I hate remakes. H-A-T-E them. It really irks me when I love a good old song,then someone comes along and tries to do it better. Very few people can get away with remaking a classic.
When I was a teenager, I refused to like that red-headed mall singer who shall remain nameless. For those of you who think this had something to do with the fact she dated my biggest teen-aged crush, you’re WRONG. It is because she first dug her nails into Tommy James and the Shondells, then she dared to defile a Beatles song by not only remaking it, but changing the words as well. ‘Nuff said.
It’s not that remakes aren’t good, it’s just that they seem pointless. Part of the reason I feel this way is because I grew up with parents who taught me a deep appreciation for the “oldies.” And when songs are classics like that, you just don’t mess with them. (Annie Lennox, I’m talkin’ to you. You should have left “Whiter Shade of Pale” alone.)
I said all of that to say this: Only once in my life have I gone ga-ga over a remake. I was sixteen. And to this day, that remake is one of my all time, no doubt about it, listen until my ears fall off, favorite songs. Don’t get me wrong. The Chi-lites did it right, but (and this is quite possibly the only time you will ever here me say this), Paul Young did “Oh, Girl” so much better. The man was made to sing that song. Hear his pain and that slight gravel in his voice. I could listen to it ten times in a row, then go back for more. I think, quite possibly, the Chi-lites traveled forward in time to 1990, snagged that song, then went back to 1972 and did a sort of “premake,” if you will. That, folks, is how much Paul Young rocked that song.
Okay, so there might be one more remake I can stand. Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway” was almost an anthem when I was in high school. Rascal Flatts? Good job making me like yours almost as much. Then again, that’s a song it would be really, really hard to mess up in the first place.
So, how about the rest of you? Care to leave a comment about your favorite remake? Join me, won’t you? I think I’m off to grab a hairbrush and sing in the kitchen.
-JB
(A P.S.–Just learned my dear friend Kay has a different opinion if you want to check it out.)
I disagree – matter of fact reading your blog this morning inspired mine. You could call it a remake.
http://kayshostak.blogspot.com/2010/04/originals-are-over-rated.html
Oh, my, this is fun! I read yours (like always) and then went over to Kay's and I have to say . . . I'm standing my middle ground! :o)Movie and songs alike, some just should not under any circumstance be remade! Some should under every circumstance definitely be remade!!! My example of this is of a movie – Miracle on 34th Street. The original is, well, the ending just didn't make sense to me. THey really didn't date yet they're going to by a house??? Maybe I missed something. The remake was perfect and that little girl is just as cute as a button! Anyway, that's just my $.02. Thanks for the fun this morning, Jodie (and Kay)! I needed it today!
I agree with you on some accounts, but have to say I love Carrie Underwood's version of I Told You So much better than Randy Travis's. Even he agrees it's better!
Oh Jodie, I love the remakes of some of the songs. Especially now that I have kids and they are listening to tunes that I listened when I was younger that are remakes. Now I agree some are bad and I really hate remade movies but hate remade movies but that is an entirely different ball game.
I don't know that I have an opinion in either direction. It really just depends on the rendition. If something is good, it's good, even if it's been done a hundred times. I loved Sarah Brightman's rendition of "A Whiter Shade of Pale," but hated Blake Shelton's copping of Michael Buble's "Home."
Tom Cochrane>>>>>>>>>>Rascal Flatts.
I really liked No Doubt's remake of Talk Talk's "It's My Life." That was a pretty decent cover.
And Rush's cover of The Who's "The Seeker" flat out rocks.
I just love that you're so passionate about everything. Love your blog!