This is my response to this week’s Flashback Track Friday prompt, where NopeNotPam asks us whether we prefer originals or covers.
I think 90% of covers are a waste of time, and furthermore display a cynical intent just to cash in on something.
But there are one or two. I liked the remix that NopeNotPam chose this morning, for example. And in my favourite genre of West Indian music, reggae ska and rocksteady, covers are common. Bands like UB40 made an enormous name for themselves by basically releasing covers. But they did them well.
Here’s one originally by Dandy Livingstone, from 1967, the golden age of ska, covered during the UK ska revival, in 1979, by Coventry-based band The Specials. They add a stronger beat, plus rearranged the horns, and make the track… well… special!
And,by the way, a great Friday track! Have a good weekend.
Mister Bump 
Hadn’t heard of this group before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you like it? There was a real trend for that here around the cust of the Eighties. That’s how Madness started out, also bands like Bad Manners, The Beat and Selector. Some of them reached the US, surely?
Just in that void between punk and New Wave.
LikeLike
Madness made it to the US ( “Our House”)
Some covers are cool
Kim Wilde’s “You Keep Me Hanging On” was decent
LikeLiked by 1 person
true
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, thank you so much. I’ve not heard this song for what seems like forever. What a perfect way to work oneself into the weekend. It’s hard to sit still when this is playing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. I have it on a playlist now and again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw UB40 (well one version of them anyway) and they were fantastic. I grew up with their music and often I didn’t know they were covers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like them but yeah. I think there’s a pretty rich pool in “reggifying” music and they were very good at exploiting it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my ABSOLUTE faves this – love The Specials 🤍🖤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Special 😂 I love it
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah this is a blinding track. Takes me straight back.
LikeLike