Stated: “Romeo and Juliet” is one of the rare cases of a remake (Indigo Girls) surpassing the original (Dire Straits).
Talk amongst yourselves.
Personally, I flip-flop between the two versions. I can’t help wanting to favor the original, on principal, and I do like what Mark Knopfler does with the song, both with his wry voice and with his delicate guitar. But then, you know how I love the tear-your-heart-out-along-with-your-vocal-cords music, and Amy Ray absolutely, gloriously destroys herself on the Indigo Girls’ take.
Right now, having stumbled upon the latter during my long weekend away, I’m favoring its more passionate, wrenching flavor. But I’m unwilling to pledge eternal allegiance.
I think I discovered this song in college, but I can’t recall which version I heard first. I remember thinking it was wonderfully unique and romantic. Nowadays, it’s a song I don’t hear often, and don’t think much about, but I am always happy when it appears on my radio.
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March 31, 2010 at 10:15 am
Phil
have to check out indigo girls version–only familiar w/ Dire Straits. As for remakes surpassing the originals:
1) Summertime Blues–The Who originally by Eddie Cochran
2) Oye Como Va–Santana originally by Tito Puente
3) Black Magic Woman–Santana originally by Fleetwood Mac
4) Take Me To The River–Talking Heads originally by Al Green
5) Hurt–Johnny Cash originally by Nine Inch Nails
6) Trapped–Bruce Springsteen originally by Jimmy Cliff
7) Knowing Me, Knowing You–Marshall Crenshaw originally by Abba
8) The Man Who Sold The World–Nirvana originally by David Bowie
9) Little Wing–Stevie Ray Vaughan originally by Jimi Hendrix
10) Respect–Aretha Franklin originally by Otis Redding
March 31, 2010 at 11:21 am
mamakitt
Hm, I vote Dire Straits, but actually because I knew the IG version first and liked the idea of changing it up.
Marshall Crenshaw doing “Knowing Me, Knowing You”? Google here I come!
March 31, 2010 at 11:51 am
thegirlontheswing
I almost wonder if the two versions are different enough that they can stand on their own–no competition required. That possible? All I really know is that it’d been many, many years since I’d heard that song, and it felt like a real treat to have it come up on my radio this weekend. New memory for “Romeo and Juliet”: Front Street, Bath, ME, negotiating narrow street in wicked pouring rain.
March 31, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Phil
Marshall Crenshaw’s take is on his live album, “My Truck Is My Home”. I love the intro:
(crowd noise, screaming suggestions)
Marshall Crenshaw: “you got it buddy. This one’s by ABBA!”