Susan Boyles first single: a cover of The Stones Wild Horses

One criticism I’ve never understood about song covers is when people complain that it’s not like the original. And they talk about how an identical sounding copy as “does justice” to the song. If I wanted to hear the exact same song, I’d listen to the original. If you’re going to re-do it, really reinvent it.

So with it known that I love a crazy cover, for some reason I wasn’t really psyched about hearing Susan Boyle’s first single, a cover of the Rolling Stones’ classic “Wild Horses.” As much as I like her and love her story, her musical style generally doesn’t do it for me. But I was totally and completely wrong. Susan’s version is so unique and so her own that it’s a completely different song. Different parts of the lyrics stand out and the feeling you come away with is unique to her version. The song is very clean; Susan’s vocals are great without being too showy or overpowering. It’s just a stunningly fabulous performance all the way around.

This one you might have to search YouTube a bit for, as it seems like the posted files are being yanked almost as soon as they are posted. However, the news is that Susan Boyle’s version of the Rolling Stones classic “Wild Horses” has been leaked, and, in one word, it is stunning. The song itself is well deserved of accolades as a classic. The choice of it as a song for Susan Boyle to sing is impressively inspired. Her delivery is flawless. If this is truly a sign of what we have to expect from her upcoming album I Dreamed a Dream, it will be a blockbuster. Susan Boyle is expected to appear this week on US television as part of the finale of America’s Got Talent.

[From Bill’s Top 40 Pop Blog]

I think “Wild Horses” must be one of the most covered songs (and requested songs) of all time. I have a friend who’s a singer who has a caption under a picture of her performing which says “No, I will not sing ‘Wild Horses’ for you.” I’ve heard other artists whom I really like cover the song, and it often just leaves a bland taste in my mouth compared to the original. Susan’s version is so her own, there’s no comparison. And it’s not trying to one-up the Stones or really be anything like the original. Everything about it is flawless if you take it for what it is instead of as a comparison.

Here’s Susan arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Sun has a cute story about her visit to Disneyland. Images thanks to BauerGriffinOnline.

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