Take what you blog.
One of my all-time favorite bands are the Clash. I don't think I could ever properly put into words how much this legendary band's songs have inspired and moved me, which is why I'm always wary of someone covering one of their songs. (Did you ever hear that awful tribute album that came out in the mid-'90s featuring 311 and Silverchair? Woof. Side note: I guaran-damn-tee Tim Karan owns this CD.)
However, I am a pretty big Lily Allen fan. When I saw her at Stubb's at South By Southwest in 2007, she came on a half-hour late, played for only 20 minutes, shit-talked the NME during her set (as they were the sponsors of the showcase) and half-assed her way through all her songs, and I loved every single second of it. I think she's as cute as a cancer stick-puffing button can be. (I may have even sent a text message to the screen above the stage before her set began, and it may have said, "Lily, will you marry me? <3 Scott.") Anyway, when I heard that Lily (or Ms. Allen, if you're nasty) contributed a cover of the Clash's "Straight To Hell" to the upcoming War Child: Heroes compilation benefitting War Child (out Feb. 29 on Astralwerks), I got excited. One of my biggest musical crushes covering my all-time favorite Clash song? What's not to love?
Then I heard it.
To be honest, I still don't know if I like it or not. I'm such a huge fan of the music of the original that I was bummed to see much of that thrown to the wind. However, I geeked out hard when all of the sudden, I heard both Lily Allen and Joe Strummer singing the second verse in tandem. Also, even though I do miss the original music, I do give her props for covering a song and actually deviating from its traditional structure (even though the vocal line is the same).
What do you think of it?
However, I am a pretty big Lily Allen fan. When I saw her at Stubb's at South By Southwest in 2007, she came on a half-hour late, played for only 20 minutes, shit-talked the NME during her set (as they were the sponsors of the showcase) and half-assed her way through all her songs, and I loved every single second of it. I think she's as cute as a cancer stick-puffing button can be. (I may have even sent a text message to the screen above the stage before her set began, and it may have said, "Lily, will you marry me? <3 Scott.") Anyway, when I heard that Lily (or Ms. Allen, if you're nasty) contributed a cover of the Clash's "Straight To Hell" to the upcoming War Child: Heroes compilation benefitting War Child (out Feb. 29 on Astralwerks), I got excited. One of my biggest musical crushes covering my all-time favorite Clash song? What's not to love?
Then I heard it.
To be honest, I still don't know if I like it or not. I'm such a huge fan of the music of the original that I was bummed to see much of that thrown to the wind. However, I geeked out hard when all of the sudden, I heard both Lily Allen and Joe Strummer singing the second verse in tandem. Also, even though I do miss the original music, I do give her props for covering a song and actually deviating from its traditional structure (even though the vocal line is the same).
What do you think of it?
7 Comments:
As I said before, awesome. I love it. It takes some serious balls to cover a band sacred as The Clash and do it your own way. As much as I love all things Lily, I would have completely abandoned her if she had fucked this one up.
Lily Allen has three Nipples. I learned this from Dutch television.
I'm a fan, personally. I love the blend of her voice with his, and while normally I hate "delicate" girly voices, Lily Allen has been my exception to that rule; I think it works really well as a contrast to the music she sings, this song very much included. How many people can pull off singing, "Go straight to hell boys" and making it sound almost sweet?
'The Only Band That Matters'
I recommend the new big official Clash book; lots of unseen photography.
face to face recently finished their set with Tommy Gun in LA, epic stuff.
i didn't know until this song arrived that she was joe strummer's godchild.
the song'll have to grow on me. the scissor sisters covering roxy music is much more apropos.
I like it, and yes it is different then the original it sounds similar to the Mescaleros style. Overall I think it is a good cover.
The Clash are my hands-down all-time favorite band. Ever. This cover makes me cringe. Sure Allen has a decent voice and she's cute and...blah blah blah. But really? This song has so much meaning to it and I feel a singer has to really "get it" to sing it properly. Normally I'm not so militant, but to me The Clash are sacred, especially protest songs like this one. I don't feel the passion of the song from her, and the cutesy synthesized beat just doesn't do it for me. Not surprised, as I find it hard to believe that a well-documented spoiled little tart really can get this song. Meow. Anyhow, I know this is for a charity project, and I suppose Allen can pat herself on the back now in self-congratulation, but for me? No thanks.
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