Results of last week’s battle:
How about a war hero coming home for today’s WDIB? Two versions of New Order’s “Love Vigilantes”. The first, a melancholic acoustic version by Iron & Wine (Amazon link), the second, a more uptempo folk-rocker by Oysterband (Amazon link).
Which version…um…did it better?
Listen to the podcast featuring both songs:
[audio: http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/backbeat.cachefly.net/coverville/audio/Coverville-WDIB-019-LoveVigilantes.mp3]
Or Download
What's that tune in the background of your narration? Are there any covers of it? It could be a fun WDIB if not a bit self-indulgent.
It's a tune by Combustible Edison called "Spy vs. Spy". No covers as far as I know – but to me it's a little reminiscent of "You Only Live Twice", whose covers could make for a good WDIB.
Soooo close! I voted for one but it's all but a tie to me. 2 superlative versions!
Neat idea, but I wish you would get right to it and let us hear the songs. I had to jump 4 minutes in to hear some music. Maybe give a songs only version of playback in addition to the original?
Thanks, Chris – but for this show, I always start with the results of last week's voting.
However, for your suggestions, that's why I provide the Amazon links in the shownotes – so folks who just want to hear the songs can jump right to the tracks on Amazon and listen to (and potentially purchase) them!
The Oysterband version seemed to have a little too good ol’boy, nationalistic, pro-war vibe to it that you might hear at a Sarah Palin rally.
Love the Iron and Wine cover! I find it is quite haunting.
I still love the Poi Dog Pondering version of "Love Vigilantes" best–their "Fruitless" CD single was one of my most-often played CDs in the late eighties or early nineties. But I didn't know that Voxtrot has done the song–I'll have to track that down. Thanks, Brian!
Oysterband does a really nice version, but that's a sad song that needs to sung sadly. Iron & Wine still makes me tear up and I've heard the damn thing like 20 times.
I can see the "folkiness" you spoke of in the Oysterband cover, but it was WAY too upbeat and lost what is so moving about the song. What I love so much about the Iron & Wine version is the simple melancholy he manages to instill through the stripped down instrumentation, and the straightforward singing style. McLovin – I'm there with you – the New Order song always made me sad, but the I&W version makes me well up every damn time.
Iron and Wine's version is probably my SECOND favourite song that I have heard on Coverville since I have been listening (Behind Coles Whalen – Romeo and Juliet).
I really enjoyed both versions, but Iron and Wine "did it better"!!
Thanks Brian, I love the show!!
-D!