PricelessHo said:

I haven`t heard Cissy Houston`s version, how is it?

Icicle said:

it's actually quite good

you can listen 2 it here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...rain.shtml

TonyVanDam said:

But Ike & Tina Turner version can be the best.

Gloria
Them& Van Morrison, The Doors& Jim Morrison

PricelessHo said:

In Mariah's (day)dreams...

Ok if u like this thread, you´ll probably like Secondhandsongs

http://www.secondhandsongs.com/home/

I love all these covers

Funkier than a mosquitos tweeter - Tina / Nina
Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty / Aretha
Dark End of The Street - James Carr / Aretha (I love both versions so much)
Respect - Otis / Aretha
You Send Me - Sam Cooke / Aretha
Tainted Love - Gloria Jones / Soft Cell

AlexdeParis said:

last i checked it was a matter of personal tastes

"Wild Is The Wind" by Nina Simone/David Bowie. Two definitive versions fer sure.

TonyVanDam said:

however: I Drove All Night- Cyndi/ Roy Orbison gets my vote..

and i'm sure i will be hated for this but:

Whats Going On- Marvin Gaye/ Cyndi Lauper

Proud Mary- Clearance Clearwater/ Ike & Tina

sosgemini said:

.....for stealing my idea! I was thinking about THAT song at work today.

PricelessHo said:

Last I checked "definitive" implied some kind of agreement or general consensus.

Najee said:

I wouldn't agree with that one either. I'm not saying it's all cut and dried, but shouldn't "definitive" versions be comparable in terms of popularity and/or artistic merit? I absolutely love Marvin Gaye's version of "Yesterday," but I'd consider the original the only definitive version. On the other hand, the two versions of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye were both critical and commercial successes that still live on to this day; I'd say they are both definitive. Does that make sense?

AlexdeParis said:

Yes, it very much makes sense.

Basically, each song stands on its own merits and is distinctive, yet retaining some of the common elements that make it a strong composition. In essence, both versions of the song can be identified strongly with each artist without one version overwhelming the other.

Also, like you said it has to be a memorable song by the general music audience of that genre. "You and I" is one of those songs that wouldn't rank high on most people's list as a definitive Stevie Wonder song, and O'Bryan is a fairly obscure artist that no one readily identifies with that song. So both the critical integrity and commercial appeal are important in the distinction.

Speaking of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," wouldn't you consider Roger Troutman's version of the song definitive?
[Edited 11/14/06 18:28pm]

Najee said:

Agreed.


I'm on the fence with that one. I love Roger and I love what he did with the song, but I still see it as "Roger's cover of 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'" (whereas the same isn't true about Marvin's version). It was a successful single for Roger, but I think its importance is trumped by the two versions already mentioned.

sosgemini said:

nah fuck that, that ain't even funny. you need to go home with that.

AlexdeParis said:

We tend not to look at Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" as a remake because he wrote it originally and gave it to Gladys Knight & The Pips then his version was released. I feel you have to include Roger Troutman's version for the following reasons:

1.) It was a No. 1 single, like Marvin Gaye's and Gladys Knight & The Pips' versions.

2.) It definitely was a distinctive take on the song. Gaye's version was a dark ballad that spoke from a voice of insecurity; Gladys Knight & The Pips' version was upbeat and somewhat angry; Roger's version was funky and fun-loving and bore no resemblance to its predecessors.

3.) It was the first No. 1 single for a fairly significant soul act, and is a crucial part of the Zapp discography (likely just behind "More Bounce to the Ounce").

No, it wasn't as big as Marvin's version, but that's a big step to overcome (to eclipse Gaye's version would make it one of the most significant songs in soul music history). But if you were making a Zapp compilation, it's an essential song to include -- which means it meets the aforementioned criteria.
[Edited 11/14/06 19:05pm]

AlexdeParis said:

last i checked Stevie himself gave her a standing ovation when she sang it 2 him in his tribute, so i don't see any "consensus" better than that

NDRU said:

PricelessHo said:

Personally, I would associate Stevie Wonder's "You and I" with O'Bryan before I would think of Mariah Carey, per what Alex and I discussed earlier.

BT11 said:

Bryan Ferry's version is nice as well...

NDRU said:

No! and No!

Najee said:

not really. Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong wrote the song, and they recorded versions with the Miracles and the Isley Brothers even before Gladis or Marvin. but those were never released because Berry Gordy wasn't impressed

.
[Edited 11/15/06 1:26am]

don't recall this being mentioned:
One Of Us...Joan Osborne/Prince
How Come U Don't Call Me.... Prince/Alecia Keys