Welcome to the first installment of The Cover-Song Showcase Showdown, in which we pit two versions of the same beloved song against one another, and let you determine which is superior. Why? Because we’re all about spreading democracy. That, and goosing our page-view count.
Our first honoree: T. Rex’s classic “20th Century Boy,” in which Marc Bolan moves like a cat, charges like a ram, and squirrells like a bee (we think). And our first homage-paying artistes: The Replacements, Placebo, Def Leppard, and Butch Walker (the latter of whom didn’t actually record “Boy,” but came pretty damn close). So, what’ll it be? And, on a side note, how awesome would it have been if the ‘Mats had covered “Children Of The Revolution”?
The Replacements – 20th Century Boy [MP3, link expired]
Placebo – 20th Century Boy [MP3, link expired]
Def Leppard – 20th Century Boy [MP3, link expired]
Butch Walker & The Let’s-Go-Out-Tonites – Hot Girls In Good Moods [MP3, link expired]
Dissing a Replacements record for being poorly mixed is kinda like complaining that your steak isn’t high-fiber: technically true, but utterly missing the point.
Well, I had to go with Placebo in the end — even though I love them I was actually hoping Def Leppard would pull it out but theirs is a little too mannered. Brian Molko has just enough leering hysteria in contrast.
And then there’s Butch, who rules. But I’ll judge him on his own merits!
I was wondering why all the rock snobs were giving props to Placebo and then I remembered this remake, which was incredible and might be the second best song in a Nissan commercial (first place: Modest Mouse, “Gravity Rides Everything”).
…..I agree. But it’s only my opinion, likes and dislikes. I’m not a well-qualified music critic, and if I want garage-band-level stuff, I can always listen to myself!
…..And worse, I forgot to proof-read the damned thing before I hit send. I do apologize for that!
The Violent Femmes covered “Children of the Revolution” on their third album, The Blind Leading the Naked…produced by Jerry Harrison.
The only band of the bunch able to kick out the glam, motherfucker, is Def Leppard. And while the Mats are probably the second or third best band of all time, this, for them, was probably more of a moment of whimsy (!?!?). Placebo and Butch, all good, sure, but neither has the chops or the staying power of the other two bands.