Clash of the Cover Songs: The Beach Boys vs. Adam Green & Ben Kweller

Posted on May 14th 2008 6:30PM by Christina Lang
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The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!

The Song: 'Kokomo'

The Contestants: The Beach Boys vs. Adam Green & Ben Kweller

In This Corner -- The Beach Boys: These ambassadors of sun and surf are known for their superior songwriting, but 'Kokomo' fell a little flat, as songwriting genius Brian Wilson was not involved. The lack of both musicality and, let's face it, sharp lyrics didn't stop this tune from topping the charts in 1988 and gracing karaoke collections everywhere.

The Beach Boys, 'Kokomo'

Buy it on iTunes

In This Corner -- Adam Green & Ben Kweller: What should you do with a bad song by a great band? Cover it, of course! One third of the Bens and the "him" half of Him & Her came together to perform their take on the Beach Boys' final No. 1 hit.

Adam Green & Ben Kweller, 'Kokomo'

Buy it on iTunes

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