Just as every good story has been told before, so too has every great song been covered.
Today I present you with two outstanding versions of a single song, give my non-partisan briefing, and then throw the T-bone steak of discussion into the ring for the wolves to devour. May the best version win.
Simply Red…
Rips through this shit like his old girl was standing on the other side of a train platform and he had to sing her a bridge across. Like if he just sang hard enough in the booth, he’d make the microphone cry. Like he wouldn’t give a damn if he sobbed snot bubbles in public over this woman. And yet… weirdly sexy. Light FM, Quiet Storm, ’80s Yacht Rock at its best. Rite Aid loves this shit, and so do I.
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Download — Simply Red – “Holding Back The Years”
Angie Stone…
Tears this shit down like she was on stage and her ex was the drummer, who she had to perform with nightly, and here’s what she has to say to him. Like she could sing a man right out of his clothes. Like she spent rainy days and Sundays making love to D’Angelo-circa-Voodoo looking men. Two-step, slow jam, live instrumentals at its best. Lounge nights love this shit, and so do I.
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Download — Angie Stone – “Holding Back The Years”
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Angie Stone’s makes me wanna slow dance…Simply Red’s makes me wanna fuckin cry (none)…so i guess….tie?
There’s nothing wrong w/touching hip-to-hip w/a dip & doing a little slow drag fella lol.
Thanks a lot LC, that Simply Red joint depressed the fucking life out of me when I first heard it as a kid. I’ve tried to rid it’s indelible mark in my memory, only to have it resurface!!! Aaarrrrrrrrggghhhh!!!
***Opens balcony door, hopes to land on stray cat or dog ***
LMAO! That’s how I feel about “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Senade O’Conner, Flea. I almost off-ed myself the other night when it came on the radio… but in a really good, nostalgic kind of way hahaha.
Angie’s version is godd, but Simply Red kills that shit.
@ LC: Ha ha!! If that Senade track gets posted here, I’ll clap myself with a hollow-tip in the nuts!!! I still got bullet-proof love for you LC, just don’t play that Simply Red around me. lol.
Yeah that Sinead track has that effect on me, too…makes me wanna eat a glock sammich (but, like LC said, in a good way)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO8JWbG6bVw
Don’t forget Brand Nubian’s take in “Hold On”… makes me want to sit down all the knuckleheads I know and broker a peace treaty.
I can’t call it.
Mick’s vocals emote despair, Angie’s are more resigned. Both are beautiful. I was gonna give it to Angie on the basis of the instrumental (the guitar licks near the 3/4 mark killed me), then I heard the horns on the Simply Red version.
Great choices.
Like he wouldn’t give a damn if he sobbed snot bubbles in public over this woman.
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LOL now thats some imagery for ya.
Angie is my girl but…
Simply Red version > Angie Stone
JUST FOR THE RECORD
Patti Labelle’s “if you don’t know me by now” >>>>>>>> then anybody who dares touch it.
AND
If the Isley Bros. remake your song…its they shit now!
Upon further review, when you cover a song this good, it’s up to you to surpass it. Merely equaling the original is not enough. Simply Red with the victory.
“Slim” Angie from the “I wish I didn’t miss you anymore” video can still get the bozack though.
LC! got-dammit
LC’s Best Of/Favorite Yacht Rock compilation! Get on that! STAT!
oh, and “Holding Back The Years”…classic song. love it. AND I hate it too. such a despondent undertone to that song.
I just heard Angie’s version…I dare not click play on the OG, though…so sad…I need a chaser….i think I’ll play “Loose As A Goose” by Lil Boosie
lol @ teef – loose as a goose = a good antidote to “feelings” and “emotions”
yeah ummm i’m love Angie like she’s a fat auntie but her version aint seeing the original… it’s very good but not better…
is this from one of her albums?
^ Love & Basketball OST
Simply Red cruises right past Angie’s. One of those originals that unless you reinterpret it completely, you’re not gonna top. Nevertheless, Angie’s is good money too.
@ sherm man, I ain’t gonna front, “Holding Back The Years” is some REAL shit. Like, real melancholy, retrospective…and downright depressing, lol. I’d rather be a coward and NOT confront the pain…fuck it, I’ll just drink the pain away and party like it’s 1999, word to Mobb Deep & Prince
I WILL tell you, WITHOUT HAVING TO LISTEN TO THE OG, lol, that Simply Red’s version is it.
speaking of years…next month will be FIVE years since this thing jumped off…crazy
damn, TSS is about to be five years deep in the game? SO fuckin major. Glad I been along for the ride the last couple years… **cues up simply red** **grabs a gun and a bottle** lol
**cues up simply red** **grabs a gun and a bottle**
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hahahahaha I think we may have found a new way to express duress around these parts… just cue up some Simply Red…
Ya boy Tariq Nasheed had the Simply Red version playing in the background on one of his older Mack Lessons podcasts. Has me thinking. “This was a good ass song, wasn’t it?”
Damn, 5 deep in the game??? That’s quite the achievement I must say.
***cues up Simply Red***
I keeeeep blogging ooonnnnnnnnnn!!!
^ LOL
Simply Red FTW!
One of those songs you play when you feel like wallowing in some good old depression & self loathing lol.
Angie’s version is very good; but Simply Red is the winner
speaking of years…next month will be FIVE years since this thing jumped off…crazy
—————-
We been here five years? Damn.
^ Say word?
Sounds like an excuse to party if you ask me lol
^ if there is a party to celebrate, don’t cue up Simply Red
……i can’t lie; Angie is nice but Red went in HARD with that OG version. Reminds of that one heffer who broke my heart….. i better not EVER catch her on a dark street by herself
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes ft Teddy Pendergrass
If You Don’t Know Me By Now is the DEFINATE version… sorry Patti…
@ Clown
I have to give MUCH props to the originators but like Jezzy say, “uhh uhh that ain’t it”.
Patti take that song to church and out for Sunday dinner!
on another note:
The way Denver is beating N.O., at least I don’t have to stay up and watch all of this game it was a good day of basketball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTLIivYdth8
Just great music!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love each one equally however, simply red’s version is foundation.
~lissa