Here Comes the Sun; The Beatles vs. Richie Havens
by 
Jennifer on July 6th, 2007
We’re going to have a few regular post categories each week here at Hippie Sounds — frankly, because I like a little organization. Not everywhere and all the time; but some.
Have you caught on that this is one of those categories? Cool. Enough talk….
Song covers; love them or hate them they’re part of the biz. I’ve heard Joni Mitchell covers that make me cringe and Dead covers that make me smile. Sometimes, it’s even hard to choose between a cover and the original.
For me, this is one of those times.
Here Comes the Sun; The Beatles vs. Richie Havens
Discuss:
Okay, I’ll start.
Harrison, of course, wrote Here Comes the Sun. According to most sources he wrote this tune to fight off his depression over the band’s impending breakup during the Abbey Road sessions.
We’ve heard this though.
More recently, I found out that Harrison got the idea for Here Comes the Sun while he was writing Badge with Eric Clapton. I hadn’t heard this. Have I been under a rock? Who knows. It is a little surprising that it’s never come up because Badge is my absolute favorite Cream song. Anyhow, the song got written, the song was a huge hit, and here we are.
Peter Tosh covered the song first (I believe), and others followed, including another favorite of mine, Nina Simone. Richie Havens who will be facing off against The Beatles today released his version in 1971.
My vote: It’s close (very) but I have to go with Havens. I’m assuming I’ll be in the minority on this one and I don’t even have a great argument. There’s just something so lingering and earthy about Havens version. I LOVE his intro. It sticks with you long after you hear it and to me sounds less.. um, I’m searching for the word… twangy. That’s close.
Do you hate me now? If not (or if so) why not click on the comments and let your vote be heard.
Tags: abbey_road, Beatles, cool_enough, Covers, eric_clapton, hard_to_choose, here_comes_the_sun, joni_mitchell, nina_simone, peter_tosh, richie_havens| 2.8 |
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