Monday on Top of the Covers: Gram Rides “Wild Horses”
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Artist:
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Album:Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Bros Anthology: 1969-1972
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Track:
Yesterday, our MOG pal August (screen name: Augusts1) posted a "Sunday Under the Covers" nod to a mellow version of "Wild Horses," as illuminated by the British folk-pop group The Sundays. A beautifully bittersweet, countrified ballad written by Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, "Wild Horses" was first released on Sticky Fingers - the monumental 1971 album by the Stones, England's quintessential bad-boy rock and rollers. But the original composition became associated with Gram Parsons - the star-crossed avatar of the Los Angeles country-rock scene in the '70s.
Gram Parsons
There are classic songs that simply had to be covered by certain artists - those who would bring something extra-special to the originals. And, though The Sundays' lovely sonic caress tames "Wild Horses," Parsons' version with his band the Flying Burrito Brothers - released in 1970 on their Burrito Deluxe album, before the Stones' take ever reached the public - truly gets to the heart and soul of the material.
According to most accounts, Parsons decided to cover the song after he heard an advance tape that was sent to the Burrito Brothers' pedal-steel player Pete Kleinow, who was slated to overdub a part on the song at the Stones' own sessions. Jagger agreed to let the Burritos record and release their interpretation on the condition that it wouldn't be issued as a single.
When Parsons (who died of a drug o.d. at the age of 26 in a hotel room in Joshua Tree, California on September 19, 1973) undertook the song, the result was statelier, more elegiac, and, considering the singer's sad fate, even more poignant than what the Stones managed. Give a listen to the stream above, and see if you feel the loss.
Comments (16)
very nice... feelining it indeed.
Cool, thanks for posting this Mike, I appreciate it. This is a great cover & better than the Stones version. However, I still am partial to The Sundays version since Harriet has a phenomenal voice that is far better in quality than Parsons. I think Parsons & Jagger bring the world weariness to the forefront with their voices/versions though. The Sundays version is more romantic.
And I didn't know anything about Parsons & his history although I'd heard his name many a time. I was just in Joshua Tree the w/e after I went to Coachella too back in April.
msquared64: Break out the hankies! ;-)
August: As ever, this is one of those your-mileage-may-vary things. Maybe it has to do with what you're seeking in the song. And, according to the usual sources, "Wild Horses" has also been covered by artists including Elvis Costello, Guns N' Roses, Alicia Keys, The Cranberries, Iron and Wine, Labelle, Jewel, Dave Matthews, Garbage, Mazzy Star, Bush, The Lovemongers with Chris Cornell, Old and in the Way, and Chantal Kreviazuk. There's gotta be something else in there worth hearing - and perhaps to be avoided.
Always nice to see Gram getting a nod. Thanks for this!
Great song and great version. Love the backstory too.
It's amazing how the Stones produced music modeled after american artists and did much better than any of them. Started with old blues stuff then moved into country.
I am a huge fan of August1...huge.
You know him...if you could get me an autograph...wow...the thought...that would totally rock.
He is a total mog legend.
I keed because I can not get the red dot to play. Also my keyboard is on the fritz and I can not use the apostrophe key. That sucks. How does an apostrophe key go out?
Great minds think alike.
I was just listening to this very track last night.
Thanks for posting it on Mog, Mike.
...awesome version... shame he left us so soon...
two days in a row of great covers of a great song. Tip of me cap to ya!
Mike, love the mileage comment, lol, too true. To me, The Sundays' version has always been a romantic song since I was in a long term relationship when it came out & I interpreted as such, although I can definitely see the drug reference in it. So, for me The Sundays' version has an emotional depth far beyond the actual song & brings back very fond memories, whereas The Stones version & this version don't do the same for me. Plus I think The Sundays version is absolutely stunningly gorgeous(not that I'm biased or anything, haha).
And *Annieander* you made me literally lol w/your comment. Thanks dear, that brought a huge smile to my face. You know I'm an Annieander fan too(as well as a Mike The Knife fan too)!
Feeling the love in the East Bay....Norcal.
You couldn't see it, but I just did one of those gang sign "peace out" hand things when I said Norcal. Just in case you missed it.
OMFG, I'm laughing hysterically at your gang sign hand thing. You are on a roll today Annie! Thanks again for the guffaw!
Somewhere I read that Keith came up with the phrase 'wild horses couldn't tear us apart'. He was talking to Jagger and referring to how great he felt about his relationship with Anita Pallenberg. "Typical Mick to turn it into the opposite," was his comment (or something like it) on the finished song. So maybe that's why people hear different emotions in it. Or maybe not.
Anyway, this is a great version.
I love Burritos in August or anytime actually..And graham cracker crusts containing Key Lime or also a fave. I have the Labelle and a Johhny Hammond version of the tune, but this has just the right amount of drawl for me.
Dave: De nada, man!
sonical: Country waa just one of the strains drawn upon by the Rolling Stones. Rock 'n' roll and R&B weren't enough for them. They even dipped into folk and madrigals and electronic music. But it was all Stones, baby.
annie: August is sort of insular, because of his massive fame. But, if you get past the bodyguards and security systems, you might find that he's just a regular guy.
redmiller1: My pleasure! Can't get enough of the great tunes.
vannatta: A terrible loss, for sure.
Rawkkiddoh: Doffing my beret right back atcha!
August: Time and place, man. And thanks for the kind words.
Jonh: Terrific background stuff. Ear of the beholder, no? Still, quite a resonant phrase to conjure with.
Cody B: Mmmmm. Burritos are tasty. And key lime pie, y'all! You couldn't drag me away from a slice...