What difference does it make who covered this?

October 30, 2006 3:21 PM

Help me identify who performed this Smiths cover.

I had a very strange mixtape from a friend (who I have since completely lost touch with) that included a cover of the Smiths song "What difference does it make?" This cover was sung be a female vocalist, was sped up a little and had a saxaphone as well. Wikipedia's entry on this song yeilds no information, and my google skills apparently failed me on this. Anyone know who perfomed this cover?

posted by piratebowling to media & arts (19 comments total)

Could you somehow post it on tha intarwebs?

(Not because I suspect I can help you, mostly because I like Smiths covers and want this one!)
posted by wilful at 3:39 PM on October 30, 2006

is it listed here?
posted by routergirl at 3:43 PM on October 30, 2006

derr, nvm. I read too fast, missed the part about wikipedia.
posted by routergirl at 3:44 PM on October 30, 2006

wilful, unfortunately not. It is on a cassette tape (which I don't even currently have a player for!) and even if I was able to post it, the friend that made this alternated verses from the real version and the cover version, so I've never heard a the cover all the way through.

This is just kind of a shot-in-the dark, hope-someone-knows-about-this kind of situation.
posted by piratebowling at 3:51 PM on October 30, 2006

Also, routergirl, this wasn't the page I saw on the song, I looked at the song's individual entry. Your link may be useful.
posted by piratebowling at 3:52 PM on October 30, 2006

Erm, wait (sorry for posting so often) it looks like it isn't any of the bands listed on router girl's link (no female vocalists or saxaphones from what I can tell).
posted by piratebowling at 3:55 PM on October 30, 2006

A band called Poets covered it too, but they're not listed there. I've never heard their version so I don't know if that's one you're after.
posted by iconomy at 4:10 PM on October 30, 2006

From your description I'm pretty certain you're referring to the Vampire Slayers version. All Music Guide's got a clip of it here, click the little speaker icon to the left of the headline to listen.
posted by ZaphodB at 4:15 PM on October 30, 2006

Check out the All Music Guide page. The 30 second clip of the The Vampire Killers sounds like a female vocalist with some sax in the background and sped up.

At least it does to me.
posted by Raymond Marble at 4:17 PM on October 30, 2006

Damn. I had to double check.
posted by Raymond Marble at 4:18 PM on October 30, 2006

It's definitely not this countryish version[Rhapsody link] by Bobby Bare Jr., but I thought I'd mention it just for the novelty and to share with the other cover-lovers around here.
posted by xiojason at 4:31 PM on October 30, 2006

The Mr. T Experience covered it as well, but I think it's The Vampire Killers too, after listening to Raymond Marble's link.
posted by iconomy at 4:36 PM on October 30, 2006

that Vampire Killers clip is wacky. Ooo - the CD that track is on did NOT get good reviews. The Billy Bragg song off this is really good.

Right now I'm listening to the four Smiths tracks by The Ukrainians, coincidentally.

(smiths fan for 21 years)
posted by pinky at 4:45 PM on October 30, 2006

Oh man, where do I get a copy of the Beautiful South doing Heaven knows I'm miserable now? I don't think I will die happy without listening to that.
posted by wilful at 5:15 PM on October 30, 2006

There is a list of published Smiths covers here, but judging from your description, I'm guess it's the Mr. T Experience (unless it's someone not on the list).
posted by Durhey at 5:50 PM on October 30, 2006

This AMG listing shows you everybody who has covered a Song by that Title (list ain't long, and you can see Composer, so you know which ones are Smiths covers).
posted by Dunwitty at 5:52 PM on October 30, 2006

Might it not be easier to track down the missing friend and ask them?
posted by Hogshead at 6:04 PM on October 30, 2006

Yeah, I'd go with the Vampire Slayers cover. You can find it on the Godfathers of Change, Volume 1 CD. I highly recommend checking out the Skinnys 21 cover of "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others."
posted by adipocere at 6:18 PM on October 30, 2006

After finally hearing the Vampires Slayers clip, yes, I can say it is that version. That is just a load off my mind, thanks.
posted by piratebowling at 8:29 PM on October 30, 2006