Just another excuse for a high fidelity-style list. Here are five songs that I like that pay homage to other bands and songs.
1) Camera Obscura – Hey Lloyd, I’m ready to be heartbroken
Indie disco-floor friendly response to Lloyd Cole’s ‘Are you ready to be heartbroken?’ (which itself mentions Arthur Lee).
And lo, the man himself (and the Commotions, of course):
2) Helen Love – Debbie Loves Joey (as with most of their songs, the pop culture references flow throughout but this is one of the most charming odes to their beloved Ramones) No promo for this one, but here’s the song with a token picture of the fabulous pair for good measure!
The song mentions The Stranglers – ‘ Peaches’..so here you go (sweet bass line!):
3) Allo Darlin – Kissed Your Lips “You swang your feet and sang my favourite Weezer song, so I sang along” Take a song I already like and then sing one of my favourite songs in the middle: ace! All together now “…I’m a lot like you so please
hello, I’m here, I’m waiting…” a cracking rendition from End of the Road Festival
And Weezer’s awesome gang vocal-based ‘El Scorcho’, (And by neatest of neat links, they drop in a little Public Enemy)
4) Emmy the Great – First Love Making a point of referencing ‘The orginal Leonard Cohen version’ it’s an Hallelujah chorus from Emmy.
Sorry Emmy…it’s the Jeff Buckley version for me:
5) The Hold Steady – We Can Get Together What do Utopia, Pavement, Heavenly & Hϋsker Dϋ all have in common? They all feature in this cleverly-woven story.
Do you remember ‘Makes no sense at all?’ …well here’s a reminder. I shall leave the last power-pop word to Bob Mould and co.