When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week Minor Threat takes on Wire’s “12XU.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!
When Wire recorded this song, it took multiple takes for the band to get it right because it was so fast. Minor Threat’s version is twice the speed of the original. Try not to trash your place when you hear it.
The Cover:
The Original:
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2 Comments
I love Minor Threat, and I love them in part because they were smart enough to cover a song by Wire. Nonetheless, it’s pretty difficult to argue that Minor Threat’s version of “12XU” sucks in comparison.
Either way, Wire is almost the quintessential punk band to cover (or in the case of Elastica, gleefully steal from). I’ve heard easily heard many more Wire covers than covers of the Ramones or Sex Pistols or Clash.
the order of the versions of the songs should have been reversed. wire wrote the darn song and they deserve to go first. when you hear minor threat’s version first, wire’s version seems almost boring (as much as I love pink flag!). the first three wire cd’s trump minor threats output, but when comparing these 2 songs, minor threat’s version captures so well the pure testosterone of youth that it still takes my breath away. minor threat wins.