We Can Work It Out
We Can Work It Out is one of my favorite songs ever, and I have just gotten my 10th version of the song today. So I am going to post to arrange what my favorites are and what versions fall short.
10.) Humble Pie
Pros- none
Cons- everything
This version sucks sucks sucks SUCKS!!!! This version is 3:19 the next version is 7:08 but let me tell you, this version seems to never end. Don’t take one of the best power pop songs ever written and turn it into a slow R&B song without really strong vocal (along the Otis Redding line) chops. #3 will show how this song should be R&Bified. Did I mention that this version sucks?
9.) Deep Purple
Pros- funky bass
Cons- intro jam, organ solo and electric guitar licks over the verses
So Deep Purple decided to start of the song with a 3 minute boring jam subtitled
Exposition, nothing special but nothing especially horrible. It is slower then the original again but thankfully not in the way Humble Pie slowed it down. The bass is more prominent then it is in the original but is still over powered by the guitar which is too bad since the bass line is groovin’ and the guitar work and organ work are irritating to no end. This version only makes the cut as a decent cover on a particularly good day
8.) Petunia Clark
Pros- very consistent and sweeping string arrangement
Cons- very consistent and sweeping string arrangement
I like this version and hate it in the very same breath. The vocal delivery is very well done, but it doesn’t change much during the “for fusing and fighting my friend” line. They strings make is seem much more dreamy and atmospheric, but at the same time crank up the cheese factor to 11. Inoffensive and a decent cover; take it or leave it.
7.) Heather Nova
Pros- close to the original
Cons- guitars mixed to high and vocals are kind of boring
When it really comes down to it no one needs this version if you have the original since they are identically arranged. This, of course, means I really like this version. It could have been even better if the guitars where mixed a little bit lower and the vocals had some more power behind them. Plus it is just Heather singing and I miss the harmonies.
6.) Tesla
Pros- power
Cons- no studio trickery (since it’s live)
In this version Tesla proves that all you need to do is play some acoustic guitars and belt out a song to cover it. Though they strip out some of the songs charm they replace it with raw power. I particularly love how even though they are singing by yelling most of the time they still harmonize.
5.) Chris de Burgh
Pros- Close to the original (even more so the Heather Nova’s version)
Cons- everything is mixed at about the same level
Wow this could practically be the Beatles version and only is dropped from #3 to #5 for one reason, who ever produced this. They did a good job making sure everything had some poppy power behind it but then they went and recorded everything at around the same level. If you want to listen to it closely and pick out individual instruments (like I do from time to time) it will give you a headache trying to sort through it all; everything is just so muddled.
4.) London String Orchestra
Skipping pros and cons for this one because they are obvious, if you don’t like classical or instrumentals you won’t like this. If you do this is exactly how a pop song should be arranged for orchestra. Multiple instruments take turns soloing for the vocal part but in a very natural way, not in a “well every one will bitch if we don’t give a solo so here is a solo” way.
3.) Stevie Wonder
Pros- Harmonica solo and its Stevie Wonder
Cons- cheesy female backing vocals
Damn this is a great recording. See Humble Pie this is how you R&Bifi the Beatles. Well except for the backing girls but this was while Stevie was still a Motown artist so they are expected. Still this is the first cover on the list fully realizes the song, while still having an interesting melody, is really groove based. Plus once that Harmonica solo comes up…well lets just say he blows the shit out of the poor little harp.
2.) The Beatles
Pros- damn near everything
Cons- if there were any noteworthy ones would I be making this list?
Well it doesn’t make #1 but this is still one of my favorite songs. For me it is the peak of The Beatles as pop masters it just seems to click for me. Anything else I could say would just be rambling.
1.) Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Pros- Everything
Cons- Nothing
Here is where I think the song I finally fully realized. It isn’t the best R&B song ever, or the best orchestral piece or even the best pop song. At its heart it is really the greatest piece of funk ever written. It opens acapella and you think it is going to be just another fun and harmless white doo-wop song from the Four Seasons. Then the drum kick sets the speed and the funk vocals come in follow shortly by the bass; and man it is about time someon
e finally realized that the most crucial part of We Can Work It Out lies in that overlooked low-end instrument. Then the funk comes full on as we are greeted by some prime vocals sung by one of the Four Seasons and then another. In Fact Frankie Valli doesn’t show up until the bridges. Speaking of which, the emergence of the backing orchestra during the vocal fade outs of the bridges as these moody crashes just helps to add to the strength of the song. To sum it up in one sentence: Wow Four Seasons, just wow.
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geeky 
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