Results of last week’s battle: Who did it better? Bobby Bare Jr., or The Ukrainians?
Can a relatively unknown cover unseat a version of a song that’s so popular, many think it’s the original version? We’ll find out on today’s Who Did It Better, as we pit Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse’s version of the Zutons’ hit “Valerie”, against a slower, funkier version by indie artist ortoPilot. Big thanks to listener Noah B. for the request!
Purchase links (where available):
“Valerie” – The Zutons (the original) 
“Valerie” – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
“Valerie” – ortoPilot
Why don’t you come on over, and tell me who 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-036-Valerie.mp3]
Or Download
Ronson/Winehouse win the battle. The ortoPilot was a good version that kind of bridged the original and the Winehouse/Ronson version. But Amy ranks along with Aretha and Jimi when it comes to making a cover that is the ultimate version of a song.
For me, the ortoPilot version was *almost* as good. There were times in both songs when I was feeling good and grooving along. There were times in both where I really liked some specific part. What won out for me though was that in the ortoPilot version, there were a few times where I felt a bit bored and was waiting for the next good part. The next good part did come but I never felt that while listening to the Ronson + Winehouse version.
Ronson/Winehouse win the battle. The ortoPilot was a good version that kind of bridged the original and the Winehouse/Ronson version. But Amy ranks along with Aretha and Jimi when it comes to making a cover that is the ultimate version of a song.
The sentiment that everyone should like at least one of these versions reminds me of something that a friend said about the song “Hey Ya”:
“If you don’t like this song, it may be time to examine whether you like music at all.”
Both were good but Amy’s vocals make the difference for me. Love her voice.