#1024. Lineage of Song: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

 

Robert Hazard

Cyndi Lauper

Lauper was a huge part of ‘80s pop culture. It’s surprising to consider that her most recognizable song was a cover. But if I leave you with nothing else from this Lineage of Song business, it’s not where the song came from, but what you do with it. Clearly she made it her own.

#1023. Lineage of Song: “Black Magic Woman”

 

Fleetwood Mac

Santana

Santana is probably the last embodiment of the guitar god, the loss of which was probably the real loss of rock music.

#1022. Lineage of Song: “It’s My Life”

 

Talk Talk

No Doubt

In the waning days of No Doubt, they did this great cover. Still disappointed that the band became a complete afterthought. 

#1021. Lineage of Song: “Tainted Love”

Gloria Jones

Soft Cell

 Yeah, had no idea Soft Cell’s wasn’t original. Brilliant take.

#1020. Lineage of Song: “What’s Love Got to Do with It”

 

Tina Turner

Fat Joe, Ashanti, Ja Rule

The update is a different feel, but I still like it.

#1019. Lineage of Song: “Hold My Hand”

Hootie & the Blowfish

 

Scotty Mcreery, “Bottle Rockets”

Very glad to be able to include this one! Hootie has been inexplicably unpopular since the moment it became the most popular rock band of the modern era with its breakout first album cracked rear view, that exploded all over the charts. The backlash sent them into obscurity and cost rock all remaining mainstream credibility. But you wait long enough and…someone comes along and says, Hey! let’s incorporate one of their songs into mine! And so it comes full circle…

1018. Lineage of Song: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)”

 

R.E.M.

Great Big Sea

Great Big Sea, “When I Am King”

Alan Doyle is such a treasure, it’s a shame he’s almost totally unknown in America. Being able to sing “It’s the End of the World” is cool enough, but then Great Big Sea goes and creates its own song in much the same vein…