music: speaking of crummy remakes...

Writing about Mehldau & Frisell I couldn't remember the other pointless remake I heard recently. It was "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" performed by Sugar Ray. Exactly like Joe Jackson's post-punk no-wave original classic, just not nearly as fresh, or good. Why bother? If you hear it on the radio, call the station and tell them to play the original instead.

What's really galling is I've heard Joe Jackson play the song in concert and on live recordings, and he's able to reharmonize and reimagine it many ways; as doo-wop a cappella, reggae-ish shuffle, calypso piano, and funfair march. Go to iTunes and listen to all the versions.

Categories: music, remakes, JoeJackson, SugarRay