Cover version of the month #91
Sonic Youth / Ciccone Youth cover Robert Palmer
Have you ever wanted to hear Kim Gordon singing Robert Palmer's monster hit Addicted To Love? Even if you haven't previously, I bet you do now!
If asked to think of a 1980's music video, Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love might be the first one you think of. It's certainly up there with Jackson's Thriller and Dire Straits Money For Nothing for me. The Addicted To Love video become pretty iconic with the singer backed by a band of female models, his blow dryed hair (he sure didn't take 2 bottles into the shower!), white shirt and black tie, with his band of models stoney faced with bright red lipstick, hair slicked back and all in black - it still looks incredible. So powerful and it has been mimicked many times.
Palmer released the song as a single in 1986. Produced by Bernie Edwards from CHIC, it is a brilliant slice of pop rock. Brash drum beats kick things off, followed by buzzsaw distorted guitar and stabbing horns. Palmer begins to list things that are going wrong due to his addiction.
You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is right, you can't breath
Another kiss is all you need
We've all been there, haven't we? Head over heels, can't think about anything else, craving that fix of love, touching and feeling. Then the monster chorus with the kiss off hook kicks in. It's a great tune, I imagine this song would generate a positive response in almost any DJ set. It's fun, powerful and has a great feel to it.
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
Ciccone Youth, a side project of Sonic Youth, began life in 1986 when the bands friend Mike Watt (formerly of Firehose and Minutemen) jammed with them and they recorded a cover version of Madonna's Burning Up, released as Burnin' Up on a 7-inch record.
Eventually, The Whitey Album was released in 1989, a year on from breakthrough album Daydream Nation, compromising of songs recorded between 1986-1988. The quality of the recordings is pretty mixed to be honest, as is the quality of the songs or experimental noise the band created.
However, it definitely sounds like they had fun! J Mascis guests on a song with the utterly brilliant title Two Cool Rock Chicks Listening To Neu! Sadly, the 'song' isn't as good as the title!
Sonic Youth's cover version was allegedly recorded in a karaoke vocal booth. Kim Gordon sounds breathless, cool and super sexy. If the recording was DIY then so is the video, completely the opposite of Palmer's iconic shoot. Gordon dressed a little like Madonna, dancing and miming in front of a video screen.
Sonic Youth may well have been the coolest independent band on the planet at this point. The aforementioned Daydream Nation album and Teen Age Riot single had stamped their mark and expanded their audience. Next up was 1990's Goo album, their first for a major label. But here they were having fun with their friends and covering Robert Palmer. Super cool! You'll also hear Thurston Moore covering Madonna's Into The Groove if you do check The Whitey Album. But I prefer Kim singing Palmer.
The Robert Palmer original and Sonic Youth cover version are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE
Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer official video
Addicted To Love - Ciccone Youth official video
Previous covers of the month blogs
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U
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