Clash of the Cover Songs: David Bowie vs. Au Revoir Simone

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: 'Oh! You Pretty Things'

The Contestants:
David Bowie vs. Au Revoir Simone

In This Corner -- David Bowie: Just before Bowie morphed into his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, he took a giant step away from his folk-rock sound with the 1971 album 'Hunky Dory.' Demonstrating the power of the piano, Bowie endeavors to prove that the pretty things "drive their mothers and fathers insane." (We could have told you that, but he makes it sound so much better.)

David Bowie, 'Oh! You Pretty Things'

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In This Corner -- Au Revoir Simone: Covering Bowie is risky. Very, very risky. But this Brooklyn-based trio of indie rockers joined several other electronic groups, including Matthew Dear and Joakim & the Disco, to record a full album of Bowie covers (which will be available later this summer). And, let's be honest, once those Au Revoir Simone gals turned Bowie's piano into a synth, this version really started speaking to us. Gotta love electronic remixes!

Au Revoir Simone, 'Oh! You Pretty Things'


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