Friday, May 30, 2008

Funnnnky Friday

OK...back to the funnnnnky stuff.

The song I picked this week there are THREE (3) versions to and I need your opinions - cause I have my own...and well...I'm curious about everyone else's.

The song: I Drove All Night - was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison.

I have to admit - the first version I knew of was when Cyndi Lauper did a cover for it in the late 80's, so that was my base, but I really like Roy's version too. You can't escape that classic voice of his when you think about it.

Cyndi's version is a bit slower...a little more dramatic, and that appeals to me.

Then...there was a version by....ugh...my hands are shaking as I type this: Celine Dion.

Here's a joke for you:

Celine Dion walks into a bar
Bartender says: Why so long in the face?

barump bump!

I'm not a fan of Celine. Sorry - there is something about her face that kind of freaks me out. I know she's loved and adored by many people...but I ain't one of them.

Anyway - three versions:

Roy Orbison - more of a classic rock version of the song. Simple drums, has that 80's pop quality to it. It feels a bit too fast for Roy's voice sometimes, but if it was any slower it would seem sluggish. The video is pretty cool...gotta admit - Jason Priestly is looking miiiiighteeeee fine and there is an awesome kiss at the end!

Cindy Lauper - she slows it down and adds more drama to the song. This appeals to me because she builds it up...the anticipation and then quickens the pace. It's a bit sexier. The video...eh...I'm not so crazy about it - but it's got those classic Cyndi moves in there...and having seen her once performing live...I tell you...she is freakin' awesome in person! Her voice really surprised me.

Celine Dion - Celine puts the electronica beat to the song. The funky electronic drums building up and fading out. She has definitely turns this into a dance song to appeal to today's club hopping crowd. Crysler used this in their car ads so it became really popular there for a while. Now I am sorry to all of the Celine fans out there, but I just can't enjoy this version of the song...and the video is kind of cheesy and I don't find her sexy at all, so watching this just was....well....painful for me.

But...you be the judge. Watch each one and let me know what YOU think.

7 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

I can't even watch the Celine one, sorry. The Roy Orbison version is pretty cool (too bad the videographer can't spell "night").

I sooo miss the 80s! When else could you wear wild vintage dresses, teased hair, and dance like a maniac!

It has to be Cyndi Lauper for me. I used to love her signature tune, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

Now I'm going back to Youtube to watch "Time After Time".

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane, Shaz!

Kat

Kari Hultman said...

The Cyndi Lauper version takes me back to when I came out and got my first gf. 'nuff said.

LG said...

I have to vote for Cyndi. I heart her.

I'm not a huge Celine fan. Something about marrying her manager that she met when when she was 12 (and he was already married) creeps me the hell out. That aside, she does have an amazing voice. Just not my favorite.

dive said...

Cool, cool, cool, Shazza!

You can't beat the Big O's voice, even when he got old.

As for Cyndi Lauper.
Sigh … I had such a crush on her. What a hottie.
And what fabulous dresses! That polka dot affair … Why don't women dress like that any more? It's a tragedy.

I won't listen to the Celine Dion one as I am a musician and it's against Musicians' Union rules.
Plus I want to be able to ewat lunch without throwing up.

Right … I'm gonna sit and watch Lauper again and again.

Shark Butt said...

Cyndi remains amazing, as does Roy. Celine strikes me as having been abducted by alien drama queens and possessed by same.

Fireblossom said...

Hmm, I can't seem to bring up the videos. Perhaps this is because Celine Dion has her needle-sharp little rabies-carrying fangs sunk deep into my hand as she screeches, vote for me, damn you! Meeeeee!

And indeed, I do. Vote for the loathsome Celine's version. I like the dance beat and urgency of it, because to me it suits the lyric perfectly. Plus, for me it has sentimental associations. I also really like her song "Think Twice."

Cyndi rules, and I like her version, too. But it isn't nearly my favorite of hers. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", "Dear John", "Money Changes Everything", "All Through The Night", "True Colors" all are songs I like better. And the 80s, sighhhhhhhh, LOVE the 80s.

I don't know Roy's version at all, but I love a great many of his songs, especially "In Dreams", "Only the Lonely" and "Pretty Woman."

It's such a romantic notion, driving all night to see someone, and then to ask "is that all right?" I don't know, it's one of my favorite songs.

xo

Blossom

Songfacts said...

Roy's version is the gold standard. Check out what Billy Steinberg, who wrote the song, has to say about it:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3738