As a kid watching the Andy Williams hosted Grammy Awards, separate categories for Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year never made sense to me. I had no one to ask what the difference was, so I just stewed when Stevie Wonder won both...and everything else for that matter. Once I learned the difference, I never listened to music the same way again. Suddenly, I was able to appreciate so much more.
For those who don't know:
Record of the Year is given to the artist who performs the song and the people who produce the track. Song of the Year is also awarded for a single or individual track, but the recipient of this award is the songwriter who dreamed up the song in the first place.
Yeah, whatever Grammys. I prefer to listen this way.
AMAZING SONG/TERRIBLE RECORD
FAIR SONG/AMAZING RECORD
INFANTILE SONG/FANTASTIC RECORD
GOOD SONG/MEDIOCRE RECORD
GOOD SONG/AMAZING RECORD
OKAY SONG/FANTASTIC RECORD
AMAZING SONG/AMAZING RECORD
Over to you.....
OK. I'm game.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not sure whether just posting the links to YouTube is the best way to do this.
Ordinary Song/Okay Record: Hush by Joe South http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M9se64HoTg
Ordinary Song/Brilliant record: Hush by Deep Purple
http://youtu.be/eLzqQupzzmA
Brilliant Song/Brilliant Record: Avenging Annie by Andy Pratt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__7OrOxoQxI
Brilliant Song/Misguided Record: Avenging Annie by Roger Daltry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp-fMERX67k&feature=related
I never hesitate pointing out that "Pet Sounds" isn't my favorite Beach Boys album. God Only Knows how many more times I'll have to endure that song. This version is the worst yet, by one of my favorite artists. I hate it from the drums up.
ReplyDelete"Sally Go Round he Roses" is a better song than you think. It may be simple but it's got something. The version I'm familiar with is by Pentangle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgrXmEbgFzo
There must be something wrong with my equipment. When I play Kelly Clarkson I can't hear anything.
Badfinger wrote it, but Harry owns(italics) it.
I don't have time for the Pet Shop Boys today.
I'd rather hear "Up, UP, And Away", than "Our Day Will Come".
One that comes to mind is:
ReplyDeleteMediocre but the popular song: "Squeeze Box" on an (arguably) Great Album "Who By Numbers"
Sal - I don't know if it's possible for the comments to have hyperlinks so it's easier for us to check out the Burning Lovers entries. Since no one's gonna want to cut and paste links, I'll just make one more great song/crap record entry: Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
ReplyDelete(Great song/great record of Hallelujah would be the Jeff Buckley version)
Okay song/Majestic record - I Fought the Law, by the Clash
ReplyDelete(is there any more life-enhancing way to spend two minutes forty?)
Good song/Wonderful record - Baby Now That I've Found You, by Alison Krauss and Union Station
(pretty much my all time favourite cover; they totally reinvent the original and do so impeccably - there's not a note out of place)
Good song/Thanks-but-no-thanks record - Knock on Wood, by Harpers Bizarre
(seriously guys, you shouldn't have, no, really, you shouldn't)
Great song/Cracking record - Alone Again Or, by Calexico
(suits their imaginary movie soundscapes to a tee - but I'm not sure they ever recorded it so maybe it doesn't count)
Classic song/Dismal cover, American Pie, by Madonna
(do I have to say more?)
this is a test. I hope I'm not causing trouble.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgrXmEbgFzo
@Buzz - how did you embed the link?
DeleteShit. I just noticed that it was hot. Yeah Buzz. How?
DeleteI dig the Burning Love!
ReplyDeleteReading / listening to your choices I feel like that judge who said about pornography that couldn't define it but he'd know it when he saw it. When i tried to think of song / record examples I got bogged down in more of a "who did the better cover" debate so I won't make suggestions now but leave it to others.
And thanks for clarifying the difference between a Grammy Song and a Grammy Record -- that difference always escaped me (until now).
Looking forward to more Burning Love!
OK, here we go. Poor Andy seems to be aging before our eyes in that picture. Bowie's take on the song is a good attempt, but nothing could touch The Beach Boy version, he should have known that. The Jaynetts is a cute little soul song. Kelly should thank the Lord everyday that she has or had a crackerjack writing and producing team, and I think she does.
ReplyDeleteBadfinger's version always seemed just bland to me, while Harry's cover is like a tornado taking out a town, a well deserved Grammy. Love Dusty, don't like The Pet Shop Boys. And lastly, Our Day Will Come is one of the best songs ever written, nicely done by Ruby. It makes you feel warm like sitting in a nice relaxing sauna.
Well that's it, my views and comments for the maiden voyage of Burning Love. All the best of luck to Sal in it's launching.
Oh this is good...Good song/amazing record:Money/Beatles....Creepy song(Christ they're father and daughter)/Great record:Something Stupid/Frank and Nancy....Good song/very good record:Across the Universe/Bowie.....Horrid song/horrid record:Don't Come Around Here No More/Petty and Heartbreakers(a personal pet peeve of mine....sorry about the alliteration....
ReplyDeleteGood point Jeff. Just don't think it's possible. I'm looking into it.
ReplyDeleteSo far, great examples by all.
Brilliant original, even more brilliant cover:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS4ZW6f89QI
Fair song/Amazing Record: "Don't Worry Baby" by the Beach Boys. If it was not about car race, it would be a sublime song.
ReplyDeleteThis couplet takes me out of it every time I hear it:
She makes me come alive
And makes me wanna drive
I'll have to give this topic some more thought...
I love this topic!
ReplyDeleteI think "Try A Little Tenderness" was at best an ok song until Otis Redding got a hold of it and turned it into one of the best songs of all time.
And in keeping with the Olympics last night, the Spice Girls "Wannabe" is a terrible song. Obviously. But the production is so lively that the first time I heard it I almost crashed my car. And it stays in your head forever.
"She Loves You", on paper, should be a terrible song. The performance, of course, is glorious.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy attention span is shot, but seeing the Andy Williams photo, just triggered this Stones gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc14VVTY1Zc
ReplyDeleteoff topic--- that Gregg Allman bio took me 60 minutes to read.... i think john sterling was his ghostwriter..... can't hold a single open G chord to Doris' son from Dartford
here's a nice one:
ReplyDeletesong: Hay Fever artist: Jah Lion produced by L. Perry
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqQuT-YuBeo
I'm blatantly using this as an excuse to get people to hear my favourite record of the past few months:
ReplyDeleteAverage song/utterly sublime record "Oh My Angel" by Bertha Tillman. Why the hell had I never heard this until this year? Perhaps everyone knows it but me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL1Vf0pvkHw
Great topic, Sal. Here's wonderful Rhymin' Simon reimagined, uh, wonderfully.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKqLQcIfgvI
Great songs/bad records are a dime a dozen, just check out late period Sinatra, Peggy Lee, etc.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is a cheat, but fine song/genius record: Coltrane's "My Favorite Things." This category also a dime a dozen in jazz (assuming you're a fan)...
Here's a sub category: Beatle cover versions that improve on the originals. To my taste (and no knocks on the originals):
Stevie Wonder's "We Can Work It Out"
Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Bruce H
The photo of Andy Williams reminds me of an amazing song, horrible record, his version of "Moon River." Then listen to Louis Armstrong's version, amazing song, amazing record.
ReplyDeleteTo me, a perfect example of an infantile song (or in this case that's slightly strong)/amazing record is the beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."
And because I heard this today, It reminded me of an ok but fantastic record. Admittedly "At Palisades Park" is not a great song, but I always love it when I hear Freddie Cannon recording.
great song
ReplyDeleteDiamonds Are A Girls Best Friend"
great record by
T Bone Burnett
click on it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOU62YXU_ug
Anonymous reminded me of what I thought was a good song (done by Frankie) made fantastic by Stevie Wonder. I used to have arguments about it with my parents every time they heard me playing it. "No, Mom, it's a shout of great joy; that's what the song is about. The record, of course, is "For Once in My Life."
ReplyDeleteActually Jeff, the original I believe was done by Tony Bennett. About a few months before Stevie. A very nice ballad version. Check it out.
ReplyDeletegreat song
ReplyDeleteyer blues
great record by
shiina ringo
yer_blues
How different artists can interpret songs. We all know Stevie Wonder's version, like I mentioned in the above comment. Here's the Tony Bennett version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpz7bzPDO9k
ReplyDeleteGreat song/Amazing record: Hurt/Johnny Cash.
ReplyDeleteI could make an entire list off the American recordings. But I won't.
Great song/Mediocre Record: Tainted Love - Soft Cell (1981)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEh5pWjcWCg
Great song/Great Record: Tainted Love - Gloria Jones (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUjI_CbIY0
Great topic. And looks like this new blog is off to a nice start...
ReplyDeleteDumb Song/Irresistable Record: Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic
That's right, "I went there." Right off the bat. Could have mentioned something Hanson-y, but went for this.
Great Song/Best Version Of Many On Record: Funny How Time Slips Away - Al Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA7JhcF1rPs
Great Song/Overdone Record: Knockin' On Heaven's Door by Guns & Roses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWTTs8QVRc
Creepy Song/Kind of Hard-To-Turn Off Record: Muskrat Love by anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs
Forgive one more posting. I was reading the new Mojo tonight, and I saw a review of a new Jesse Winchester two-fer, and while I don't see a category for this, it would certainly be among my top ten of fantastic song/even more fantastic live recording. When he did this on the Costello show, you could just see everyone up there on the stage crying. I poked around and found the video on youtube:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKGWpqnS8E
Wow, thanks for posting this. I had not heard this, though I've tried to see all of the spectacle episodes. Touching song by a great songwriter. Thnaks again!
DeleteAmazing song/Terrible record
ReplyDeleteSimple Twist of Fate Bob Dylan
Fair song/Amazing record
When Doves Cry Prince
Infantile song/Fantastic record
Stranded in the Jungle New York Dolls
Good song/ Mediocre record
Hey Jealousy Gin Blossoms
Good song/Amazing record
Head to Toe Smokey and the Miracles
Okay song/Fantastic record
Kentucky Rain Elvis Presley
Amazing song/Amazing record
Gimmee Shelter The Rolling Stones
Your Burning Wood post this morning got me to thinking so here are some Bruce Choices
ReplyDeleteHorrible Song / Good Record
Waiting on a Sunny Day on The Rising
I still find The Rising to be a great listen, that is without my all time least favorite Springsteen song.
Good Song / Horrible Record
Human Touch on Human Touch
A great, great song on what is, to me, Bruce's least interesting album.
OK Song / OK Record (D & D just didn't do it for me)
Long Time Comin' on Devils & Dust
Devils & Dust just didn't do it for me. I love Nebraska (and to a lesser extent Tom Joad) but this one...I got nothin'. It's not the seriousness of the material... Tunnel of Love is a favorite as is Wrecking Ball, it's the delivery.
Horrible Song / Pretty OK record
Bobby Jean on BITUSA
I go back and forth on BITUSA. I don't dislike it and I don't love it (my wife's favorite though). I may not play it for a year or more and then it ends up on the turntable a couple of times in a month. Bobby Jean though...woof.
Great Song / Great Record
New York City Serenade on The Wild, The Innocent & The E. Street Shufle
To me this is the pinnacle of the early Bruce sound. Things started to change with Born to Run and most definitely on Darkness, but for a moment this track perfectly captured what he was all about.
Just a few to add to the discussion. I love the new blog idea and look forward to next week's topic.
Amazing songs/Only so-so versions: Pretty much everything on "Another Side of Bob Dylan." Most done better elsewhere. To me, that's Dylan's great "lost" record, in the sense of lost opportunity, with maybe "John Wesley Harding" a close second.
ReplyDeleteBruce H.
Great song/Gawd awful rendition: Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
ReplyDeleteCrappy record version/Outstanding live version: Reason To Believe by Bruce Springsteen.
Wooly Bully (by Sam the Sham Samudio y los Pharoahs) is a prime example of a marginal song that made a Great Record.
ReplyDeleteBTW, my fave version of Sally Go Round The Roses is by Tim Buckley on the Sefronia album.
okay this is probably cheating but i am only commenting on the comments. i'd say my favorite things is a great song/genius record.
ReplyDeletevan woert that is a great list. i disagree with most of it until let it bleed but it is finely thought and wrought
Brilliant idea for a blog, Sal.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite version of Sally Go 'Round the Roses -- and I probably have enough to fill a CD -- is the Jaynettes' but a close second is the one by Question Mark & The Mysterians. Be sure to see the video.
Great record, poor song, Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. Some amazing guitar sounds and great chooglin' rhythm in service of a so-so put-down song.
Gosh, so many ...
How about great artist worst song? Dylan "Rainy Day Woman 12 & 35? or great artist great song Hank Williams "I can't help it if I'm Still in Love With You" Sinatra "All of Me" Louis Armstrong "Patatoe Head Blues" Sorry for getting off track. I'll try to do better.
ReplyDeleteAll these fantastic comments and suggestions! Brilliant. Stay tuned. Working on a Weekend Mix for Saturday or Sunday. Nice start. Thank you all.
ReplyDeletehere is another attempt at sharing Shiina Ringo's terrific version of Yer Blues. (Not found on youtube)
ReplyDeletehttp://alanwalkerart.com/audio/yer_blues.mp3
Most idiotic song:
ReplyDeleteYummy, Yummy, Yummy
great record by: Julie London (1969)
Thanks to Lux n' Ivy of the Cramps for turning me onto this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2wH3q26EM
Oh, the transformative powers of Julie London. Here's another one: her singing The MIckey Mouse Club song on some TV special, singing it as if she's giving Mickey a slow ride, or he her. (No wonder Donald's steamed.) You'll get the idea pretty quickly, but be sure to watch through to the end of the song. Seriously, a must-see...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSStf_njw
Bruce H.
I'm also really fond of this heartbreaking song by Vic Chestnut as covered by Garbage:
ReplyDeletehttp://alanwalkerart.com/audio/kick_my_ass.mp3
Too late to the party this week, but the first one I thought of:
ReplyDeleteOutstanding Song/Outstanding Record:
Beyond Belief by Elvis Costello
Late to the party in spades -- will only say I hoped that the God Only Knows on Bonnie's latest was going to be the Beach Boys song . . . fitting with Ricky Fataar in the band, but alas alack it was not meant to be. That Bowie thing is maybe the worst cover of all time!
ReplyDeletetwist & shout, by the beatles.
ReplyDelete