In celebration of CBC Music’s new Killer Covers stream, we’re pitting some of the most famous cover versions against the originals. Once a day for two weeks we'll post an original song and its cover, and you can vote for which version you prefer.
Today, “Common People.”
In 1995, Pulp released its biggest hit, “Common People” off the album Different Class. The song tells the story of an upper-crust art student and her desire to go slumming among the commoners. With its catchy chorus and the quiet-to-loud dynamics that epitomize 1990s alt-rock, “Common People” reached number two on the U.K. charts.
Actor William Shatner has recorded stilted spoken-word versions of songs like “Rocket Man” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” but “Common People” may be the perfect song for the Canadian actor. Its conversational pace and limited vocal requirements fit Shatner’s style exactly. On his 2004 album, Has Been, Shatner recorded a duet of the song with Joe Jackson, who handled the singing.
Check back tomorrow for another cover song matchup.
Related:
Cover Wars: 'Hallelujah'
Cover Wars: 'Lovers in a Dangerous Time'
Usher covers 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster the People