Obscure Music Friday

Ah, it is the week's end once again and this week, I think Obscure Music Friday will look at some covers, that is, the songs made famous by one artist, but redone a whole lot better by a subsequent one, IMHO.

First up, ladies, get ready to throw your panties . . .

Song: Burnin' Down the House

Original Artist: Talking Heads

Redone By: Tom Jones (!) and The Cardigans

Why I Like It: It's got Tom Jones! Tom is still able to rock and proves that things just get better with age. And for the men, the lead singer of The Cardigans is a piece of eye candy. Tom Jones!

Next up . . .

Song: The Boys of Summer

Original Artist: Don Henley

Redone By: The Ataris

Why I Like It: Don Henley whines through the original. The Ataris, on the other hand, brings a nice edge to the song with a little sweet, soft speed metal. Punk can be a good thing.

And now, finally and with love . . . (when viewing this Youtube, move the slider to 2 minutes, 40 seconds into the video to see this song)

Warning: profanity and rude behavior displayed - watch at your own risk.

Song: Lucille

Original Artist: Kenny Rogers

Redone By: The Beat Farmers

Why I Like It: Rest in peace, Country Dick Montana, who was the baritone-voiced singer of this group and the fellow doing this song. I used to love to go to see The Beat Farmers and dance like a bad dog at their concerts. One night, at a bar in Belmont Shores, a part of Long Beach, California, when they were doing their signature song, Happy Boy, I yelled, "Hey, Dick, how about a happy girl?" He yelled back, "You're it, darlin'!" and pulled me up on stage. He and I boogied our way through the piece and then I gave him a big, ol' soul kiss right there on stage. After I got down, I remember a male work colleague, who happened to be there that night, coming up to me and saying, "Dude, I have so much respect for you now . . ." We miss and love ya, Dick - ya died too soon, ya maggot!