Some songs just stay with us. They were so well written and arranged that a bevy of people wind up covering the song because they liked it so much.
Such is the case with the 1995 hit "Waterfalls", which was performed by TLC. The song was a double Grammy nominee and charted very well. The song was written by Marqueze Etheridge and TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. You may not know that Cee-Lo Green sang backing vocals on the track.
This is NOT a happy song. It's message is a warning and an attempt to bring attention to the violence, drug dealing and chronic HIV cases that were destroying inner-cities in the U.S.
"Waterfalls" would be covered by at least nine artists of which two are notable. The first is by the London pop trio Stooshe who released their cover in 2012 along with a video. This version came as a surprise to both fans and critics alike. Their harmonies during the rap portion of the song is brilliant and the interplay of their voices with horns make this a very likable song. The video is first rate as well and TLC members T-Boz and Chilli have cameos. It is reported that the band decided to do the song after meeting T-Boz earlier that year.
The Steve Poltz version of "Waterfalls" couldn't possibly be more different. This stripped- down solo acoustic guitar performance wowed us and the surprisingly good handling of "Left Eye's" rap portion clinched it for us. Not bad for a guy from Nova Scotia, Canada!
Poltz went to school in San Diego and formed a band called The Rugburns. They would make some noise in town but Steve eventually went solo and after a disagreement with a record label, started his own. In 2003 he released the album Chinese Vacation and got a lot of play on Sirus XM. "Waterfalls" is now his signature song at his performances and the crowds are still amazed.
So lets hear them all! We are putting all three up for your consideration...
Introducing Maisy and Lennon Stella, from the television show Nashville, in a country/folk pared down version of the song Telescope. The same song was also performed on the show by Hayden Panitierre, the song itself about staying one step ahead of your man's wandering eyes. Both versions are quite good, but we are featuring this version with these two young sisters singing it. They are amazing, and have already performed at the Grand Old Opry, at 9 and 13 years-of-age! The earlier songs on You Tube by these sisters begin when the younger of the two (Maisy) was 7. And yes, the elder sister really is playing that guitar.
You may have first seen the sisters on the talent how scene on the first Season of Nashville. Reportedly Maisy sang for the audition to be part of the cast and they loved her. She told the creators she had and older sister whom she sang with and that was that, both sisters were placed in the roles of sisters.
Monahan's Song staffer Susan Spinella nailed this one early. The two sisters went viral on YouTube with a vocal only cover of "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn. They use a plastic bowl to tap out a beat. Between that video and Telescope, they have become a video sensation and the number of views are pushing 10 million.
Most recently, they did a cover of "Ring of Fire" to commemorate what would have been Johnny Cash's 81st birthday. It was recorded in the Ryman Auditorium.
We think the future is bright for the Stella Sisters. Here we are including "Telescope", but also "Call Your Girlfriend". There is a Nashville soundtrack if you want to own some of these tunes...
It's turkey time and so here is your chance to submit (for our consideration) your nominee for worst song ever! The winner will receive top billing as a connoisseur of garbage. We are looking for songs that are just plain band and/or received way more airplay than it deserved. Let's do away with novelty songs that try to be bad and go for the epic failures (by today's measures) that never held up over time.
So I seek your input. I'll
pick two submittals and publish them Thanksgiving Day. One caveat: the song you suggest must be a
video I can post or at minimum, an audio link from a website. I want our readers to
hear what you have chosen. Simply submit your choice by commenting on this post or send it via e-mail (with a link to the song) here. Let me get you started with this one: Paul Anka:"(You're) Having My Baby" (1974) In 2006, CNN poll voters named this the worst song ever. But wait, the video has a bonus in that Anka is introduced by none other than BBC's late child abuser Jimmy Savile! Is this a small world or what?!
Jason Mraz has a new album out called 'Love is a Four Letter Word'. My favorite track so far is 'The World as I See It'. He is a brilliant lyricist.
The world as I see it, is a remarkable placeA beautiful house in a forest, of stars in outer space.From a birds eye view, I can see it has a well-rounded personalityFrom a birds eye view, I can see we are family.It's not hard for me to love youHard for me to love youNo it's not a difficult thing.It's not hard for me to love youHard for me to love youBecause you are the world to me.
To All My Friends (Frida Alkestrand and Tove Möller) is another Swedish folk duo showing creative talent in writing about ordinary life. Accompanied by instruments such as banjo, autoharp, accordion, melodica and guitar they mold beautiful tunes in the storytelling tradition of american folk music and turn it into something of their own, right here and right now. "Ride With Me" is the title track off of their second album. It features first rate harmonies and I found myself listening to it over and over. Released February 14, 2012.
