Ongoing History Daily: Why do we call it a “cover song?”
When an artist performs or records a song written by another artist, we call that a “cover version.” But why do we call it that? Why “cover” song? The origin
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A Continuing, Very Serious Anthropological Study: Where Did the Special Audience Participation Lyrics in Billy Idol’s Version of “Mony Mony” Come From?
It was probably in the spring of 1987 when I first heard the special audience lyrics in the Billy Idol version of the Tommy James classic, “Mony Mony.” I was hosting one of the old CFNY Video Roadshows at a high school somewhere in Southern Ontario. When Martin Streek, the guy in charge of playing the videos, flipped to this clip, the dancers erupted.
At first, I couldn’t make how what they were yelling. “What are they shouting?” I asked Martin. He helpfully translated with the appropriate arm gestures.
Billy: Here she come now singing Mony Mony
Dancers: HEY MOTHERF*CKER GET LAID GET F*CKED!
Billy: Well, shoot ’em down, turn around, come on Mony
Dancers: HEY MOTHERF*CKER GET LAID GET F*CKED!
Billy: Hey she give me love and I feel alright now
Dancers: HEY MOTHERF*CKER GET LAID GET F*CKED!
I looked at him weird. “How do they know what to say?”
A puzzled look came across Martin’s face for a moment; it was apparent that he’d never considered the question before. Then he just shrugged and turned to deal with a very angry principal who was appalled that such obscenities would be chanted by his students in his gym at his school.
The question of the origins of the special audience participation lyrics has been in the back of my mind ever since. Perhaps it’s time to address it once and for all–if that’s even possible.
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This dual cello version of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” has been viewed 260 million times
A great song remains a great song no matter how many different ways it is interpreted. Check out 2Cello’s version of “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. You can see why this video
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The Canadian Navy is really, really mad about this song
Someone in the Canadian Navy came with a parody of “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” the Brownsville Station song covered by Motley Crue, and the officer class isn’t happy. Vice
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This will haunt your dreams: Robot band plays “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
They’re coming. And there’s nothing you can do to stop them. Via Technabob.
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Muse offers up a studio version of their Duran Duran cover
Back in September, Muse appeared on a French TV show called Taratata during which they decided it would be fun if they covered Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf.” There’s
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Fun with cover songs 2: “Bohemian Chanukah”
You read that right: “Bohemian Chanukah.” And it’s just like it sounds.
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Nickelback covered Metallica and are getting high praise for it
Nickelback is a lightning rod for hate, something that I maintain is completely unhinged and undeserved–at least at the levels at which it is projected at the band. Now, though,
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What might the Red Hot Chili Peppers think of this?
Sometimes, it’s better not to write a description of a video and just let it speak for itself. (Via Brent)
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And now, two monks from an ancient Serbian monastery cover Iron Maiden
The Tuman Monastery in eastern Serbia has been around in some form since the 14th century and has an ancient reputation as a pretty pious place. It’s not where you’d
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There is yet another cover of Toto’s “Africa” and it’s…er….
Bobby Kimbal and the estate of Jeff Porcaro, the members of Toto who wrote “Africa” back in 1984 are due for a nice royalty cheque next quarter. Much of the
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