This is the first time I can recall where I haven't been familiar with the original song. What a terrific
expression of stubborn manliness, and manly stubbornness. My advice to the narrator . . . maybe it's not them, maybe its you. 😜
To the countdown:
6) Tracy Grammer.
I'm sorry Ms Grammer, but you're out of your depth here. You seem like the type who responds to a breakup by eating a gallon of ice cream, watching a Hallmark Channel movie mararthon, and then adopting a puppy. This song is for people who plop down at their local barstool, slam a dozen shots of Jack, mutter incoherently about "bitches, man", and spend the night in jail after a scrap with an off duty cop.
5) Johnny Cash
Maybe I'm expecting too much. Johnny plays it pretty close to the original. But he can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond. No one can. With that deep, gruff voice he coulda shoulda taken the song in a darker, more desolate direction.
4) Crooked Fingers
Bluegrassing it up works as a concept, and this is overall a good, worthwhile version. That oompah beer hall brass part in the arrangement kind of sullies it a bit, for me. "But Neil's version had horns. . . "
You can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond.
3) Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond falls into the category of someone I can respect more than I enjoy (sorry Mallie ;) but he does what he does like no one else. His trademark big sweeping chorus makes the song. There's just the right balance of desperation and resignation in his voice when he goes from "play games behind me" to "I'll be what I am". I dont love the horn arrangement, but that's just an aesthetic preference. It integrates with the song nicely.
2) The Doughboys
<BeavisandButtheadheadbanging.gif>
The overall tone and vibe of this tune maps wonderfully to an angry rocker arrangement. This one truly sounds like a guy who just got dumped, more than any of the others. Double shot of Jack over here, STAT.
1) Chris Isaak
I wanted to hate this version, so very much. I queued it up with the express intent of hate listening.
Look Chris, we've all seen you shirtless in the "Wicked Game" video. No one's buying that you are getting dumped by women on the regular.
But . . . goddamn this one is just too good. That quiet desperation and anguish in his voice is the yin to The Doughboys angry yang. Instead of a cheesy horn arrangement, it has a cello (?) adding some melancholy texture underneath the beat. So subtle, and so perfect. There isn't anything I can find to nitpick about. Its the Platonic ideal of what this song can be.
Hey, thanks for your in-depth review of the six versions. A few thoughts …
Johnny’s version? I felt the same. I think if he’d recorded it in his prime it would have been a better rendition. It’s the kind of song you belt, but Johnny was a talk singer, and the strength needed to belt just wasn’t available to him in his later years.
You don’t have to love Neil to appreciate Neil’s talent, which you made clear!
And Chris? Yeah, he’s ridiculously good looking, but also ridiculously talented, which makes it easy to think he doesn’t hone is talent and craft. But if we are willing to admi it, the guy’s a masterpiece!
There's a sports guy I used to follow who had an expression "the curse of grace". What he meant was that some athletes were so graceful, so natural, that it looked like they weren't working hard. Of course, they were working as hard as anyone, you just didn't see them with their hair flying and their face contorted because they were always in control.
I think that's Chris Isaac here. I bet he spent a lot of time in the studio nailing these vocals so perfectly, and the end result *seems * so effortless.
There's a sports guy I used to follow who had an expression "the curse of grace". What he meant was that some athletes were so graceful, so natural, that it looked like they weren't working hard. Of course, they were working as hard as anyone, you just didn't see them with their hair flying and their face contorted because they were always in control.
I think that's Chris Isaac here. I bet he spent a lot of time in the studio nailing these vocals so perfectly, and the end result *seems * so effortless.
Mallie! You have been on fire recently and have surpassed yourself here. I don’t think I knew this song before but it is beautiful - like a fist squeezing my heart! I think the mark of a great song is that it stands up to a number of treatments. I love all of these - the melody is so beautiful. And the harmonies! I think Johnny Cash just edges it. It’s hard to beat his voice but honestly, whoever is doing the backing vocals on that version is superb. That is what wins it for me.
But I love all of them for different reasons. There is something to commend them all.
This is the first time I can recall where I haven't been familiar with the original song. What a terrific
expression of stubborn manliness, and manly stubbornness. My advice to the narrator . . . maybe it's not them, maybe its you. 😜
To the countdown:
6) Tracy Grammer.
I'm sorry Ms Grammer, but you're out of your depth here. You seem like the type who responds to a breakup by eating a gallon of ice cream, watching a Hallmark Channel movie mararthon, and then adopting a puppy. This song is for people who plop down at their local barstool, slam a dozen shots of Jack, mutter incoherently about "bitches, man", and spend the night in jail after a scrap with an off duty cop.
5) Johnny Cash
Maybe I'm expecting too much. Johnny plays it pretty close to the original. But he can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond. No one can. With that deep, gruff voice he coulda shoulda taken the song in a darker, more desolate direction.
4) Crooked Fingers
Bluegrassing it up works as a concept, and this is overall a good, worthwhile version. That oompah beer hall brass part in the arrangement kind of sullies it a bit, for me. "But Neil's version had horns. . . "
You can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond.
3) Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond falls into the category of someone I can respect more than I enjoy (sorry Mallie ;) but he does what he does like no one else. His trademark big sweeping chorus makes the song. There's just the right balance of desperation and resignation in his voice when he goes from "play games behind me" to "I'll be what I am". I dont love the horn arrangement, but that's just an aesthetic preference. It integrates with the song nicely.
2) The Doughboys
<BeavisandButtheadheadbanging.gif>
The overall tone and vibe of this tune maps wonderfully to an angry rocker arrangement. This one truly sounds like a guy who just got dumped, more than any of the others. Double shot of Jack over here, STAT.
1) Chris Isaak
I wanted to hate this version, so very much. I queued it up with the express intent of hate listening.
Look Chris, we've all seen you shirtless in the "Wicked Game" video. No one's buying that you are getting dumped by women on the regular.
But . . . goddamn this one is just too good. That quiet desperation and anguish in his voice is the yin to The Doughboys angry yang. Instead of a cheesy horn arrangement, it has a cello (?) adding some melancholy texture underneath the beat. So subtle, and so perfect. There isn't anything I can find to nitpick about. Its the Platonic ideal of what this song can be.
Hey, thanks for your in-depth review of the six versions. A few thoughts …
Johnny’s version? I felt the same. I think if he’d recorded it in his prime it would have been a better rendition. It’s the kind of song you belt, but Johnny was a talk singer, and the strength needed to belt just wasn’t available to him in his later years.
You don’t have to love Neil to appreciate Neil’s talent, which you made clear!
And Chris? Yeah, he’s ridiculously good looking, but also ridiculously talented, which makes it easy to think he doesn’t hone is talent and craft. But if we are willing to admi it, the guy’s a masterpiece!
There's a sports guy I used to follow who had an expression "the curse of grace". What he meant was that some athletes were so graceful, so natural, that it looked like they weren't working hard. Of course, they were working as hard as anyone, you just didn't see them with their hair flying and their face contorted because they were always in control.
I think that's Chris Isaac here. I bet he spent a lot of time in the studio nailing these vocals so perfectly, and the end result *seems * so effortless.
There's a sports guy I used to follow who had an expression "the curse of grace". What he meant was that some athletes were so graceful, so natural, that it looked like they weren't working hard. Of course, they were working as hard as anyone, you just didn't see them with their hair flying and their face contorted because they were always in control.
I think that's Chris Isaac here. I bet he spent a lot of time in the studio nailing these vocals so perfectly, and the end result *seems * so effortless.
I like the original, but the Crooked Fingers version is sure giving it a run for it's money!
I have a soft spot for Crooked fingers, Kevin, so I agree wholeheartedly!
Mallie! You have been on fire recently and have surpassed yourself here. I don’t think I knew this song before but it is beautiful - like a fist squeezing my heart! I think the mark of a great song is that it stands up to a number of treatments. I love all of these - the melody is so beautiful. And the harmonies! I think Johnny Cash just edges it. It’s hard to beat his voice but honestly, whoever is doing the backing vocals on that version is superb. That is what wins it for me.
But I love all of them for different reasons. There is something to commend them all.
Awwwwwwww, thanks Lou! It’s such a beautiful song, full of pride and hurt. I think it resonates for many of us, male and female!
One vote for Johnny Cash here.
Thanks for chiming in, John.