We had an earlier discussion that involved Limp Bizkit, some yay, some nay, Also, I had a nom "Monsters" by Nemophila in the current Rock War that lost in a tie-breaking match. Yesterday Nemophila came out with a cover of Limp Bizkit's "Stuck" that is sort of interesting. I think I would much rather listen to this cover than the original.

STUCK (Nemophila)

Just so we keep perspective, this appears to be the Number 1 overall song in the world currently. I've listed some of the top 10 in previous weeks, but they would mostly be other Taylor Swift songs this week, so I won't. I've said before that I can appreciate her talent in singing and songwriting, and she appears to be a nice person, but can't understand the rabid popularity. I do appreciate some of her lyrics very much, but not the music itself. I personally prefer the music of Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, and several others. It appears the world disagrees, so here it is.

IS IT OVER NOW? (Taylor Swift)

Ironically, I would much rather listen to the original. But, it wasn't a bad cover. I did like the chick in the anarchy jump suit.

1993 Just Another Victim - Helmet and House of Pain

1993 Feels So Good - 311

1995 454 Big Block - Suburban Hoodz

1996 Drive - Gargantua Soul

1996 Pull It Off - L.U.N.G.S.

The lead singer (Su-Metal) of Babymetal was born in Hiroshima, Japan, where the first atomic bomb was dropped, so has a personal connection to what happened there. Suzuka Nakamoto is known as Su-Metal and wrote the lyrics for the song "Monochrome", which is in the current Rock Wars. She was 15 when Babymetal began but is now 25. Babymetal is well past their "Gimme Chocolate" beginnings. I just happened to catch a live performance this morning and got to thinking about the song Monochrome.

After an atomic blast, all is black and white from the charring and the ash. Evidently with the almost total destruction, the roots of a few plants may survive and eventually regrow, producing "survivor trees". It appears there are around 170 of these trees that regrew in Hiroshima and exist today.

Following are the live and piano versions of "Monochrome", along with the one in the RW contest.

MONOCHROME (Babymetal) - Live in Japan - At 3:40 is a rarer crowd interaction.
MONOCHROME (Babymetal) - Piano version from "First Take"
MONOCHROME (Babymetal) - Original studio video used in the RW contest for reference

Another recent song that is a personal favorite:

DIVINE ATTACK (Babymetal)

I might as well break it to you. I think I prefer Babymetal to Band Maid.

Tracy Chapman is trending right now, mostly because she's the first black woman to win a CMA award. She's a lesbian to boot so Maga must be having a total meltdown. This song sounds much more folk music than country, but somebody did a cover that I'm not particularly in need of hearing because her version is just fine. I bought a couple of her CDs back in the 90s but let her slip off my radar,

This is the song in question:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4

Some others that I liked:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6hQ9HSKlIE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QwvqKMXhL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RVQD_GQvcE

Regarding covers, in general I am in favor of them being made. Admittedly her original of "Fast Car" is far superior to Luke Combs current cover, in my opinion. At the beginning of his performance he states "this is one of my favorite songs of all time". He shows his respect and does a very good job. I don't think covers are a competition but are a salute to the original. But the biggest pro for covers is that they can introduce fans of differing genres to great music they may never know of otherwise. She had a #1 song with it, and he has made that #2 for her with the #1 in the country market. In addition, sales of her original have also spiked. Another plus is that Tracy owns both writing and publishing rights to the song, and so far has probably received $500,000 just for the publishing, not to mention the writer royalties she will continue to receive from the cover. In my humble opinion, I now have more chances to enjoy a great song.

So I love Tracy Chapman's music, and I suspect she now loves Luke Combs just a little. As good as Fast Car is, my favorite is "Give Me One Reason", the second link above. It had fallen off my radar also, and I do appreciate the reminder.

This actually makes me a little happy. To me, comparing Babymetal to Band-Maid is like comparing Key Lime Pie to Lemon Meringue Pie. Both are delicious, in some ways similar to each other, in some ways different. But sometimes a variety of choices is good. Keeps one from getting burned out on too much of a good thing (yes, I know what's coming).

A year ago, I had little use for Babymetal. I think Velvetguru was the first to mention them in any Rock Wars, and he suggested the song "Gimme Chocolate". Honestly the shock of their staccato vocals on that song was all I focused on, completely missing the musicianship going on behind the singers. But when they released their album earlier this year, the shock was in how much they have matured musically, and what a completely outstanding album it is. Because of that, I have revisited their earlier work and found much that is impressive.

Now let's talk chocolate cake. My second favorite Japanese band is actually named Glim Spanky. They are heavily influenced by hippie era rock, not so much metal.

OROKAMONOTACHI (Glim Spanky)

NIGHT LAN DOT (Glim Spanky)

GRAND PORT (Glim Spanky)

One of my favorite Tracy Chapman songs is Baby Can I Hold You.

Also, I loved Anthrax/P.E. Bring The Noize A LOT. Like I've done it at karaoke. I've also enjoyed much of the Judgment Night soundtrack.

Watching a random movie tonight, heard a random song from the soundtrack, and it reminded me of John Hiatt's music about life.

PAPER THIN (John Hiatt)- Great opening lyrics "I was going to get up off of that barstool, just as soon as I could figure it out".

GEORGIA RAY (John Hiatt)- Song about his infant daughter.

I don't have a problem with covers, I just don't feel particularly driven to listen to that one.

As for John Hiatt, someone sent a mix tape cassette to the troops for Desert Storm and it had a John Hiatt track on it which brought the artist to my attention. I bought a two CD collection of his songs but I have to confess, I only enjoyed about four tracks on it. That Geogia Ray tune wasn't on it though and I found that enjoyable.

Apparently, this artist has never toured the U.S. The first track was a hit for him on this side of the pond. The second track is a song that received regular airplay on BBC 1 while i was stationed at Raf Upper Heyford in the mid 80s.

The third song was a track I really enjoyed when I bought a cassette tape of his during Desert Storm while I was in the UAE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCd88ub_Tc8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0fOoyiIq7M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cRdkFblZT4

I think that is an excellent point. When an original is in a genre we like, a cover in any genre may not live up to the original, may not be necessary. I know you aren’t opposed to country, so a cover in that genre certainly could be seen as redundant, especially when the original is so awesome. I suspect the reason that the cover was such a hit was because there are country fans, just as in any genre, who only stay in their own lane.

Since it was Neil Young's birthday today. Probably my favorite by him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6qzeHSq7bk