On August 1, I did not promise I would regularly participate in Battle Of The Bands, but I did not say I wouldn't either! This song came to mind as a contender, so here I am, the uninvited guest, crashing your party.
In the eighties, Australia set off to conquer the (music) world, with INXS being the weapon that pulled it off. With smash albums Listen Like Thieves, Kick and X, the band was incredibly successful, although their career skidded to a halt with frontman Michael Hutchence's death in 1997.
When listening to Bonnie Raitt's latest album for the first time, one song sounded real familiar to me, but took me a couple of minutes before the light bulb went on.
I probably do not need to bother-if you were alive in the 80's you know the original song by INXS, but here it is for reference only-don't vote on this one.
Here is Raitt's version. I like what she does with it here-not too far afield, but adds her own elements that gives it some unique flavor.
The challenger? This one's for McCarthy-I expect him to vote for it-but Richard Cheese has followed his muse making covers of other people's songs in a lounge style...and he did his own version of the INXS song that must have Hutchence spinning in his grave.
You know the drill by now....comment....pick one...get disappointed when I forget to do the obligatory follow-up post and you have to tally up the results yourself.
.jpeg)
The Richard Cheese version is clever, but Raitt's version would have more staying power with me. She gives the song a nice interpretation.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is Bonnie Raitt.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteRichard Cheese is kind of like Weird Al to me-funny to listen to once or twice but not really something you return to.
DeleteWelcome back to the BOTB! Good to see you here.
ReplyDeleteI love the INXS version best. Richard Cheese definitely has an interesting take on the song but I'm giving my vote to Bonnie Raitt. I like what she did with it.
Have a great week. I've added you to my list of participants. Hopefully we'll be seeing more of you...
Michele at Angels Bark
I think it's hard not to gravitate to the original which is why I did not want that to be a choice.
DeleteI'm afraid I'll have to stick with the original. Hers was just a little too different.
ReplyDeleteBut of the two covers, which did you prefer?
DeleteGlad to see you back with BoTB even if it's on again and off sorta of playing. :) Richard Cheese sounded like lounge music and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but his cover didn't put the groove in my move like Bonnie; her track has a soulful jazzy funky groove feel, which I really dig! So, give my vote to Bonnie Raitt please!
ReplyDeleteI loved what she did with as well.
DeleteOh Richard Cheese, you wonderful weirdo. His wasn't bad, but just a little too slow for my liking. Even though I thought I wouldn't, I'm going to have to give my vote to Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd found a better opponent to go against Raitt...
DeleteIf the original is in the running, I give my vote to INXS, hands down.
ReplyDeleteBut let me delve further; I love Bonnie Raitt - just not this particular one. Can't get past the original (saw them live...awesome).
As for Cheese, aptly named! Funny! I might even walk around singing this song this very same way (we do that at my house with metal songs just to irritate my progeny). But if the question is which one I like the best: my answer has to have a Hutchens in it.
Welcome back!
Since the original is not a choice, which of the covers did you like?
DeleteGotta go with Bonnie!
DeleteI liked the Bonnie Raitt version. Funky and lively, while different from the original. Richard Cheese sounds like good dinner party music - and I've never been to a dinner party.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Bonnie.
The Pedestrian Writer
I did not expect Cheese to get a lot of votes, but he certainly had an original take...
DeleteWelcome back to the BOTB! Richard Cheese had me looking around for the nearest elevator - because that was flat out elevator music! Bonnie Raitt gave it a good go, and I'm going to have to give my vote to her.
ReplyDeleteMary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
I always wonder if Cheese has fans who listen to his music like I would listen to A Todd Rundgren album, or whether it is purely novelty.
DeleteWelcome back to BOTB!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Bonnie Raitt fan from way back and she definitely gets my vote here. Richard Cheese was just too cheesy! (Well, somebody had to say it. ;) )
I just gouda reply to that one...will my own cheese puns be any feta?
DeleteRichard Cheese is not my preferred style of music...I am more of an R& Brie fan.
Hahaha! Yes, R&Brie is chedder. ☺
DeleteTouche!
DeleteAt first I didn't think I knew the song because I didn't recognize the title, but I WAS alive in the '80s, so yeah, turns out I did know this song.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like Bonnie Raitt. Not enough that I've ever thought about buying anything she's recorded, but enough that I don't mind listening to her. And here, she improves on the original metrosexual mess known as INXS.
But you guessed right: I'll take the Cheese... and can I have some whine with that?
In all seriousness, I would love to spend a whole night drinking Martinis while listening to Richard Cheese put his loungey spin on Rock songs. I would really pay money to see him live, and I can't say that about many musicians still alive and performing today. I "REALLY" (not joking here) love what that guy does.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I figured you'd like him-very reminiscent of a lot of TT's work. Surprised you don't care for Raitt ay all-I always have liked her.
DeleteI can't believe what McCarthy said about INXS in his comment. Seriously, I can, but I can't. Know what I mean??? I freakin' love INXS. And if they were the bullet that was trying to take over the world I was one of the people shooting the gun. Like I said... love love love. I loved the fact that when they brought the songs from Kick to Columbia Records they had to fight to get that album recorded because the execs said it was too black and no one would buy it. I love the fact that they wrote it with every song in mind to be a hit (and every song is awesome) so that album is aptly named because it "kicks" start to end. In college, if I had to pick one record to take with me out of a burning building, it would have been Kick. That is how much I loved that record. So, you're in my wheelhouse right now. Metrosexual mess. Well, maybe I am. I'm certainly some kind of mess.
ReplyDeleteOn to the battle. As you know, I love Bonnie Raitt, too. I discovered her AFTER I discovered INXS. I think it was 1990ish when I moved to NYC. I have to say, though, I wasn't crazy about her cover of this song. Maybe this is one of those cases where no one is going to do it better than the original?!?! Anyway, I might come to not mind her interpretation, but I'm not sure I'll ever love it.
And that brings us to The Cheese. He is a funny funny guy. I do love his lounge style pasted to these songs. They absolutely do not go together and yet I can't stop myself from listening (and enjoying) what's going on here. Make no mistake, nobody does this better than INXS, but I really like Richard Cheese and his cheesy delivery of this song. So, chalk one more for The Cheese.
I guess for me, it boils down to two things-I've been a Raitt fan since the mid-70's and will spin that disc often. The Cheese covers amuse me, but are more like comedy to me-once you know the joke, will you really listen to it again (except maybe to play for someone else)?
DeleteFunny though, hers was different enough that it resonated with me (otherwise I'd be a BOTB reader today, not a participant).
Welcome back!
Well, as covers go, Cheese did more with it- and it didn't suck. If you try to listen to it for the musical value instead of the humor, it ain't bad. Cheese for me.
ReplyDeleteJust not my style, I guess
DeleteWhy am I picturing Troy McClure from the Simpsons singing this song when I hear Mr. Cheese?:) I love INXS and had a tape originally...yup a tape that I wore out. Gosh that guy oodled sex. I enjoyed Bonnie Raitt as well but for sheer fun and picturing him by a piano, smiling at me while he points his finger, adjusts the tacky gold necklaces around his hairy chest, I have to give it to Cheesy.
ReplyDeleteMcCarthy started a cheddar trend in the voting-as of now it's Raitt 8 and Cheese 4
DeleteBonnie rocks it. She gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thanks for dropping by, JJ!
DeleteBonnie gets my vote she added a lil funk to it
ReplyDelete