Soak It In While You Can, Winter is On

Congratulations to the lovely Ms. Amanda Pierce for correctly naming "Bring It on Home to Me" by Sam Cooke as the Thursday Song of the Day. I was actually listening to the Van Morrison cover of the tune when I decided to pick it as the Song of the Day, but as much as I love Morrison's version of the song, let's be honest, it begins and ends with Sam Cooke.

The version I linked to above is outstanding but has a very, very long intro, and this is coming from someone who likes Phish. Sam and the band get it kicked up around the 2:30 mark, so if you're operating on a fast version of the interwebs, you can just skip there and forget I ever told you all of this.

Speaking of great covers...who actually took a song from someone else, made it their own, and played it so well that you often forget who did the original?

Here's my list of Top 5 Covers (in no particular order):

1. "All Along the Watchtower" --Jimi Hendrix (original by Bob Dylan)
2. "Gin and Juice"--The Gourds (original by Calvin Broaddus, ahem, Snoop Dogg)
   
3. "Hallelujah"--Jeff Buckley (original by Leonard Cohen)
4. "Hurt"--Johnny Cash (original by Nine Inch Nails)
   
5. "Boys of Summer"--The Ataris (Don Henley)

I can already hear my father's pained cries about my selection in position #5, but my pick of the Ataris' take on Henley's tune is not an indictment of Henley, but a recognition that the Ataris took the song to the next level.

Imitation, as they say, is the most sincere form of flattery.

On a Bed of Nails She Makes Me Wait

Congratulations to Ms. Stacy Villescas for correctly naming "Lovely Rita" by the Beatles as the Sunday Song of the Day. Ms. Villescas is the proprietor of the much appreciated "Baylor Law Circus" blog. Well done, well done indeed.

Well, the dream has died. Mr. Mike May and I bowed out during today's Round of 16 matches and symbolically dumped our outlines into the trashcan as we left the student lounge. I realize this is not nearly as enjoyable as Flava Flav or Snoop pouring out a 40 to remember all of those who have gone before their time, but hey, it's much harder to spill things when I'm using the Baylor Law sippy-mug.

In other news, tomorrow Liverpool will attempt to gain the early upper-hand in their Champions League Round of 8 tie with PSV Eindhoven. I'm not sure if Rafa Benitez is going to give Crouchy the start at striker based on his Saturday hat-trick, but I'm looking for at least one goal from midfielder John Arne Riise.The Norwegian is known for his powerful left-footed volleys and he has been noticeably quiet since his game-winning goal at the Nou Camp last month. Also, since PSV are going to be missing talented Brazilian defender Alex (Why do so many Brazilians only have one name? Why is it only Brazil? I need to know these things. ), I would also expect a big game from skipper Steven Gerrard. Then again, I always expect a big game from Stevie G.