Well this is a not so long distance dedication to Mr. Moon, who missed the very special Smokey and the Bandit themed “My Name is Earl” on Tuesday. So I had to pick this song.
Eastbound and Down – Jerry Reed

And if hearing that didn’t make me happy enough all on its own, how about a version done by the Supersuckers? Aaaand…. that’s all I have to say about that, I guess.
Eastbound and Down – Supersuckers

Then and Now is back! Did you notice it was gone? You guys remember Oasis? Showed up sometime in the 90’s and thought they were the greatest thing since Frosted Flakes. In fact, if I remember correctly they either considered themselves the next Beattles, or better than the Beattles. Either way, it doesn’t impress me, I don’t really think the Beatles were all that. That’s right, I said it. All you Beattle fans can just suck it. Anyway, Oasis did have one song that was sorta catchy, Wonderwall. I picked this song not because I care about the original, but because this is another case in which the cover kick’s the original’s ass.

Wonderwall – Oasis

I don’t know much about Cat Power, other than both my little brother and Mr. Moon listen to her. And she’s got an awesome name. Mr. Moon says do not listen to her if you are feeling really blue, however, or you will throw yourself off the roof of a tall building. She’s that depressed. She should be happy, though. Her version of Wonderwall kicks the originals ass mightily. Check it out.

Wonderwall – Cat Power

When it comes to Then and Now, I often run my ideas past Mr. Moon, ask him what he thinks about the song choices. He’s always pointing out that the original is the best. And I chide him, for that is not the spirit of the game. It is not who is best, but rather who loves a song enough to want to redo it. Or sometimes the spirit of the game is why on earth would they chose to do that song? But sometimes the game is can you believe who covered that song? Ok, it’s a complicated game. And this week, Mr. Moon is right. This week, I chose Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game. Fat chance anyone is going to be able to improve upon that song. That song is on my “list.” It’s my list of songs that will never grow old and I will always love.
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak 1989

People ask, Jodi… where do you get your song ideas for Sunday’s Then and Now. That’s what they ask. And I tell ’em it’s none of their bee’s wax. But it’s a combination of suggestions from others, songs I know I want to use, and complete accident. For example, I knew that k.d. lang covered Chris Isaak’s Western Stars. But I did not know how many people have covered Wicked Game. There is a gregorian chant version of Wicked Game. Strange, unnerving, but true. I did not pick that one. But they also do a favorite Peter Gabriel song of mine. Not to mention Duran Duran. Anyway, I chose Finnish goth band H.I.M. Why? Because, on the surface you’d think “yeah! goth up this song! it’s dark, it’s tortured, it’s haunting!” But the truth is… it doesn’t add that much to it. Chris could goth it up if he wanted to. He totally could. I’ve seen him in concert several times. He has a suit made out of mirrors, people. And sure, that doesn’t sound very goth. But that’s because Chris transcends goth. You don’t have to be underweight and sickly looking to feel pain, kids. Nonetheless, if I were in a goth band, I’d totally cover this song. But only if it were ok with Chris.
Wicked Game – H.I.M. 2003

This week’s Then and Now is a three song episode. A Hat Trick, for those who do not know, is when a single hockey player scores three times in a game. This week’s song is a classic from the Guess Who, a Canadian band, “American Woman.”


I’ve had a cover version of this song for a while, and was sorta keeping it on hand for back up. But then William sent me this version. Since William is indeed Canadian, I asked him if this song reminded him of me. He tried to explain to me that there was a deeper meaning to the song than just fear of American women. Socio-politico economico stuff. But I know the truth… American women? They are gonna mess your mind. But no one ever said you wouldn’t like it.
American Woman – Butthole Surfers


The is the cover I had originally. I still really like it, because it’s from a scene in Austin Powers when Heather Graham is dancing in hot pants and go-go boots, and that is a look I think needs to come back. Besides, Lenny is just cool.
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz

This week’s Then and Now is dedicated to Mr. Moon, who’s birthday was on Thursday. When I once proposed this cover combination, he shuddered and declared the cover artist “evil.” So I can’t resist. Besides many people have secretly confessed that if they were Rock and Roll Gods or Goddesses, they would be tempted to cover this song.
I Love Rock and Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

I don’t think Brittany really loves rock and roll. I don’t think you can love rock and roll and still use beats from a drum machine on a song about it. It’s very … inorganic.
I Love Rock and Roll – Brittany Spears

Whoops. Yesterday was Sunday, wasn’t it? Today is actually Monday. I gets all confused when I have the long weekends. Ok, so I am late, and don’t think I don’t know that this will go down on my permanent record. To make up for it, I am picking a song based solely on the fact that it ROCKS! I don’t care about the cover version. I just really want to hear this song. You know, this is another song that I would cover if I became a rock n’ roll goddess. I know that Jack is going to like this weeks selection.
Kiss Off – Violent Femmes


Ok, to be honest, I don’t know who Guster is, but I like their taste. And they do a fine job. I’m just happy to hear the song a second time. I think that I’ll take time to listen to their other stuff.
Kiss Off – Guster

Ever since Ces from Drink at Work posted three songs on his birthday, I have not been able to get this song out of my head. Or even my playlists. It’s one of the rare songs from my past I had not heard on the radio in the last ten years. So it was a real trip back. Lucky for us, someone did a cover in 1996, allowing us to enjoy it twice today, on Then and Now. Plus, I gave Mr. Moon a list of songs and covers to chose from, and this is the one he picked. That is not to say I am not going to sting him with a cover from that blond pop princess he so fears, at a later date. [mostly because it sucks so hard and would make me laugh].
Good Girls Don’t (But I do) – The Knack 1980


First of all, how can I not like a band called The Chubbies? Second of all, it seems appropriate that this song be covered by girls, especially punk girls. I think I am going to make this song my theme song. One of them. I also really like “When you Wish Upon a Star” by Jiminy Cricket. I’m multifaceted.
Good Girls Don’t (But I do) – The Chubbies 1996

I got something fun in the mail last week, the US mail even. It wasn’t a bill, or junk, or a catalog, or someone insisting they could me another credit card or solve my tax problems. Drink Jack sent me some cd’s of cover songs, but originals and the covers! I got music in the mail. So this week’s Then and Now is brought to you by DrinkJack, who invites you all to drink more Jack. Daniels that is. I picked this song mainly because I was in the mood to hear some Dire Straights.
Romeo and Juliet – Dire Straits 1980


And here is the cover from the Indigo Girls. About which I have nothing witty or clever to say. Except that when I was looking at their discography, to see when their version was released, I was skimming through song tittles and I thought that they had a song on their April 2005 release Prom that was entitled “Penises on a Track.” That’s odd, I thought. Turns out, it was pennies.
Romeo and Juliet – Indigo Girls 1992

Today’s Then and Now features Doris Day. Which is the epitome of swell, I think. This song is from Strictly Ballroom, which I’ve seen about 582 times. And each time it is as delightful as the first day I saw it.
Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps – Doris Day

I had no idea Cake sang this song as well. I have most of the Cake albums, except Fashion Nugget. I was discussing a song on this particular album with someone [Friend is a Four Letter Word] when I noticed it. I do love the Cake.
“Whooo-hooo!” I said. “Next week’s Then and Now… done and done!”
Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps – Cake

So, a couple of weeks ago, we featured Phil Collin’s heartbreaking story of love and loss and crap like that. I believe I mentioned that that song never really did it for me, and, back then, I would have turned to Depeche Mode, if my heart was breaking. Back in the mid 80’s, this song was the song of romantic love. At least if you were a teenager. I’m pretty sure that I remember transcribing the lyrics into a notebook, so I could further absorb the passionate longing. My favorite part, comes at the end:

“Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
I’ll get away with it”

So put your best moony face on and enjoy.

Somebody – Depeche Mode

“For the Masses,” a Depeche Mode tribute album was released in 1998. But I had totally forgotten about that. I just happened to trip over Veruca Salt covering “Somebody” while browsing around. It makes sense to me that a woman should sing this song, since it meant so much to the girls back in the day. And there is cello! You know how I love the cello*.
Somebody – Veruca Salt

*a lot, in case you don’t know.