Cover vs. Original

Tweeter and the Monkey Man


It's perhaps unfair to try and compare the two versions, with The Headstones high-energy punk metal aiming for a different acheivement than Bob Dylan's mumbled introspective. Yet I remain a fan of the Headstones hard rock version, putting plenty of high energy into the lyrics (Hugh Dillon's raspy growl says the word "hell" like no one else). Tonally the cover stays pretty close to the original, though the notes are not always the same. The lyrics receive a few alterations: for the Headstones, their hometown of Kingston is where everything is legal, and the last three verses are condensed down to two.

- Lars Ormberg, Edmonton, Canada, 25.09.2005


The Headstones
1993

vs.

The Travelling Wilburys
1988

CD-Cover: The Headstones - Picture of Health 56.8 % 43.2 % CD-Cover: The Travelling Wilburys - The Travelling Wilburys, Vol. 1
Results of the voting: Cover versus Original
Click on the cover for listening Click on the cover for listening
The Headstones 1411 Votes The Travelling Wilburys

Further information about song and bands:

The Traveling
Wilburys
Nice site about The Traveling Wilburys. Discography, photos, lyrics, tabs and a comprehensive FAQ about the band.
The Headstones Fanpage about The Headstones. The Canadian band is introduced and all albums are reviewed briefly. More information you can find at the official site.

Comments about Tweeter and the Monkey Man:

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The Headstones cover totally kicks ass!They also have a shit load of other great tunes.Too bad they aren't together any more.One of the best Canadian bands ever!And hey Moncton,your fucked,the Wilburys couldn't rock it the way the H.S.do even if they tried.Who cares if they wrote it?
- Meldmind, Vernon B.C., Canada, 05.03.2010
I really like the energy of the Headstones version, but I'm going to have to go with the original: the rearranged lyrics disrupt the flow of the narrative, and leave out some important parts of the story.
- Sam, Albany, United States, 06.01.2010
Unfortunately I discovered The Headstones waaaaay after they'd broken up seeing that I'm waaaaaaay down south, but I have to say that this band is one of my favorite bands of all time. I just wish I could've had the chance to check them out live. You 'gotta love Hugh Dillon's voice, it's like none other out there; not to mention he's a great actor :)
- Elena, El Paso, United States, 30.03.2009
"The Traveling Wilburys the band consists of the superstars George Harrison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. They had never played live together, but recorded two studio albums."

Travelling Wilburys Volume III did not include Roy Orbison, it was done posthumously.

- Monkey Man, Kingston - in the summertime, Canada, 14.02.2009
Mike - the Headstones cover might not have the "irony" of the Wilbury's original, but it works well. It isn't "just a goofy song full of ridiculous cliches" in their cover - it's just a song about drug-dealer's and cops and a girl named Jan. They tweaked/re-rearranged the lyrics slightly and it really works well.

I've got to say the Headstones version is better than the Travelling Wilburys. It is a great hard hitting rock song, and Hugh's growly vocals are hot.
- Pia, Houston, Tx, United States, 26.12.2008
Every Dylan cover I have heard is far better than Bob. He can write them, but he just can't perform them.

Dylan may have been aiming at a Springsteen parody, but as the Headstones clearly demonstrate, he missed.
- Dave, Just South of the Border, United States, 11.11.2008
The man who invented basketball would have been no match for Michael Jordan. So it goes with this song ;). The Headstones' cover is fantastic!
- HMR, Calgary, Canada, 17.10.2008
your fucked. mumblind. alrighty . you may like the raspy sound of who ever the fuck, but if it was intended to be sung like that the willburys wwould of. they are the ones that wrote the song .
- bluesthrough&through, moncton, Canada, 15.10.2008
Pissing good tuna!!! LOVE Headstones :)
- Ditte Nielsen, Sorring, Denmark, 05.08.2008
Dylan wrote this song to make fun of Bruce Springsteen because he was labeled "the new Dylan". It's all Springsteen cliches. Any cover takes it completely out of context. Without the irony, it's just a goofy song full of ridiculous cliches. Never heard the Headstones, but how can they do Dylan spoofing Springsteen. It's like covering one of John Lennon's song where he trashes Paul
- Mike, Xining, China, 31.01.2008
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