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defrogI mentioned at the start of this series that some songs are so definitive that they defy covers. The example I gave was Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which is so bonkers and original that few would be brave enough to even attempt it.
As it happens, we have two such contestants this week. One is a college radio staple. The other is more famous for doing cartoon voices on shows like The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy and Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi.
Let’s begin.
THE SONG: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
THE ORIGINAL: Queen
COMMENTS: Very much their signature song. So many great bands wish they’d come up with this. Even the video is a rock history icon, topped only by the Wayne’s World version.
Next week: Kate Bush vs Placebo!
Easy come easy go,
This is dF
As it happens, we have two such contestants this week. One is a college radio staple. The other is more famous for doing cartoon voices on shows like The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy and Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi.
Let’s begin.
THE SONG: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
THE ORIGINAL: Queen
COMMENTS: Very much their signature song. So many great bands wish they’d come up with this. Even the video is a rock history icon, topped only by the Wayne’s World version.
COVER #1: The Flaming Lips
You’ve got two choices with a cover song: play it straight or get weird with it. The Flaming Lips, who are weird enough on their own songs, play it straight, and do a pretty good job – though they’re also the only band probably crazy enough to tackle the opera section live (which even Queen never really did, opting to rely on audio playback – though it sounds like the Lips do something similar here) – anyway, a spirited performance. With added balloons!
COVER #2: Grey DeLisle
COMMENTS: Grey DeLisle is best known for her cartoon voice work, but she’s also done some old-school country music as well, and here she gives “Bohemian Rhapsody” the Gothic country treatment. Whether it works may depend on yr opinion of country, but the dark lyrics lend themselves perfectly to the genre, giving the song a much more doomed, haunted feel. DeLisle’s decision to drop the opera bit entirely might seem like a copout, but it also makes sense in a way – and it’s a brave decision in itself.
WINNER: Queen. Obviously. It’s their song and I don’t think anyone will ever take that away from them. But it’s nice to know that there are people out there with the nerve to try and take on such a great song and come out looking pretty good.
You’ve got two choices with a cover song: play it straight or get weird with it. The Flaming Lips, who are weird enough on their own songs, play it straight, and do a pretty good job – though they’re also the only band probably crazy enough to tackle the opera section live (which even Queen never really did, opting to rely on audio playback – though it sounds like the Lips do something similar here) – anyway, a spirited performance. With added balloons!
COVER #2: Grey DeLisle
COMMENTS: Grey DeLisle is best known for her cartoon voice work, but she’s also done some old-school country music as well, and here she gives “Bohemian Rhapsody” the Gothic country treatment. Whether it works may depend on yr opinion of country, but the dark lyrics lend themselves perfectly to the genre, giving the song a much more doomed, haunted feel. DeLisle’s decision to drop the opera bit entirely might seem like a copout, but it also makes sense in a way – and it’s a brave decision in itself.
WINNER: Queen. Obviously. It’s their song and I don’t think anyone will ever take that away from them. But it’s nice to know that there are people out there with the nerve to try and take on such a great song and come out looking pretty good.
Next week: Kate Bush vs Placebo!
Easy come easy go,
This is dF
