Thursday, July 12, 2012

Tuneage ~ What You Waiting For?

You know how, apropos of nothing, a tune comes to mind? The other day, Gwen Stefani's What You Waiting For  popped into my head. I'd gotten a kick out of it when it was released in 2004 and still enjoy it today, though I'd not thought about it in a while. I remember, when it came out, amusing myself with imagining a robotic, electric keyboard type voice reciting the lyrics, "Look at your watch now, you're still a super hot female..." (Because I'm utterly ridiculous, obviously.)


The video's a bit long; the song doesn't actually start till around the 1:45 mark.

After locating the video, which I'd not seen before, I discovered there were (at least) two covers of the tune by artists whose work I've admired. The first surprised a snort out of me: Franz Ferdinand. I mean, I imagined it would be fun, but they didn't seem likely candidates, to me, for a cover of this particular song. Then I heard it and was hooked - I like it as much as, and possibly more than, the original (but then, I do adore these fellas' energy and sound, anyway).


Keep an ear out for a little musical twist toward the end.


The cover version by Marina & the Diamonds, however, did not prove as successful, in my opinion. I dig the singer, Marina, and her groovy vocal stylings, especially in their song Mowgli's Road, which I heart, heart, heart. But their take on Stefani's tune didn't really thrill me. Maybe it's 'cause they lowered the key, or stripped it down, instrumentally...I dunno. It just didn't seem, to me, to work as well as the Franz Ferdinand cover.




What do y'all think?

19 comments:

  1. I'm so out of touch with modern music.....I've been playing Song Pop on Facebook and I bum out whenever 'youngsters' challenge me to anything released since 1990.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hah! Well, it's a good thing you're following my blog then, ain't it? ;-)

      Delete
  2. I like Gwen Stefani, though I'm a bit less familiar with the other artists you mentioned here. I'll definitely have to check them out though. Cover versions can be hit or miss sometimes. I think it might be in part because you're always comparing it to the original.

    Anyway, I have ulterior motives for being here.

    I have a couple of awards for you, if you'd like them. Feel free to stop by and pick them up.

    http://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've always thought this was one of the only decent songs on Stefani's album. I hadn't heard the covers. In fact, I first heard Marina just this week. Nice timing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's like magic! I didn't get this album so I honestly am not familiar with it. But I dig this tune!

      Delete
  4. I had forgotten about this song - it's better than I remembered it. But yeah - could have done without the first minute and a half of her sitting in a chair. I like the Marina sound; I agree the song doesn't quite work. sheesh I am agreeing with everything you wrote, always odd for me to find myself in agreement, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like Marina's voice a lot - unique and gorgeous timbre. And as for always agreeing with me - great minds, and all that. ;-)

      Delete
  5. Gwen Stefani is a religion! Thanks for the pickmeup! I needed that! Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't listened to any Gwen in years. I was a fan of No Doubt when they first came out, but I think that's when I fell out of "cool" with music. Hehehe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't gone out of my way to listen to any of her solo stuff in a while either, then BANG, something's in your head for days! :-)

      Delete
  7. Hadn't heard this song before - now I've heard three versions. I like them all, but most enjoy the Franz Ferdinand version.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love Gwen Stephani and this song. Often I'm surprised to find out that a song I thought originated from one band actually had an earlier incarnation.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, one more thing! Stop by my blog to pick up your very own Booker Award!
    Catherine Stine’s Idea City

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had that band/originator issue too. And thanks so much for the award!

      Delete
  10. Very cool covers! I've never heard of those other singers but I kinda like them. Thanks for bringing them to my attention! Great post, awesome song. =)

    ReplyDelete

C'mon, post a comment. All the cool kids do.