vh1.com: The Joker Worst Cover Ever?

[kmk182]

http://blog.vh1.com/2011-09-28/is-everc ... song-ever/


Everclear was one of those bands from the mid-nineties that were all over the radio for a couple of years, then promptly forgotten. They were signed by legendary A&R man Gary Gersh during the great “alternative music” explosion, and scored enough Top 40 hits (“Santa Monica,” “Everything To Everyone,” “I Will Buy You A New Life”) to earn themselves an exemption from being inducted in the dreaded one-hit wonder club. However, once the 2000s rolled around, mainstream audiences largely turned their back on the genre, choosing to spend their disposable income on hip hop and boy bands instead of the grungy bands that rose to prominence in the nineties.

For some reason, Everclear released a new record this week called Return To Santa Monica, which features re-recorded versions of their biggest hits and a handful of covers. This news would’ve entirely evaded me, had I not been poking around on Spotify earlier today and saw it featured in their “What’s New” section. Out of morbid curiosity, I clicked on the album and saw that one of their covers was “The Joker,” the 1973 classic rock staple by the Steve Miller Band (perhaps they were inspired by the chart success of Seal’s 1996 cover of “Fly Like An Eagle”?). I unapologetically love “The Joker,” so I decided to give it a listen. Not the best move I’ve ever made. Rather than putting an interesting musical spin on the pot smoking anthem, it instead features lead singer Art Alexakis speaking in free verse about atrocities he suffered in high school at the hands of jocks and cheerleaders and, in a bizarre turn, also makes reference to his cat tearing out his nipple ring. (!!!)

Now, I’m not saying that this is the worst cover song I’ve ever heard, but I’m also not saying it’s not NOT the worst cover song I’ve ever heard, either. Give it a listen, make up your mind, and let us know if you can think of any covers that are worse than this in the comments below.

[clifornia_king]

This is deffinately not the worst cover of all time - though it certainly isnt the best. I think that the Chorous is actually very good - and musically, I really like it. It would have been nice if Art would have sang the song, then maybe did the free-verse or ad-lib, whatever you want to call it, at the end or something.

I dont think it is made to be a good cover that they will ever even play again live or anything - probably just some fun Art was looking to have around this song. I think that's where it ends. Unfortunately, I like the song, so would love to hear a good rendition of it sometime!

[Copper]

It's the only interesting or original thing on the entire "album."

[grantprobst]

It's the only interesting or original thing on the entire "album."

If that's true, then that album really IS fucked!

[ekeown]

So based of the negative comments made about this album in general, I didn't rush out and get this album (my copy should arrive tomorrow, along with the Extended Versions live CD). I particularly heard bad things about this cover, but after listening to it, thanks to the YouTube version attached to the VH1 post, I'm really not getting all the hate. Are people seriously faulting Art for not taking a song called The Joker seriously? You can tell he's just having fun with it, and while it isn't a true cover, it isn't horrible by any means. My assumption is that that the author's absolute love for the original version of the song is what inspired such hyperbolic hatred for what Art did with the song.

[cien_bolas]

I don't love the original The Joker song, but this cover isn't as good as the first live recording from Everclear. I truly was expecting a version similar to that of 90's, and was a little bit disappointed at all of Art's talking in the song. The chorus is also the best of that song, while the song at all is pretty bad in my opinion. But one thing is sure; Art is totally having fun in that song, and i feel happy for him. Maybe if he keeps having fun, his new songs will eventually be better than what we've heard until now.

attE: cien_bolas

[grantprobst]

I am glad he is having fun, as well.

I just don't find it very funny.

I mean, The lyrics are like the sort of thing you would see someone post on facebook, as a status update.
And much like all of those little nuggets of narcissism, I have no intrest in it.

It is boring to me!
I just like to assume this "joke" was on me! ('Cause I sure don't get it!)

[JuanCarlosVejar]

I am glad he is having fun, as well.

I just don't find it very funny.

I mean, The lyrics are like the sort of thing you would see someone post on facebook, as a status update.
And much like all of those little nuggets of narcissism, I have no intrest in it.

It is boring to me!
I just like to assume this "joke" was on me! ('Cause I sure don't get it!)

Art just failed to get through to us with that that shit he talked about during the song
come on talking about food and sex in the same sentence ???

well I really believe that Art Sparkled and now he is in the Fading Stage ...

[grantprobst]

well I really believe that Art Sparkled and now he is in the Fading Stage ...

nah, once the new album finally comes out, we can all forget about this horrid money grubbing abomination.
And happiness in everclear land will again return.

[worldofnoise]

I think it's funny about the complaining on the Everclear Facebook page about people being critical of the releases:

https://www.facebook.com/everclear?sk=wall

[grantprobst]

I think it's funny about the complaining on the Everclear Facebook page about people being critical of the releases:

https://www.facebook.com/everclear?sk=wall

Where is this now? I see no mention of these last two CD's even existing?

[worldofnoise]

I think it's funny about the complaining on the Everclear Facebook page about people being critical of the releases:

https://www.facebook.com/everclear?sk=wall

Where is this now? I see no mention of these last two CD's even existing?

Look through the comments.