On the evolution of a song

This is kindof an extension of a facebook chain note that's getting passed around wherein we're asked to list our fav. song covers. "Hey Joe" is a tune that's been on my mind lately for several reasons: one - A LOT of people have covered this song, and two - it's a fucking great song. DUH. But seriously, what makes a song that compelling? What makes 3,000+ artists cover a song like Paul McCartney's "Yesterday" - arguably the most-covered song of all time (including those versions sung in other languages).

While originally, most covers weren't even considered covers, but were simply standards passed amongst recording acts (see: The Beatles, The Jackson 5, and anything Barry Gordy-related), it seems that alternate songs were recorded and accepted publicly for different reasons. But it also seems that the possibility for a cover requires a certain quality of song - what I like to think of as a bittersweet, angsty tension - like a perfectly and carefully vinted wine.



Jimi Hendrix's interpretation of "Hey Joe" is probably the definitive version because he captures that tension and lets the song take him, rather than the quick, confined and somewhat sterile versions recorded by earlier garage acts like The Leaves and The Creation. And though I normally am head-over-heels for Arthur Lee, Love's recording is simply too frantic.



More recently, The Makeup recorded a version of the song that really takes the song's inner story - that of a man who takes his jealousy to murderous lengths - to a new level, by incorporating a back and forth dialog between band members.