I really need somebody

Is it fair to compare a cover to the original?

I'm not sure.

I think by it's very nature, it's almost impossible not to. No matter how close it sticks to or how far it strays from the original, a cover will always be indebted to it's original creation. Whether a band improves on it is almost irrelevant. It will always live in the shadow of the version that came first. Or at least that's true, if you've heard the original.

For today, I post a cover by The Gossip that I have never heard before. I've no idea how the original sounds. Where it placed in the charts. Whether it was as simple or groove based as The Gossip play it. I have nothing to compare it to so I'll just say that I really like this version of this song. Beth Ditto sings it with a soulful, alluring, come to bed tone. The band lay down the barest of backings that feels liek the musical equivalent of warm, flickering candlelight. It's sexy without being slutty. Provocative but not slutty. It flirts with you. Teases and tantalises you. If the original betters it, it must be one hell of a song.

The Gossip - are you that somebody [Aaliyah & Timbalake cover] (Live Acoustic Session Version)

mp3 / music / the gossip