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Take Cover! Love And Rockets Vs. The Temptations

When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week Love And Rockets takes on the Temptations’ “Ball Of Confusion.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!

After vocalist Peter Murphy left Bauhaus, the band decided to keep going, changing its name (and much of its sound) to Love And Rockets. Changing names and vocalists might be the most challenging thing for a group with an established audience to do, but the band went on to release another seven studio albums. Preempting the current doo-wop revival, Love And Rockets had a small hit in 1985 with this new-wave/post-punk cover of the Temptations’ Motown classic “Ball Of Confusion.” Notice how much more fun the Temptations are having during their performance. Solid evidence that more bands should have choreographed dance moves.

The Cover:

The Original:

2 replies on “Take Cover! Love And Rockets Vs. The Temptations”

Temptations good, Love and Rockets bad. L&R went on to pave the road for more lame 80’s British synth pop bands dominate the airwaves of the mid to late part of that decade while the best American rock bands suffered. …” Cuz I survived the eighties one time already, and I don’t recall it all that fondly!”

I wish this wasn’t put to the vote because Love and Rockets really impressed me with their version. I can definitely see why they have released seven studio albums. In the end, they were up against a fivesome that clearly showed why they were one of the Motown greats. More heart and soul, not to mention(as an understatement) a ton of talent and it was clear that The Temptations were not to be denied. In my opinion, one of the more interesting matchups.

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