Recently in thenandnow Category

I should make up a new rule. Any chance I have to include Kermit the Frog in a post, I'm going to use it. He's one of my favorite things ever.

Look at him, how can you not be uncheered by the sight of him. I desperately want the Jim Henson Think Different Apple poster. It's $300. I want it anyway. Amelia wants me to have it too.
Kermit The Frog - Rainbow Connection

I heard this version on a Coverville podcast, and it was just the excuse I needed to include some Kermit on my blog. Because, you know, of the new rule.
Sarah McLachlan - Rainbow Connection

This is one of those entries that is run entirely by the cover version of the song, not the original. Not the hugest Motley Crue fan. I was more 120 Minutes than Headbangers Ball. But if this song makes you want to break out the spandex and hold a lighter up to your kohl eyeliner, than more power to ya. Let your freak flag fly, baby.
Motley Crue - Looks That Kill

I love Shivaree. I once came up with a book idea based entirely on Goodnight Moon, but I'm sure I'm not the first. I was so excited when the iTunes alerts sent me a message that they had a new album, Tainted Love: Matting Calls and Fight Songs. And imagine my delight when I saw it was an album of covers! Some obscure and lesser known songs, which only makes it more enjoyable in my opinion. Here is one of those rare instances when the cover improves upon the original, but that's really because it's more to my taste. I would like to point out to my husband that it does not break his cardinal cover song rule of "Don't Change The Pronoun." as well.
Shivaree - Looks That Kill

PS. I had a hard time picking which song from the album to use, so in the next couple of weeks, expect to see another one. It's all I can do to not post another one now, it was that close.

Everybody has a list of those songs. Songs that, no matter how many times you hear them, you will never get tired of them. It's usually a pretty short list, because few songs can stand up to that. "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison; "When You Wish Upon A Star" by Pinochio; those are a couple of mine. But this song is the number one song on that short list. I've loved it since the album came out. I loved it before Say Anything, although that movie made me love it more. I went through two cassette tapes of "So" and purposely made it the very first CD I purchased for this song. And the one time I saw Peter Gabriel in concert, I think my heart stopped beating when they played this song. Not to over romanticize it or anything.

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel

This is another track from the High School Reunion CD I played for you a couple of weeks ago. I'm not overly familiar with Lori McKenna, but she seems to have pretty high ratings on her albums on the iTunes music store. Sorta alt country it looks like. Check her out.

In Your Eyes - Lori McKenna

The other day, Wil came home from work in shock. One of the young tech geeks he worked with did not know who The Smiths were. Or are. Naturally, he sat right down and made a cd of his favorite Smith songs. It's important to educate the youth of today, in the emo of yesterday. This is my favorite Smiths song.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths

People ask me all the time if I am familiar with Coverville. The answer is yes, I often steal from it. Hee. I do get some ideas, but often I use it as a starting point. For example, I learned about this album of covers from the Pixies Cover Story episode. High School Reunion is a tribute to the music from 80's movies, the John Hughes oeuvre and such. I plan to feature more songs from it in upcoming weeks. Because 80's covers are my FAVORITE.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Caufield Sisters

Louise and her boyfriend came up for an impromptu visit recently. While exploring Vancouver, she wanted to find a cd store so she could be some Amy Winehouse for the drive home. So, this week's Then and Now was chosen in her honor. I simply found a song that Amy Winehouse has covered.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirells

So this cover comes from the soundtrack to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason: A movie that TBS has recently played 9 times a day for three weeks straight. Why do they do that? In a land of tivos do we need to be THAT sure that everyone gets a chance to see it? It's a sweet song, sure. But it's no Rehab. A lot of people have covered it. But like I said, this one I chose in honor of Louis's visit. So we'll make this an opportunity to urge you to check out the more Amy Winehouse.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Amy Winehouse

Man, Sundays really throw me. Around here, our Sunday - for the rest of the month - is Friday. So I tend to forget when it's Sunday. I went to some stores yesterday at 10:15, only to find them closed. They don't open until 11 on Sundays.

Anyhoo, I remember the video for this song. Who doesn't love a prostitute dance scene? Almost better than a zombie dance scene. Because of the runaway theme of the video, I thought this song was the big anthem in Legend of Billy Jean, staring Helen Slater and Christian Slater (no relation). Turns out, that was Pat Benetar's Invincible.

Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benetar

Jann Arden is Canadian, I hear about her from time to time on the television. I knew who she was before I moved here, they played her on The Mountain. But she's not as "popular" 'round here as Nelly Furtado. Nelly Furtado! Nelly Furtado! That's all I hear about. Nelly, Nelly, Nelly! The first time I heard this cover, I was unsure, but on the second listening, I grew to really like it. It's from an album Jann did of covers, and maybe I'll feature another one soon.

Love is a Battlefield - Jann Arden

I got to see Mr. Moon today, which was awesome, because I haven't seen him in a long while and he ROCKS. He was telling me, recently, about his vacation to Hawaii. Now that he was back, he decided to make some changes in his life. #1, he wasn't going to watch or read the news anymore. He didn't need the doom and gloom. And #2 he's going to dance wherever and whenever he wants. WHENEVER HE WANTS! I said that sounded like a great idea, so this Then and Now is dedicated to Mr. Moon. I assume he means to dance by himself if he so desires.

Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol

I really like this cover. I have some other songs covered by Nouvelle Vague, which I will feature in upcoming months.

Dancing With Myself - Nouvelle Vague.

I told myself that once I had moved, I would be a better blogger. And that I would return to a couple regular features I used to have, Then and Now Sundays and 50 Word Fiction Fridays, specifically. So, away we go.

Cameo... he used to wear the cod piece, correct? I'm thinking of the right guy, aren't I? I'm fairly certain I am. I'd look it up, but I don't want to risk being wrong and missing the chance to talk about cod pieces. I think we should bring them back. They are the great equalizer, are they not? No need to spend lots of money on sports cars, fancy boats, speedy motorcycles to compensate for your short comings, boys. Everyone looks studly in a cod piece.

Word Up - Cameo

I've been holding on to this cover for a while. I believe I got it from Louise. She heard it on a tv show. Probably one of the CSI's or Law and Orders. I like it. To be honest, I'm a little rusty at the Then and Now's and I can't think of anything to say except, wow... this is an interesting cover. Oh pretty ladies around the world, I've got a weird thing to show you.

Don't worry, I'm sure I'll get back into the swing of things.

Word Up - Willis

You know, until I was preparing this Then and Now, I had never really listened to this entire song. I'd seen bits and pieces of the video on the television. And I knew enough about it to think it was funny when Al Gore said he was bringing the sexy back. (You know, every time I see Al on a talk show recently, talking about the environment, he's dressed like Johnny Cash, all in black. And he's more relaxed than he used to be. Funnier. He may not be wrong, he may be brining the sexy back. I dig Al Gore.) But, I never really listened to this whole song. Until now. My god, I hate pop music sometimes. Enough said?

Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake

One of the music blogs a read, and a great source for cover tunes, is My Old Kentucky Blog. A few days ago, they published a bunch of cover tunes by an independent artist named James Eric Laczkowski. As soon as I heard his acoustic version of Sexy Back, I knew I had to use it. It's too much fun. Covering it acoustically is brilliant. Strip out all the samples and beats and maybe there really is a story of a guy who will be your slave, and let you whip him if he misbehaves. Hee!

Sexy Back - James Eric Laczkowski.

Is it guilty pleasure to love Cheap Trick? I don't think so, Styx maybe, but Cheap Trick is awesome. I stand by the Trick. Someday, I'll post some covers of "Surrender" which is one of my favorite songs. Or have I already? I get so confused. Anyway, it's the truth, I'd love you guys to love me.

I Want You To Want Me - Cheap Trick.

Back when Wicked Game came out, it was my most reverent wish to marry Chris Isaak. Or at least smooch him a lot. I've seen him in concert so many times. Not just because of the smoochability factor, but because he puts on the best show. If I get ever get married, and I'm rich, do you think I could hire him to play my wedding? And if so, do you think I could get a smooch? For old time's sake?

I Want You to Want Me - Chris Isaak