hand me down tuesdaY: Bring It To Me

• Tweet

I started to believe and sort of still do believe that choosing a favorite song of all time is sort of redundant.  Even though it’s one of those things that you will inevitably change as many or more times than you change jobs, sigs, or identities, it’s still a question that you’ll give a decent amount of thought to.  And usually a “I guess I just want some tinker toys” type answer won’t do.  So, for this edition of hand me down tuesdaY I give over to you the song that has temporarily replaced The Beach Boys “Wouldn’t it be Nice” as my favorite of ALL TIME:::::drumroll::::::—–>Sam Cooke’s “Bring it on Home to Me.”

And with the purpose of this weekly post in mind, this song works out quite well.  I have yet to hear a version of it that fails to move me even a little bit.  However, hands down, no imitator or cover artist will ever be able to match the heart, emotion, or brilliance that Sam puts into this original.  Heart and soul pulsate out of each and every word.  Finger snaps and head sways to the music aside, this track’s vox and lyrics are smoother than butter and sweeter than brown sugar.  No lie, I hit repeat at least four times after I hear any Sam Cooke song, but this one can take me to work and back or be on the stereo longer than the flavor stays in a  stick of Juicy Fruit.

If you’re a fan of the original then you absolutely have to check out these great versions that more than do justice to ol’ Sam’s.  Dig the swagger and bar room blues that Van the Man brings to the table.   Love the “Caravan” like pauses he adds and the “bring it to me” punctuation that rivals his crush velvet clad performance in The Last Waltz. And for those that can’t dig Van’s whiskey breathed burner, listen to great indie band leaders Britt Daniel of Spoon and Colin Meloy of The Decemberists undress the classic and add their own flavor to it.  Swell choice fellas.  Happy tuesday!

MP3: Sam Cooke- Bring It On Home To Me

MP3: Van Morrison- Bring It On Home To Me

MP3: Britt Daniel- Bring It On Home To Me

Mp3: Colin Meloy- Bring It On Home To Me

Buy- Sam Cooke’s/Van Morrison’s/Britt Daniel’s/Colin Meloy’s