Cover Songs
When I thought Lee Marvin Owned my Local Store
When I was a tiny child, I would pop into a shop on the way to primary school to buy some sweets, and the owner used to sing while he served people…
I had to get involved in Christopher Robin’s prompt on Songstories when I saw what it was.
What’s your favorite cover song?
Let’s do it! The trouble is, I don’t actually know the names of the people who sang my favourite cover-versions. Let me explain, as I still cannot forget their renditions of the songs.
The Sweet Shop Guy
When I was a tiny child, I would pop into a store on the way to primary school to buy some sweets, and the owner used to sing while he served people. Many times when I was in there, he sang — (I Was Born Under a) Wand’rin’ Star
One day I was at home and heard it on the radio. I was so excited to tell my mum that — the guy from the sweet shop is singing on the radio station. She laughed and explained that it was Lee Marvin singing.
So then, for many years, I thought Mr. Lee Marvin owned my local store.
Kids!
However, I have learned that Lee Marvin’s version was a cover.
The first recording was by someone called James Barton, and then there were three others who sang a cover of the song before Lee Marvin made it famous in the western movie — Paint your Wagon.
And you could say the guy in my corner store was doing the same. He too, was covering the song, but was not famous. But, a close second to the man from the sweet shop is Lee Marvin’s performance :-) — Indeed, you can watch him sing the song here… You won’t regret it.
Eating Pizza and Eight Days a Week
However, if I am being honest, my actual favourite cover of a song was sang by some young guys busking near Leicester Square, London in 1985, so I don’t know who they are or were, either.
My first boyfriend and I were mooching around the West End of London after having a slice of Pizza and half a Jacket potato we’d eaten at an Italian café place. (Isn’t it funny how sometimes tiny details like that stay your head. Yet sometimes I can’t remember what I ate last weekend! Probably chicken!) Anyhow, Jim loved the Beatles and introduced me to a lot of their music, even though it was many years after the band had split up and John Lennon was sadly dead.
Some music from the other side of the square drifted over, and we realised a busking group were covering Beatles songs. We rushed over to hear them and were very impressed at how good they were. They finished a song I knew well and sprang into Eight Days a Week. I had never heard it before and was bowled over by its energy and feel good lyrics. From then on, it became one of my favourite songs ever.
Here are the lyrics, as I obviously can not show you the version I was lucky to catch in London that summer Saturday evening.
Eight Days a Week (Lennon/McCartney)
Ooh, I need your love, babe Guess you know it’s true Hope you need my love, babe Just like I need you
Hold me, love me Hold me, love me I ain’t got nothin’ but love, babe Eight days a week
Love you every day, girl Always on my mind One thing I can say, girl Love you all the time
Hold me, love me Hold me, love me I ain’t got nothin’ but love, girl Eight days a week
Eight days a week I love you Eight days a week Is not enough to show I care
Ooh, I need your love, babe Guess you know it’s true Hope you need my love, babe Just like I need you, oh
Hold me, love me Hold me, love me I ain’t got nothin’ but love, babe Eight days a week
Eight days a week I love you Eight days a week Is not enough to show I care
Love you every day, girl Always on my mind One thing I can say, girl Love you all the time
Hold me, love me Hold me, love me I ain’t got nothin’ but love, babe Eight days a week Eight days a week Eight days a week
What’s your favourite cover song, Smillew Rahcuef, Raine Lore and Gentry Bronson
Here’s another musical tale from me, May More
May More is Editor: Tantalizing Tales & Redemption Magazine. Likes individuals, chickens, food & Italian wine.
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