The purest truest love is the cure for all of our ills. Personally, I think I'm addicted to love...
In my Remakes Blogfest post previous to this post I mentioned that my favorite film version of The Great Gatsby is the 2013 release directed by Baz Luhrmann. The film soundtrack can be rather jarring at first--it was for me--but I began to not only get used to it, but I enjoyed it. The incongruity of the crazy songs rather set the mood for the setting of the Roaring Twenties when the film takes place. For my Battle of the Bands this round I pit a song from the Gatsby soundtrack (a remake of an earlier hit rock song) against another rock version of the same song...
Battle of the Bands
Love Is the Drug
This song first done by Roxy Music in 1975 was the group's biggest hit. You surely know it, but if not you can hear the original version here. Please don't vote on the orignal! The following are your choices:
Bryan Ferry "Love Is the Drug" (2012)
This version by Ferry is essentially a twice-over remake since he also sang the original with Roxy Music. Here he gives the song a hot jazz band sound which made it well suited for the Gatsby soundtrack.
Divinyls "Love Is the Drug" (1993)
This Australian group rocks this song Their version appeared on the soundtrack of Super Mario Brothers.
Time to Vote!
I think this is a very very tough choice. Guess I'll have to come up with the version that is my personal favorite after several more listenings. Do you have a preference between these two choices? Which version do you like the best? You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Cherdo on the Flipside
Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday November 20th
With Thanksgiving next week I'm going to cut back the voting time which I think will be fine since you've got the weekend to cast your vote.
Busy times ahead for me--how about you? Have you experienced what you've felt to be true pure unshakable love? Does the use of more contemporary songs in films set in past periods bother you?
Lee,
ReplyDeleteAre these really the same song? If so, then all I can is "WOW!" They do not sound anything alike and it's hard for me to distinguish the lyrics but I'll take your word if you say the songs are the same just different, very different styles.
I agree with you. This is going to be difficult choice. So, while I listen to these songs another time or two I'll answer your questions.
Yes, this is a very busy time for me. I try to do a little every day to make the holidays easier and more enjoyable. I believe I have a truly pure,unshakable love with DH. Our 38 years of marriage is a solid track record. He has never made me to feel anything less than the object of his desire and greatest affection. What more can I ask of husband than this? He's so wonderful and I count my blessings every day that God has given him to me. I think I prefer mewsic to match the period. That's one thing I liked about the TV series, Madmen. They used some amazing tunes from the 60s.
Okay, I'm ready to vote. I don't know if it's suggestive but since your lead in references The Great Gatsby, then my ear seems more in tune with the first rendition. The arrangement is a purrfect fit for the movie and it's so different from the second more contemporary version. I'm giving my vote to Bryan Ferry. Cool, unique battle!
Cathy, yes, same song, different styles and tempos.
DeleteWe're not going to cook on Thanksgiving I think. Right now we're considering going to Sizzler for our dinner--$12.99 doesn't sound too bad and their food is usually okay.
We start off with a vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
Lee,
DeleteIt's amazing how the different styles and tempos can trick the brain to think the songs don't sound alike.
Going to the Sizzler sounds like a good idea and getting a meal for two for about twenty-five isn't bad, either. In my opinion, it really doesn't matter where or how the Thanksgiving meal is presented or what one eats just as long special thanks are given to the Lord. I'm looking forward to relaxing with DH most of next week and then kicking things off for Christmas. :) Just in case I get too busy with last minute things and I have two appointments on Tuesday, then let me send warm wishes for a joyful, blessed Thanksgiving, my friend!
Even if I bought minimal groceries to make a dinner for two I'd probably spend more at the store than we would at the restaurant. My meal would probably be better, but the prep time and clean-up would be another big effort.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you as well.
Lee
Not crazy about either one, but I'd pick the Divinyls' version first.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Roxy Music, the song More Than This comes to mind first.
Alex, I considered a heavy metal version that you might have preferred, but it didn't fit in with my movie soundtrack theme.
DeleteA vote for Divinyls.
Lee
I can't listen right now but I do know about unshakable love. We just renewed our vows after 25 years and we've been through just about everything!♥♥My sound is off because he's sleeping and just got over an illness. "In sickness and in health,'til death do us part."
ReplyDeleteEve, congratulations on the 25 years. This December will be my wife's and my 20 anniversary. Seems like a lot of sickness going around of late--I'm just getting over a bad bout of something.
DeleteLee
I loved that remake of Gatsby! Leo DiCaprio is great in almost every role he's done. I didn't realize Brian Ferry sang the soundtrack tune. Interesting tidbit! You're right - the jazzy rendition is perfect for the movie. Since rock is my favourite genre, I thought for sure I'd be voting for Roxy Music. Loved the arrangement but the vocals put me off. I found the singer's tone somewhat jarring. Decisions, decisions....Okay, after listening to both again, my vote goes to Brian Ferry. On to your questions...
ReplyDelete"Busy times ahead for me--how about you?" The holiday season is always busier, but since we don't have relatives to contend with, not as much as for other people. Also, Canadian Thanksgiving is in October and not nearly as long or festive as the U.S. version, so that's another less thing to worry about.
"Have you experienced what you've felt to be true pure unshakable love?" Absolutely! ☺ I met my husband in 1971, got married in '73 and here we still are. Not to say, there weren't some rocky times along the way, but we overcame them.
"Does the use of more contemporary songs in films set in past periods bother you?" Not if they are compatible with the era, as your example here certainly is.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbie, you've got a great marriage record there. In '73 I was still aimless in life and wishing I could find a girlfriend. Three years later I would get married.
DeleteAnother vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
For shear listening enjoyment, I think I prefer the Aussie's. But Ferry's jazzy version was definitely right for the movie.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, Ferry's version was more appropriate to the movie than some of the other songs.
DeleteA vote for Divinyls.
Lee
I can see where Bryan Ferry's version of the song that he did for "The Great Gatsby" would be appropriate for it. As a modern-day song for a movie set in the Roaring '20's (that'd make a great TV show title, wouldn't it?) it's perfect. I haven't seen any of the screen adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "masterpiece," but I did spend a torturous six weeks as a junior in high school reading and discussing it, three of which seemed to be a discussion of Jay Gatsby's pink suit. I went back through the text, and found exactly one reference to the suit, and it wasn't all that important a line, someone making the offhand comment that he was at a party where the host wore one. "Why?" seemed to be the crux of the discussion. My answer: his purple one was at the cleaner. I didn't do well in that class, although Mrs. Billhymer told me she appreciated my insouciant sense of humor, probably knowing that I'd immediately run to a dictionary to learn the meaning of the word "insouciant." It might have been the highest compliment paid to me in my educational career.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Ferry's version is perfect for the movie, but not especially pleasant to listen to outside that context. So, I'm giving my vote to the Divinyls, because at least I could recognize it.
John, I used to love The Roaring Twenties TV show in the sixties. I wish they'd still play reruns of that.
DeleteSix weeks to study such a short book is quite a long time I'd say. Your teacher must have really liked it.
Another vote for Divinyls.
Lee
Bryan Ferry, hands down. Love him.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I also like his music. I have a few Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry CDs.
DeleteBryan Ferry.
Lee
I'm not sure that I'm a fan of either of these but I'm oddly drawn to Brian Ferry's version. I like the jazzy feel of the song.
ReplyDelete~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary, jazz rules! ...for now.
DeleteA vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
Bah, Mario Bros, awful movie haha but I'd still pick #1 at my sea. Just found it better.
ReplyDeletePat, never saw the Mario Bros. movie, but I used to like playing the game.
DeleteA vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
Baz Luhrman? Really? Wow. Loved that message to the graduates! Back to listen later in the week.
ReplyDeleteCW, "message to the graduates"? Now you've got me lost. Do come back and vote!
DeleteLee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
DeleteOkay, that was interesting. Somehow it seems vaguely familiar to me so I think I must have seen and heard this at some time in the past. Some excellent advice in this video. Thanks for bringing me up to speed.
DeleteLee
Musically, I much prefer the Divinyls version... her vocals are a little grating though. Not annoying enough to lose my vote. I always thought this was a better song than the way Roxy Music left it...
DeleteCW, I think there are a lot of ways the song can be approached. I found several versions that interested me.
DeleteA vote for Divinyls.
Lee
"Busy times ahead for me--how about you?"
ReplyDeleteThey never stop. It is ridiculous, frankly.
"Have you experienced what you've felt to be true pure unshakable love?"
Absolutely! And the phrase "love is the drug" does true and pure blazing the concept a disservice, I think.
"Does the use of more contemporary songs in films set in past periods bother you?"
Boy, howdy, does it! I'm trying to think of a circumstance where I found it appropriate. Nothing comes to mind. I HAVE found futuristic movies made more fun with inappropriately OLD music in them. The "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies are a hoot, and filled with dated music... stuff that we might have even groaned at when first introduced, but which - given the passage of time - sound fun.
As I mentioned in your last blog bit, one of the things that put me off The Great Gatsby movie was the use of modern music in the movie trailers. It just seemed unspeakably annoying! Frankly, I might have seen the movie in theaters had it not been for the Jay-Z and other modern music.
As for these two, the Divinyls version seems close to what the song SHOULD sound like. Ferry's just seemed hokey, tacky, and wrong. A modern song gussied up to sound old? Didn't like it!
Six, I think you caught some of the deeper sense of what I was tapping into when I was writing this post.
DeleteI agree that old music in futuristic films is fun and totally logical. I guess some of the best soundtracks are the ones we barely consciously notice because they are so interwoven into the entirety of a film.
A vote for Divinyls.
Lee
I said: "And the phrase "love is the drug" does true and pure blazing the concept a disservice, I think."
DeleteI meant:
"And the phrase "love is the drug" does the concept of true and pure blazing love a disservice, I think."
From my cousin Tom over on Facebook comes a vote for...
ReplyDeleteDivinyls
Lee
I love Roxy's version of the song: it grabs me from the beginning with the sound effects of footsteps and then the starting of the car engine and driving off...captivated and hooked! Love that song.
ReplyDeleteOf your contenders, I'm giving my vote to the Divinyls. They had a similar feel to that of Roxy Music's.
Bryan Ferry's was cool: it gave me the feel of being in a smokey club back in the roaring 20s. The horns are definitely a big draw for me on that song but overall it just didn't measure up to the Divinyls version.
Love is the drug: a cure for whatever ails...
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, the way you described the Ferry version is probably why they used it in the movie. The horns are great.
DeleteA vote for Divinyls.
lee
I saw the movie but don't remember this song. I love Roxy's version because it is easier to catch the lyrics. My vote goes to Bryan Ferry as it definitely fits with the movie. I was in love with the Robert Redford Gatsby and didn't know there were others before it until your post. I did like the Leonardo DiCaprio version and saw that with my daughters. As for your questions, I am working Thanksgiving evening so we will be having an early dinner. I've been married to my husband for 32-1/2 years now and it is pretty unshakable. We've gone through some rough patches here and there but we're still going strong. We've done the worse, poorer and sickness part of the vows so now I'm looking for the better, richer and healthier. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Arlee.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I didn't exactly remember this specific song in the soundtrack either. I just noticed that there were some crazy incongruously modern songs being used.
DeleteCongratulations on nearly 33 years of marriage! It's best to hang in when you can.
A vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
I'm not a fan of either song to be honest, but if I have to chose, than I pick the second one. Although, I did the 2013 movie.
ReplyDeleteHave a beachy week!
Elsie
Elsie, rather non-committal but a vote nevertheless for which I thank you.
DeleteDivinyls.
Lee
My speaker has decided this very inconvenient moment to stop working. *sigh* Darn electronics. Regardless, I enjoyed that version of Gatsby, but nothing beats the book. For whatever reason, it really grabbed me--which is strange because its WAY out of my preferred reading realms.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, the book grabbed me as well. I liked the parts of the films that stayed true to the book. I was surprised as to how well the 2013 film captured the spirit of the book.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this movie version of The Great Gatsby. It's wonderful. Leonardo DiCaprio is Gatsby. I love it. I used the song by Lana Del Rey in a battle a while back versus that Jukebox group (can't quite recall their name right now) and it made for a pretty good battle.
For me, Bryan Ferry wins this handily. There was something about the vocal styling in the second one that was a miss for me.
Robin, DiCaprio has been good in every film that I've seen him in though I haven't liked all of his films. I thought he nailed the Gatsby character.
DeleteA vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
While I feel the Bryan Ferry version better matches the Gatsby story, I personally preferred the beat and tempo of The Divinyls.
ReplyDeleteI love a period-authentic soundtrack to a film, but I don't think I'd mind a contemporary song done in the style of that bygone era.
Carrie-Anne, if the style fits then using the contemporary music can work. In other cases I think it all depends.
DeleteAnother vote for Divinyls.
Lee
HiYa, LEE ~
ReplyDeleteI never particularly cared for Roxy Music nor Bryan Ferry as a solo artist. Back in the day, I did own a single Roxy Music album that I played... maybe 3 times.
The Divinyls, however, I actively dislike. For me, they are another one of those groups I like to collectively refer to as "The Naked Emperors".
To my surprise, though, I DID like BRYAN FERRY's version of this song. Primarily because of those 1920 Jazz style inflections. (I'm sure you predicted I would like that and would vote for Ferry as a result. Amiright?)
As for the Divinyls -- I listened to exactly 1:41 of it (just to give them a fair chance), but believe me, I was turned off well before that.
Easy and enthusiastic vote for BRYAN FERRY from me.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
STMcC, youareright--though I was a bit surprised to see "enthusiastic" as part of the description of your vote.
ReplyDeleteThere are some pretty cool things in the orchestration of Ferry's version. I especially like the saxophone embellishments.
An "enthusiastic" vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
Gatsby is my all-time favorite novel, and I love the updated movie (I thought I was the only person who liked it). Although Robert Redford and Mia Farrow are beautiful, the version in which they star doesn't work. The book gives the appearance of languor with the heat (more apparent in the Redford-Farrow version), but the characters are really living at a frantic pace. That's why the music works in the Leonardo DiCaprio version of the movie. I vote for Bryan Ferry because I like my jazz hot.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie, great assessment. I need to go back to watch the Redford version because I've only seen it once.
DeleteA vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee
I haven't seen da movie, as I cannot stand Leo De Capricosso, but I did adore Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge which is still my fave movie ever. The latest movie song I loved was This Is Me from Hugh Jackman's Greatest Showman and I wonder if you are going to see it since it is set in a circus :) You have a spotlight on it at my place.. published last Sunday methinks
ReplyDeletePS when it comes to Ferry, I loved that album that he did with covers in the 90's especially his version of I Put a Spell on You and Will You Love Me Tomorrow.
DeleteDezmond, I loved that Bryan Ferry album of which you speak. Greatest Showman I'm not aware of but maybe I need to check that out if it's set in a circus.
DeleteThanks for the "spotlight".
Lee
I didn't care for the Divinyls version. I also didn't care for the Super Mario Bros movie, though I love the games. In comparison, I liked Ferry's version, and the dude really knows how to properly spell the name Bryan.
ReplyDeleteGive my vote to the Brian with a Y (as God intended it).
ABFTS, I sense a bit of name prejudice in your vote. Nonetheless, accepted.
DeleteBryan Ferry.
Lee
Well, I am not crazy about this particular Bryan Ferry song - there's many I like better. But I really have NEVER liked the Divinyls (like stick a pin in my pupil dislike).
ReplyDeleteWhile we are on the Bryan Ferry subject...and we ARE...I love to see Noel Fielding's pop art paintings of Bryan Ferry. They crack me up; first that it's Bryan Ferry and secondly, that they go for so much $$$ (Noel, I love ya...but...yeah).
Gotta give it to BRYAN FERRY
Cherdo, I had no idea there was Bryan Ferry artwork. Well, I ain't got the money to buy one so I guess it doesn't matter much.
DeleteA vote for Bryan Ferry.
Lee