Beatles Greatest Hits BOTB series: LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS Showdown
Today, I’m spotlighting a track from the Beatles’ 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.
There was speculation with the song’s release that it was a LSD reference but the song was actually inspired by John Lennon’s three year old son, Julian. He had drawn a nursery school picture which he called Lucy, in the sky with diamonds that he named so after his classmate he was sweet on. That’s my interruption after reading on this matter a little. John wrote the lyrics around the Alice in Wonderland idea and the arrangement is noted as a key work in the psychedelic genre.
I grew up listening to Elton John’s cover of this Beatles’ song. I am definitely not using it in this battle because I know Elton will mop the stage floor, aisle ways, and sidewalk with the contender(s). Instead, I’m using versions by new to me artists. I created a mini-playlist hoping to make your listening pleasure a little easier. All you have to do is hit play for non-stop enjoyment and if you want to listen to any or all of them again, you’re welcome to. Alright, go ahead hit play, I’ll wait for ya!
Do you like the playlist option? Have you reached a decision? Excellent! Who do you like best, Black Sheep or The Hooters or Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band with Frankie Paul? Time is ticking away! If you don’t believe me just look how fast 2023 disappeared. Remember….
Polls close at 12 (noon) on Mar. 7th!
You may want to mark your calendar to return a week from today for the battle results. I invite you to visit more battles currently underway and you can find the participants listed in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner. Later in the morning, I will share my newest FFO art edition. Have a bandtastic day!
21 Comments
messymimi's meanderings
I enjoyed Easy Star’s version best. I have a soft spot in my heart for Reggae music.
Mary B
It’s the Hooters for me!
diedre Knight
I like the Hooters! It’s a good tune for sky-gazing.
themusicstew
The Hooters get my vote on this one!
boromax
VOTE = The Hooters
I thought the Black Sheep version was good, just a bit too hard rock; and the Easy Star version was interesting – the reggae style seemed to work okay, but the seemingly endless loop of repetition got a bit annoying for me. The Hooters mostly acoustic ethereal interpretation, and their vocals did it for me.
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Beatles lovers, I being one of them, tend to be extra hard on artists that try to cover their great songs. While I wasn’t thrilled with any of these versions, I would have to vote for act #1, Black Sheep, because they offer a different arrangement without straying too far from the original. The Hooters version was a live performance and the crowd noise and clapping detracted from it., The cover by Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band feat. Frankie Paul is reggae, which I do not like, and it also sounded a bit creepy. Therefore, please give my vote to the Black Sheep!
Have a wonderful day, dear friend Cathy, and come see me at Shady’s Place this Tues, Wed or Thurs if at all possible.
Stephen T. McCarthy
Howdy, CAThy! It’s that YOU!!
First, I liked that cartoon!
Regarding the Playlist format…
It’s fine. And scrolling down to the next video is fine with me, also. So, honestly, it’s almost six-of-one and half-a-dozen of the other. I’d say that whichever format is easier for you to post is the one I’d vote for.
Yeah, what John Holton said about the Black Sheep version. I knew very quickly that I wouldn’t be voting for that one and cut my losses.
I did like the idea of doing the song with a Reggae beat, and I was digging that pretty well… for awhile. But then the song seemed like it went on longer than it really needed to. (I’d already gotten the idea.) Therefore, log in my “bote” for THE HOOTERS, please & thank you, m’dear!
~ D-FensDogG
John Holton
I got halfway through Black Sheep’s cover, decided that life was too short, and moved on. I liked The Hooters and Easy Star, and on reflection liked Easy Star’s cover a little better. So, give my vote to Easy Star.
Arlee Bird
All versions had something commendable about them, but for me The Hooters were the best. I liked the mandolins a lot. Give my vote to The Hooters.
Lee
Brian's Home ~ Forever
They are all new to me too but I have to go with The Hooters as well.
Eugi
I like your playlist idea, Cathy. I agree with Debbie on Black Sheep and Easy Star’s version seems to drag. My vote goes to The Hooters.
Cathy Kennedy
I have your vote for The Hooters recorded, Eugi!
Eugi
Thank you, Cathy.
willowdot21
Absolutely love all three so hard to call…..I love them all so different….okay going with the Hooters!
Oh! And here a fun song so close …. So close!
https://youtu.be/TaWaQBxc0aI?si=TP7aqohPWf5sB5fc
Eugi
Oh, yes! Very close, Willlow!
willowdot21
It’s so hard isn’t it 💜😭
Eugi
Yes, it is, Willow.💟Most of the time I like all of the choices making it hard to choose just one.
Debbie D.
Interesting battle, Cathy! I like the playlist idea if you’re using more than two songs. Black Sheep’s heavy intro was cool, but when the vocals kicked in, it was like a completely different song. Kind of off-putting! The Hooters version was more true to the original, and I preferred them over the 3rd contender. One vote for The Hooters!
Birgit Bedesky
I’m usually not for Reggae but I choose the 3rd one. I didn’t care for the first and the 2nd was fine. To be honest I like each one separate because, sometimes, I like to listen to one again and I didn’t know how to get the 2nd one when they are all combined.
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
To get to a particular song on a playlist is easy once you know how. In the upper right corner you’ll see a list icon, click on it and a drop down menu with all the songs appear. Just click on the one you want to hear again. 😉
Thanks for voting for Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band ft Frankie Paul!
Cathy Kennedy
Debbie,
I’m glad you enjoyed the playlist option. The first vote in this showdown goes to The Hooters. Thanks!