Secondly, I apologize for having done so many song battles in the past centred around the 80's. I endeavour to be more diverse and expansive. As such, I'm offering today a Dusty Springfield song. It's a great song from the 60's. I think you will like both versions I have provided. I was shocked to discover how many people have actually covered this song. So many in fact, it was difficult choosing the two I actually wanted to use. There were at least two other versions I was interested in using.
Anyway, I'm back as I said before. I hope you enjoy this battle!
For reference only: Dusty Springfield - I Only Want To Be With You
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The two musical contenders for this Battle of the Bands are below.
Please listen to both and tell me who you like best.
Nicolette Larson
Samantha Fox
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 30th when I'll cast my vote (if needed) and announce the winner in a separate posting.
Additional Questions:
Are you familiar with either of the combatants? Like or dislike?
What is your favourite Dusty Springfield song?
Do you have a 60s band you love the most?
For anyone who missed the results of my last battle - New York State of Mind
You can find the results posted: HERE
If you enjoyed this Battle of the Bands feature, 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
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
QUIET LAUGHTER
BE_REINVINTAGED
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE
eViL pOp TaRt
HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS
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.
This is definitely an old standard. Funny, but I've never heard either version by the contenders though I am familiar with both of them. I especially know Larson through her work with Neil Young. Fox was okay if not a bit run of the mill. I much prefer the style of Nicolette Larson so that's my vote.
ReplyDeleteDusty had so many great songs. The first one that comes to mind is "Wishin' and Hopin'"--I like that one, but I'd probably think of some I liked better if I really put my mind to it.
Favorite 60's band? Can I really say that I have just one favorite? So many different kinds of bands in that era with so much to offer by so many.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Dusty Springfield, many great songs. I agree, it's hard to pick a particular favourite from a specific era. For me, it would be hard to pick only one favourite from the 80s'.
DeleteWelcome back, Jeffrey! ☺
ReplyDeleteThat's a real 60's classic. I'm picking Nicolette Larson's version. Samantha Fox's techno-pop style doesn't appeal at all.
You asked:
Are you familiar with either of the combatants? Like or dislike? I've heard the names, but that's about it. Not really my taste.
What is your favourite Dusty Springfield song? She had many good ones. "Son of a Preacher Man" springs to mind.
Do you have a 60s band you love the most? TOO many to list! Top five would include The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Steppenwolf, Moody Blues, The Animals.
I'm more familiar with Samantha Fox and I'm really not expecting a lot of people to choose her. Probably her best known hit 'I Wanna Have Some Fun' was somewhat silly, so I was surprised she performed this song as well as she did. But, that doens't mean I expect her to get a lot of votes, but we'll see.
DeleteThanks for the welcome back.
Speaking of Moody Blues, I almost went with one of their songs. Maybe next time.
Samantha Fox was very techno/disco. An acquired taste, I suppose. ☺ I'll enjoy anything by the Moody Blues. Have a good weekend.
DeleteYes, good point. Very acquired taste. I'd be better to pit Samantha Fox against another techno song. Perhaps another time.
DeleteI've always loved this music era and this song is a perfect example :-) Dusty did so many songs so well. Though I am familiar with both contenders, I think Nicolette Larson's version rang true to Dusty's form and therefore she gets my vote. But it was a tough decision as both were very good. The song that came to mind from Dusty's long list of hits was "You don't have to say you love me" Others were, "Downtown" by Petula Clark, "Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding, and "Runaway" by Del Shannon. Now that you've put me in a sixties frame of mind I think I'll dust off some old records and hope the needle still works ;-) (I used to have a cat who found the record player endlessly amusing!)
ReplyDeleteI do love the 60s as well, and I shall endeavour to play more battles from that (and other) eras. As mentioned, I'm going to try and be more versatile in the months to come.
DeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteI am a bit surprised at myself as I thought I would be giving my vote to Samantha Fox. but it turns out that I enjoyed Nicolette Larson just a little bit more.
Dusty had some really great songs. I would have to say Son of a Preacher Man and Wishin and Hopin are at the top of the list for me.
Favorite 60's band? Too many to choose from. The Turtles, The Beau Brummels, The Doors, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, CCR, The Monkees, Led Zeppelin... I could go on and on.
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
I'm still trying to decide who I may vote for. Ultimately, I may give Samantha Fox a pity vote. However, I do admit Larson does a great cover. So I may have to go with the majority. Which is a pity because Samantha really does do a good job on the song considering some of her few other singles.
DeleteMary Burris and I may have been separated at birth - I feel the same way and I've gotta give my vote to Nicolette Larson.
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with either of the combatants? Like or dislike?
Only "in general." Not a big follower of either.
What is your favourite Dusty Springfield song?
Son of the Preacher Man!
Do you have a 60s band you love the most?
Beatles, Monkees, CS&N, Dylan
Great battle, Jeffrey!
The Monkeys was another consideration of mine for this battle. Perhaps next time the 60s come around in my battle.
DeleteDusty Sproingfield was a real talent - sorely missed! Both Samantha Fox and Nicolette Larson sound good; but I'll give my not to Nicolette. Neither really had to do cheesy covers.
ReplyDeleteI see we have a run-away vote. I wonder if I have ever had a blow-out before. I don't really recall.
DeleteBoth women had good voices, but I liked the backing on the Nicolette Larson version better, so she gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteDusty Springfield was a great vocalist and I liked a lot of her stuff, especially "Son Of A Preacher Man." She did a great job on "Windmills of Your Mind," too, and her version of The Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure" is pretty dynamite.
I think when compared to Dusty Springfield, Fox is too techno, which is possibly what has been loosing her some votes.
DeleteWelcome back! I am sad to say I am out of data and can't listen to any of them. But I like the song. It's a light, feel good song.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, blogging at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Well, if you end up getting more data, feel free to stop back and vote. Polls will remain open till the 8th.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Jeffrey, I haven't heard of either of the contenders. Both did a good job. I think I liked contestant #2 the best because she reminds me a lot of Dusty. So, give Samantha Fox my vote please. Gee, I don't know what my favorite Dusty song is or who is my favorite 60s band. That was a good era for music. Hermans Hermits, The Monkees, Gary Pucket and the Union Gap and so many more. So, no I can't name just one. Sorry! Loved the throwback flavor of today's battle, though. Have a bandtastic week!
ReplyDeleteDrops of Jupiter #BoTB showdown
Thanks for voting and stopping the blow-out. Much appreciated.
DeleteAs mentioned in a few other replies so far, I'm going to try and do more covers from this and various other eras.
Hi Jeffrey - I love Dusty Springfield's voice .. she was amazing - so sad to lose her so young ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI agree, an amazing voice and talent. She is missed, I loved much of her music too.
DeleteI'm not familiar with the contestants, but I like them. I vote for Nicolette Larson. I like her sound better. Samantha Fox's voice has a little less feeling. I'm with Cherdo on Dusty's Son of a Preacher Man.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That too may be Fox's down fall. Not enough feeling.
DeleteI wasn't familiar with either contender but I like Nicolette Larson's version best. I wasn't crazy with the techno sound of Samantha Fox's version. I like Nicolette's voice too so please give her my vote.
ReplyDeleteGreat song choice! Such a classic!
Michele at Angels Bark
Samantha's version, I think, is a prime example of a song over produced. Sometimes less is more.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey! Happy June, good buddy!
ReplyDelete"I Only Want To Be With You" is my favorite Dusty Springfield song, and one particular live performance of hers, I think on The Ed Sullivan Show, is on my list of the greatest live performances in the history of rock 'n' roll. Sadly that complete performance was removed from YouTube a couple of years ago and now, I believe, only exists as part of the following video which combines two of Dusty's live performances of the song. The segment from :50 to 1:30, the version in which she "punches" the words, is the performance that I consider to be the definitive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uRlU81Kz0Q
I am also familiar with both artists in your battle. Neither version of the song presented in the contest is what I would call remarkable and neither comes close to matching the greatness of Dusty's original. Nicolette Larson has a pleasing voice but, at least on this recording, it lacks passion and fire. However, I disliked Brit girl Samantha Fox's version because it was formulaic, run-of-the-mill 80s synthpop, pretty average and ordinary. I give my vote to Nicolette Larson because her recording gets better, more lively and more interesting toward the middle and end of the song.
Thanks, good buddy Jeffrey!
Isn't it amazing how much we can find on the Youtube channel?
DeleteLike everyone else, you've found the secret behind a lot of late 80's early 90's music. What I find interesting is how many of us really do love the Dusty version. I wonder if this battle would have been so one sided had I pitted Dusty against Larson.
>>... I was shocked to discover how many people have actually covered this song.
ReplyDeleteMe, I was shocked when I discovered that DUSTY SPRINGFIELD was a lesbian. Ran across an article somewhere about how her girlfriend beat her up once in a lover's quarrel. I was never a huge fan of hers anyway, but that story kinda... I dunno... I'll just never hear a Dusty Springfield song the same way again.
Favorite '60s performers?
THE BEACH BOYS (for terrific Pop/Rock music innovation and the best harmonizing ever).
BOB DYLAN (for the most innovative lyric writing ever).
Favorite Dusty Springfield song?
How does that one go?
My girlfriend's back and I'm gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la, hey-la, my girlfriend's back)
When I see her comin', better cut out on the double
(Hey-la, hey-la, my girlfriend's back)
I always liked NICOLETTE LARSON's 1978 cover of Neil Young's song 'LOTTA LOVE'. And in this Battle, NICOLETTE gets my vote because she kept that '60s vibe intact. Did not care for Samantha Fox's faux-Disco Techno touches.
Samantha Fox... was she a member of The Runaways with Joan Jett? Or is she just a Runaways wannabe?
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Samantha Fox probably didn't try hard enough to be distinctive. Sure, the version of the song is different, but as pointed out in other comments, her style was the same as almost everyone else in the late 80's to early 90's. Which means it might have been fun to listen to at the time (or nostalgically) but does not make it memorable.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJeffrey, I'm glad you posted a battle. Both versions are good so this is a tough choice for me. Nicolette Larson is smooth. In fact I like her version better than Dusty's. However ( a formal word for, 'but')... I really liked the speedier version of Samantha. I'm in the minority that likes Disco... (and offer no apology.)
ReplyDeletevote for Samantha Fox!
No apologies needed. I'm in a minority that likes disco too. Despite that, I'm still torn who I may be voting for. I may not vote at all, we shall see.
DeleteI am going with Nicolette Larson because her voice sounded better and I didn't care for the disco dance beat of the 2nd so the first gets my vote
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to vote. Not one of my best battles, is it?
DeleteNicolette Larson gets my vote, I new Samantha Fox more. 60 bands so many and so many different styles
ReplyDeleteOne more vote for Larson.
DeleteI know I shouldn't, but I'm going with Samantha Fox and her disco sound :D Like Dixie, I'm not going to apologize for it—although, as a rule, disco isn't one of my favorite genres, but this one won me over. It may have to do with the fact that the version of this song I know best is a cover by Mexican (well, Puerto-Rican, but he insists he's Mexican) singer Luis Miguel... We just can't get away from the 80's, can we? ;)
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/yG7MPEQm1-w
Great battle, Jeffrey!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
It's true, even when I try to find something a little different, I'm right back to the 80's.
DeleteAlso, thanks for not apologizing for your pick. Because I may be choosing the same version, and I won't apologize.
I'll have to listen to that version.