The other morning, I was awakened by Luke Combs singing “Fast Car” on my clock radio. I was reminded that this was one of the rare times that a cover song or remake of a hit song is as good as the original.
Usually we prefer the version we are most familiar with. Even if someone else did a song first, we’ll prefer the cover if that’s what we heard first. When I heard Elton John sing “Pinball Wizard,” I had no idea that it had first been done by The Who.
I truly love hearing Dolly Parton sing “Time for Me to Fly,” and was surprised to learn she didn’t write it. That song was written by Patrick Cronin Jr. for his band REO Speedwagon and it was one of their biggest hits. Dolly’s bluegrass version was less successful.
Dolly is a gifted songwriter, and she penned “I Will Always Love You.” Most people have heard the cover by Whitney Houston.
Reba McEntire covered the songs “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which were hits for Dusty Springfield and Vicki Lawrence, respectively. Lenny Kravitz covered “American Woman” by the Guess Who.
The best covers take songs in a different direction entirely. Jimi Hendrix rearranged “The Star Spangled Banner” and also covered the Bob Dylan song “All Along the Watchtower.” Johnny Cash sang the song “Hurt,” originally by Nine Inch Nails. An obscure “Christian punk and metal crossover” band called One Bad Pig collaborated with Cash for a cover of “The Man in Black.”
Letters to the Editor
On to other topics.
I found a “Letter to the Editor” in my email this week from an individual who probably doesn’t exist. I’ve heard from this person before. Several years ago, we even ran a couple of his or her letters before taking a closer look at the contact information. This is why we ask everyone who submits a letter to include their name, address, and telephone number. More of the so-called “letters” that wind up in my junk mail folder are really ads offering to improve our website or make our lives better in some way.
Thanksgiving and Beyond
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. We are all scrambling to clear our calendars or add our names to the list of who will bring what to the next potluck meal. The Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) is Great Bend’s 20th Annual “Home for the Holidays” Festival and Parade. This year’s theme is “Holiday Movie Madness.” The lighted parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and will travel from Brit Spaugh Park down Main Street. Following the parade, be sure to stay for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, free hot dogs and hot chocolate, free ice skating, horse-drawn wagon, carriage and trolley rides, a Christmas petting zoo, the official opening of The Trail of Lights and Santas Around The World at 1223 Main.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Dec. 2, is Giving Tuesday and a great opportunity to donate to local charities through the Golden Belt Community Foundation. Any day is a good day to support worthy causes. The beauty of Giving Tuesday is that it serves as a year-end reminder, it is an easy way to give to one or many nonprofit organizations at one time, and some of the money donated is matched. Although Dec. 2 is the official giving “holiday,” donations are being accepted now.
