The English Beat had some great songs--their cover's good, wouldn't count it as one of them. Not close.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 04:52 (six years ago) link
Smokey is Mayweather to EB's McGregor
― Neanderthal, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 05:24 (six years ago) link
too harsh that but yeah Smokey
― a hulking and impenetrable dump (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 29 August 2017 06:08 (six years ago) link
Love Ranking Roger, I even love the name Ranking Roger, but Smokey wins obviously. If some called the Beat, the English Beat, to my face I'd probably punch them.
― Wewlay Bewlay (Tom D.), Tuesday, 29 August 2017 07:00 (six years ago) link
I don't dislike the Beat cover, but Smokey takes this, no contest.
― the general theme of STUFF (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 29 August 2017 17:54 (six years ago) link
I'm still irritated that Smokey's Being With You failed to crack the top 200 ILM RB/Soul 80s songs. That was just stupid. ILM has always underrated Smokey. Obviously his original cannot be topped.
― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 18:43 (six years ago) link
looks like the beat is going to get soundly beat
i'm having trouble deciding tho, and i don't even really like second wave ska!
― the late great, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 19:04 (six years ago) link
I love second-wave ska to death but this is Smokey and it's not even close
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 29 August 2017 19:54 (six years ago) link
I seriously adore the Beat's look at this, it's creative & interesting & and the sax riff in the chorus is A+++ and yes this is still Smokey in a walk.
― she carries a torch. two torches, actually (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Wednesday, 30 August 2017 02:09 (six years ago) link
I love the Beat's version and many of their covers (e.g. the Doc Pomus one on this same album) but Smokey wins.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 30 August 2017 02:24 (six years ago) link
nobody is going to rep for the beat?!?
is there not a single contrarian left?
― the late great, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 02:42 (six years ago) link
They're all tied up in other threads
― Neanderthal, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 04:00 (six years ago) link
Turrican to thread
― Week of Wonders (Ross), Wednesday, 30 August 2017 04:08 (six years ago) link
i probably heard the English Beat version first and loved it. but the Smokey version is one of the best songs of the decade.
― Bee OK, Thursday, 31 August 2017 05:35 (six years ago) link
with all due respect to Bryan Ferry too.
― Bee OK, Thursday, 31 August 2017 05:37 (six years ago) link
poll of smokey covers of the era might be more of a contest. japan's i second that emotion also strong.
― Roberto Spiralli, Thursday, 31 August 2017 13:44 (six years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Sunday, 3 September 2017 00:01 (six years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Monday, 4 September 2017 00:01 (six years ago) link
Voted for Smokey but like the Beat version a lot as well.
― When I Get To The Borad (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 September 2017 00:16 (six years ago) link
even beyond Smokey's butter vocals, you just can't beat the Funk Brothers
― Neanderthal, Monday, 4 September 2017 00:52 (six years ago) link
I had no idea that:
1) This song was first released as an album track in 1967 before getting re-released as a single in the UK in 1970 when they were desperate for new Smokey Robinson; after it became a hit it was released as a single in the US as well where it did predictably well.
2) The music was mostly written and by Stevie Wonder, with an assist from Funk Bro Hank Cosby. Smokey finished it with lyrics he had lying around from a few years earlier.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 12 December 2018 23:30 (five years ago) link
Yeah, that's right... Stevie Wonder is godlike, but the track getting handed over to Smokey to contribute was the best possible thing for it. Also, I can't imagine Stevie's voice on it for some reason.
― Le Baton Rose (Turrican), Saturday, 15 December 2018 22:52 (five years ago) link