When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week Camper Van Beethoven takes on the Status Quo’s “Pictures Of Matchstick Men.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!
“Pictures Of Matchstick Men” was the only hit for British band the Status Quo in the U.S., but worldwide, the group has gone on to sell more than 100 million albums. The song was partially inspired by artist Laurence Stephen Lowry, who would also be the muse for another U.K. hit song, Brian And Michael’s “Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Dogs And Cats.” David Lowery (no relation to the artist) sang the Quo song on Camper Van Beethoven’s 1989 album, Key Lime Pie, and turned it into a hit again, this time on the alternative-rock charts.
The Cover:
The Original:
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5 Comments
God! What ugly sods SQ were! Are those WIGS they’re wearing? They look like Eloi. Still, still one of my favorite songs, ever. Notice the “mannequin” guy dancing in the front of the stage about halfway through video. Boy, and they say white people have no rhythm. Brits are even worse!
No question…both versions are great.
I think both versions are great too, but my nod is for CVB. The fact they so easily make it sound like their own is evidence of the Quo influence in their sound. Plus it’s much smoother, the Quo were a little creaky imho.
I thought Matchstick men was a stylistic oddity when I heard the Quo original; then, later, I heard the album from which it came. Every song on there has little bits and flourishes that sound like Matchstick.
Thoroughly enjoy CVB’s cover and many of their records, but, sadly, they could not hold The Status Quo’s jock. Check out “Black Veils Of Meloncholy(sic)” from the same album. Even their later boogie-blues stuff kinda works.
Correction to above, meant The Status Quo’s “Ice In The Sun”. Also, did not intend to imply CVB were attempting to hold any piece of athletic equipment used by The Status Quo or any other band.