Sábado 10 Jun 2006, 23:35

I was browsing my humble music collection when I noticed that I had four different versions of the same song, "Ne Me Quitte Pas" originally performed by Jacques Brel in 1959. It is certainly a French language classic song, one that everyone knows, and has all the makings of a sad love tune that all can relate to blah blah blah. I was surprised, however, to find four different versions by artists from different countries no less. I decided to research, and about an hour later had versions of "Ne Me Quitte Pas" by the following artists in no particular order:

Emma Daumas
Gilbert Becaud
Nicole Simone
Maysa Matar
Enrico Macias
Sandie Shaw
Salvatore Adamo
Frida Boccara
Violet Indiana - half in English
Natacha Atlas - arabesque remake, definitely my favorite
Yuri Buenaventura - a nice latin rendition/butchering depending on your mood
Karrin Allyson
Ludvig Von 88 - I like Ween, but this is one of the worst songs I've ever heard
Eartha Kitt
Faudel - oh Faudel you adoarable little sellout
Nana Mouskouri
Mario Pelchat
Dalida

Almost 20 versions of the same song, most of them unremarkable, and the orgiinal is probably still the best. On the other hand, there is surely another dozen out there that I dont know of. Not to mention certain forthcoming covers by countless international musicians like Michael Buble, Kelly Clarkson and maybe R. Kelly featuring the Young Dynamos who knows. I have never heard of this many covers being done of any song before; I probably couldn't name a song that has had ten. However, I'm sure they are out there. If you know one, in any language, let me know, because a song become that overdone is truly a rare, fascinating and hilarious phenomenon.

Oh and if I could pick any French song to be remade a million times it would Oui Parait-Il by Nicole Martin.