It's just one of those songs; Bill Withers' "Use Me," that is. When you listen to it intently, it can seem to improve with repeated plays. And, once you start dissecting it and picking away the different parts going on, it becomes hard not to hear them from then on. It's really worth it, to listen to the breaks, the clavinet, the seemingly effortless vocals. That there's only four instruments on a song that sounds this full, and no electric guitar (save the bass), is really testament to the arrangement and the production as much as it is to the singer and the song. And, as in reggae, part of the experience is filling in the gaps. It really pulls you in. It's almost impossible to think of a way to improve on Withers' laid-back-yet-funky tour de force. So, why would you try?
Surprisingly, a whole lot of people have. The Giant Panther has posted three of the attempts, along with the original on their well rounded blog. First, you have to get the original. That's a given. Then, you might try Grace Jone's reggae version, recorded with help from Sly & Robbie (two session players who know a thing or two about reinterpretations.) She plays it smart, avoiding the breaks and concentrating on the song itself. Then there's another version by a band called Coolbone, that's kinda interesting; if for no other reason than because it's got some neat horns on it (though I could do without the mid-song rapping). And then, then we come to Mick Jagger, whose effort is a laughable self-caricature. It's awful. No matter how small the mp3 is, and how little hard drive space it takes up (even if it gave you more disc space), it's not worth infecting your music collection. I tried to listen to it, I really did. He gets to the end of the first line, yelping "dooo-taaay," and I just lost it. It's possibly the most misguided cover I've ever heard.
Grace Jones - Use Me mp3 (right click title to save) at The Giant Panther
Coolbone - Use Me mp3 (right click title to save) at The Giant Panther
Mick Jagger - Use Me mp3 (right click to save) at The Giant Panther
Surprisingly, a whole lot of people have. The Giant Panther has posted three of the attempts, along with the original on their well rounded blog. First, you have to get the original. That's a given. Then, you might try Grace Jone's reggae version, recorded with help from Sly & Robbie (two session players who know a thing or two about reinterpretations.) She plays it smart, avoiding the breaks and concentrating on the song itself. Then there's another version by a band called Coolbone, that's kinda interesting; if for no other reason than because it's got some neat horns on it (though I could do without the mid-song rapping). And then, then we come to Mick Jagger, whose effort is a laughable self-caricature. It's awful. No matter how small the mp3 is, and how little hard drive space it takes up (even if it gave you more disc space), it's not worth infecting your music collection. I tried to listen to it, I really did. He gets to the end of the first line, yelping "dooo-taaay," and I just lost it. It's possibly the most misguided cover I've ever heard.
~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Bill Withers - Use Me mp3 (right click title to save) at The Giant PantherGrace Jones - Use Me mp3 (right click title to save) at The Giant Panther
Coolbone - Use Me mp3 (right click title to save) at The Giant Panther
Mick Jagger - Use Me mp3 (right click to save) at The Giant Panther
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