If you've ever attempted a karaoke "Africa," we feel your pain, as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti. Here are some pros who put their more-than-game attempts onto tape.
But knowing you, that would be considered cheating....I am slowly getting through this. It's quite a project to listen to so many. Especially as I am not a fan of the song. I did hear the Weezer version a couple years ago, it garnered them a bit of attention. Not my favorite though.
The Lowry version is interesting -- I dig the musical arrangement; the vocals, less so. Hayseed Dixie are experts at the bluegrass cover song. Their AC/DC only album "A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC" is one I dip into on occasion.
Zoot Alors! That's quite an exhaustive Playlist! No, I have my own Playlist resources to plumb besides somebody else's 'List. When push comes to shove, I'd like to think that whatever Liz Fung can do, I can, at least, equal. Plus, I'd love to see what she can pull together as prose to accompany her Playlist (and, a well-meaning blank page doesn't count!).
Thanks for that, though....there are quite few that A) I wasn't aware of and B) weren't listed on my source page as existing on the (apparently) spotty Spotify!
You're right about Lowry....what they lack in vocal prowess, they make up for in fascinatingly different rhythm! As the choral arrangements (in choirs as well as pop/rock groups) attest, nailing the vocal aspect of this song is pretty.....well, key. I didn't realize H. Dixie had an AC/DC tribute. If nothing else, that should be a knee-slapping hoot!
As for the more metal bands (Quietdrive, Chaos Divine), I, of course, have/had no point of reference, with no clue as to their past or present worldwide popularity, if any. Wait.....what? Hair metal ended 30 years ago?!?😱Oh, I get it.....it's April 1! Whew, don't scare me like that (or any way, for that matter)!
BTW, coming Monday is my peeling back the curtain on an actress who also recorded an album in the '70s! I can't reveal her identity, but I can give you a hint: Synonymly-speaking, she could be called "Amazement Lady"!
And for the heavier takes on the song, I prefer the over-the-top vibe of Quietdrive. A band that seems like they never were told that hair metal ended 30 years ago. Props to them.
You got it, Michael! I will say that the number of acapella covers were well into double digits (and mostly via YT vids)....rather than flood the article with those, I wanted to go with more trad musical aggregates....the good news for you (and other Paid Subscribers) is that I'll be featuring more of the "special interest" "Africa" covers (many on video) on a near-future exclusive BONUS GOLD PASS post, just for paid subscribers (hint hint, wink wink)!
So, if you're a free reader, love having you, but if you'd like to get in on the Bonus GOLD PASS posts (at lease 2-a-month), UPGRADE TO PAID! And, thank you!🎼
This song seemed to be really attractive, thru the decades, Michael, to choirs and choruses, and it's easy to see/hear why! Lots a director can do with harmonies, and utilizing all the sections! Stay tuned!
Holy mash-up, Michael! I must tell you I've been known, over the decades, to quote from "Africa" in "real life" i.e. "Oh, the gas station? It's up ahead past the intersection, rising like Olympus above the Serengeti"!⛰Those, of course, cursed with the reality of riding with me who DON'T know the song, are left to wonder....."what?"🚗"Oh, nothing.....it's up ahead!" A cross-country road trip? Oh, the fun we'd have!!😁
I enjoyed this article about a band I've heard before. Which cover is your favorite? I like the Hayseed Dixie version because it doesn't try to replicate. It makes it their own, dog. (Randy Jackson reference for American Idol - in case you didn't know - but I know you know 😀).
A cool article idea could be a list of the most covered songs. Fun fact: "Ain’t No Sunshine" // Bill Withers is one of the most covered songs ever. Well his neighbor was a teacher, and told Bill that "Ain't No Sunshine" is very poor English. Bill, of course replied "I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know...
It was really fun auditioning all these covers, Paul...daunting and, at times, grueling, but the good news is that so many of them are worthy of hearing, and all in their own way! You're right about Hayseed Dixie, and the other artists who travel in different music lanes....it's cool that they dug the song to the point of covering it, but good on 'em all for "staying in their lanes," and honoring their genre space!
As for Withers' (original working title...we don't KNOW!) "There Just Doesn't Appear to Be that Much Relative Sunshine to Speak Of, At Least Now, Anyway" (later shortened 'cause, y'know....the paper label.....hey, we don't KNOW, I know, I know, I know!), the number of its covers is currently just below 400! Maybe somebody will tackle that numbers-related cover article!
BTW, since you're the first to comment, a couple behind-the-scenes tales (shhhh, keep it under your hat.....also, don't tell anyone!): When I started researching this, I heard "Africa" over the Red Lobster loudspeaker Friday night. I assumed it was Toto, but then the guitar was really out front!
I wondered if it was a Toto remix, or a cheap RL speaker that was only playing one channel (the one with the guitar)....next day, I hear the Weezer version (during my research), with its incredible guitar, and that's how I knew what I heard at RL was the Weezer version (which I had never heard before)!
Then, on Sunday, the very first song that came over the loudspeaker at Golden Corral during my weekly get-my-grub-on foray was Toto's "Africa"! I love it when music speaks to me (hey, it "spoke to" the songwriters and players while creating)! Great stuff, Paul....I wonder what the next song will be!!🎶?🤷♂️
Niiiiiiiice. Re: the Weezer.....the Toto original has guitar, and you can hear it, but this is a perfect song where IT CAN JUST BE CRANKED UP, and become a real sound anchor and add, big time, to the overall mix! Plus, they did it by just using those chords where they best fit in the song, and didn't over-run the arrangement with barre chords, and turn it into a metal mish-mash (a couple others on our Playlist managed that on their own)!
Hey Brad - I hope you saw this playlist on Spotify before spending hour upon hour on this!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bGY0bFo784KPEHIXgoxEG?si=30c1e2346181488d
But knowing you, that would be considered cheating....I am slowly getting through this. It's quite a project to listen to so many. Especially as I am not a fan of the song. I did hear the Weezer version a couple years ago, it garnered them a bit of attention. Not my favorite though.
The Lowry version is interesting -- I dig the musical arrangement; the vocals, less so. Hayseed Dixie are experts at the bluegrass cover song. Their AC/DC only album "A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC" is one I dip into on occasion.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1lUQXjqKacPkMbvBlBuXW7?si=Yx5ouqNqTIOggKtLV3P3tw
Zoot Alors! That's quite an exhaustive Playlist! No, I have my own Playlist resources to plumb besides somebody else's 'List. When push comes to shove, I'd like to think that whatever Liz Fung can do, I can, at least, equal. Plus, I'd love to see what she can pull together as prose to accompany her Playlist (and, a well-meaning blank page doesn't count!).
Thanks for that, though....there are quite few that A) I wasn't aware of and B) weren't listed on my source page as existing on the (apparently) spotty Spotify!
You're right about Lowry....what they lack in vocal prowess, they make up for in fascinatingly different rhythm! As the choral arrangements (in choirs as well as pop/rock groups) attest, nailing the vocal aspect of this song is pretty.....well, key. I didn't realize H. Dixie had an AC/DC tribute. If nothing else, that should be a knee-slapping hoot!
As for the more metal bands (Quietdrive, Chaos Divine), I, of course, have/had no point of reference, with no clue as to their past or present worldwide popularity, if any. Wait.....what? Hair metal ended 30 years ago?!?😱Oh, I get it.....it's April 1! Whew, don't scare me like that (or any way, for that matter)!
BTW, coming Monday is my peeling back the curtain on an actress who also recorded an album in the '70s! I can't reveal her identity, but I can give you a hint: Synonymly-speaking, she could be called "Amazement Lady"!
And for the heavier takes on the song, I prefer the over-the-top vibe of Quietdrive. A band that seems like they never were told that hair metal ended 30 years ago. Props to them.
Thanks a pantload, Brad! Finally got the Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds burrowing earworm out of my head and now this...
What, no spoken word version with Howard Stern on the verses and Morgan Freeman on the choruses? Sheesh!
You got it, Michael! I will say that the number of acapella covers were well into double digits (and mostly via YT vids)....rather than flood the article with those, I wanted to go with more trad musical aggregates....the good news for you (and other Paid Subscribers) is that I'll be featuring more of the "special interest" "Africa" covers (many on video) on a near-future exclusive BONUS GOLD PASS post, just for paid subscribers (hint hint, wink wink)!
So, if you're a free reader, love having you, but if you'd like to get in on the Bonus GOLD PASS posts (at lease 2-a-month), UPGRADE TO PAID! And, thank you!🎼
This song seemed to be really attractive, thru the decades, Michael, to choirs and choruses, and it's easy to see/hear why! Lots a director can do with harmonies, and utilizing all the sections! Stay tuned!
Looking forward to it. I thought I had defeated your earworm inducing (but fabulous!) posts. Nope, they’re just coalescing:
“Don’t pull your love out of the rains down in Africa,
If you do then I think that maybe,
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had”
So....
Holy mash-up, Michael! I must tell you I've been known, over the decades, to quote from "Africa" in "real life" i.e. "Oh, the gas station? It's up ahead past the intersection, rising like Olympus above the Serengeti"!⛰Those, of course, cursed with the reality of riding with me who DON'T know the song, are left to wonder....."what?"🚗"Oh, nothing.....it's up ahead!" A cross-country road trip? Oh, the fun we'd have!!😁
I enjoyed this article about a band I've heard before. Which cover is your favorite? I like the Hayseed Dixie version because it doesn't try to replicate. It makes it their own, dog. (Randy Jackson reference for American Idol - in case you didn't know - but I know you know 😀).
A cool article idea could be a list of the most covered songs. Fun fact: "Ain’t No Sunshine" // Bill Withers is one of the most covered songs ever. Well his neighbor was a teacher, and told Bill that "Ain't No Sunshine" is very poor English. Bill, of course replied "I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know...
It was really fun auditioning all these covers, Paul...daunting and, at times, grueling, but the good news is that so many of them are worthy of hearing, and all in their own way! You're right about Hayseed Dixie, and the other artists who travel in different music lanes....it's cool that they dug the song to the point of covering it, but good on 'em all for "staying in their lanes," and honoring their genre space!
As for Withers' (original working title...we don't KNOW!) "There Just Doesn't Appear to Be that Much Relative Sunshine to Speak Of, At Least Now, Anyway" (later shortened 'cause, y'know....the paper label.....hey, we don't KNOW, I know, I know, I know!), the number of its covers is currently just below 400! Maybe somebody will tackle that numbers-related cover article!
BTW, since you're the first to comment, a couple behind-the-scenes tales (shhhh, keep it under your hat.....also, don't tell anyone!): When I started researching this, I heard "Africa" over the Red Lobster loudspeaker Friday night. I assumed it was Toto, but then the guitar was really out front!
I wondered if it was a Toto remix, or a cheap RL speaker that was only playing one channel (the one with the guitar)....next day, I hear the Weezer version (during my research), with its incredible guitar, and that's how I knew what I heard at RL was the Weezer version (which I had never heard before)!
Then, on Sunday, the very first song that came over the loudspeaker at Golden Corral during my weekly get-my-grub-on foray was Toto's "Africa"! I love it when music speaks to me (hey, it "spoke to" the songwriters and players while creating)! Great stuff, Paul....I wonder what the next song will be!!🎶?🤷♂️
Your article brought to us by my favorite couple - Sarah and Dippity. (sorry) Cranking up the weezer version now...
Niiiiiiiice. Re: the Weezer.....the Toto original has guitar, and you can hear it, but this is a perfect song where IT CAN JUST BE CRANKED UP, and become a real sound anchor and add, big time, to the overall mix! Plus, they did it by just using those chords where they best fit in the song, and didn't over-run the arrangement with barre chords, and turn it into a metal mish-mash (a couple others on our Playlist managed that on their own)!