TrivialPursuit said:

So, three people have famously covered the Allen Shamblin and Mike Reid penned tune. Bruce Hornsby played the piano on it, but did no co-writing. (He later added it to his set list in concert, often times.)

Bonnie Raitt put it on her Luck of the Draw album in 1991, the first version.

George Michael had already recorded it and had it as a track on Older, released January 1997, and had a very popular version on Unplugged.

covered it on Emancipation in 1996.

So - who did it best? My list is as noted above, 1, 2, and 3. Prince's addition of lyrics near the end, etc., makes an otherwise nice song turn hokey. GM's version is pure GM, but firmly pays homage to the original. Nothing beats Bonnie's version - the first that the public ever heard of the song at the time.

So, 1 to 3, how would you arrange the list? I hope people can listen to the song and not automatically put Prince first solely because they're a Prince fan. This is about the song itself, and who put out the best version.

Edited to correct Allen's first name spelling.

[Edited 12/27/16 13:35pm]

Darren Hayes has also covered this song and it's lovely.

I really like listening to the vocals on all 4 renditions, but yes, Bonnie Raitt's is tops.

I hate that song with a passion - and it is one of my biggest disappointments that Prince ever covered it.

Genesia said:

ForeverPaisley said:

TrivialPursuit said:

So, three people have famously covered the Allen Shamblin and Mike Reid penned tune. Bruce Hornsby played the piano on it, but did no co-writing. (He later added it to his set list in concert, often times.)

Bonnie Raitt put it on her Luck of the Draw album in 1991, the first version.

George Michael had already recorded it and had it as a track on Older, released January 1997, and had a very popular version on Unplugged.

covered it on Emancipation in 1996.

So - who did it best? My list is as noted above, 1, 2, and 3. Prince's addition of lyrics near the end, etc., makes an otherwise nice song turn hokey. GM's version is pure GM, but firmly pays homage to the original. Nothing beats Bonnie's version - the first that the public ever heard of the song at the time.

So, 1 to 3, how would you arrange the list? I hope people can listen to the song and not automatically put Prince first solely because they're a Prince fan. This is about the song itself, and who put out the best version.

Edited to correct Allen's first name spelling.

[Edited 12/27/16 13:35pm]

Darren Hayes has also covered this song and it's lovely.

I really like listening to the vocals on all 4 renditions, but yes, Bonnie Raitt's is tops.

Not sure if any song has been 3 times over by Prince or associated artist, but with Bonnie working briefly with P, this song counts in my books...

Here is Candys version...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0gLhhatcY8

I like all 3, but feel the most heartfelt version belongs to Bonnie, really like that Prince chose to cover such a great song though

laurarichardson said:

Astasheiks said:

Prince's Ghost should come back and "snip" slap your arse. I Wish I Could see the look on his face saying his version wasn't that great!

Hey he knew some of his fans had no soul and would not know anything funky if it hit them in the head.

Never been fond of this track in any version but I've always preferred the GM version to Prince's.

Such a beautiful song covered by many people!

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I always thought Prince did a good make turning a sensual song into something dirty.

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By FAR the GEORGE MICHAEL version is exceptional. He hits the tone of that song perfectly.

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George Michael's live and studio versions are both stunning.

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I like George Michael's personal additional lyrics at the end of the studio version.

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darkroman said:

Such a beautiful song covered by many people!

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I always thought Prince did a good make turning a sensual song into something dirty.

Showing that he didn't have a clue what the song was about. One of Prince's biggest "fails".

Can't beat the original but, yeah, George Michael did it justice.

TrivialPursuit said:

So, three people have famously covered the Allen Shamblin and Mike Reid penned tune.

.

Numerous have. Including Adele. https://en.wikipedia.org/...ou_Love_Me

Why someone would cover this song is what puzzles me. But Prince made it his own.

[Edited 1/6/17 4:40am]

GM did it the best. His vocal performance is excellent and the arrangement is tasteful.

I like the slight "Adore" vibe on Prince's version, but it sort of gets lost in the rest of the R&B-ish schmaltz included on the album. However, I think it's one of those tracks on the album that rewards the listenes after repeated plays.

TrivialPursuit said:

But everything he says in the 2nd half goes against the meaning of the lyrics. It's a really sad song, and then Prince just has to go and feck it all up and add this seduction bollocks that's at odds with the rest of it.

jjam said:

But everything he says in the 2nd half goes against the meaning of the lyrics. It's a really sad song, and then Prince just has to go and feck it all up and add this seduction bollocks that's at odds with the rest of it.

Well, it's hardly like people don't go through mood swings in situations like that.

"She doesn't want me".

"I'm going to make her want me."

"She doesn't want me".

"Im going to make her want me".

Repeat n times.

I only liked Prince's & Tank's versions