Step On to Sweet Thing: The best cover versions
Some tracks get you from the opening chords. The Beat’s 1982 classic Save It For Later is one such track. Full of rhythm, strings and sax and an infectious beat which would surely get any dancefloor going (as the band did with their music video).
Moreover, lead singer Dave Wakeling wrote it in his teens and before the band formed out of the Ska era. It hit the charts and topped in the high 40s in the UK and outside the top 100 in the Billboard charts.
“It was about being lost, about not really knowing your role in the world, trying to find your place in the world,” Wakeling said of his standout track.
And the track still endures today.
Ears were pricked when the opening bars came into view during Season 3 of The Bear. Notably in the opening credits as day dawned with real people in Chicago and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder doing a sterling job with his stripped back cover version.
It led me down a path of cover versions which also hit the mark. There is only one I can think of in my repertoire which actually betters the original. Here are six of the best…
Waterboys - Sweet Thing
Van Morrison’s original moves, but Mike Scott’s version soars in every department, heightened by Steve Wickham’s violin.
Cherry Ghost - Finally
The British alt. country band formed in Manchester in 2005 and concocted this fine cover of Ce Ce Peniston’s classic.
The Fall - Lost in Music
Sister Sledge’s disco classic taken to post-Punk new heights.
Happy Mondays - Step On
Who knew this was a cover? The Madchester greats mustered their biggest-selling single from John Kongos’ 1971 track ‘He’s Gonna Step On You Again’
Ten Fe - Born Slippy
Nothing can beat the British dance act’s original, but Ten Fe do a decent indie stab of it.
Hot Chip - Dancing in the Dark
An 80s inspired music video and dance-filled version of the Springsteen classic.
Miracle Fortress - Maybe Lately
No, not a cover. But so good, it could easily be a Beach Boys original.
What’s new:
Canadian dance outfit Caribou have a new album out. Thank the stars for reviews. I would never have realised that this LP was influenced by AI. There are several standout tracks here, but I would point you instead to this playlist of their best work.
What’s on the jukebox
Litherland - Abstentia (The End Is In Sight Mix)
And finally…
After Thursday night’s Northern Lights in the UK, check out Quintus Project - Night Flight, an adulterated piano electro classic from way back in 1985.