Living in the Midwest does not afford many opportunities for keeping warm, despite the mild winter we've been having so far. When the temp dips below 0, it's time to start thinking of the sun and fun. Which is what the 80's meant to me.
For some reason, REO Speedwagon has been running through my mind. Initially, I wanted to use 'In My Dreams' but couldn't find any decent covers I was anxious to share. Then I came across this song. Another great REO song, and I think two good covers.
I know not everyone is an 80s music fan, so I apologize in advance. To be honest, I was keen on using David Bowie this battle but I have a sneaking suspicion someone else in the Battle Area (see below) will be utilizing one of his songs, and ironically enough I covered him last month.
But I digress,
It's now time for....
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The two musical contenders for this Battle of the Bands are found below.
Please listen to both and let me know which you like best.
Smokie
Da Ville
Those are the two contenders. Ignoring the actual videos, who do you think performs the song best? I collected the two bands to battle it out, now it's your job to vote on your favourite. Please list your preferred song choice in the comments. Additionally, let me know why you feel the way you do. Voting ends on the 22nd when I'll cast my own vote and announce the winner in a separate posting.
Additional Questions:
What song makes you think of Summer?
What do you do to keep warm in Winter?
Where were you when you heard David Bowie died?
Did you enjoy this Battle of the Bands feature? Then don't forget to visit the other participants in the Battle of the Band to see what sort of music they are featuring. You will certainly be entertained, so click on their links below.
FAR AWAY SERIES
STMcC PRESENTS 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
TOSSING IT OUT
JANIE JUNEBUG RIGHTING AND EDITING
YOUR DAILY DOSE
BOOK LOVER
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
NOVEL BREWS
QUIET LAUGHTER
HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS
BE_REINVINTAGED
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE
Are you currently in the BOTB and don't see your name in the list above? Let me know in comments and I'll include it.
The song fits both genres of music well. I actually have to give it to Daville for his smooth voice.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice
DeleteJEFFY ~
ReplyDeleteGoing with an REOJOURNEYSTYXSPEEDWAGON song this round, eh?
My buddies and I used to call all three of those bands by that same name, but the truth is, I still do like me some REO SPEEDWAGON, which is more than I can say about the bands JOURNEYSTYX and STYXJOURNEY.
Both of these covers were pretty good. I didn't expect to like the Da Ville version based on that clown's style, or lack of originality in appearance.
I could have easily voted either way in this Battle. In the final analysis (having listened to both versions twice) I'm going to give my vote to SMOKIE in a 55-45 decision. I liked what Da Ville did with it musically, but the vocals in SMOKIE struck me as just a shade more sincere.
Good Battle though, Brother. Any time I have to listen to both recordings twice, that's a tough vote to cast.
>>... What song makes you think of Summer?
Shoot, I could say, "Almost anything by The Beach Boys". But I'll be even more specific and say: 'The Warmth Of The Sun' by The Beach Boys.
>>... What do you do to keep warm in Winter?
I curl up next to a wildcat and drink lots of wine, whiskey, and wildcat.
>>... Where were you when you heard David Bowie died?
I was right here, reading your blog, because this is the first I've heard of it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I find it odd my last music battle featured a Bowie song, and then suddenly he dies. I hadn't even heard he was sick.
DeleteI like REO SW. This is kind of a schlocky song, but it does have 80's all over it and those were good times for me. It's good stuff, but I probably wouldn't listen to it too much now.
ReplyDeleteThe Da Ville version seemed kind of weird to me. It was okay, but it sounded a bit loungy to me. Smokie captured the essence of the original sound. I like them best.
Songs that make me think of summer tend to be chart hits from the summer of 66 and 67 when I was listening to top 40 radio a lot. Especially Beach Boys music--so much summer in their stuff.
I've been turning the heat on in the mornings (don't use the heat much in Los Angeles) and wrapping up in blankets when I watch TV. I get colder the older I get.
I was sitting in front of my computer when I heard about David Bowie. That's where I first saw the news.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I was in a REO mood yesterday but was having a hard time finding good cover versions of some of their songs. This one seemed to be the best option. And yes, I still listen to 80's music. On a fairly consistent basis.
DeleteHi Jeffrey - I pass here and as I'm not on the list .. I guess I can! Lots of Bowie around ... I'd better check out your previous post ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNo worries about passing. But it means a lot to me you stopped in to say hi. :)
DeleteHi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge fan of REO Speedwagon. I like their songs more than their style of delivery. Reggae is one of the few categories of music that I have not fully embraced and therefore I struggled with the version by DaVille. That leaves Smokie. I actually like their version more than the REO original because the vocals are more masculine and earthy and I like the country rock style. I'm going with Smokie on this one.
EXTRA CREDIT QUESTIONS:
What song makes you think of Summer?
"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini."
What do you do to keep warm in Winter?
Keep warm? I live in Florida!
Where were you when you heard David Bowie died?
I was here online, just logged on and read the news.
It was déjà vu all over again - "the day the music died."
Thanks, good buddy Jeffrey!
Sorry the Reggae was not to your liking. For the record though, I've never fully embraced the style either. But I did think the version of the song was okay.
Delete"Keep warm? I live in Florida!" - Some of us in the Midwest forget from time to time there are other warmer states we could move to. LOL
I was on vacation when I heard Bowie died. I opened my computer to work on some writing and BOOM! There was Yahoo news.
Smokie for sure. Although I must admit the reggae version is certainly different!
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on reggae, but I must admit, I didn't mind listening to it.
DeleteDaville delivers a happy peppy musical vibe with this song. The curious thing is Smokies slower version has more musical impact. Its earthiness is enough to evoke an emotional reaction which likely brought the house down. It would be fun to travel back in time and find out! Smokies got my vote.
ReplyDeleteI was at my laptop when I read David Bowie was dead. I just can't believe it! Piers Morgan tweeted yesterday: David Bowie dead from cancer at 69.
Now Alan Rickman dead from cancer at 69.
Two great talents, one bloody awful disease.
Truly awful disease, it's what took my father too.
DeleteSeems the majority of the people read the news on their laptop/computer.
Thanks for voting and the reasoning. Sounds perfectly logical to me.
I love me some REO Speedwagon! Great song choice. And, yes, I do love the 80's. That was such a fun decade. I think if I could go back and do it all over again... hmm okay, maybe not ALL of the 80's, but I certainly had a good time in that era.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to give my vote to Smokie, because I was transported back to the 80's during that song (hell, I even broke out the AquaNet and fluffed up my hair for a few minutes!)
What song makes you think of Summer? Just about anything by the Beach Boys
What do you do to keep warm in Winter? I'm lucky to live in an area where it's fairly mild in the winter, but I do like to sip my hot cocoa and cappuccino while reading blogs and listening to music in the Winter.
Where were you when you heard David Bowie died? Online. I was so taken back. I had just watched Lemmy's memorial service the day before and I was still processing that in my mind when I read the news. There were just too many coincidences in both of their deaths, that I actually thought it was a hoax at first and did some digging and researching to find out if it was really true. I've got my Bowie post coming out on Monday. So many great voices gone recently. Scott Weiland, Lemmy, Natalie Cole, Nicholas Caldwell, and now Bowie. At least we have their musical talents to remember them with.
I'd almost forgotten about Natalie Cole. So sad, but they live on as long as we continue to enjoy their music.
DeleteSeems Beach Boys is a popular reminder of Summer. Perhaps I should plan a trip to Kokomo.
AW, Jeffrey - Loved 80's music. This is some choice here. I would love to go Reggae, but Smokie took my heart... in fact I like it better than the original REO. I've got to copy your link to add to my playlist! Happy Battle!!
ReplyDeleteI picked one question to answer: What do you do to keep warm in Winter?
I have a huge Teddy Bear I place in front of the heat vent. Once he warms up, we jump in the bed - nighty-night!
Warmed Teddy Bear - That's an awesome idea!
DeleteAnd I was afraid to put REO Speedwagon in the mix.
Although I'm not a huge fan of 80s music per se, it's good to keep an open mind. Please don't ever apologize for your music choices, Jeffrey. They are part of who you are. ☺ Da Ville's version was a bit different and therefore more interesting, so I'm voting for him.
ReplyDeleteWhat song makes you think of Summer? So many: Summer in the City - Lovin' Spoonful, In the summertime - Mungo Jerry, Summertime - from Porgy & Bess - multiple singers including Janis Joplin, All Summer Long - Kid Rock, etc., etc.
What do you do to keep warm in Winter? Stay inside when possible, drink hot beverages (often with brandy), use heating pads, jack up the thermostat. Not my favourite season! I like Dixie's teddy bear idea. Dogs are great warmer uppers, too. ☺
Where were you when you heard David Bowie died? Right here, at home. I read it on the internet. So shocking and sad! RIP ♥
Hot beverage with Brandy. Hmmmm, I may have to do that. I have some cider that might work well with.
DeleteSee? And you were one of the people I was thinking about regarding the 80's music. Yes, I know I shouldn't apologize, but I always do for some reason. As I told my counsellor once. "You are right, I do apologize a lot. You are right, I should stop doing that so much. Sorry about that."
I liked both of these versions but I liked Smokie a wee bit more so give my vote to Smokie.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE REO Speedwagon and they definitely remind me of summer. Another group that always takes me back to summer times is Supertramp.
Re: keeping warm in winter: Well, first of all, i live in Austin, Texas so I rarely have to turn my heat on. But when it is cold here, I snuggle up with my greyhounds. They have amazingly hot body heat and they're so cuddly...
So sad to lose David Bowie this week. I heard about it online. What a body of work he has/had!
Great battle Jeffrey.
Michele at Angels Bark
Cool, another Speedwagon fan. And I love Supertramp too.
DeleteWow, what a great match up! I've gotta give my vote to Smokie and I feel a music download coming on...
ReplyDeleteREO Speedwagon just stopped by my town in September for the Fair (the worst stage set up ever...but within earshot of the chickens, so not all bad).
Thanks, Jeffrey!
Now you have me wondering what was wrong with the stage set-up.
DeleteHi Jeffrey, thanks for stopping by and checking up on me. My BOTB is posted now, finally. but let's talk about your BATTLE here.
ReplyDeleteI like REO Speedwagon and I like this song. Because of that, I was prepared to not like either cover, but I really like Smokie's version. Held true to the original, but with great vocals. Give him my vote.
What song makes me think of summer - 'Under the Boardwalk'.
What do I do to keep warm - take a hot shower and curl up in bed (unfortunately I'm cold a lot, my body thermostat doesn't work well)
Where was I when I heard that David Bowie Died - In bed reading a text.
Under the Boardwalk is a great song.
DeleteI'm so glad to hear you are feeling better.
I love 80s music and I agree with you that it makes me think of summer.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the original to the other two- but if I had to pick one I would pick Smokie. It might be that I listened to this song a million times, so it is hard to hear someone else cover it.
Fun!
~Jess
It's always hard to hear someone else cover a song you know and love dearly. Thanks for stopping by to vote.
DeleteYou know that I love 80s music. Unlike my pal StMc, I love Journey, Styx, and REO (ha!). I also really like this song. I think that Smokie held pretty true to the original. I was hoping that DaVille would do something a bit different. Turns out, they did and I didn't like it. Ha. Sometimes the joke is on me! So, give my vote to Smokie.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a warm winter and living in Florida it's been really warm. It was almost 80 degrees yesterday in the afternoon. Still and all, I really like Kenny Chesney's song Summertime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSn0JFRiPI
I saw that David Bowie died when I logged onto Facebook yesterday. I didn't even know he was sick, so I was shocked.
Bowie kept his illness on the down-low. Still, I'm surprised he was able to keep it so quiet.
DeleteI love the REO Speedwagon version very much. I vote for Smokie because this version has more "oomph". DaVille was nothing but a wet blanket to me-too drippy for my taste. I think of Meatloaf's album "Bat out of Hell" when I think of summer. I layer in winter but since I am in the midst of menopause and welcome the cold, I may not be the best to answer this. I was having breakfast, sitting in front of the TV, Monday morning and heard it on the news. I thought they were joking at first-very sad
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, at first I thought it was a hoax. It would have been a very bad hoax, but for whatever reason, that's what I thought. Probably because most people never even knew he was ill.
DeleteGive my vote to DaVille. I love Smokie's raspy voice, but it was nearly identical to the original. I liked the reggae-inspired sound of DaVille's cover, and even though it might not be to everyone's liking, I appreciate that he did something different to the song by incorporating a new sound.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you voting for who you like best. There is a reason I don't read comments before I vote. Sometimes it changes my opinion and I like to vote with no prior bias.
DeleteThanks for stopping by to vote.
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteI like REO Speedwagon! This is a nice classic from the 80s, you have no reason to apologize with me. :) Both contenders are nice picks. I think my ear preferred the sound of Smokie the best. His style reminded me of the original. So, please give my vote to contender #1.
The moment I realize the days are growing a little longer sparks that the first thoughts of summer. I love the extended sunlight that comes with summer! I bundle in layers to keep warm during the winter months. Thankfully, we haven't dropped to the single digits yet. Tonight, if the forecast holds true, then it'll be the oldest night yet for us with temps calling for 10º. I'm SO tired of winter! I woke up last Monday with a text alert on my phone announcing Bowie's death. It's always sad to hear of a well known celebrity's passing.
I've been pretty busy lately and keeping up in Blogosphere is proving to be a bit of a challenge these days. With that I"m sorry for the late visit. Here's hoping you have a tunetastic week, my friend!
We just hit negative numbers this past weekend in Milwaukee. Nothing like trying to start a car in -7° weather. I'm so looking forward to Summer now.
DeleteNo worries about the late visit, I tend to be a bit late myself lately. It's rough trying to keep up with everyone.
I'm going with DaVille here. Smokie's is too much like the REO original.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great reason to me. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI vote for DaVille. I like the more delicate sound of the voice. A lot of Seals and Crofts songs make me think of summer. Because I live in Florida, I usually don't have to do much to stay warm. It's forty degrees at the moment, which is pretty chilly for us. I'm wearing a robe over my jammies, and I'm covered with a blanket. I also use Willy Dunne Wooters to keep me warm.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
40° is just a dream for me at the moment. It would be nice to have that again.
DeleteOne more for DaVille
Smokie won. I liked the vocals and the band had a stronger presence.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are back to Smokie votes.
DeleteThe one song that makes me think of summer, in probably a melancholy way, is The Hooters cover of "Boys of Summer". That cover, is how the song was meant to be played. Not the original.
ReplyDeleteI Are Writer!
Hmmmm, I may have to feature that at some point in my music battles.
DeleteDid you have a pick between these two songs?
The second was interesting but Smokie is my winner. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote. One more Smokie
DeleteWho doesn't love 80s music?! Have to go with Smokie.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, a few people I know hate 80's music.
DeleteGetting a late vote in: SMOKIE (I didn't really care for the DaVille version.. TOO 80s for me, haha)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have any songs that remind me of any specific seasons... I guess I don't think of them like that? I do have one song that every time I hear it, it reminds me of being on the lake on a boat (Sweet Home Alabama) because my dork ass father-in-law blasted it the first time I went on the boat with my husband and his family haha
I did Bowie covers, haha, but yeah I was really bummed to hear the news. Sitting on my couch taking a break from my never-ending job hunt. I had to listen to his greatest hits album for the rest of the day *sigh*
Also, here's my fave version of you BOTB song (haha) https://youtu.be/rm5MDenG5QY
Believe it or not, I did see that version. But I have to be honest, I have not been a Russell Brand fan since the Big Brother Big Mouth days.
DeleteIsn't there always one guy who has to blast a song they love and ruin it for everyone?