Clash of the Cover Songs: Neil Young vs. Thom Yorke

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: 'After the Gold Rush'

The Contestants: Neil Young vs. Thom Yorke

In This Corner -- Neil Young: With a career that spans five decades and as one of the most recognizable voices in music, Neil Young released this environmentally conscious piece as the title track of his 1970 album. The legendary singer now performs the line "Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 1970s" as "Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 21st century" -- fitting for the new, vamped green movement.

Neil Young, 'After the Gold Rush'

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In This Corner -- Thom Yorke: The outspoken politically and socially active frontman of Radiohead released his first solo project in 2006, and since then he has performed 'Gold Rush' at several live shows. Not only using his music to raise awareness, Yorke is an active supporter of Friends of the Earth as well as The Big Ask, a group seeking to lower carbon emissions.

Thom Yorke, 'After the Gold Rush'

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