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From: CoverLounge
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  • Im not one for covers but I LOVE THIS!!! I love the original but the way Dar sings it gives it the woman's interpretation and its beautiful!!

  • spettacoloooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

    

  • Dar Williams is truly one of my favorite artists. She explores deeply and professionally every avenue and genre of music. If you choose to explore her body of work I am certain everyone will find something they enjoy. Once again she has hit another one out of the park for me with Comfortably Numb.

  • first of all i think pink floyd is a crap group but this is a good song done by a pretty good singer

  • First of all i am a huge cover fan. I love them and i search for them all the time. I have to disagree with most here. I dont like the vocals at all the echo thing is anoying. The woman has a great voice for sure. I also dont like Bowies cover either. It just doesnt sound right. My favorite cover of this song is by Van Morrison. I dont know why his voice is no where near Gilmours. But there is something about his voice that he just belts it out. Just my worthless 2 cents worth.

  • She's got such a beautiful voice, it's hypnotic to listen to her sing this. I love Pink Floyd and she actually does this song justice!

  • i prefer it to the original as well.

  • love this cover .....and i love the bowie cover also .... is it as good as floyds ... naaah

  • i like dar williams...i like comfortably numb...this really works for me...

  • Thank you! It's very different from Pink Floyd's performances, but fascinating in its own way. :)

    I wouldn't prefer it to the original, but no asskicking from me.

  • check out the version with van morrison live from berlin

  • FAIL

  • this is beautiful!!!!!

  • And great slide show!

  • Nice cover!

  • Great cover, but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's better than the original. :)

    Of course no one is going to kick ass over a differing opinion about a song!

    Shine on you crazy diamonds!

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  • amazing....shared with friends

    

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  • This is an incredible cover.

  • Brilliant cover, almost perfect, but I do miss the solo at the end.

  • Great cover. The best version has to be the one from Roger Waters & Van Morrison (The Wall - Live in Berlin or more famously on The Departed soundtrack or even more famously, the Sopranos).

  • @bennyAAAAA Sorry dude, gotta disagree with you there, Van Morrison just wasn't a good fit in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I respect him as an artist and there are a few of his songs I like, but those lyrics have to be sung by Gilmour. Just my opinion.

  • This cover certainly does Pink Floyds masterpiece justice.

  • weak

    

  • If you're gonna cover Pink Floyd, you damn well better BRING IT!!! Cover "Comfortably Numb", you need to blow me away!!! Consider me blown away... My rating on a 1 - 10 scale: Floyd - 10, Williams - 9.85. How do you improve upon perfection? You don't. But with appropriate vision, respect & talent, you can come pretty damn close to matching it.

  • epic fail

  • Wow...really, really beautiful...and I AM a purist, so I'm surprised to like it immensely. Oh...that and I typically HATE Ani DiFranco. Even more amazed now.

  • No asskicking from me. Both versions are incredible.

  • fail

  • amazing. truly amazing. easily one of the best covers i have ever heard.

  • bela versão !!!

  • ass kicking? No! excellent rendition of the best tune ever!

  • I did miss the soaring guitar solo, however what a fantastic version of the song, wonderful harmonies! Thanks for posting it.

  • IMHO anyone is allowed to cover one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Tori Amos? Hell yes! This song is universal and goes way beyond the plight of one character in a movie. Men have probably done it as well as it can be done (Pink Floyd). I think it needs a woman's touch and this version could be outdone. How about Jane Siberry or the Indigo Girls with outrageous two-part harmonies?

  • I will say this though... Without Gilmour, it really isn't nothing. His solo makes the song.

  • You know, I usually don't like these types of songs (what I would call equivalent of chick flicks in music) but this is an excellent cover.

  • Chills!

  • wonderful version of a masterpiece...a cover made with the same feeling...lovely!

  • Kick Kick!!

  • Awesome version. Thank you for posting., I'm gonna be doing this in my next show,.

  • wow...just wow. How have I not heard this before? Thank you for posting!

  • Sounds great

    Please seehear my version

  • Most cover versions aren't much good- this is brilliant towering genius.

  • @timdalf I agree whole-heartedly. Still love the Pink Floyd version, but damn!!!! this cover kicks ass!

  • Great version of this song. I didn't think anyone would be able to do it justice - but these two women have done it!

  • There is no pain you are receding A distant ship, smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying. When I was a child I had a fever My hands felt just like two balloons. Now I've got that feeling once again I can't explain you would not understand This is not how I am. I have become comfortably numb.
  • Normally I don't care for covers of songs that I love but this is definitely an exception to my rule. Dar and Ani you totally captured the song and emotions while putting your own spin on it. Brava ladies!

  • Beautiful cover by two beautiful women!

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  • this song has made my day for the last..... couple.

    thanks.

  • Markkreutzer. I couldnt agree with you more!!! She is THE BEST!

  • I'm pretty sure this is what they play in Heaven.

  • Extremely beautiful.

  • Wow, I can't believe how great this song is. The vocals are simply amazing.

  • I love this version! Don't think I would go as fas to say better than the original but equally as good.

  • I am a mad pink floyd nut and think that very few people can pull off a good cover of their work. I have never heard of Dar Williams and I think this is brilliant. Yet one more reason to love youtube. Thanks for putting this up.

  • rad

  • Yes you should have your ass kicked.

    But this is one of the best covers Ive ever heard

  • Bruce Hornsby has taken to doing "Comfortably Numb" in hislive shows over the past few years. He slips it in the middle of one of his own songs,"Fortunate Son" - it rocks! I saw him play it live about a year ago, and Ricky Skaggs came on to play mandolin on it. If you can find it on youtube or somewhere, check it out. QUite cool.

  • i bought a dar cd about 10 years ago, and enjoyed it, but not enough to go crazy over her. this cover is amazing and will get me to revisit the crazy potential.

  • Wonderfully done in both audio, and video. It is such a great tribute to The Pink Floyd!

  • turned this tune into beauty

  • Sucks

  • Very cool! Different shades... different strokes!

  • not bad

  • interesting interpretation. I always felt that Dave Gilmour's part would be good if song by a woman. I still like Pink Floyd's version best (especially Knebworth 1990)

  • Alana Davis screwed her career by covering Ani's "32 Flavors". Poor girl had no idea. You just DON'T COVER ANI! But I became friends with her guitarist, for the project, Drew Zingg, and he didn't know any better either. But it ruined any possibility for a career for her. He felt really bad for her, too. Poor chick just had no clue... but, ya know, Ani is freakin' ANI, you know??

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  • You kidding me? I love them both...

  • ---This is wayyy wicked.....Rodgaa would be impressed! ---I do have to agree also with MarkKreutzer tho :) That would be somthing, for sure!! wiccckeeedddd

  • Fantastic version. The melody and melancholy are intact. Too many covers just ape the guitar solos. Really enjoyed this version. Beautiful.

  • I like it.

  • I like Prime Rib and I like Pork Tenderloin....

  • this is the best version of comfortably numb and my high school color guard does the plea exercise to this it is so awsome

  • this isn't Ani. sorry to burst in, but it isn't.

  • Sorry, no where close to the original. It's only half a song without the two guitar solos, not to mention the song only sounds right with david gilmour singing the chorus.

    Nice cover though...

  • Sorry, no where close to the original. It's only half a song without the two guitar solos, not to mention the song only sounds right with david gilmour singing the chorus.

    Nice cover though...

  • Sorry, no where close to the original. It's only half a song without the two guitar solos, not to mention the song only sounds right with david gilmour singing the chorus.

    Nice cover though...

  • I was skeptical that this version could even touch the original; however, after listening to it, it comes really close. The female voices add a haunting quality to the song that takes the song to a deeper level.

  • I love this. I think I prefer it to the original too!

  • Dar William's version is a haunting, multifaceted elucidation of the female experience. "Hello. Is there anybody in there? Nod if you can here me."

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  • Happy Birthday Dar!

    (April 19th)

  • Yes, Ani is on harmonies. Dar sings lead. I would never have put those two together, but it works, and I LOVE Floyd. :)

  • Bollocks

  • Description: "Dar Williams covers Pink Floyd with a little help from Ani DiFranco. I'm setting myself up for an asskicking but I might prefer this version over the original. Kick away, folks."

    I'd give you such a kicking!!!

  • I've adored Pink Floyd forever & was always of the opinion that their music was NOT to be messed with by anyone else. However, after I first heard this cover on a local radio station a couple of months ago, I was smitten with this (had never heard of Dar Williams, so obviously wasn't already a Dar fan). Heard it for the 2nd time on said radio station last night and am now back on YouTube listening to it. It's different from Pink Floyd, yes, but it's still absolute greatness and beautiful.

  • @WorldofLeslie Well said. I just about freaked the first time I heard Dars' version of this song. Like you, I had no idea who she was but I was so impressed with it...I spent the next 4 hours trying to find where I could download it. Honestly, (and I'm a HUGE PF fan, too) I think I may like Dars' version better! (please, don't tell pink, lol)

  • Anyone know where I can actually find this on an album? Wow! Sucha great job!

  • I like Rogers parts but David's parts I disliked.

  • Bravo. Thanks for uploading this song. This song is like my personal national anthem and these ladies do 100% justice to the feeling.

  • I think Ani sings background.  You can hear someone sounding like her in the background.

  • Wonderful song. I'm a huge fan of original Floyd, but this song manages to capture the emotion conveyed by the original song with Water's lyrics and Gilmour wailing guitar work.

  • I'm not sure why this was promoted as an Ani song--this is Dar, all the way. Pink Floyd is amazing and I love her rendition and I think she should get her props without having to mislead with Ani's name!

  • Not sure why it's said that Ani's part of this. This seems to be all Dar, which should be exalted in her own right! She is awesome and I am a huge Ani fan, but this is not a collaboration. And I LOVE this cover!!! Dar, you rule!

  • As a massive floyd fan, I like this - the vocals do it justice. Good one!

  • i actually really like this. and im a hardcore pink floyd fan. it sounds like she SHOULD be singing it. just my opinion

  • No offense, but this is nothing even close to the emotion and clarity of the original.

    Pink Floyd is one of those bands that you just better not mess with unless you are really good.

    99% of Pink Floyd covers are horrible.

    Like this one. Sorry. But anyone who thinks this is great, is likely a fan of this singer, NOT pink Floyd.

  • Im with you...!!

  • Sweet vid....love both these women!!

    Nice post.....thank you 5* :)

  • Fantastic cover. Great tribute to the mighty Floyd.

  • Interesting. Different - well done.

  • 100th COMMENT

  • I think this is an awesome way to  compliment PINK FLOYD! Dar & Ari you deserve a standing - O! Congrats... On another note... Men feel emotions... and its okay to cry... Pain is pain... Not only do we need to learn to be good to each other, but our selves as well... Life is a journey... Not a destination! :P

  • couldn't agree with you more! :)

  • These women are angels to the nth degree. They took a great song and did something great and new with it. Kudos.

  • Ani is the shit so I would have to agree with you... Floyd is amazing because of their passion for music; Ani has the same passion so hell yeah it's as good if not better

  • well.... it's different. not bad.

  • I agree with mawhar down there... this is a softer, less jaded version of the song, but it's done SO WELL that you can't help but love it!

    I connect more with this song now after hearing women perform it. :D

  • wow amazing cover! thanks for sharing! ani is an old love and dar a new discovery for me, so i must say i was very happy to stumble on this :)

  • I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree. I'm a purist at heart, but I can't deny that this is quite good.

  • what a weird cover, I think I love it

  • Pink Floyd is genius and her version is awesome as is her idea that a woman (or women rather) should sing this song, presumably given its emotional content. However, as might be expected, they didn't capture the bitterness of the original, but then, no one can do alienated sarcasm like Roger Waters. Still this version, if softer, is beautiful.

  • she is bad in vocal for me

  • Both versions are great but either could be topped if pianist Tori Amos covered this song.  She is a genius.

  • I have something in that vein: Kate Bush & David Gilmour doing it in 2002 London show.

  • @markkreutzer i second that thought!

  • thank you CoverLounge for posting and thx for sharing gisch,  what an amazing cover ... love it!

    goosebumps - chris xx

  • I always like a cover made personal. check out her Hedwig cover...

  • I don't think it makes sense to compare it to the original; let it stand on its own. It is haunting and amazing, not unlike the original. I think it is a great tribute to the song writing that it can take a fairly different treatment and still bring tears to a person's eyes.

    Amazing.

  • I just heard this on the radio the other day for the first time. I love it! I think it's more poignant and heartbreaking.

  • Better? Worse? I don't know. Definitely different and it strikes you from a different direction. Both have their place, but comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

  • The cover isn't made to sound exactly like the original one , it's different ...

    this version is great .

    And of course the pink floyd's version is better ...

  • i think this is creepier than floyd's original. it sounds so soft, so sympathetic, and it's still about drugging the hell out of a sick person so they can act normal for awhile.

  • come on guys ..how can this be better than floyds ? i agree its good but its weak compaired to floyds the original had so much feeling and exeptional guitar work ..floyd were and still are a super group but due to deaths of former members they have dwindled somewot it wud be ace to see floyd and dar williams together live on stage ..now that wud be a concert to go see ??

  • I like this.

    It feels softer than Floyd's but that is nice too, just a change. Change is needed sometimes.

  • I also prefer this version to the original. Floyd's version sounds cold and distant. The warmth and beauty of this version makes it more disturbing.

  • This is Wonderful! Definitely stands side-by-side with the original version.

  • I think its missing too much of what made the original great. Too much focus on vocals and not enough on the music.

  • The music in Pink Floyd songs is there to augment the lyrics.

  • nice cover!

  • I agree that it's not the original (which is awesome) but from the perspective of a woman, the entire meaning of the song changes for me. Almost a statement of women in so many roles...mother, employee, daughter, caretaker, etc. Does anyone else see it like that?

  • I got introduced to Dar Williams in a women's studies class at the University of Washington called "Words, Women, and Song", so I kinda know what you mean.

  • That must have been a cool class!

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  • it's good, no ass kicking required. but the origonal is still the best even though this is fantastic. kudos my friend on posting this up. thank you

    -kaptin kept

  • It's not bad, but I have to say the Scissor Sisters version remains my favorite ^^

  • Wow, this is amazing!!! The original will always be my favourite but damn! What I like about it is that it doesn't try to COMPETE with the original, but rather just expresses what a good song it is.

    Also this lady has a darling, enchanting voice. Thumbs up! :)

  • there is alot more feeling in the original, but im with ya mate this is a great cover!

  • I love Floyd, but this is impressive.

  • I love Pink Floyd. But as covers go, this one is really good. There's a lot of bands out there that totally BUTCHER the originals. It's NOT a disrespect to Pink Floyd, but more like props!

  • I do prefer Pink Floyd's version better, mainly cause I absolutely HATE how her voice FOLDS over itself in some parts, while Pink Floyd's echoes perfectly, and doesn't do it every 5 lines.

  • Simply because: I like it.

    Two of my favorite female vocalists..

    One of my all time favorite songs.

    Not because they did it better, but because the did it well.

  • BUT THE SOLO GUITAR ARE YOU FORGOT??

  • eh... what? are you forgot? huh?

  • Hey Kelter82 -- "You have to understand" that Stratomen88 is obviously not a native English speaker. "Remember" that not everyone on these here internets is from Canada, eh. Dumbass.

  • what's up with des quotes der eh?

    Sorry dude, I thought he was freakin' cause there was no guitar solo and decided to call the nice music lady a faggot... and misspelled it. I was just making sure this was the case before I laughed at him for it. Cause there's nothing like laughing at moronic ignorants. Maybe I shoulda just dived right in? But that wouldn't be very fair now would it?

    We're not all nice in Canada, mate. ;)

  • forgot the solo guitar?

  • It should be a crime to do this to a song...

  • relax, it is just a solid cover of a song they clearly enjoy as much as you. I'm a Neil Young nut myself and often like how others perform his stuff. It is a crime to do a poor job on it and this is quite good.

  • Relax yourself. You're free to have your own opinion, Willard. And I'm free to see this as a crying shame. It's like tracing a Monet in crayon and calling it as good as the original.

  • only thing was, it isn't called the original. It's a cover, and was stated so. You don't have to like it, but you do have to understand that most people who do covers don't think they're on the same level as the original song, but rather just really like it and want to... pay homage. Remember, immitation is the sincerest form of flattery :)

  • human feelings are colors , how mahy colors u have sensed

    the rainbow !!!

  • I love this version so much! <3 <3

  • I've enjoyed this off of iTunes for at least a year now and never realized that Ani was on it since she's not the artist listed on iTunes. I always thought it sounded like her huge fan of Ani. So cool and really great version. Everyone who I play this for loves it, ani and dar fans or not.

  • I bought this CD just for this song...love it!

  • Goosebumps... lots o goosebumps. you're right, you can feel it right in the gut.

  • The two best [folk] artists, Dar and Ani, amazing show thanks for sharing this!!!!!

  • Brilliant.

  • This is a nice rendition but it's basically just like the original. At least the Scissor SIsters version brought something new to it.

  • Yeah, but the scissor sisters version blew.

    IMHO.

    No offence meant, I just hate the scissor sisters version...

  • agreed.

  • You'd definitely get an asskicking if you liked the Scissor Sisters one, but not this one.

  • No way you'll get an asskicking for this version.

    Its absolutely lovely!

    Thank you for sharing. :-)

  • WHAT?!?! OMG

    oh yeah....fuck yeah, one of the best covers of this song....ever

  • Excellent cover!

  • Just BEAUTIFUL, love it

  • I can feel this song in my gut when she sings it...It resonates. It's amazing.

  • This interpretation and the Scissor Sisters covers are both incredible. The true numb quality of the Williams DiFranco version is so different from the coldly electronic, drug-filled BeeGeesesque haze the Sisters came up with.

  • I dont' think I've ever heard a cover done so well.

  • I have found recently, that people either love or hate this cover. The reason for hating it is simple; noone can do Pink Floyd like Pink Floyd. That said, I think that it is one of the best cover songs of any cover song ever done. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. It was done for the love of the song, as you can clearly tell by the emotion with which Dar Williams sings it. Anyone who can't hear that is simply in denial.

  • I really like this version! And believe me, I usually do NOT like when artists take Pink Floyd songs and "make them their own".

    However, I could do without the 2nd vocal coming in on off-timings (I don't mind it when the 2nd vocal just harmonizes, but the off-timings in the singing just make the song a bit too "busy"). Other than that, this is beautiful!

  • This sounds much more numb than the original, very spacey and far away. People complaining it's not desperate enough - huh, it's not about desperation it's about detachment. For an artist who's normally about emotional nakedness and honesty to do something so ambivalent and measured makes it doubly great.

  • this is so good but should never be compared to the original wouldnt be fair it will never be on par with floyds version but i would love to see them both on stage at the same time the music of gilmore and the vocals of annie and dar it would be fkn awsome

  • Ani DiFranco is so awesome