My little baby sister taped Dirty Dancing off of HBO back around 1988 or so and watched it incessantly for the next 5 years until I went off to college. I will never not think of that when I hear this song.
I didnt know any of the covers, but at least knew all of the artists save one.
Whoa oh oh oh oh ohhhhhh . . . To the countdown:
6) Linda Ronstadt: Sorry, just not that into you. For every kiss you give me, I give you a friendly side hug and well wishes
5) We Are Scientists: I like this one. If it popped up in the rotation of my local college station I wouldn't complain. It doesn't quite capture the feels that the song calls for, IMHO. For every kiss you give me, I give you a fist bump and invite to my Labor Day BBQ
4) Lowland Hum: This one was really cool. It has some interesting vocal harmonies from the ladies that are reminescent of the original, but then the male singer adds a fresh new element. The production was interesting too, with a lot of background stuff going on, as with the original, but sounding nothing like the original. Its like they borrowed the template of the original but implemented it in a whole new way. Well done. For every kiss you give me, I give you a soft kiss on your hand and ask would it be cool if I call you tomorrow ?
3) The Dollyrots. THIS is how you do a punk-inspired cover of a not-punk tune. Gimmie Gimmie more. For every kiss you give me I'll give you a kiss back and I cant promise that my tongue will behave itself
1b) Glasvegas: The acoustic singer-songwriter treatment really works well here. The vocalist really sells it and his thick accent makes it all the more endearing. Its nothing like the original, but its the only cover that matches the feels of the original. For every kiss you give me I'll give you a bottle of Glenmorangie with a nice set of glassware
1a) The Ronettes. Its a classic for a reason. The Houseman family is pulling into the resort. Gonna be a wild summer. For every kiss you give me, I got one back for each of ya
Thanks, Joaquin! I think you wrote more than I! Kinda takes the pressure off! Much appreciated! And, it's great to hear you know a classic when you hear one!
This has made me so happy! Thank you, Mallie! I absolutely love the Ronettes version and I think it is impossible to improve upon but obviously my second favourite is the We Are Scientist version which is just fabulous. I really enjoyed listening to all six versions here and I think they all have their merits. This week’s listen has been an absolute joy. Thank you!
Thanks, Dan. There were so many cover versions. I had to go with the ones that I enjoyed the most. That doesn't mean there weren't plenty of great covers that didn't make the list!
Out of this group, The Ronettes remain firmly on top! I also love John Lennon's version, which was unfinished and kinda bonkers - recorded with Phil Spector for the Rock & Roll album in 1973. https://youtu.be/kZPX4kREoWI?si=RxZ93bK5ChAuFJnU
OK, Mallie, I'll accept your challenge (and, thank you, Lou)! I don't think I've heard any on the 'List except for the original, but I'll be a tough sell, I'm afraid, for any but the original.....I met the only of the three songwriters still living (Jeff Barry, who's 86) in 1980 (he had produced the 1976 debut album by a gal I dated briefly as a young teen, Lisa Hartman)....
.....and, the singer/songwriter, Stephen Michael Schwartz, who's written 20 articles for FR&B about his 1974 RCA album and '70s record biz adventures, wrote songs with Barry in the late '70s (one of them, in a fully-produced demo by Barry, with Stephen singing, is in one of Stephen's articles!) If I may.........https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/stephen-michael-schwartz-off-the-6a1?utm_source=publication-search
So, I, uh, carry some baggage!! First, for decades, when I'd hear The Ronettes' original out in public, I'd say (to anyone within earshot), "All rise, for the national anthem!" "Be My Baby" occupies one of the three slots in my Top 3 songs of all time, joining "She Loves You"/Beatles and The Beach Boys' "I Get Around"! You've hit a nerve, in other words!
Glasvegas's is OK; they showed up recently on a Tune Tag (not this song). You have to appreciate an artist who doesn't/won't even come close to aping or competing with Spector's sound or original arrangement. Dollyrots...I enjoyed their attack and double-tracked vocals. Awfully impressed with Linda's, which I'd not heard before. I'm usually not a fan of her belting, overwrought and strident approach on her hits. This, however, was gorgeous.
Lowland Hum, not my cup o'tea, but again, each of these artists is smart enough to not tread anywhere close to a hallowed arrangement/production! Extra points to all for that alone!
Thanks again, Mallie and Lou....and, Mallie, thanks for your tolerance in "housing" my ramblings on this landmark song and production! All rise!
Hey! We’re all allowed our opinions. Music is subjective. I love that you can simply say that something isn’t for you. I don’t like everything I hear, but I get no joy out of yucking someone else’s yum. You’re welcome to chime in anytime!
My little baby sister taped Dirty Dancing off of HBO back around 1988 or so and watched it incessantly for the next 5 years until I went off to college. I will never not think of that when I hear this song.
I didnt know any of the covers, but at least knew all of the artists save one.
Whoa oh oh oh oh ohhhhhh . . . To the countdown:
6) Linda Ronstadt: Sorry, just not that into you. For every kiss you give me, I give you a friendly side hug and well wishes
5) We Are Scientists: I like this one. If it popped up in the rotation of my local college station I wouldn't complain. It doesn't quite capture the feels that the song calls for, IMHO. For every kiss you give me, I give you a fist bump and invite to my Labor Day BBQ
4) Lowland Hum: This one was really cool. It has some interesting vocal harmonies from the ladies that are reminescent of the original, but then the male singer adds a fresh new element. The production was interesting too, with a lot of background stuff going on, as with the original, but sounding nothing like the original. Its like they borrowed the template of the original but implemented it in a whole new way. Well done. For every kiss you give me, I give you a soft kiss on your hand and ask would it be cool if I call you tomorrow ?
3) The Dollyrots. THIS is how you do a punk-inspired cover of a not-punk tune. Gimmie Gimmie more. For every kiss you give me I'll give you a kiss back and I cant promise that my tongue will behave itself
1b) Glasvegas: The acoustic singer-songwriter treatment really works well here. The vocalist really sells it and his thick accent makes it all the more endearing. Its nothing like the original, but its the only cover that matches the feels of the original. For every kiss you give me I'll give you a bottle of Glenmorangie with a nice set of glassware
1a) The Ronettes. Its a classic for a reason. The Houseman family is pulling into the resort. Gonna be a wild summer. For every kiss you give me, I got one back for each of ya
Nice write up! And we agreed on which cover was the best this time. That rarely happens. LOL!
Not surprised. :)
Is my weird thing for Scottish accents contagious? LOL!
Is that why I keep imagining my office in plaid ?
Thanks, Joaquin! I think you wrote more than I! Kinda takes the pressure off! Much appreciated! And, it's great to hear you know a classic when you hear one!
Love the original. The We Are Scientists version is a solid second.
Lou will be thrilled!
Yes! Result!
This has made me so happy! Thank you, Mallie! I absolutely love the Ronettes version and I think it is impossible to improve upon but obviously my second favourite is the We Are Scientist version which is just fabulous. I really enjoyed listening to all six versions here and I think they all have their merits. This week’s listen has been an absolute joy. Thank you!
You’re more than welcome, Lou. Feel free to request another song anytime!
One of my favorite artists, Melissa Manchester, also recorded a version of it a few years back. https://music.apple.com/us/album/be-my-baby/958641357?i=958641369
Thanks, Dan. There were so many cover versions. I had to go with the ones that I enjoyed the most. That doesn't mean there weren't plenty of great covers that didn't make the list!
Out of this group, The Ronettes remain firmly on top! I also love John Lennon's version, which was unfinished and kinda bonkers - recorded with Phil Spector for the Rock & Roll album in 1973. https://youtu.be/kZPX4kREoWI?si=RxZ93bK5ChAuFJnU
Thanks for chiming in Jeremy!
OK, Mallie, I'll accept your challenge (and, thank you, Lou)! I don't think I've heard any on the 'List except for the original, but I'll be a tough sell, I'm afraid, for any but the original.....I met the only of the three songwriters still living (Jeff Barry, who's 86) in 1980 (he had produced the 1976 debut album by a gal I dated briefly as a young teen, Lisa Hartman)....
.....and, the singer/songwriter, Stephen Michael Schwartz, who's written 20 articles for FR&B about his 1974 RCA album and '70s record biz adventures, wrote songs with Barry in the late '70s (one of them, in a fully-produced demo by Barry, with Stephen singing, is in one of Stephen's articles!) If I may.........https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/stephen-michael-schwartz-off-the-6a1?utm_source=publication-search
So, I, uh, carry some baggage!! First, for decades, when I'd hear The Ronettes' original out in public, I'd say (to anyone within earshot), "All rise, for the national anthem!" "Be My Baby" occupies one of the three slots in my Top 3 songs of all time, joining "She Loves You"/Beatles and The Beach Boys' "I Get Around"! You've hit a nerve, in other words!
Glasvegas's is OK; they showed up recently on a Tune Tag (not this song). You have to appreciate an artist who doesn't/won't even come close to aping or competing with Spector's sound or original arrangement. Dollyrots...I enjoyed their attack and double-tracked vocals. Awfully impressed with Linda's, which I'd not heard before. I'm usually not a fan of her belting, overwrought and strident approach on her hits. This, however, was gorgeous.
Lowland Hum, not my cup o'tea, but again, each of these artists is smart enough to not tread anywhere close to a hallowed arrangement/production! Extra points to all for that alone!
Thanks again, Mallie and Lou....and, Mallie, thanks for your tolerance in "housing" my ramblings on this landmark song and production! All rise!
Hey! We’re all allowed our opinions. Music is subjective. I love that you can simply say that something isn’t for you. I don’t like everything I hear, but I get no joy out of yucking someone else’s yum. You’re welcome to chime in anytime!
Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment!
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