inch leather heels
and going to all of the shows
but

do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
really love me

you like the credit cards and private planes
money can really take you far
wou like the hotels and fancy clothes
and the sound of electric guitars
but

do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
i mean like do you
really love me

you really like rock n’ roll
all of the fame and the masquerade
you like the concerts and studios
and all the money, honey, that i make
but

do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
really love me

your backstage pass and black sunglasses
make you look just like a queen
even the fans, they know your face
from all of the magazines
but

do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
really love me
i wanna know

do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
i mean like do you
really love me
i wanna know
do you love me
do you love me
do you love me
i mean like do you
really love me

i want you to
i need you to
and you know i’m so tired of everybody saying it
and you know
i just gotta know if you really, really, really, really love me
so come on, do you love me
i need you to
do you love me
i want you to
do you love me
i need you
really love me
i wanna know
do you love me
do you, do you
do you love me
i just got to have some love
i just got to have some love
i just got to have some love, love, love, love, love

covers #33: (don't fear) the reaper

song: (don't fear) the reaper
cover: apollo 440, gus black, HIM, heaven 17, sever your ties, the mutton birds, and i'm sure a billion other bands
original: blue oyster cult

comments: no real irony here, just incredulity. damn this song gets covered a lot. it's like "landslide", except it doesn't totally fucking suck.

also, pro-tip: if a band you haven't heard of has a number in the name, it's probably some derivative of house music. observe:


apollo 440


gus black


heaven 17


HIM


sever your ties


the mutton birds


blue oyster cult

where can you get it?
if you're absolutely in love with gus black's and the mutton birds' covers of this song, you're going to have to brave the wilds of the internet to find them. in the meantime, here's everyone else.
blue oyster cult - (don't fear) the reaper
apollo 440 - (don't fear) the reaper
heaven 17 - (don't fear) the reaper
HIM - (don't fear) the reaper
sever your ties - (don't fear) the reaper

lyrics: all our times have come
here, but now they're gone
seasons don't fear the reaper
nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
we can be like they are
come on baby
don't fear the reaper
baby take my hand
don't fear the reaper
we'll be able to fly
don't fear the reaper
baby i'm your man

(la la la la la!)

valentine is done
here, but now they're gone
romeo and juliet are together in eternity
romeo and juliet
forty-thousand men and women everyday
like romeo and juliet
forty-thousand men and women everyday
redefine happiness
another forty-thousand coming everyday
we can be like they are
come on baby
don't fear the reaper
baby take my hand
don't fear the reaper
we'll be able to fly
don't fear the reaper
baby i'm your man

love of two is one
here, but now they're gone
came the last night of sadness
and it was clear she couldn't go on
then the door was open and the wind appeared
the candles blew, and then disappeared
the curtains flew, and then he appeared
saying don't be afraid
come on baby
and she had no fear
and she ran to him
then they started to fly
they looked backward and said goodbye
she had become like they are
she had taken his hand
she had become like they are
come on baby
don't fear the reaper

also, just because you can't say anything about this song without it coming up (and it's classic):