Cyndi Lauper’s collaborative efforts continue, as her duet with Tori Amos from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s upcoming Here Lies Love album has now surfaced. And if you think Cyndi is so unusual, wait till you get a load of the concept for the Byrne’s double-LP (which impressively contains contributions from nearly two dozen guest vocalists). Hear the meeting of Cyndi and Tori after the jump!

“Why Don’t You Love Me?” is just one of 22 songs on Here Lies Love, Byrne’s own labor of love concept album about Imelda Marcos—widow of former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos—and her relationship with a servant. And given that running theme, it’s hard to judge just this one track without hearing the entire record in full. (Though, if we are to give a snap judgment, we simply say bravo, ladies—we do love your loveless tune!)

Regarding Lauper lending her vocals to the above track, Byrne, who worked on the project with Fatboy Slim, previously wrote the following:

“She was about an hour and a half late to the session, so I fully expected to be in for some prime diva behavior. But, as I’d run overtime on the earlier brass sessions, it all worked out great, and Cyndi gave an amazingly fine-tuned performance. Not only is she a wonderful singer from a technical point of view, but she can tailor her attitude and performance to suit the character and the character’s emotional state.

This is exactly the skill set I need for this project. After giving Cyndi the back-story on a particular song and establishing the context of the lyrics, I would give directions like, ‘Yes, she’s a little angry, but also heartbroken and confused.’ Cyndi would then incorporate these complex emotions into her performance with seeming ease. She’d ask, for example, ‘You want more anger in this verse?’ And sure enough, she’d dial a little more in. Very impressive.”

Byrne’s official site is offering a free download of the track “Please Don’t,” which features Santigold, with a pre-order purchase of Here Lies Love.

Other vocalists on the album, which is set for an April 6 release, include: Florence Welch (aka Florence And The Machine), Candie Payne, St. Vincent, Martha Wainwright, Nellie McKay, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Charmaine Clamor, Róisín Murphy, Camille, Theresa Andersson, Sharon Jones, Alice Russell, Kate Pierson, Sia, Nicole Atkins, Natalie Merchant and Shara Worden.

Last night in Oakland, Tori Amos covered Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” prefacing her version of the gigantic pop hit with an explanation that a fairy had told her to take on the track during that night’s show. (Perhaps the fairy was really excited by the news that Spears was in the studio with “…Baby” scribe Max Martin earlier this week?) Amos is just one of many musicians who’ve been compelled to put their own spin on “…Baby” in the decade since its release, probably because the one-two-three punch of the song’s minor-key pathos, Spears’ trapped-canary narrative, and the track’s pop perfection is too much to resist. Amos’ cover, the original, and a few other versions considered after the jump.


Britney Spears

The original. But is it the best? Let’s find out.


Tori Amos

Wrenching and minimalist, much like her take on “Smells Like Teen Spirit” all those years ago. I only wish she’d included the bridge, because who among us hasn’t punched their fist in the air during the part when Britney drags out the “Don’t you know… I… Still… Be-lieve!” bit?


Travis

One of the Dueling Slow Versions Of This Song By Modern-Rock Radio B-Listers that caused many a message-board fight during the early portion of this decade. It’s aight.


Fountains Of Wayne

A little shaggier than Travis’ take—and for that reason, I would always side with it in the If You Had To Pick One Cover Wars.


The Veronicas

Hey, a little bit of pep! The harmonies on this version really make it for me, although they, like Amos, lose points for ditching the bridge.


Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco and the Dresden Dolls

Again, the peppier takes on the song really bring out its strengths. This version isn’t as punch-you-in-the-mouth as the original—but then again, this is a live version of the track, and I figure that if anyone can give this song its over-the-top due, it’s Amanda Palmer.


Tori Amos – Baby One More Time, Oakland (7/13) [YouTube]

“Welcome To England” is Tori Amos‘ first single off her forthcoming album Abnormally Attracted To Sin, and it likely won’t turn away any longtime fans of the red-headed chanteuse. The suspiciously literal clip for the track finds Amos—first clad in an outfit that looks modeled after a disco ball, then in a super-patriotic jumpsuit, and finally in High Tourist garb (complete with Gwyneth-ish blonde wig)—sleepwalking around Blighty in a travelogue of sorts. [Yahoo! via Music Is The Heart Of Our Soul]