I don't have a strong preference. Shear wrote some great songs, but not all great songwriters are great performers, and not all of them are able to make the recording process work for them. Lauper had the full support of a major label behind her (not to diminish her -- she's a great vocalist and a good writer as well), and Shear never did (his studio version of The Bangles hit "If She Knew What She Wants" sounds really bad). So it's not really a fair competition.
So Jules can really write good tunes! He wrote this, his song "Steady" with Cyndi, and also wrote "If She Knew What She Wants" that the Bangles covered. Dude can write!
I would like to vote for Jules's version. Nothing against Lauper, but the original melody on the chorus as it was written by Jules IS the song. Lauper did something else with it, something with Eric Bazillian's sequenced-out production. This song was written as a folk song by Jules in London (see Paul Zollo's book Songwriters on Songwriting) and Todd Rundgren's production popped it up a little, to good effect. The rest of the album, Watch Dog, is fantastic as well. God bless Jules!
Lets all be honest: We all like the lyrics and we all believe an artist owns their work and it is the best when they perform their own work and blah blah and blah....but this song is just clunky, clinky, polka when this guy sings it. The voice is like something out of bad karaoke. Cyndi improved this song......vastly.
I know Jules wrote this song, but I have to agree, Cyndi's version is much better. Jules's version just kind of plods along and never changes; Cyndi's version has a much more detailed arrangement and more soulful vocals. Perhaps Jules didn't recognize the full potential of his own song.
@jhillst >Perhaps Jules didn't recognize the full potential of his own song.
I think you nailed right there. There is simply no comparison and wouldn't be the first time an author does not recognize the full potential and implications of a project.
Cyndi Lauper's version is good too for sure, but I like his Dylan-esque handling of it. I realize his voice isn't for everyone, but I a lot of times with vocalists it's the flaws that make them all the more soulful. I think he's a very soulful vocalist.
I love the pacing of the chorus MUST better on his version, but Cyndi's a far better vocalist with a lot more soul. Overall, I gotta give it to Cyndi. She was the one who put the magic into this song.
Well it's certainly different that what I am used to hearing with this song, but it's still really good. I'm pretty sure if i heard this version first I would have liked it, but whether I heard this first then Cyndi's cover or, like in reality, heard Cyndi's version first, I'd still have picked Cyndi's as the better one.
Let's not forget that songwriter Jules also performed keyboards and backing vocals on Cyndi's version, what say?
therealjdc 1 week ago
Love it
justyjusty2X4 1 month ago
I don't have a strong preference. Shear wrote some great songs, but not all great songwriters are great performers, and not all of them are able to make the recording process work for them. Lauper had the full support of a major label behind her (not to diminish her -- she's a great vocalist and a good writer as well), and Shear never did (his studio version of The Bangles hit "If She Knew What She Wants" sounds really bad). So it's not really a fair competition.
jontv 3 months ago
good song, But I prefer the Cyndi Lauper version
CrazyworldFab 3 months ago
Concordo..a versão da Cindy é muito melhor...E muito mais marcante...
ZekaCarvalho 6 months ago
So Jules can really write good tunes! He wrote this, his song "Steady" with Cyndi, and also wrote "If She Knew What She Wants" that the Bangles covered. Dude can write!
JusticeForTheDead 8 months ago
Great album. I wish more songs from it were available on YouTube. "Standing Still" is my favorite. Best lyrical puzzle ever.
romeosyne 8 months ago
@romeosyne
"Standing Still" is one of the best songs by anybody, ever.
therealjdc 1 week ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Jules Shear
It's like "All Along The Watchtower". Dylan wrote it, but it wasn't until Hendrix did his version that the full potential was reached.
KevWoods42 9 months ago
I would like to vote for Jules's version. Nothing against Lauper, but the original melody on the chorus as it was written by Jules IS the song. Lauper did something else with it, something with Eric Bazillian's sequenced-out production. This song was written as a folk song by Jules in London (see Paul Zollo's book Songwriters on Songwriting) and Todd Rundgren's production popped it up a little, to good effect. The rest of the album, Watch Dog, is fantastic as well. God bless Jules!
romeosyne 10 months ago
Lets all be honest: We all like the lyrics and we all believe an artist owns their work and it is the best when they perform their own work and blah blah and blah....but this song is just clunky, clinky, polka when this guy sings it. The voice is like something out of bad karaoke. Cyndi improved this song......vastly.
douginamerica 1 year ago
@douginamerica I like both versions. I don't give a crap about vocal ability all the time. The feeling is more important.
powerpopmonkey 1 year ago
I had no idea he did this song first, Cyndi's rendition obviously is a classic but this is pretty darn good too.
runtcm 1 year ago
I know Jules wrote this song, but I have to agree, Cyndi's version is much better. Jules's version just kind of plods along and never changes; Cyndi's version has a much more detailed arrangement and more soulful vocals. Perhaps Jules didn't recognize the full potential of his own song.
jhillst 1 year ago 3
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@jhillst >Perhaps Jules didn't recognize the full potential of his own song.
I think you nailed right there. There is simply no comparison and wouldn't be the first time an author does not recognize the full potential and implications of a project.
kvasir40 4 months ago
Like always Cyndi Lauper's version is the best!!!!!
clarriona 1 year ago
He reminds me a lot of Todd Rundgren.
clownmonkey 1 year ago
Cyndi Lauper's version is angelic and delicate while this sounds like a country polka. I hate a lot of covers, but she did a great job.
Replayability 1 year ago
@Replayability
I couldn't have said it better! Jules wrote it but Cyndi MADE this song!
Babyhowdy233 1 year ago
Very cool!
I loved the version of Cyndi,but it is his song.
Es wird Zeit,dass die Single endlich von Mr. Shear veröffentlicht wird!!!
:-)
Superklasse!!!
Idolrockabilly 1 year ago
Comment removed
PiotrpLUM 1 year ago
cyndi's version is brilliant!
daveheel 1 year ago
Cyndi Lauper's version is good too for sure, but I like his Dylan-esque handling of it. I realize his voice isn't for everyone, but I a lot of times with vocalists it's the flaws that make them all the more soulful. I think he's a very soulful vocalist.
DouchebagRadio 1 year ago
I love the pacing of the chorus MUST better on his version, but Cyndi's a far better vocalist with a lot more soul. Overall, I gotta give it to Cyndi. She was the one who put the magic into this song.
8bittrauma 1 year ago
@8bittrauma
Quite right! :)
Babyhowdy233 1 year ago
Well it's certainly different that what I am used to hearing with this song, but it's still really good. I'm pretty sure if i heard this version first I would have liked it, but whether I heard this first then Cyndi's cover or, like in reality, heard Cyndi's version first, I'd still have picked Cyndi's as the better one.
MikeyMikeisMe 1 year ago
cyndi is better
nenocacuca 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this! I knew he wrote it, but never heard this original recording before.
alansmisclass 2 years ago
I agree totally,very underrated,just listen to the album,The Great Puzzle,Amazing.
peiboy 2 years ago
Very good song from a great composer / artist, but underrated, unfortunately...
SonnyCrockett021977 2 years ago 5
@SonnyCrockett021977 yes
zulufoxtrot 2 months ago