Seriously, I doubt anyone has dared to go here, in a while. Note: at the time of actual blog post, the audioblog control buttons seem to be coming and going. You may not see the controls to play the songs, just give it a minute, they should come back.

I have a guilty pleasure… actually, I have several, but let’s just focus on this one. And, to be honest, I don’t think I feel all that guilty about it. I love Xanadu. The movie, and especially the soundtrack. In fact, if pressed to criticize, I would say that the soundtracks has held up much better, over time, than the movie. But movie does have Olivia Newton John in flouncy peasant dresses, with slits up the sides, leg-warmers, and roller skates. Which is pretty damn cool. I bet that look will come back. I wanted to be Olivia Newton John, back when this movie came out. First Grease, and now she was a muse? And Gene Kelly, to boot. Dreamy! With that fabu Kenny Ortega choreography, and pizazzy costuming…. I own that movie on dvd, I’m semi-proud to say. But when it comes right down to it, it’s the soundtrack that I really love. Three letters… E.L.O. ’nuff said. Jeff Lynne wrote the song, but ONJ sang it.

Xanadu – Olivia Newton John

So, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to use Xanadu as a Then and Now. But as it turns out, many many people have covered this song. I chose my favorite. I think it has the appropriate cheese factor to compliment the original source – the movie, and do justice to the song itself. Plus, it’s snappy.

Xanadu – The Lounge-O-Leers

Now that I’m here, now that you’re near… in Xan-A-Dooooo!

Ok, I’m taking a brief break from the Sims 2.
I’ve always thought this was one of your more romantic songs.. not overly mushy.. seems honestly expressed… I give it a thumbs up.
Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney

So, maybe everyone already knows about this song, because it was on the O.C. I don’t watch the O.C. I’m not even sure what it’s about, except it has pretty people on it… I’ve seen the commercials. But I love Jem, and I love this version of the song. So, I’m going to ignore the origin, and say it’s a Good Song.
Maybe I’m Amazed – Jem

This week’s Then and Now is brought to you by a Belly Dancing show I went to a week or so ago, with KK. I would just like to say how much I love this song. If I had a son, I’d name him Screamin’. But his middle name would not be Jay, it would be … Henry or Frank. Screamin’ Frank… my boy.

I’ve Put a Spell On You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

At the belly dance show KK and I went to, someone did a hip-hip infusion belly dance to this song, and it was pretty amazing. There were several women on stage, and they were dancing in a mostly belly vein. And then there was a male dancer with them, who was dancing in a mostly hip-hip vein. The song captured my attention, and I knew I’d use it for a Then and Now as soon as I could find it.

I’ve Put a Spell On You – Natacha Atlas

How did I come across this episodes covers? I can’t remember. But the original song is pretty fabulous. It’s the impeccable Nina Simone. This song was featured on the second “Six Feet Under” soundtrack, which is a disc I enjoy a lot. It also features Imogen Heap singing “I’m a lonely little petunia.” Can’t beat that.

Feeling Good – Nina Simone

You know, I picked this song to use, and this particular cover, because it gave me the perfect excuse to buy another Eels album. No, not just the one song, I needed to buy the entire album. I just did, ok? It’s probably been a couple of weeks since I mentioned how much I love the Eels, so let me do so now. I love love love them.

Feeling Good – Eels

You get a bonus 3rd track simply because I love a crooner. Also, I love Michael BublÈ’s last name. His last name is pretty much “bubble.” Hey… do you think that kids at school called him “BoobaGAY”? They probably did. Kids can be so cruel.

Feeling Good – Michael BublÈ

Officially, I am looking for the motivation to clean. I have company coming next weekend and I will have the best housecleaning intentions right up until they get here. I find Reel Big Fish is good for that. The poppy, peppy music with happy horn, it’s hard to sit still when I’ve got the volume turned up. I know they have lots of cover songs, so I thought I would feature them today. The one I found, however, was a surprise, featuring naughty rocker babe, Lita Ford. Oh, how many Saturday nights did I spend, in the 80’s, going out on Saturday nights to get laid, only to end up getting in a fight? Rhetorical.

Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford

I truly do believe that almost any song is improved by a peppy horn section. I’ve saved some other Reel Big Fish 80’s covers for later. Because I know what I like…
Kiss Me Deadly – Reel Big Fish

I came across the cover version of this song, and it was a no brainer that I would need to use it.. it’s Frank Black. I would need to use it for William’s sake, if nothing else. However, I found out the James Taylor version I am familiar with is not the original. The song was originally done in 1960 by Jimmy “Handy Man” Jones. I have to say, I prefer it to the JT version.
Handy Man – Jimmy Jones

Here is the James Taylor version for comparison. I’m not sure he’s really all that handy.

But if you ask me, the handiest sounding man of all is definitely Frank. I think I would call him.
Handy Man – Frank Black with Teenage Fanclub

I don’t think I could explain the twisted path I take to find the Then and Now songs, all I know is it’s more difficult when I try to find them. It’s best just to stumble over them. Happily, while tripping on this week’s, I found next week’s as well. And it’s a 3-fer.
More than one person has expressed shock at my lack of familiarity with Leonard Cohen. With the exception of “First We Take Manhattan” and “I’m Your Man” I’m not well schooled in his music. I’m waiting for someone to be my Leonard Cohen sensei, I guess. But, this song caught my eye, namely because, well, Suzanne is my middle name.
Suzanne – Leonard Cohen

First of all, you should know, many many people have covered this song. But when I came across this particular one, it was a no brainer. This man is one of my favorite musicians. Of all time. Ever. And this cover is amazing. But I would expect nothing less from Peter.
Suzanne – Peter Gabriel

You know, nothing is every going to beat the original. It’s a classic. Let’s enjoy it now, shall we?

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft

Ok, first of all, how cool is that name? Thurl Ravenscroft? I am so going to name my next male sim Thurl Ravenscroft. Now, if you are worried, I’ll set your mind at ease right now. There is no Jim Carrey version of this song in this episode of Then and Now. Oh hell, no. There are actually quit a few covers of this song, but I narrowed it down to two that I thought were fun. Or different. This next version is one I’ve been hearing on a local radio station for a few years now. I think it’s cool, hip and jazzy. Tell me what you think.

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Deanna Kirk

The last one comes from my favorite new Christmas album this year, A Christmas Spanking, by the Asylum Street Spankers. You might remember them as the geniuses that brought us the monkey song that so delighted me oh those many months ago.

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Asylum Street Spankers

All in all, it could have been worse, kids. I could have decided to use all my many versions of “Santa Baby”

Today’s Then and Now, which is another 3fer, comes from my desire to listen to a Beatles song, this morning, sung by someone else. As per usual, when it comes to the Beatles. However, this actually one of the songs done by the band, themselves, I like. I’ve heard musicy people say that their strength was in their song writing, not their musicianship. Maybe this is why I like Beatles covers?
Across the Universe – The Beatles

When I was researching which Beatle album this song came from, etc., I found that a lot of people have redone this song. David Bowie, Built to Spill, and this version, which I included for fun.
Across the Universe – Rufus Wainright

But this is the version I woke up with in my head. I can see the video in my head. It’s the version I like best, and the one I always want to hear. And, like Officer Barbrady says “Well, you ain’t Fiona Apple, and if you ain’t Fiona Apple, I don’t give a rat’s ass.”
Across the Universe – Fiona Apple