James Brown covers The Beatles - Something (1973)

[LordNicoDiAngelo]

This was George's favorite cover!

[Lorenzofire]

I love this! Made it his song!



[temiztocles]

..de las decenas de versiones que hay de esta cancion (Charles,Presley, Sinatra,Cocker, etc, etc, ) esta es la mas genial ...el comienzo es espectaculamente blusero y ese cambio en 1.31 es pesadisimo!!..Cancion que la hizo suya...

..tens of versions of this song (Charles, Presley, Sinatra, Cocker, etc, etc,) this is the most brilliant.. .the beginning is amazing blues and this change in 1.31 is heavy!...Song that endorsed...

[Darkblossomxx]

Whats up with people dissing the godfather of soul?!? So i guess every cover of a song has to sound like an exact copy of the original??...Give me a break people this cover is genius.

[pandrice93]

@Darkblossomxx This was george harrison's favorite cover of the song.

[Darkblossomxx]

@pandrice93 haha i know!! its also mine to :)

[Manu9078]

So...where exactly did you find this?

[mapo69]

@Manu9078 I found this on the web. Someone had surely the vinyl pressing in 45 rpm and transfered it in mp3. That's how I found this my friend! :)



[PaulGreen11]

"Something" must have really hit 1969 very, very hard.

[johnnyflipp]

What an Artist!

[johnnyflipp]

James Brown is a bad bad man!

[gietek]

I can understand why George favourited this cover. It's so in his style.

[bubz75]

Luv the way JB put's the break in 1:30min -2:18min Genius. I prefer this version than the original!

[wutangclander]

@mapo69 This cut is in the compilation "The Singles Vol.8: 72-73"

[MrShoeman21]

This is Georges favorite cover of his song!

[xmotordrive]

James Brown covers The Beatles - Something (1973) 原曲と全然違うw

[eddiemurphyfan100]

i like Isaac Hayes' version, butI like this version best

[TheFpuff]

I must say, I disagree with George.

[pagimon]

I love the original and didnt think it could get any better...but this on another funky, sexy version....RIP James

[subg88]

Ray Charles easily does the best cover of this tune.

[shibyx]

20 people dont like sweat

[edmund3052]

I'm a massive, massive James Brown fan, but I'm not such a massive fan of this cover. It doesn't quite capture the heart of the original, and that incredible chorus has disappeared. It could have been better. It's still fantastic though, and I love James Brown, but in terms of covers of Something, Shirley Bassey's has got to be the best.

[drjones087]

@edmund3052

James wasn't trying to capture the heart of the original. He made it his own.

[132Reinier]

@edmund3052 I'm not really a big fan of James Brown, but I'm a big fan of the Beatles, and to be honest, this version is just waaaay waaaay better.. This version indeed doesn't have the heart of the original, but you shouldn't compare it with the original. He just created a new, awesome song.

[OropherThranduil]

@132Reinier

it#s not actually better, it's not like a fact.

you just think it is, it's your opinion.

the beatles is a classic, this is good cover.

but for me nothing beats the original.

georges lead, his singing, his passion, pauls melodic bass mastery, ringos intricate drumming, and that solo, the most beautiful solo ever.

[132Reinier]

This cover is sooo..... Wow.

[mreatyoursausages]

listen assholes who think they know it all....its james brown doing what he did in every song he wrote....he cahnges the tune to suit his style....fuck sake its not rocket science

[rumbamama]

James Brown... auto thumbs up.

[PaulDA2000]

Go to /watch?v=eN3HE3FLh2o and check out geoponce81's posting of the original by the Beatles. In his description he says: "The song has been covered by over 150 artists, and is the second-most covered Beatles' song after "Yesterday". Harrison is quoted as saying that his favorite cover of the song was that of James Brown's. In fact, Harrison kept Brown's version in his personal jukebox."

[glontaya]

niceeee )

]

[mapo69]

Nope! It's rather "Yesterday" that has been covered by the most artists! If I'm not wrong, I think "Something" comes second!

[GodfatherInOhio]

@mapo69 You are correct, #1: Yesterday, #2: Something.

[TheRoyalBreton]

Something by the Beatles is the song thats been covered by the most artists.

[michaeljamsmith]

@TheRoyalBreton That would be real odd since the most covered song of any artist in history is also by the Beatles: Yesterday.

[EdBlackmail]

Thanks for sharing!

[tonytigereyes]

if this wasn't a Beatles' song you would say this was one of the greatest soul songs ever

[starrrkrazeee]

brown & beatles thats like tom jones doing dave clark five? at least something like that!

kinda reminds me about the joke... theres a new resturant in town... serves soul food and mexican .... called nacho mamma! seriously brown & the beatles are tied for my favorite and yet they are so different in style... trying to do each other is so odd its like kissing your sister instead of marlyn monroe all night long! if you look at james at his best and john lennon at his worst, you get this song!

[feralayo]

suficiente para mis oídos. la versión favorita de george... perfecta.

[TheMrSoMo]

Check out my piano cover of "Something"

Thanks :)

[captainranter]

This is really good and I also liked the Elvis cover but the best version is the original by The Beatles my favorite band.

[chirixhere]

maybe im not a good music observer,.

but it doesnt sound like a song to me,.

it doest sound like music,.

[PaulDA2000]

@chirixhere - You need to get your ears cleaned out I guess.

[MAGICO240]

He reinvented the song. Sounds like another song.Excellent!!!

[noldorian86]

as long as it sounds good its alright with me

[CrzyMnkyFrmHell]

WOW...thats all i hafta say :) lol

[iLoveJohnLennon17]

Great cover! :)

[DavisNetPromos5550]

Yes..it takes you by surprise. But when you hear it the second time it actually sounds pretty cool! Good God! Ya gotta believe in sumpthin!!

[MojoRebel]

Love it thanks for posting 

[Mongo76]

James was a creator and they don't always do so well when doing covers. This is OK but its not as good as the original and not as good as a James Creation .... it is NICE nonetheless.

[BreezelyBruin]

@Mongo76 True but he put his touch on it, made it his. Be honest, if some unknown dude/band rocked it like this on for argument's sake American Idol (or it's equivalent) Beatles night and you were one of the judges it would be the most awesome thing you ever heard.

[bboyxchristian]

he has such a great voice.

[OriginalSliz]

this is a very good cover. way better than Elvis's

[HendrixPrinceFlea89]

@OriginalSliz yea the Elvis version completely took the art out of the song.

[oldinfant23]

before MJ came to us.... there is James Brown.... R.I.P. MJ and James Brown!!!

[IsSkelter]

he sucks

[dynastywilliams]

I like this.. took some time to get used to the difference..But it's nice..

[gogglepops]

This wasn't George's favourite version. His favourite was Ray Charles' version.

[jojopuppyfish]

@gogglepops Not according to an interview he did with Goldmine magazine.

[bastrdjohn]

brilliant.

[SmeGalvao]

Exactly PaulDA2000, I also read it was George's favorite version! I'm not sure where anymore, maybe in his autobiography?

[MikroBadass]

legend!

[inkey2]

I am a big beatles / george harrison fan......I think it's pretty good.....in fact it would be more accurate to say that it's a totally different song based on the song something

[ensconse]

Check out the CD issue of "The Original Disco Man" - includes this gem as a "bonus" cut. Thanx.

[seanhanley1978]

@ensconse

I believe that is actually his cover of Elvis's 'Love Me Tender' ; this can only be found on 45, the singles vol.8 , and a couple of European lp comps from the 70's..

[inkey2]

@seanhanley1978 : LOL you think this sounds like "love me tender"

[Beatlemarek]

Very good cover!Thanks for sharing.

[pokemyokem3000]

Original, counts for something do your way, the beatles pinched off of other bands too. For better or worse it's yours.

[Buckeyecat2002]

I guess sacharine was still being sold in 1973. So damn sappy. About as bad as him sing "Love Me Tender" by Elvis.

[PaulDA2000]

@Buckeyecat2002 - Both of Mr. Brown's recordings were original and were wonderful. I don't know what you are talking about.

[Zecalran]

@Buckeyecat2002 wat do u mean sappy?! this isn't sappy.

[xbadnews4u]

lol 0:52

[PaulDA2000]

@xbadnews4u - That part at 0:52 was one of the things that make Mr. Brown's version fantastic. He could take any song, change it, and make it his own. By the way, George Harrison said this was his favorite cover of 'Something'.

[RokDAWG1]

I can see exactly what he was going for. I don't know the story behind it but it almost sounds like it was rushed to get recorded. I can "feel" it...The Beatles' version will always be my favorite version but it's cool to hear the way others hear and feel their tunes

[kasitter]

cocaine's a hell of a drug.

[CF1975]

Good example of covering a good original and making it entirely your own, like every cover version of every song should be.

[HelterStardust]

This "Something" cover was George's favourite version of this song. #chupa

[MyDreamside]

@HelterStardust are you sure?because the song is changed a lot and i dont like it elvis version is asweome

[HelterStardust]

@MyDreamside Yes, I saw on an interview. Besides, becouse this interview Im here...

[denidowi]

@HelterStardust Yes; he kept this version on his own personal Juke boxLOL!

[mapo69]

You have an interesting point indeed! But sometimes covers can be in a creative perspective interesting to hear and sometimes sound better than the original. I find this cover interesting to hear in some ways even if I'm well aware that it's totally different in it's treatment! Like they say, it's a matter of tastes! Greetings from MAPO! :)

[Luchoman75]

actually they do change music. have you ever heard with a little help from my firends with joe cocker? in the musical across the universe the song is played in the cocker way at some times. and thats what a good cover is, giving a new perspective. what would nouvelle vagu would be otherwise?

[MrSleepySheep]

uhm hes in the same key, hes just interpreting it in his own way. thats what a real cover is, not a carbon copy of the original. i personally think this is fuckin beautiful

[mohawk1020]

actualy there are songs that use the same chord progressions, structures, etc. they don't call them covers but its not uncommon to hear

[jojuinc]

Certainly not as good as The Beatles version is, but he is James Brown, he's not going to do a straight cover of the song. He's going to funk it up.

It's certainly not awful, it's just not what listeners of the original are used to and it was one of George's favourite covers of the song.

[sheraton114]

there is only one james!

[beatlesfvr2]

love it!

[paullongball]

Thanks, Mapo69, went directly to my heartstrings! Wow!

RIP James Brown, RIP George Harrison

Love you guys forever

@->->----- @->->-----

[beatlesfvr]

very unique. i love you all

[ailzzzz]

this was george's favourite version of his song.

[bryanferryfan]

This is cool. James did a cool ass version of this song. I dig it.

[nalalambutan]

he'a an addict and he was high!!!

[martincesc]

bizarre!!!!!!!!!

[Gtchy1230]

The purpose of a cover isn't to make it better than the original song lol. It's to put your own touch on a song and that's exactly what James Brown did.

[roscoegino]

@Gtchy1230 Thank you.

[Gtchy1230]

The purpose of a cover isn't to make it better than the original song lol. It's to put your own touch on a song and that's exactly what James Brown did.

[yordoni]

one of the greatest singer/performers performing a beatles song! musical heavan.

[tulipmitchell]

Damm he got funky with it.

[steveshack]

THIS. IS. INCREDIBLE. What a find! It's brilliant. Genius. Total genius.

[DigitalGrotto]

Beatles influences? They started out in skiffle music.which began in New Orleans around 1900. I'm quite aware of the black influence on Beatle music. Your sensitivity is unbelievable. Amazing how one pulls out the phrase 'a black dude' from a sentence and then one tries to isolate it, like a throbbing corn on a foot.

[chepman]

i love james brown but i hate this

[superman11978]

Nothing could top the original, which in my opinion is 3 minutes of musical perfection (NOTHING needs to be changed in it, everything from the guitar to the bass to the vocals to the lyrics to the melody to the drums to the harmonies is just f'ing perfect), but this is pretty good, and I like covers that take a song and make it completely different.

[DigitalGrotto]

Sounds like a black dude listening to the Muzak version of Something in an elevator in a hotel in Las Vegas. He's lost all his winnings, he's lost his room key, he's lost his way to the washroom and he decides to start singing along karaoke style because nothing relieves you of your troubles more than singing karaoke style in an elevator all alone.

[gm78cc]

sounds like a black dude, well you should check out the beatles influences

[iata1969]

The best version of something

[Alien8990]

This cover sucks ass!

[XanderProductions]

please stop trolling videos! the beatles are good, and you spam every video with them in it!

[Discombobulis]

where did you get the picture at 0:24 ?

[mapo69]

On the internet! What site exactly? I don't really remember! Sorry!

[PlayaJ360Perspective]

I Don't Like it, too sloppy

[roscoegino]

das the funk. the little imperfections that make it what it be.

[pepepucho]

amazing

[WRWidg2003]

hell ,,im gonna start a new station devoted to this classic music

[WRWidg2003]

wonderful, sexy, and true rock,,,,,,,if this came out today,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I guarantee it would be a hit,,,,,from a white boy

[jor99912]

(Screaming and Boogaloo HuH) Brown was the first person to introduce me to music, that made me so happy, I cried. The original recording I LOST SOMEONE. At around 12, I broke down and Cried uncontrollably. Brown covered Billy Eckstein's PRISONER OF LOVE Beautifully! And the classic THESE FOOLISH THINGS REMIND ME OF YOU, Was truly wonderful! The Federal Years, Back in the Day were the best!

[Grimgator]

I think I love you

[jor99912]

This was a waste of Brown's Time.

Wilson Pickett did a good job on Beatles Tunes!

The Four Tops did excellent work on them.

Frank Sinatra, Engelbert Humperdink, Shirley Bassey and others did excellent work on Beatles material!

[KMO325]

George Harrison didn't think so.

[Virpatrick]

KMO325

Agree.

♪. ♫

[bwilliamsjr08]

Yeah, James Brown is known best for his "boogaloo" & screamin' & such, but he really is to be remembered as an accomplished singer. So much so that, if you recall, he was honored when the Stars & Stripes flew half-mast around the entire nation for about a month after his death. (You know... around the time when Gerald Ford died?)

[Lcbfortes]

Sensacional! Agradeço por esta postagem, um amigo tinha este disco e foi otimo poder ouvir esta beleza novamente> Obrigado. Luiz Fortes / Rio de Janeiro- Brasil

[mapo69]

O meu prazer! Estou contente você gostou dele! Feliz Natal!

[BobGeorgeAU]

I love how he added "you've got to believe in something". So awesome.

[Ramshackled17]

I read that Something has more than 150 recordings, and George Harrion said that his favorite was this JB's version.

[justicejayant]

Any interview?

I have heard that beatles lived like a loser after 1970.. i heard this from bitchy yoko uno..

[justicejayant]

Elvis and James are best!!!

[roscoegino]

my friend had the 45 that i listened to years ago. never thought id hear it again.  thanx!

[GeezerPunk777]

Isn't it amazing how well BEATLES songs still sound, even covered by different artists of widely different genres (Soul, Country, etc.)?!!

[PaulDA2000]

George Harrison was quoted as saying that this was his favorite cover of 'Something'. James Brown does a magnificent job here. He could take anyone's song and change it around completely and make it his own. Notice that he adds, "I've got to believe in something" to the music between verses and he adds an all new bridge!

[bewaremylove]

It's okay, but I bet Smokey Robinson's version is better?? George also liked Frank's version and after Old Blue Eyes used 'Jack' in the song, George always sang it that way.

Elvis did a decent job, but was jealous of The Beatles. They had the perfect live song for Elvis, but Elvis had no clue. It was 'Lovely Rita'. Perfect for The King.

[push555push]

"My personal favorite is the version by James Brown. It was one of his B sides. I have it on my jukebox at home. It's absolutely brilliant."

--George Harrison

[diamondbackseye]

At times James and the music don't seem in sync. But James definitely didn't try to copy the Beatles version! Elvis does a very cool version of this song aswell, I think it's during his Hawaii'72 concert DVD. The girl singing backup with him does an amazing vox part after the 2nd line in the verses.

[PROGBETA12]

Everyone seems to have cover at least one Beatles song no matter what genre it is.

[GoudenKanaal]

awesome, I'm looking for "Woman" by James Brown. Maybe you know

[mapo69]

Nahh! Sorry mate I don't! I'm a Beatles fan who likes Beatles covers not necessarily James Brown...although this cover is quite special! Take care! :-)

[marcelomechi]

Nossa meu, muito foda!!!! Esse pode fazer cover de Beatles... James Brown eterno!!!!!!!!!!

[athaatha1]

Cool !

[kanilescope]

thank you so, so much. i have searching for this for years.

[humanRights7]

WOW....Thanks !!!!!

do you have Smokey Robinson's ?

[mapo69]

Unfortunately I don't! Still trying to find that one! MAPO :)

[kanilescope]

i have it. kanile at gmail, email me. i owe you one.

[dunskie]

It should be posted as "James Brown covers The Beatles". I was expecting The Beatles doing a James Brown tune. VERY cool though. Great post. 5

[BreesRealDad]

THANK YOU for posting this! I've been wanting to hear this cover for so long and have never been able to locate it anywhere. Great version.

[mapo69]

My pleasure!

[BreesRealDad]

By the way, you know who else did a great cover of this song: Isaac Hayes.

[mapo69]

I've just heard the Isaac Hayes' cover. It's quite an experience to hear but I can't say I'm very fond of it! Maybe it will grow on me with time. But thx for the suggestion anyway mate! :)