Someone recently sent me the link to Green Day’s cover of ‘Working Class Hero’.

…thoughts?

I really, really hate the idea of a band like Green Day covering one of John’s songs. It’s just not right. *bothered* But I did think that the message they gave was a good one, as well as the fact that buying the video and the song on iTunes means a donation to Darfur relief. Still. Green Day? That’s the last band I would have picked to do a cover, especially of Working Class Hero…

(For those of you who are too lazy to YouTube it…)
     

*goes off to sulk about Green Day*

I struggle listening to people do covers of John's songs from POB or Imagine.
It dosen't work for me, i heard a version of working class hero by Marianne Faithful &
it was just not good (i reckon). i find it quite insulting to John at times. i know it's
a tribute to him & his work, but no-one sings John's songs better than John himself!

I watched the video last night on VH1. And I must say I liked it very much. This is how covers should be made - keeping the original message and power of the song AND adding the band's own style.
In general I don't like anybody making Beatles and Lennon covers. But sometimes they are successful, I must admit. For example, I liked a lot "Eleanor Rigby" covered by Daniel Cavanagh (Anathema). It's always better for me when the covering artist comes from a completely different music genre. So Green Day made it well, IMO, I like how the drums step into the song and I like the distinctive Green-Day-sound at the end of the track.
I checked what the project "instant Karma" is about and apart from being glad that something is done for the cause, I'd like to listen to all the other Lennon covers, especially:
Aerosmith ft The Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars "Give Peace a Chance" (I like Aerosmith)
Ben Harper "Beautiful Boy" (I don't like Ben a lot, but still...)
The Black Eyed Peas "Power To the People" (that should be interesting)
Lenny Kravitz "Cold Turkey" (great both song and singer)
Regina Spektor "Real Love" (one of my favourite singers, she's so amazing and unusual)
R.E.M. "#9 Dream" (well, they are not what they used to be, but...)
U2 "Instant Karma" (what can I say?!)
Youssou N'Dour "Jealous Guy" (I loooove the song)


I am very sceptic about these:
Avril Lavigne "Imagine"
Christina Aguilera "Mother"
Jack Johnson "Imagine"

Avril Lavigne, Imagine? Hello? WTF?

All the other artists are not so well known for me.
It can be downloaded via iTunes, I don't have this so I'll search through the Internet to listen to those songs. Must be very interesting, at least

I have that album and I have mixed emotions about it.  I bought it because of the cause and the fact that it seems like something John would have done himself (had he been alive I can imagine his outrage at the injustice going on in Dafur).  

A lot of the songs are decent enough, but I am intrigued by the selection of artists.  My favs are REM's #9 Dream (love Michael Stipe's voice), & Matisyahu's Watching the Wheels!  

Quoted from The Fox Drummer

I really, really hate the idea of a band like Green Day covering one of John?s songs.

What do you mean by 'a band like Green Day'?

I don't see what so many people have against Green Day. They're a good band. They know how to write a solid song with decent melodies. And they're not fake, they played their asses off in shitty little bars for five years and then suddenly became big. People like to think that they sold out, but they didn't. When they released their first EPs and albums on small indie labels, even the punk elite digged them. Nobody ever called them fake. But when Dookie came out and sold 10 million copies, everybody thought they were sell outs. But Dookie sounded just like their earlier stuff, apart from the better production. They never changed their sound.

I thought they did an excellent job covering an iconic song.

Quoted from 787

I thought they did an excellent job covering an iconic song.

Welcome to DM's!

Welcome to the forums, LoveOfTheLoved ... hope you'll enjoy them!  

The problem I have with the cover is that when somebody called in on the radio to request the original after hearing the Green Day version at least 5 times in one hour, the DJ said that the original wasn't in the studio to be played...

Welcome to the forums LoveOfTheLoved! Enjoy!

Quoted from The Fox Drummer

Someone recently sent me the link to Green Day’s cover of ‘Working Class Hero’.

…thoughts?

I really, really hate the idea of a band like Green Day covering one of John’s songs. It’s just not right. *bothered* But I did think that the message they gave was a good one, as well as the fact that buying the video and the song on iTunes means a donation to Darfur relief. Still. Green Day? That’s the last band I would have picked to do a cover, especially of Working Class Hero…


*goes off to sulk about Green Day*

I agree, but I think John would've approved. Besides Green Day isn't the WORST band that could've redone it.  Think about it "Working Class hero"- ColdPLay.  Now thats A Yikes & 1/2.

The message is still there, its still strong, and all in all ts still Johns work. They've not bastardized to a point on non-recognition (if thats a word)

I kind of like Green Day's cover. I feel like they actually get it and they've got a respect for Lennon that makes them want to do it justice. BTW, welcome back Erin. How's the babies?  

Quoted from Sandra

I kind of like Green Day's cover. I feel like they actually get it and they've got a respect for Lennon that makes them want to do it justice. BTW, welcome back Erin. How's the babies?  

They're really good!  Getting bigger and meaner all the time. Kind of driving me crazy today,   Kids.. UGH

I like how they put John in at the end. Anyone notice that? He sings the just follow me lines. I thought that was very cool that they did that.

Quoted from Leopard Skin Pill Box Man

The problem I have with the cover is that when somebody called in on the radio to request the original after hearing the Green Day version at least 5 times in one hour, the DJ said that the original wasn't in the studio to be played...

The Green Day version is a current hit single while the John Lennon version is a 37 year old album track, so that's not really a big surprise.