I love this song so much but for that reason most of these covers don’t stand up for me. I don’t really enjoy Sam Smith’s vocals and while parts of the Eva Cassidy version are lovely, I get frustrated when she changes the phrasing. The Gunship cover just feels a bit cluttered to me. I do like the Iron and Wine version though because it doesn’t surprise me. I really liked his work on the In Good Company soundtrack too.
In short, I don’t think the original can be bettered. I’d love to hear a punk version though.
It’ll always be the original for me but I did enjoy the Iron & Wine cover as well as Sam Smith’s rendition, which is surprising as I’ve never been a fan of his.
There were several other options. Sometimes I’ll share an extra version or two, if they’re exemplary. But I try to keep it to my favorites,and I try to keep it to five total versions whenever possible.
Live reactions as I LOVE THIS SONG! One of my all-time faves, and yet I've never listened to any version beyond the original:
1. Just such a classic. Such understated production that very gently builds. I think I first time I heard this song was in the film Strictly Ballroom (I'm trusting everyone has watched this stone-cold classic but if not get on the case immediately – I believe it was Baz Luhrmann's directorial debut). This song plays at an iconoc rooftop dance movement.
2. Ooh very faithful to the original. Sam Smith's breathy vocals suit this song so much. Like it a lot, and some lovely string flourishes, but does it add anything to the original? Arguably not! So Lauper still rules so far.
3. Straight away this feels different, and very Eva Cassidy. Immediately, though, I'm missing the driving beat that is such a crucial element in the original for me (I'm a drummer, so this makes sense). The question is: is the melody of this song strong enough to work as a totally stripped back number? I'm going to say: YES. And Cassidy's melodic interpretations and delicious pauses ("the drumbeat's out of time" 🫠) do really add some beautiful surprises and make me pay proper attention to the lyrics. I still prefer the original though.
4. Having never heard of Gunship I was very intrigued by this. This starts off very spacey and vibey and kinda fun! When the drums drop it kind of loses its way for me a little for me – was kind of hoping it would go full EDM with a double-speed tempo 🤣 Definitely keen to check out their other stuff after this.
5. Ooh more acoustic guitar vibes. Again, not familiar with Iron & Wine. Compared to Cassidy's I think I definitely prefer her stripped back version to this one. This one's more of a straight acoustic cover.
OK! Here's my final ranking!
5. Iron & Wine – not enough going on.
4. Sam Smith – lovely but no twists on the original.
3. Gunship – many twists on the original! But could have gone further!
2. Eva Cassidy – some really surprising elements that elevated this from what could have been just another acoustic version.
Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your in-depth breakdown, Hayley. I like every version that I shared, but the original will always retain the #1 spot!
My favorite Cyndi Lauper song is one she covers, "Money Changes Everything."
I love this song so much but for that reason most of these covers don’t stand up for me. I don’t really enjoy Sam Smith’s vocals and while parts of the Eva Cassidy version are lovely, I get frustrated when she changes the phrasing. The Gunship cover just feels a bit cluttered to me. I do like the Iron and Wine version though because it doesn’t surprise me. I really liked his work on the In Good Company soundtrack too.
In short, I don’t think the original can be bettered. I’d love to hear a punk version though.
There were a couple punk/hardcore covers, but none really did anything for me, Lou!
I do actually really like this version though.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5i17G48swlxfwtQKeq5xcF?si=EMApK6RrRaaVT46gC-6lkQ
Ooh yes this is great.
Nothing topped the original for me.
That seems to be the case with this song!
With covers I can usually find something of note to help make it's case against the original, but that just didn't happen this time.
I get that! Here’s hoping next week’s selection has a more stand out cover. LOL. Cyndi is certainly a hard act to follow!
It’ll always be the original for me but I did enjoy the Iron & Wine cover as well as Sam Smith’s rendition, which is surprising as I’ve never been a fan of his.
I’ve always loved Everything But the Girl’s 1992 cover: https://open.spotify.com/track/5RxNm1sQygVKpY9hEOvid5
Thanks so much for chiming in and sharing that version with me, Mark!
Willie Nelson did a version, too, though I don't particularly like it.
There were several other options. Sometimes I’ll share an extra version or two, if they’re exemplary. But I try to keep it to my favorites,and I try to keep it to five total versions whenever possible.
I’ll never share a version I don’t enjoy!
Live reactions as I LOVE THIS SONG! One of my all-time faves, and yet I've never listened to any version beyond the original:
1. Just such a classic. Such understated production that very gently builds. I think I first time I heard this song was in the film Strictly Ballroom (I'm trusting everyone has watched this stone-cold classic but if not get on the case immediately – I believe it was Baz Luhrmann's directorial debut). This song plays at an iconoc rooftop dance movement.
2. Ooh very faithful to the original. Sam Smith's breathy vocals suit this song so much. Like it a lot, and some lovely string flourishes, but does it add anything to the original? Arguably not! So Lauper still rules so far.
3. Straight away this feels different, and very Eva Cassidy. Immediately, though, I'm missing the driving beat that is such a crucial element in the original for me (I'm a drummer, so this makes sense). The question is: is the melody of this song strong enough to work as a totally stripped back number? I'm going to say: YES. And Cassidy's melodic interpretations and delicious pauses ("the drumbeat's out of time" 🫠) do really add some beautiful surprises and make me pay proper attention to the lyrics. I still prefer the original though.
4. Having never heard of Gunship I was very intrigued by this. This starts off very spacey and vibey and kinda fun! When the drums drop it kind of loses its way for me a little for me – was kind of hoping it would go full EDM with a double-speed tempo 🤣 Definitely keen to check out their other stuff after this.
5. Ooh more acoustic guitar vibes. Again, not familiar with Iron & Wine. Compared to Cassidy's I think I definitely prefer her stripped back version to this one. This one's more of a straight acoustic cover.
OK! Here's my final ranking!
5. Iron & Wine – not enough going on.
4. Sam Smith – lovely but no twists on the original.
3. Gunship – many twists on the original! But could have gone further!
2. Eva Cassidy – some really surprising elements that elevated this from what could have been just another acoustic version.
1. Cyndi Lauper – it's a classic for a reason.
Thanks, Mallie!
Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your in-depth breakdown, Hayley. I like every version that I shared, but the original will always retain the #1 spot!
My favorite Cyndi Lauper song is one she covers, "Money Changes Everything."
Pretty sure this is the version which features in Strictly Ballroom. It’s a pretty faithful cover and I like it for that.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3uaGxDMBHEVeYS6tnelpM2?si=fjmtvRWGT22j4hL5TRxblA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0QBQoXsyivxr5AuLe4t9KX
Well I never knew that!