It's Soul, Covered Up Part 1

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This time I chose for 'It's soul covered up', to be pronounced as 'it's all covered up'. I selected cover versions that sound at least as good or even better than the originals! For instance, the Jacksons borrowed 'Blame it on the boogie' from British singer Mick Jackson (not related to the Jackson family). The original reached a #61 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1978. In 2003 Mick Jackson himself said of the Jacksons' version of 'Blame it on the boogie':
[the original] version had 100% of our heart and soul in it but the Jacksons' version had the magic extra 2% that made it incredible.
But yes, sometimes it's a difficult choice. I have to quote Baron Von Luxxury on this matter. This is what he writes on his blog about 'You are in my system', originally from The System:

Probably the most Sophie’s Choice-iest ever version of the age old question: “which is better, the original or the cover”? I must confess that I slightly prefer the Robert Palmer cover, even though it feels slightly racist to do so, because every time a white dude sings a song written by a black dude I think of the voluptuous horror of Pat Boone...

More on covers and originals on Originals.be and Whosampledwho. Beautiful picture from Mary-Anne James.

Tracklist (in parentheses the originals):

The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie [WLDCT Remix] (Mick Jackson) (1978)
Robert Palmer – You Are In My System (The System) (1983)
The Beat – Can't Get Used To Losing You (Andy Williams) (1983)
Brothers Johnson – Strawberry letter 23 (Shuggie Otis) (1977)
Lloyd Price – Love Music (The Four Tops) (1973)
James Brown – Sunny [Funkmaster JB Vs. Funkmaster JS Hardboiled Mix] (Bobby Hebb) (1969)
Traks – Long Train Running (Doobie Brothers) (1982)
Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood (Eddie Floyd) (1978)
Tavares – I'm Back For More (Leo's Sunshipp) (1979)
Big Black & Beautiful – Treat Us Like A Lady (The Temptations) (2009)
Beverley Knight, Roots Manuva & Glen Scott – Apparently Nothin' (Young Disciples) (2011)
Carleen Anderson & Paul Weller – Wanna Be Where You Are (Michael Jackson) (2005)
Paul Carrack – What Does It Take (Johnny Bristol) (2002)
Cee-Lo Green – (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care (Buddy Holly) (2011)
Laura Lee - Crumbs Off The Table (Glass House) (1972)
Margo Thunder – Expressway To Your Heart (Soul Survivors) (1974)
Cissy Houston – Down In The Boondocks (Billy Joe Royal) (1970s)
Slow Moving Millie – Feels Like Heaven (Fiction Factory) (2011)
The Impressions – Innercity Blues (Marvin Gaye) (1971)
Aaliyah – (At Your Best) You Are Love (The Isley Brothers) (1994)
The Isley Brothers – Love The One You're With (Stephen Stills) (1971)
Charlie Rich – When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (Mable John) (1967)
Etta James – Groove Me (King Floyd) (2011)


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