Sweet Jane is a classic Velvet Underground tune, first released in 1970 on their “Loaded” album. Lou Reed wrote the song, and his lyrics are powerful, not mention the arrangement. As I morph this series, I am thing a poll is just screaming to be added to the mix, so I will. Rules are simple. I will add the songs, then ask you to decide which is your fave. Simple? This works well for this choice as there are many covers out there. Let’s start with the original, then move on from there.
Velvet Underground
Next up, let’s go with Mott the Hoople. This was the first cover, 1972, and was released on their “All The Young Dudes” album. The band featured the great Ian Hunter on vocals, and is a true copy, with little change in the arrangement.
Mott The Hoople
Next up is a version by Canadian alt-country band, “Cowboy Junkies“. They released the tune as a single in 1988. It was used on the soundtrack for “Natural Born Killers“. A slower version, and the vocals of Margo Timmins are great. The song is slowed up with great effect. My favourite version.
Cowboy Junkies
And a last entry, a live version, with Lou Reed fronting Metallica. A very different version.
Metallica with Lou Reed
Love Cowboy Junkies, but James Hetfield, mmmm, add Lou Reed, and it is a no-brainer for me.
Agreed, still, Cowboy Junkies are pretty good.
Always loved the song. Lou Reed’s Rock & Roll Animal album was a college fav. Thumbs up to the pics with the Mott video.
Went with the Cowboy Junkies, just for the melancholy feel they give the song that I think it deserves.
But then there’s Lou Reed doing it again, years later, turning it into a much “pop”ier song.
That feel is what attracts me to the song. Like it was written for her voice.
So many good covers of this song. Another cover I got into around the same time as I got into the Cowboy Junkies one was Patti Smith’s cover of “When Doves Cry” by Prince. Good stuff!