Lily Allen’s cover of the Clash track “Straight To Hell” appears on the latest charity comp for the outfit War Child, Heroes, and gets part of its pedigree from Mick Jones’ appearance on backing vocals, as well as the factoid that Allen is actually the godchild of the late Joe Strummer. (Something tells me that these notes won’t stop purist-types from turning their noses up at this somewhat frothy take on the track, although I like it.) Other tracks on the comp include Scissor Sisters’ version of Roxy Music’s “Do The Strand” (there’s a slightly worrisome snippet at Popjustice), Estelle’s take on “Superstitious,” and a Franz Ferdinand cover of “Call Me” by Blondie, a cover that I’m sort of surprised hasn’t happened already. [YouTube]
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Lily Allen Is Going To Hell In Her Godfather’s Handbasket
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What is Lily Allen doing remixing M.I.A.?
Now that’s just sad. Joe Strummer is rolling over in his grave.
@tim_loves_cats: Now why would that be, if he was her godfather? He must’ve had some affection for her, or her Dad…
i think it’s…90% there. it needed to be either a little livelier or a minute shorter, or something. she does her acidic talk-singing thing so well, i think it would have been good on this song.
Well, that was cheerful. I like Lily Allen; let Strummer roll over in his grave.
This has always been one of my favorite Clash songs. I like it.
The Scissor Sisters doing Roxy Music? Short of being gang raped by Duran Duran circa-1983, I cannot think of a single thing that makes me happier. There is a god and he loves me.
@NeverEnough: I think you are taking ‘doing’ in a different sense than some.
@Chris Molanphy: I’m sure she has other redeeming qualities, like maybe she’s an excellent knitter or something. And just because you’re related to someone or acquainted with someone doesn’t necessarily mean you like them or what they do.
@OokieDookie: Huh, that’s what I was gonna say. It’s actually not bad, if you don’t know the original? That’s not really helpful, is it?
As for Scissor Sisters doing Roxy Music, that’s like The Hold Steady doing Springsteen (also included) — not terrible, but so bloody obvious; is it bad that I’m most interested in hearing Hot Chip do ‘Transmission’?
I’m pretty sure it sounds like Mick Jones is doing some backing vocals on this thing.
I saw the Scissor Sisters play their “Do The Strand” cover live (at their “Queef Latina” secret show late last year), and I have to say it was FREAKING AWESOME. Most of the crowd didn’t seem to recognize it (even though they were largely older than me, who was born the year Roxy Music broke up), but it totally owned.
I’m curious to hear the FF cover of “Call Me”, but for some reason I’ve always imagined they’d kill on a take of “Dreaming” especially after hearing the new album.
@the rich girls are weeping: “is it bad that I’m most interested in hearing Hot Chip do ‘Transmission’?”
No. I think that’s the one I’m most interested in too. It would’ve been Scissor Sisters “Do The Strand”, but then I heard it. My parents do a great version of it (I’m not even kidding).
I always like these War Child albums, The “Help” ones are great. Such a great cause.
Wait, Beck is covering “Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat” on this thing? That is actually kind of alarming.
Bullshit alert:
“Strummer is often referred to as her godfather - this wasn’t literally true but she has fond memories of him, particularly of the week and a half they would spend together each year at Glastonbury as part of a regular collective centred on Strummer and her father. “
[www.telegraph.co.uk]
I think this cover is atrocious. Check out Emm Gryner’s version of the song from her ‘Girl Versions’ album.
@OokieDookie: i can’t believe people are lying for charity!!! :( :( :( :(
I like that it DOESN’T incorporate the part that M.I.A. sampled in Paper Planes…