As a huge Beatles fan, I was really looking forward to the long-delayed musical Across the Universe (starring Evan Rachel Wood, left). Sadly, my expectations were shattered yesterday upon reading my colleague Owen Gleiberman’s review; he calls it a ”goofy, pompous, annoyingly boomer-myopic” mess. (Ouch.) But he does say that one of the better things about the film is Bono, who "has presence" and apparently at one point sings "I Am the Walrus" (goo goo ga joob).
This got me thinking about my favorite Beatles covers ever. Speaking of Bono, I kinda dug U2’s live version of ”Helter Skelter,” from Rattle & Hum. Also awesome in my book: Aretha Franklin’s "The Long and Winding Road," Billy Bragg’s "She’s Leaving Home," Stevie Wonder’s "We Can Work It Out," and, my all-time favorite Beatles cover (drumroll please, Ringo!) — the Breeders’ version of "Happiness Is a Warm Gun."
Your turn…
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rufus wainwright… across the universe.
or fiona apple’s version. either or. i’m flexible.
Without a doubt: Daniel Johnston’s version of Gotta Get You Into My Life. 2nd place: Thee Headcoatees’ Run For Your Life, and The Damned’s Help
It’s not a very original choice-
but not only is Aerosmith’s “Come Together” my favorite Beatles cover, I think it’s a better version. I love the Beatles, but there’s something about Steven Tyler’s voice that’s perfect for that song.
Good call on Stevie Wonder. But Al Green’s version of “I want To Hold Your Hand” is just sublime; the band live in the studio, a loose, goofy mood, and Al singing with such joy. It’s sweet, because he obviously learned the words by listening to (and mishearing) the record, so when they get to the bridge he’s very clearly singing “I get high, I get high, I get high…”
Also: Elliot Smith did a lovely basement version of “Because”—the opening part is just overdubbed vocals in close harmony, and it makes the hair stand up on my arms.
And I prefer Siouxsie and the Banshee’s “Dear Prudence” to the original—they way they put the chorus hook in half-time just opens it right up.
Fiona Apple ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by slowing it down and giving it her trademark emotional soul, apple brings new depth to this beatles’ classic.
Aimee Mann & Michael Penn – Two of Us, from the I Am Sam soundtrack.
When I was a kid I told my Dad to come upstairs because I wanted to play him this amazing song by Boyz II Men. It was called “Yesterday.” My Dad is a big enough Beatles fan to somehow have a copy of Meet the Beatles with his face added to the black space. I didn’t figure out that it was a Beatles song, or that he was humoring me, for years.
There are so many good Beatles covers because the songs themselves are actually good. Thats an obvious statement but important. I agree about both the Rufus & Fiona covers of “Across the Universe” and Kelly Clarkson rocked Sgt. Pepper on the Idol finale (but everyone else butchered their songs). OH WAIT. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young?): Blackbird. Yea thats definitely the best.
There are bunch of Elliott Smith bootlegs floating around where he does covers of a bunch of different Beatles songs. His take on “Blackbird” and “I’m Only Sleeping” are rough around the edges, but still emotionally resonant. I very much view Elliott Smith as the lyrical successor to George Harrison.
I’m with Mary-Kate. I also really loved Aimee Mann and Michael Penn’s version of “Two of us.”
Ike & Tina: She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
Joe Cocker made most of his career by singing Beatles covers. my favorite? She Came in Through The Bathroom Window.
I’ve always been partial to Lakeside’s R&B Ballad cover of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and I recently say on YouTube a performance of “The Long and Winding Road” by George Michael that was simply beautiful.
Wilson Pickett’s version of “Hey Jude” is pretty awesome.
Aretha Franklin’s “Eleanor Rigby” rocks! Her driving gospel piano and soulful, shouting performance, transforms the song from the somber to Sunday morning in a black Baptist church.
While it might make me a musical sacrilege… I usually prefer (well-done) Beatles covers to the originals. Love the songs but their voices are so indistinct… Give me Steven Tyler or Rufus Wainwright over John & Paul any day!
I love Ben Folds’ “Golden Slumbers” from the I Am Sam soundtrack. It’s like a very short sweet lullaby.
“I’m Fixing a Hole” by George Burns.
Just kidding. Although that movie is still a (very) guilty pleasure.
I do like Apple’s “Across the Universe.”
the review made me so sad. i was really looking forward to this movie
i like sammy kershaw’s “if i fell.” i also like boyz to men’s “yesterday” as mentioned below.
The Langley Schools Music Project actually made me like the song “The Long and Winding Road.” I didn’t like it until I heard it sung by that little girl.
oh and i enjoy the entire I Am SAm soundtrack of beatle cover songs
I can’t really say I prefer one version of a Beatle’s song over another…They’re music is so open to interpretation and I relish the oppurtunity to hear all those different interpretations. I think my favorite cover, that I know of, is Rubin’s Sexy Sadie…he very subtly updates Lennon’s original interpretation and it’s just lovely.
Mortal’s cover of “Nowhere Man.” It’s scary how good it is.
Check out the Sgt. Pepper soundtrack—there’s actually some great stuff there! “Got To Get You Into My Life” by Earth Wind & Fire, “Oh Darling” by Robin Gibb, “Because” by Alice Cooper.
Two great covers by Siouxsie—”Dear Prudence” and “Helter Skelter”
Ditto on Stevie Wonder’s “We can work it out” and Al Green’s “I wanna hold your hand”.
Also, Ludella Black does a great “I just saw a face”.
Kansas’s Eleanor Rigby
Ben Harper’s cover of Strawberry Fields Forever gets my vote.
Ditto to those who mentioned Wilson Pickett’s “Hey Jude” and the Langley School Music Project’s “Long and Winding Road” (I, too, normally dislike that song). I personally dig Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs’ “And Your Bird Can Sing” – one of the most underrated Beatles songs. And I’m also disappointed by the negative review – but I’ll still see it anyway.