It's that time again; get your crazy train ticket in hand!
Rock...punk...alternative...music is magic.
Okay, tune connoisseurs, it's time to look at an original and two covers.
Today's choice comes from one of my all time favorite artists, THE BOSS: Bruce Springsteen. "Because the Night" was written by Bruce during his Darkness at the Edge of Town days. It was first released as a single in 1978...but not by Bruce. Ah, a twist!
Okay, tune connoisseurs, it's time to look at an original and two covers.
Today's choice comes from one of my all time favorite artists, THE BOSS: Bruce Springsteen. "Because the Night" was written by Bruce during his Darkness at the Edge of Town days. It was first released as a single in 1978...but not by Bruce. Ah, a twist!
"Because the Night "
Lyrics:
Take me now baby here as I am
Pull me close try an understand
I work all day out in the hot sun
Break my back till the mornin' comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I'm in your hands
Take me now as the sun descends
They can't hurt you now
They can't hurt you now
They can't hurt you now
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
What I got I have earned
What I'm not I have learned
Desire and hunger is the fire I breathe
Just stay in my bed till the morning comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I'm in your hands
Take me now as the sun descends
They can't hurt you now
They can't hurt you now
They can't hurt you now
(Chorus)
Your love is here and now
The vicious circle turns and burns without
Though I cannot live forgive me now
The time has come to take this moment and
They can't hurt you now
The original: Bruce Springsteen
As I said, Bruce wasn't the first one to release the single but he was the originator. Initially unhappy with it, he gave Patti Smith a copy of the song and she re-worked the lyrics. "Because the Night" was a hit for the High Priestess of Punk...
Contender # 1: Patti Smith
In 1993, the Unplugged version (MTV) of the song was performed by 10,000 Maniacs with lead singer, Natalie Merchant. Once again, someone put their own lyrical spin on the tune and tweaked it. This version was well received and got a lot of airplay.
Contender #2: 10,000 Maniacs
Who will get your vote -
Patti or Natalie? Why does that one do it for ya?
BOTB occurs on the 1st and 15th - then check back for results on the 7th and 21st of the month. Let the games begin (of course, I alphabetized it). If I missed a new participant, I'll add you as we go along.
Good morning, dear Cherdo!
ReplyDeleteIt's that time of the month again, huh? "Because the Night" is a terrific rock anthem and Springsteen's live performance had the excitement meter pegged. The two contenders in your BOTB, Patti and Natalie (10,000 Maniacs), also perform the song live. I usually don't get enough of a jolt when an act goes unplugged, and Natalie's softer, mellower version didn't reach me as much as Patti's. Patti rendered the song with more intense feeling and the wailing electric guitar helped give the performance the rockin' treatment it deserved. I vote for Patti Smith.
Have a great Wednesday, dear friend Cherdo!
Thank God. If you hadn't voted for Patti I might have gotten pretty worked up and said Consarn it or something else naughty.
DeleteChildren, children...let's use our inside voice...our passionate, punky, make-up-less inside voice.
DeleteI was pretty stoked to find live versions of everything. Given a choice, I want a live version every time. You'd think I like the polished studio made-for-MTV version...well, sometimes I do. But not in this case.
In an earlier incarnation of myself, I'd listen to good punk. Then again, I'm a sucker for pop and full on fan obsessed for rock. I'm not giving my opinion till the end...
TWO VOTES FOR PATTI!
[Have a lovely day, Shadarooni and Janie-poo. <3 ]
DeleteThank you. I wish you a lovely day, too.
DeleteIt's "the first of the month"? DOC CHERDO, I've gotta wonder what you've been doing for the last two weeks (and where can I score some of that stuffs?)
ReplyDeleteAll the hype in the world isn't going to turn me into a Patti Smith fan. And if Springsteen (whom I once idolized but got over it when I gained some political awareness) was included in this Battle, he'd be getting my vote (regardless).
However, between these two contenders, PATTI (as hard as she looks and as hard as she is to watch) gets my vote. Yep... there's passion in the night, and Patti expresses it more fully.
~ D-FensDogG
'They Can't Hurt Me Now
Because The Booze... Belongs To Me'
Good grief...the old "cut and paste" failed me once again. I gotta clear out my schedule to allow for some focus, eh?
DeleteI didn't figure you for a Patti patron, but neither did I see you swinging toward Natalie. And, like you, in spite of ANY musicians politics - I do listen to the music. If I like it, I like it; it stands alone and brother - I loves me some Springsteen.
A VOTE FOR PATTI!
Natalie Merchant.
ReplyDeleteNo fluff...just Natalie. I like a man who knows what he wants.
DeleteA VOTE FOR NATALIE!
PATTI! It has to be Patti. I love the emotion in her voice, and I lover her memoir she wrote a few years ago that won the National Book Award. PATTI! If I keep writing PATTI! will you count each time as a vote?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Awwww...tricky. I already counted your vote above...but that was a nice try. Now what can I shout in all caps?
DeleteJANIE JUNEBUG WAS HERE!
PATTI!
DeleteI just watched PATTI! again. I liked her even better this time around. I want to be known as The High Priestess of Punk, but I don't think that will happen.
DeleteJanie... I'll be your Sid if you'll be my Nancy!
DeleteI will also be your Ron if you'll be my Nancy.
JUST SAY NO, KIDS!!!
Great song! My vote goes to Patti Smith. Her vocals stirred my emotions the most.
ReplyDeleteBam! Your wish is my command, Debbie!
DeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
I am huge huge fan of Natalie Merchant and her CD is actually in my rotation in my truck. I really do like Patti's version of the song but my vote goes to Natalie. Great battle because it was hard to choose.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Yes, I'm trying to "evenly yoke" them now. There's pros and cons for both (and I almost gave Patti credit for the first single and battled Bruce and Natalie). Both of these chicks have unique voices and presentations.
DeleteThanks, Holli!
A VOTE FOR NATALIE!
I have to say, Patti Smith's version had a lot of heart to it, but I vote for Bruce because he's The Boss!!! Nobody beats The Boss! I never cared for Natalie Merchant's music. I respect she has a neat sound, but it just doesn't appeal to me at all.
ReplyDeleteBut THE BOSS wasn't in the running...he was the original. So, shall we say another vote for Patti?
DeletePatti Smith's version wins hands down. The best of the three!
ReplyDeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
DeleteThanks, Tartlette!
Cherdo, I like both versions, but honestly I think I prefer Natalie's arrangement ~ vocals and orchestra/POP sound far better than Patti's. So, give my vote to Natalie!
ReplyDeleteCome by to vote when you can in my Mr. Bojangles #BOTB showdown! ;)
A VOTE FOR NATALIE!
DeleteI'll be around later. My availability has flipped and I'm doing more at night...but I'm pretty pumped to see that one, Cathy!
What a great battle! It's a tough call for me to make. I like 10,000 Maniacs and Natalie Merchant but I'm a huge fan of Patti Smith's. Her Horses album is one of my very favorites. As for this battle I'm going to go with Patti Smith. I like her voice better. (though I really liked the violin in the 10,000 Maniacs version...).
ReplyDeletePut me down for Patti. Really good battle Cherdo!
Michele at Angels Bark
ANOTHER VOTE FOR PATTI!
DeleteThis one is too soon to call - may be this will be my first tie-breaker!
Hey! I picked Natalie Merchant for one of my songs this time around, too! Not the same song, mind you. I'm having a hard time choosing between your choices. As much as I love Patti, I think I liked Natalie's version better. It just sounded a bit fuller to me.
ReplyDeleteMadilyn, I aim to please...soooo...
DeleteANOTHER VOTE FOR NATALIE!
Hi! Definitely Natalie; crisper vocals :-) Great song!
ReplyDeleteA VOTE FOR NATALIE!!
DeleteShe has a unique voice.
I'm not familiar with this song, and don't have a favorite. My knowledge of music is woefully lacking.
ReplyDeleteThat's why the videos are provided for you, dear....oh well...
DeleteA VOTE FOR TRAVEL AND PAINTING!
Lord, Patti looks rough! I never was into the NYC punk stuff, but I did like the PSG single back in the day (despite the fact it rarely played here). I figured, though, that Nat would win for me since I kinda dig her ;) But soon after I started the video, I said, boy, where's the gut fired power? So, I'll go with Patti on this one. Nat did a nice song. Patti did a SONG.
ReplyDeleteShe did look rough. She needed a shave, too.
DeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
Another tough choice! Am going to have to give this one to Patti, though. It was close, but she seemed to have a bit more passion behind the sound.
ReplyDeletePassion will win out every time!
DeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
Oh, this is no contest for me. I have always loved the version by 10,000 maniacs. Love the live version, love Natalie Merchant, love the violins they use in the song. It's one of my favourite songs of all time. I didn't even need to listen to the other songs (though I did). Thanks for using this great song. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteCan I vote 10,000 times for Natalie Merchant?
No cheating, Jeff. :-)
DeleteA VOTE FOR NATALIE!
10000 Maniacs they rocked it unplugged
ReplyDeleteA VOTE FOR NATALIE!
DeleteThis one was on my BoTB list for Aug 1, hahahahaha... Love this song. Love its history. And my vote is for 10,000 Maniacs. (Didn't have to think too hard since I'd already made up my mind, hehe.) Why? Well... I think it's an emotional-attachment thing. Their version rocked my world at a point in time when my world desperately needed rocking :) Sorry I can't be more objective, but that's music for you. Some things just can't be separated from the memories.
ReplyDeleteAwesomely wonderful battle! And thanks for the visit over at Quiet Laughter , too :)
That is funny, Guilie! Sorry I beat you to it. Happy to visit Quiet Laughter anytime!
DeleteA VOTE FOR NATALIE!
I liked both of these, but liked Patti Smith's just a little better. I'm more familiar with 10,000 Maniacs's version, but Patti's wasn't quite as busy musically -- just the guitar, bass, and drums, and the vamp on piano. Anyway, Patti Smith for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John - they're both good, I think. :-)
DeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
This is close for me but there is something more raw but strong with Patti that I prefer her version over 10,000 Maniacs. She seems to grip the words with her great voice. Patti for me
ReplyDeleteDanke schoen!
DeleteA VOTE FOR PATTI!
I've never been able to get into Patti Smith's style but I am a fan of Natalie Merchant. My vote goes to the Natalie Merchant version. Also I like the violin playing with her.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
Man I'm slow making the rounds this month. BOTB just keeps getting bigger and bigger (a good thing), but it keeps taking me longer and longer (not such a good thing) to make the rounds, I vow to finish up today no matter what.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...file Patti Smith under 'those who did not age well' YIKES! All that aside, I've never been much of a fan. Natalie on the other hand does a fine job here and has a much more melodious voice. Therefore, she gets my vote.
This seems like an unfair battle. I mean, there's 10,000 Maniacs against only one maniac. Outnumbered and outgunned, I still have to give my vote to Patti. She gives that song a real edge.
ReplyDelete