Starting today, I'm joining a group of other music enthusiasts who have decided to band together (pun intended) and showcase differing selections of the same song. Here is how it works. On the 1st and 15th of each month, I'll be posting two versions of the same song. Your job will be to vote on your favourite. Which artist did you think performed the song the best? I encourage everyone to listen to both versions all the way through, then comment, letting me know which you thought was better. It would be nice to know why you feel the way you do as well. On my next BOTB (Battle of the Band) feature, I'll reveal who I have voted for, and the overall winner.
For my first battle, I've chosen the song 'Giving It All Up For Love'.
I'm a big fan of 80's music Huey Lewis was one of the first artists I started collecting cassettes of. Yes, that's right. Back in my day we listened to music on cassettes. And we liked it. However, I didn't think it would be fair to choose one of his most popular songs, so I thought I'd find one most people are not familiar with.
So without further ado, let's begin with the song performed by Huey Lewis and the News.
The group was originally named Huey Lewis and the American Express, however their manager convinced them to change the name. Huey Lewis and the News provided for Back to the Future and Huey Lewis himself has a cameo in it. He tells Marty McFly (Performing one of the songs from Huey Lewis and the News) that he is just too dang loud. Huey has also provided his harmonica talents to Thin Lizzy's 1978 Live and Dangerous album and he produced Bruce Hornsby's 1986 album 'The Way it Is'. Take it away Huey Lewis and the News.
This song was also covered by Phil Lynott, a member of Thin Lizzy. Thin Lizzy is probably best known for their song 'The Boys Are Back in Town'. One of the cool things I found about Phil Lynott, he is a poet like me. In 1974 he published a collection of poems titled, 'Songs for While I'm Away'. Phil died in 1986. So let's listen to his rendition of the song.
And that's it. Which version of the song did you like? Don't forget to comment and let me know so I can tabulate which song wins my first ever Battle of the Bands.
Did you enjoy the Battle of the Bands feature? Come back on the 1st when I'll announce the winner. Also, check out more band battles by following the links below to others hosting their own 'Battles of the Band'.
STMcC PRESENTS 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
TOSSING IT OUT
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE
WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME
ALEX CAVANAUGH
YOUR DAILY DOSE
BOOK LOVER
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THIS BELLE ROCKS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
FAR AWAY SERIES
NOVEL BREWS
Jeffrey, welcome to BOTB! Okay, this is an easy pick for me. My vote goes straight to Huey Lewis & the News! I've always been a huge fan of HLN and it's hard to put them up against someone else. Great fun with a classic 80s sound! Have a bandtastic day. Dance over to my place now!
ReplyDeletehttp://curiousasacathy.com/2015/06/whatcha-see-is-whatcha-get-botb/
Yes, I've always been a Huey fan. I think I went to see him in concert at least three times. Thanks for your vote. I'll stop by later.
DeleteWelcome, Jeffrey! This is a great pair of artists for your initiation. (Hey, if you can - we usually post results 7 days later, so this one would be on the 21st...or you can be a rebel!!)
ReplyDeleteI have to give it to HUEY LEWIS!!
I've always been the 'red headed step-child' of life. Mostly because when I was younger I was red-headed and indeed a step child. That being said, I will consider your suggestion. I wouldn't like to have a separate post just for the results of this band, but perhaps I can tack them to the bottom of my next r.a.n.t. article. Only, then I feel it's buried. No worries, I'm sure the BOTB feature here will evolve nicely over time. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI really liked both versions but I'll have to go against the grain and pick Phil Lynott. His version sounded more fun to me. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote Chrys. I was actually surprised I liked Phil's version. It's always been difficult for me to like a song sung by anyone else once, I've heard it performed a certain way. Does that make sense?
DeleteI was never a fan of Huey Lewis, but I always enjoyed his music. The band is always well produced and presents rather innocuous stuff, not groundbreaking, but pop hit quality. This is a good take of this song.
ReplyDeleteI never really got into Phil Lynott until after he had died and then I came to greatly appreciate his music. In this song I like the style and presentation. The bass line is nice and solid and I really dig the orchestration.
Big Phil Lynott vote from me.
Excellent first battle choices.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks for stopping by and giving a thoughtful reasoning behind your vote. Always appreciated.
DeleteI like Lynott's version best. It had more energy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote. :)
DeleteWelcome to BOTB, Jeffrey! ☺ I found Phil Lynott's version more interesting and with more substance. Huey's is rather innocuous, as Arlee mentioned too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the welcome Debbie. Your vote for Phil Lynott is recorded.
DeleteHi. It's your favorite baby sister. I am digging the BOTB feature. That being said...
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoy both versions. They both have that 80's sound that we all love so much. However, Huey has that voice that you can't just turn off. Plus, he's pretty. ;)
Thanks Jen, I mean anonymous, for your vote.
DeleteWelcome to BOTB! My vote is for Huey Lewis - have always been a big fan of his!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the welcome. Huey appreciates your vote.
DeleteAh, ya fooled me man. I saw where you had posted your plan to use 'A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER' for this debut, and guessing you'd put Simon & Garfunkel against The Bangles, I listened to them yesterday in preparation (even though I was already very familiar with the S&G original). But then you go and pull a totally different rabbit outta yer hat.
ReplyDeleteLet's see... I do like some of Huey's stuffs and owned his 'Sports' album back in the day. My bestest girlfriend was a massive fan of theirs and we went to see him live in Hollywood at The House Of Blues on the Sunset Strip. It was a good show.
As a teenager, Thin Lizzy was a big favorite of mine - even my very favorite band for a couple years - and I saw them live 3 times. High energy shows! (Favorite album: 'Bad Reputation'. Nearly played the grooves off it!)
I thought both versions of this song were good, but in the end, I gotta cast my vote for PHIL LYNOTT, primarily because he just had SO MUCH going on musically that it was more interesting to me.
Very nice BOTB debut, Jeffrey. Both artists are getting votes and that's what be BOTBers like to see.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Now that you mention it, I was seriously thinking of A Hazy Shade for my debut but plans change. To be honest, I don't even recall where I wrote that. In the end I decided to start off with one of my favourite artists, but wanted to find something more obscure than mainstream. As soon as I found this battle, I knew it was going to be my debut. Yes, you will likely see Bangles and/or S&G at some point. Having learned my lesson however, I won't guarantee it to be next session. So who do I have planned for next time? Stop by again and find out. ;)
DeletePS - Thanks for your vote and appreciate your reasoning.
Welcome to the BOTB family Jeffrey! Great match-up for your inaugural contest. My vote goes for Phil Lynott: the sound was so much richer and I liked the upbeat tempo.
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
Thanks for stopping by. Your vote has been counted.
DeleteTony & I both vote for Lynott
ReplyDeleteSo noted.
DeleteWow. I'm really torn in this battle. I've been a Huey Lewis fan for a long time. My ex-husband was a BIG fan and we saw him in concert. It was very good. In fact, Huey Lewis was one of the few musicians we both really liked. Most of his music choices tended to be too "hard" for me. BUT, I also liked the Phil Lynott version. What's a girl to do? I'd listen to them both again... and again.
ReplyDeleteWell, write me down for Huey Lewis, with Mr. Lynott placing a very close second.
I'm so glad everyone felt I made the choice tough. Makes me feel like I'm doing my job.
DeleteHuey Lewis Good my vote for this round
ReplyDeleteThanks for voting Kate. I'm glad you like the feature.
DeleteOh, I liked Phil's unique take on this song. Made it fresh and new. I'll vote for him.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the BotB Jeff :)
Thanks for the welcome. Your vote has been counted.
DeleteOkay, this is hard because I am absolutely in love with Huey Lewis and have a bunch of their songs on my playlist that I listen to every day..... but Philip's rendition is really cool. So I'm voting for Philip. :) (kg)
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting when you vote against your favourite artists. Thanks for making the tough choice.
DeleteI could swear I already commented, but I guess not. Ugh, sorry! My vote's for Huey Lewis and the News.
ReplyDeleteWell, the vote has been counted now. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWoohoo, Jeffery! Welcome to the plunge! Really, BOTB is like Hotel California - you can check out but you can never leave - ha! Yeah, yeah, yeah, well... this is no easy peasy for me. Today's battles have all given me insight into how far away I can run - before my rope tightens!
ReplyDeleteI love Huey, but this was not a song I liked. Wasn't a fan of Tin Lizzy - yep, I know... but Phil Lynott does a good job with this song. I think you did great here!
My vote is for Phil!
Yes, I picked a less liked Huey Lewis song on purpose. Make the challenge more interesting. Thanks for your vote.
DeleteSo was it intentional that Huey gives it up and Phillip gives it all in?
ReplyDeleteThat's how the video's were on youtube. I was never consulted when they titled them. ;)
DeletePS - Your vote on FB has been counted.
I'm liking Phillip's version (though I could have done without the violins) because it's so upbeat and makes me want to dance.
ReplyDeleteHope it makes you want to keep blogging. :)
DeleteWe saw Huey and the News in concert when they were at the height of their popularity. It was a fun evening. I must vote for Huey's familiar sound.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for the vote.
DeleteHi Jeffrey, welcome to BATTLE OF THE BANDS.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Huey Lewis, but on this one not so much. Give my vote to Phil Lynott. I liked the instrumentation in his version much better.
I admit, I think Phil did a great job with this number. It will be hard for me to decide which I like better.
DeleteThis is a fun feature, I liked Huey Lewis the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote. Looks like we have people choosing both artists. So this will be an interesting result.
Delete