[Ed. Note- Today we start a series on cover songs. Love them or hate them, cover versions often elicit intense listener reactions – pro and con. Mea culpa. Rex got his inspiration for the title of the series from a great book title by none other than JARVIS COCKER. You will soon see how that is actually serendipitous.]
I commence by saying that I respect the right of everyone to like the music of their choosing. I am not afraid however, to express my personal views about music I don’t like as passionately as I tell you about the music I love.
We will start today with …..
Bad Cover
There have been instances where cover songs have brought my admiration and interest in an artist to a sudden, and often, permanent end.
Such was the case with a group that originated in the city of Birmingham, UK, 🇬🇧 in the late 70’s.
UB40 was cleverly named after the form Brits complete to claim unemployment benefits. There was much unemployment in the UK in the 70’s, particularly among the youth.
This band tapped into this morass with a debut LP in 1980 titled “Signing Off.”
They followed that excellent record wth “Present Arms” and “Present Arms in Dub”. That recording contained a personal fave of mine “One In Ten.” Here it is:
SPOTIFY-
https://open.spotify.com/track/42DXaUFEwTy1XGZBKuLAIE?si=uOzzAaf6SvuoqNi63DGEgQ
(SONG 1379)
This was the next LP
A limited edition of their 1982 LP, UB44 was the first commercial application of a mass produced hologram and still graces my collection.
And then it happened.
It was sudden and irreparably ended my relationship with this band. They recorded an LP of cover songs entitled “Labour of Love” in 1983.
One of the songs on that LP (which I do not own and never will) was called “Red Red Wine.” I know you have heard this slice of musical drivel.
From the instant I heard it, I despised it. Did then. Still do. I never bought another piece of music by UB40 after that shite and lame cover of a pathetic Neil Diamond original song. At that time, I knew it was a cover version of a song I couldn’t stand. That it was a Neal Diamond song only makes it more pernicious.
My only connection this outfit after that sad song was that some members of the band were involved in writing the theme song and narrating for the British kids show “Thomas The Tank Engine” which my son Andrew watched like crazy in the 90’s. That’s it. Fini.
A look at the Spotify listing of the most listened to UB40 songs proves my point- they are ALL cover songs. Talk about shredding your credibility as songwriters.
UB40 may have made for good listening for some jurists named Brett, but not this one.
I did my best to put UB40 back to filling UB40 forms by never buying another record but, alas, in the end, I lost the popularity contest.
The total of Red Red Wine listens is 800 million. That doesn’t count any other platforms or radio plays or even my occasionally having to endure that pap in an elevator.
Good riddance UB40.
Good Cover
The return of the band PULP 🇬🇧 has been one of the highlights of the year in music for me.
I was thrilled with their first new release in 24 years with “More”. I had the chance meeting of lead singer, JARVIS COCKER, in the UK in July. [Ed. Note – we tried to block the efforts of rex to post his pic with JARVIS again, but he is the RUPERT MURDOCH of this site- sorry.]
In September PULP put on a brilliant set at the MASONIC in Detroit.
And now, they just released a great cover of a JOHNNY CASH tune.
The song is “The Man Comes Around”.
Full disclosure- I don’t have any JOHNNY CASH music in my collection. I do not listen to country music because, fortunately, I have not yet had the need to get my truck, horse, dog, girl or job back in my very privileged 70 years. I did not even know this song – such is my myopic musical taste.
Having said that I love both the original and the cover versions of this track. I have listened to both repeatedly this past view days.
Hats off to the Man In Black. Having said that, this man (me) will never come around to the music of UB40 again but I may actually treat this introduction by PULP to come around more to the music of Johnny Cash.
Here we go!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hfXo2yhqjYs&list=RDhfXo2yhqjYs&start_radio=1&pp=ygUIUHVscCBtYW6gBwE%3D
SPOTIFY-
https://open.spotify.com/track/7gQtvYYJwLLypRFXJFx5KK?si=IT7QkZA7Tx63iW3q9qtnBw
(SONG 1380)
Play Loud And Take Cover
11/29/2025
underground365 
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