Who sings the "Since I left you" bit on the Avalanches song? Where does the piano on that Alicia Keys record come from? And how did that Boney M song get stuck in my head? All is revealed at Who Sampled.
posted by creeky on Dec 1, 2009 - 40 comments

Which do you prefer, the cover or the original?
posted by auralcoral on May 13, 2008 - 39 comments

Anybody out there remember The Left Banke? They were a kinda Beatle-y 60's pop/rock outfit out of New York City. Critics labeled them "baroque-pop", apparently due to the "classical" influences in their music. They're surely best known for their catchy little harmony vocals hit from 1966, Walk Away Renée. And in a reversal of the more common trend of white artists covering Motown hits, a rather unexpected version by The Four Tops turned up. Arguably, the song wasn't exactly a perfect fit for the soul vocal quartet at the time they first recorded it, but more recent performances show that they've grown comfortable with it over the years: maybe it's the slower tempo. Here's the lyrics. And the story behind the song. And what the hell, the Wikipedia page. And Songfacts. They all have something of interest to offer concerning this durable little number, originally written by a 16-year-old!
posted by flapjax at midnite on Jul 24, 2007 - 51 comments

William Shatner covers 'Common People' by Pulp, with the help of Ben Folds and Joe Jackson. Album of further genius forthcoming. [thanks Suw!]
posted by feelinglistless on Jul 22, 2004 - 41 comments