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TAKE COVER!

Take Cover! Elliott Smith Vs. Cat Stevens

When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week: Elliott Smith takes on Cat Stevens’ “Trouble.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!

Cat Stevens’ original was part of the soundtrack for 1971 seminal black comedy Harold And Maude. Elliott Smith recorded his version for 2005 film Thumbsucker shortly before his death. Director Mike Mills said, “I saw him five days before, and he’d just finished the cover. It’s one of the last things he must’ve done.” It will break your heart.

The Cover:

The Original:

10 replies on “Take Cover! Elliott Smith Vs. Cat Stevens”

I do a damn fine version myself! Wish Elliott could have thought of another way as well! Loved all of his cd’s! Hope he has found happiness.

I also got to hear Cat do a live version in his set in 1971, the whole set was incredible, backed up by a really great band, all of his songs were done with a lot more energy that the album, which I still like btw.

ZR 🙂

Where did all these Elliott Smith votes come from? Someone probably posted this poll on an Elliott Smith message board. ELLIOTT SMITH SUCKS.

I like a lot of what Elliott did, but this isn’t one of his better recordings. Its not really fair to start off with a sympathetic tribute in the first place. I’m not a big Kristin Hersh fan but she did a hell of a good job with this song.

Neither Cat Stevens nor Elliott Smith suck… I think both versions are lovely. Cat’s original version is preferred by most people because it’s the first version they heard. But for me personally, I connect a lot more emotion with Elliott’s recording of the song.

this isnt even the right cover version. this is a demo. the studio quality cover version by elliott smith is far better than the original

I prefer the Jonas Brothers to each of those artists so I vote neither. Where is the JO BROS cover version? It must be somewhere, they did it as an encore at the rockin gig they played the other day. I met my new girlfriend there as well. She’s a bit younger than me but I’m nearly 15 so her being 12 is no big deal.

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