Under The Covers 7-22-24

 Under The Covers 7-22-24

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

Week 13

40 years ago this past weekend one of the better fantasy movies of the 80’s premiered. While it never became a box office success, The Neverending Story through video rentals, sales, and cable TV, it garnered a huge cult following. Based on the 1979 German novel of the same name by Michael Ende about a bullied kid who lost his mother and escapes into the world of Fantasia. While the author of the book had lots of issues with the movie, those  of us that grew up in the 80’s and love fantasy find it a fun, emotional, and sometimes traumatizing adventure. And who didn’t want to take a ride on the luck dragon, Falkor.

The Original

Written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, and sung by former frontman of the 80’s group Kajagoogoo, Limahl. The Neverending Story theme did eventually achieve success reaching #6 on Billboards Adult Contemporary and #17 on Billboards Hot 100 charts. The song did end up in relative obscurity until Dustin and Susie reconnected through this song in the season 3 finale of Stranger Things. After airing on Netflix, the song saw an 800% increase in views on YouTube and 825% increase in streams on Spotify. 

The Cover

Going from one European metal cover artist last week to another. Angelo Bissanti, an Italian musician with over 150 videos and close to 10 million views, brings us a good heavy rock cover of The Neverending Story. 

https://youtu.be/7uXH5baOwcc?si=VIdfxTFpEE7kMDxV

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever run out! 😜 

https://youtu.be/wIEDV3oFYLM?si=y5HIxlankDJ00js8

And here is another cover by Angelo that was pulled from the 80’s and made huge again by Stranger Things.

https://youtu.be/KmJlz9EsYsU?si=Zq9J1o5wOYotJW2m

3 Facts 

1. A life sized prop of Falkor resides in the Bavaria Filmpark in Munich, Germany and can be climbed upon its back for pictures. 

2. The AURYN (a protection medallion given to Atreyu by the Childlike Empress) hangs in Steven Spielberg’s office. 

3. If you would have walked up to the box office the weekend when The Neverending Story debuted, these are some of the other movies you could have chosen to see. 

Ghostbusters, Gremlins, The Karate Kid, The Last Starfighter, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom, Bachelor Party, Conan the Destroyer, Revenge Of The Nerds, Canonball Run II, and Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. 

Under The Covers 7-14-24

 Under The Covers 7-14-24

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

Week 12

Pokémon - The world’s largest IP with over 400 million games sold, 50 billion cards sold, and over 1 billion downloads of the mobile game Pokemon Go. First realized in the late 80’s/early 90’s by Satoshi Tajiri when he saw that the new Gameboy console’s link cable had the ability to trade info from machine to machine. Satoshi grew up on the outskirts of Tokyo and was a huge bug collector and trader, so much so he was given the nickname of Dr. Bug by his classmates. With the love of bug collecting and a love of arcade and video games, Satoshi created the video game company Game Freak with graphic designer Ken Sugimori and game designer Junichi Masuda. Taking several years of development, Pokemon Red/Green were released in February of 1996 and as Pokemon Red/Blue in America September 1998, becoming the massive sensation it is today. 

The Original

Premiering in Japan in April 97 and in the USA in September 1998 was the popular Pokemon anime series. Debuting with the English dubbed series was the “Pokemon Theme” song sung by Jason Paige. Written by John Siegler and John Loeffler with the “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” catchphrase that became synonymous with the Pokemon franchise. Originally only a 60 second spot, the team involved was brought back in to produce a full version for a 13 song soundtrack with songs from the TV series. 

The Cover

Leo Moracchioli is a Norwegian metal musician and is one of the most prolific cover artists on YouTube. With his studio, Frog Leap Studios, Leo has produced more than 400 covers over the past 10+ years including popular covers of Adele - Hello, Toto - Africa, and Gorrilaz - Feel Good Inc. In this cover Leo enlists fellow frontman Truls Howgren from the metal band Circus Maximus to bring forth this epic cover. 

https://youtu.be/PZqx-lMZHM0?si=6HGSDJEo1_eVF32k

“Sumimasen“ 😜

https://youtu.be/AjSuZgNgMZc?si=5fQJ92H1wbLDViJA

And how about another great Saturday morning cartoon theme song! 

https://youtu.be/1zivl632phI?si=ReYEgTHJ4w9cbEmR

Facts

1. Pokémon (pocket monsters) was originally going to be called Capumon (capsule monsters) but the creators couldn’t get the copyrights to use the word capsule. 

2. While Pokeballs are representations of gashapon (vended capsule toys). The colors and design come from Campbell soup cans. 

3. Since the launch of Pokemon Go back in 2016, players have caught more than 88 billion Pokemon. 

Under The Covers 7-1-24

 Under The Covers 7-1-24

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

Week 11

Everyone loves a bit of drama right? From squabbling with a rival musician to quarreling lovers to fighting band mates and even to battling brother, artists feuding has been a staple to music since before the invention of the radio. This past week may have bared witness to the beginning of a big feud when Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters called out Taylor Swift for not singing during her concerts. Even though he’s been given the moniker the “nicest guy in rock n’ roll”, Dave has never shied away from calling out other artists or bands from Courtney Love, to Axl Rose, To Lars Ulrich. Many of these spats died just as fast as they began and this latest one might just be a flash in time, well at least until Taylor writes a song about it. 😜 

The Original

Coming off there 3rd studio album “There’s Nothing Left To Lose” was their first Billboard Hot 100 charted song “Learn To Fly” reaching number 19. Almost more famous than the song itself is the music video of it. Winning the 2001 “Best Short Form Music Video”, This video features the band playing multiple characters including Taylor Hawkins as a female flight attendant, Dave Grohl as a little pigtailed girl, and also a cameo from the band Tenacious D. 

The Cover 

Opposite of feuding would be people coming together and that is exactly what people did in 2015. In the small town of Cesena, Italy 1000 musicians assembled to pay tribute to the Foo Fighters and ask them to come play in their small town. A day later Dave responded in Italian thanking them and telling them they will come play. A few months after the Foo Fighters kicked off their European tour by playing in Cesena to a crowd of 3000 fans. Since then the Rockin 1000 has gone on to play many European cities and have embarked on a world tour as of 2023. 

https://youtu.be/C5oeWHngDS4?si=XTK4Np84C9-II_Rx

That wasn’t 1000 musicians, just a man with the power of a 1000 singers. 😂

https://youtu.be/JozAmXo2bDE?si=FAiEA0obFY_gRWk-

And again in 2022 to pay tribute in to Taylor Hawkins after his death.

https://youtu.be/014D-qS0hrw?si=478MYknf7SGr85e6

And here is my favorite cover that the Foo Fighters have done. 

https://youtu.be/8S2wveZTkBg?si=1f1cdJO09FDt0tMH

3 Facts

1. The Foo Fighters name comes from a term used by the US military in the 1940’s to describe UFOs. 

2. The late drummer Taylor Hawkins was the tour drummer for Alanis Morissette from 1995-1997.

3. Dave Grohl had an alley named for him in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. 

Under The Covers 6-23-24

 Under The Covers 6-23-24

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

Week 10 

Well summer is officially here and my part of the world decided to ring in this occasion by having the temperatures in the 90’s all week long. A staple to every summer is a good summer song or playlist. My definition of a summer song is one that is easy going, lighthearted lyrics, a nice beat, and conjures images of lying near a pool or beach, smell of barbecue in the air, a cold cocktail or drink in hand, sunshine on your face, and not a care in the world. While most people's summer mixes are completely different, there are a handful of songs that seem to appear on many if not most of them. These few songs span more than 60+ years and many genres including pop, rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Country, Reggae, and others and it doesn’t hurt if it has the word summer in the song either. One of these songs is the 1972 hit “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts. 

The Original 

The lead song off of Seals and Crofts 4th studio album of the same name “Summer Breeze”, became the breakout hit of this soft rock duo, peaking at #6 on Billboard Hot 100 and is currently listed at #20 of Rolling Stones “Best Summer Songs of All Time”. Described in his own words Jim Seals said, “A very simple song about a man coming home from work and hearing the dog barking and things like that and to a lot of people the song’s about looking for security.” 

The Cover

There are quite a few well known covers of “Summer Breeze” from The Isley Bothers (74) to Type O Negative (93) to Jason Mraz (04), but today I’m turning to a couple of rock legends. Tommy Shaw of Styx and Jack Blades of Night Ranger after having both been apart of the supergroup Damn Yankees formed Shaw-Blades. With only 2 studio albums 12 years apart it is the 2nd album from 2007 “Influence”, a record of covers, which we find their cover of “Summer Breeze”. 

https://youtu.be/rx6w3j7cWa0?si=G71Lu9k5UCnheTTW

Oops wrong 70’s superstar lol! 

https://youtu.be/jbN7DaFhtzg?si=k-K_5lSrB39TR6uO

Forming over the last few years is Seals and Crofts 2 featuring Brady Seals (cousin of Jim Seals) and Lua Crofts (daughter of Darrell Crofts). 

https://youtu.be/OY69E7kqlbI?si=oAW8kOLsMoWiINDT

3 Facts

1. One of the instruments played in the background in the song “Summer Breeze” is a child’s toy piano.

2. Although known as one of the best summer songs “Summer Breeze” wasn’t released until the end of August 1972. 

3. Both Seals and Crofts were outspoken advocates of the religion Bahai Faith. A religion that believes in the unification of all God, religions, and people into a single belief. 

Under The Covers 6-16-24

 Under The Covers  6-16-24

A weekly look into the world of cover songs 

Week 9

“If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you’re going to be locked up.” 

                                                  — Hunter S. Thompson

Premiering a few weeks ago on May 25 on the channel Max was the Gaga Chromatica Ball. An almost 2 hour spectacle, showcasing Lady Gaga‘s stop on her Chromatica Ball tour at LA’s Dodger Stadium. Featuring many hits, spinning, seven studio albums over her 15 year solo career. This special showcase is Gaga’s incredible vocals, along with her eccentric fashion, running through more than 10 costume changes from over seven different high fashion artist, including her sister Nikola. A must watch for any Lady Gaga fan. And now for a small plea in case anyone that reads this has some influence. With her moving into and having great success in films from her, Oscar performance in a “Star Is Born” to her upcoming take on Harley Quinn in Joker Folie À Duex, I ask if someone is looking to remake/sequel the movie Labyrinth,  there would be no one better to portray the goblin king than Ms Gaga (including ridiculously large codpiece 😜). 

The Original 

Sadly, a song missing from her concert movie was her 2009 hit Paparazzi. The fourth single released on her debut album, “The Fame”, Paparazzi peeked at number six on Billboard Hot 100 charts. This song about the pursuit of love and fame became the fourth top 10 hit from her debut album. The short film music video featuring Alexander Skarsgård pays homage to Hitchcock’s classic movie Vertigo and features a crazy metallic outfit inspired by 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis. 

The Cover

Speaking of crazy, we move onto a bat sh*t crazy artist named Kim Dracula. Getting their name from a Deftones song, Kim is an Australian punk artist with a strong Marilyn Manson influence. Covering Lady Gaga‘s Paparazzi, Kim uses a mash of multiple styles, including punk, metal and trap to perform this version. Released in 2020 and becoming a Tik Tok sensation, Dracula has since debut their first album “A Gradual Decline In Morale.” Personally, after hearing this version over a dozen times I’m still not sure it’s great but it’s very unique and it prompts multiple listens. Here is Kim Dracula covering Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi. 

https://youtu.be/9sE_G_KoWh4?si=TMyA0IcG7oAlabs-

Never gonna give this up!! 😜

https://youtu.be/TlNnphXondM?si=k41QaVPFQ-ud4t53

Speaking of fashion, this is another cover of a Lady Gaga song but pay attention to the man in this 2010 video. Looking ridiculous back then we see this style everywhere now. 

https://youtu.be/xOeHeDgi4Qo?si=mlrcUFKdb1kfmjNM

Facts 

1. Lady Gaga debuted tv on a season 3 episode of  “The Sopranos” playing “girl swimming pool #2” at the age of 15

2. Gaga is the first woman to win a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice, A Grammy, A BAFTA, and An Oscar in the same award season.

3. Her crazy costumes go back all the way to her First grade play, when she made her outfit out of tin foil and coat hangers. 

Under The Covers 6-9-2024

 Under The Covers  6-9-2024

Week 8

A weekly look into the world of cover songs. 

In the summer of 1993, I went to my 2nd concert ever. In the midst of her 7 country, 6 month “What’s Love Tour”, I witnessed one of the greatest performers and the “Queen of Rock and Roll”, Tina Turner. I didn’t know at the time how legendary she was and how much impact Ms. Turner has had on the music industry. Beginning her 2 time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee career with her former husband in the late 50’s, Ike and Tina became one of the best live acts of the day, releasing hits such as “Proud Mary”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, and “Nutbush City Limits”. After Tina broke from Ike in the late 70’s both professionally and personally her solo career didn’t really catch on and she became something of a novelty act until 1983 when her 5th studio album “Private Dancer” resurrected her career and shot her into superstardom. 

The Original 

On very rare occasions a cover song will be released and become a much larger hit for the cover artist. In 1989 Tina Turner released the song “The Best” an entire year after another great 80’s vocalist Bonnie Tyler released the song, making Tina’s version a cover. While Bonnie’s song never charted in the USA and barely charted in Europe, Tina’s became a worldwide hit peaking at number 15 on Billboard Hot 100. All the while becoming one of Tina’s most recognizable songs even used in multiple Pepsi commercials staring Tina herself. 

The Cover 

This week’s cover comes from a young lady, Janet Devlin, born in Northern Ireland in 1994, after I saw Tina Turner live (insert “God I’m old” joke). At the age of 16, Janet competed in UK X-Factor coming in 5th place. Since then she has released 2 studio albums with small success, but is more known for her amazing YouTube covers. With vocals that are almost completely opposite Tina’s and Bonnie’s power, Janet has what I would call a a soft sweet sound and is a refreshing version of “The Best”. 

https://youtu.be/mvqhaVgGCeY?si=Ak7jkBGp9lbGW58f

Did I upload the wrong Janet Devlin link? Nope 😂 

https://youtu.be/DLXni2bfM8w?si=Vbwae150x95Fx5Gz

Definitely not shy from doing covers Tina Turner has released many many covers over her vast career. This one is my favorite.

https://youtu.be/X9bSL2S4POg?si=ph7a9zvbU4sLoP5K

3 Facts 

1. Tina was the first black artist and first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

2. The theme song “Goldeneye” that Tina sang from the James Bond movie of the same name was written by Bono and The Edge from U2

3. Angela Bassett earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. 

Under The Covers 6-2-24

Under The Covers 6-2-24

Week 7 

A weekly look into the world of cover songs.

Happy Birthday Alanis Morissette!! Yesterday one of my favorite artists turned 50. An entertainer since the mid 80’s, she appeared on of a few episodes of Nickelodeon’s “You Can’t Do That On Television”. A few years later Alanis released her debut record in Canada and became a Canadian star, reaching the top 20 of Canadian music charts, drawing comparisons to US pop teen stars like Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. (Check out the video for “Walk Away” featuring a very young Friends heartthrob.) it wasn’t until 1995 when she released her 3rd studio album “Jagged Little Pill” when she became and international icon selling over 30 million copies and earning multiple Grammy awards. Alanis is one of the few artist I want to see live. 

The Original

Following the massive success of “Jagged Little Pill”, Alanis’ next single came from the soundtrack of the box office hit “City Of Angels”. Marketed around the Goo Goo Dolls song “Iris” and Alanis’ “Uninvited”, the album rose to #1 on Billboard charts while selling 5 million copies. This song also was nominated for 3 Grammys winning 2, “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance” and “Best Rock Song”. 

The Cover

Now as much as I love cover songs, very rarely will I say that one is better than the original. So I won't say that about this cover cause I very much love the original, but I believe this version to be just as good. Matt Cardle is probably not a name most people would know, but he is a winner from season 7 of the singing competition show X-Factor.  Not only did he win, he beat out future music  sensation One Direction. He also made the news because the writers of his song “Amazing”, off his debut album, sued Ed Sheeran for copyright infringement on his song “Photograph”. Taken from a live performance here is Matt Cardle covering Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited”. 

https://youtu.be/8jfHaVU8fTw?si=0ThMA2Zv7EZc-MnA

Guess you probably already figured that wasn’t the real cover lol. 

https://youtu.be/-lIbNtT5j54?si=9EH1wMaaCgDatzp9

Truly amazing that cover really is, here is another amazing cover from the birthday girl herself. While she has a couple great covers (Seal’s “Crazy” and Sting’s “King of Pain”) I found this one this week. Filling in on Jimmy Kimmel’s late show because Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong went to rehab the day before is another great cover from Alanis. 

https://youtu.be/TCNLDKbAyvI?si=IkF5kItpFwbLX9rt