&ot absonderpop: May 2007

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Tom Petty Week, Pt. 2: There Ain't No Easy Way Out



Taken from Petty's first "solo" album, Full Moon Fever, I Won't Back Down was co-written by ELO's Jeff Lynne. Although the album is credited to Tom Petty (sans The Heartbreakers) all members of his band (and the complete Traveling Wilburys, except for Mr. Dylan) were involved in recording it. The video to this songs has Ringo Starr on drums, but he didn't play on the album.

Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Benmont Trench would also back Johnny Cash on his version of the song on American III: Solitary Man.

Tom Petty: I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty: I Won't Back Down (live)
Johnny Cash: I Won't Back Down
Roy Tyler and New Directions: I Won't Back Down
Smokie: I Won't Back Down
Cujo: I Won't Back Down
Greg Walton: I Won't Back Down
Holly Nelson: I Won't Back Down
Yancy: I Won't Back Down
Wiglaf Droste und das Spardosenterzett: I Won't Back Down

If you happen to have another version of this song, feel free to send it in and I'll include it in this list.

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posted by absonderpop at 8:14 PM 4 comments

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Tom Petty Week, Pt. 1: After All It Was A Great Big World



And another song that spurred an urban legend…

American Girl by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was seen as tribute to Roger McGuinn's trademark 12-string Rickenbacker-jangle sound when it was released in 1976, although Petty and Heartbreakers' guitarrist Mike Campbell achieved that effect with two 6-strings playing unisono.
McGuinn would fittingly be the first to cover this tune on his 1977 solo effort Thunderbyrd.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: American Girl
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: American Girl (live)
Roger McGuinn: American Girl
Roger McGuinn: American Girl (live)
Brassknuckle Boys: American Girl
Cindy Alexander: American Girl
Dance Hall Crashers: American Girl (live)
Def Leppard: American Girl
Everclear: American Girl (live)
Frances Kramer: American Girl
Goo Goo Dolls: American Girl (live)
Humble Gods: American Girl
Ill Repute: American Girl
Matthew Sweet: American Girl
Melora Creager: American Girl
The Popsters: American Girl
The Relatives: American Girl
Venerea: American Girl
Wendy Newcomer: American Girl
Sexy Sadie: American Girl

Bonus (listen, and you'll know…):
The Strokes: Last Nite
Detroit Cobras: Last Nite

If you happen to have another version of this song, feel free to send it in and I'll include it in this list.

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posted by absonderpop at 5:29 PM 1 comments

Friday, May 04, 2007

Some Folks Are Born Silver Spoon In Hand



Written by John Fogerty in 1969, Fortunate Son was released as the b-side to Creedence Clearwater Revival's single Down On The Corner, with both sides of the single charting in the USA.

Since the Vietnam War little has changed about the social background of those who sent off to fight for their countries – be it because of economic reasons or because of conscription.

Contrary to an urban legend, the person referred to in the lyrics is not Al Gore Jr.

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band: Fortunate Son (live)
Circle Jerks: Fortunate Son
Death Cab For Cutie with Sean Nelson: Fortunate Son
Decry: Fortunate Son
Dropkick Murphys: Fortunate Son
Uncle Tupelo: Fortunate Son (live)
U2: Fortunate Son
Wyclef Jean: Fortunate Son
Tony Furtado: Fortunate Son
Johnny Halliday: Fils de personne
Minutemen: Fortunate Son


If you happen to have another version of this song, feel free to send it in and I'll include it in this list.

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posted by absonderpop at 2:48 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

[Elsewhere]

If you like the stuff I'm posting here, you should check out I Am Fuel, You Are Friends for a shitload of versions of the Sam Cooke classic "Bring It On Home" and Pretending Life Is Like A Song for a nice collection of The Jam's "That's Entertainment".

(Of course, you all know the MOKB Cover Song Project.)

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posted by absonderpop at 8:31 PM 0 comments