Stevie Ray Vaughan - Taxman

[ebloomfield1]

He did it his way, fantasic at doing that!!

[maupric]

There are songs that if you change the arrangement is very boring

[Zimnyification]

Eh... Beatles version is better...

[FantomasDude]

Yes!!! This rules!! The Beatles were the most overrated band ever!!!

[raven88091]

@FantomasDude Yeah, but I'm sure you couldn't even imagine how today's music would look like if The Beatles didn't exist...

[notdarthvader]

i still prefer the beatles one, not to say that this one isnt good

[rockingmaniac1808]

Stevie Ray vaughan beats the beatles with his beats

[faunkel]

sw ni yn. . .

[Sambarre]

For humor purposes I like this. Looking at it as a remake that should be taken serious? Can't do it. When it comes to Beatles, don't fuck with perfection.

[Cream234]

@Sambarre He's not "fucking" with the song, it's just an interpretation. Pretentious asshole.

[primacy80]

5 people are Tax collectors....

[MilosDorian]

WOW! If this is Stevie playing with one arm, imagine what he could do with two.

[erickhefest]

@MilosDorian It's easy, hammer on and pull offs!!

[kissdabarrel]

Ima huge fan of the beatles and together they made legendary music... but when it comes to the guitar ..sorry George and even if Paul did the lead on this... nowhere close to srv on the guitar just like Hendrix on his "sgt pepper" cover

[spikester3612]

What album is this off of, does anyone know?

[SuperRockgod666]

HOLY MOTHER F**KING YES!

THIS IS GODDAMN AMAZING!

[bonestorm99]

Stevie looks cool in that picture.

[gimpman24]

rest in peace steve ray john

[Galantski]

Another blues version of the solo to go with Clapton's (live with Harrison). McCartney's solo on the original (yes, that's Paul on lead guitar) is better because it's so inventive; Clapton and Vaughn are just recycling their blues licks. How would McCartney have done had he played more lead? (That's him on songs like "And Your Bird Can Sing," "Blackbird" and the original version of "Maybe I'm Amazed"). He was the most versatile Beatle as a musician, even filling in for Ringo on drums.

[jennolund]

i have never heard a guy who could perfect every fucking cover he did like stevie, little wing, voodoo chile and then this one all perfect covers

[nowinterweather]

@jennolund Don't forget Texas Flood, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and the Sky is crying...

[AdamIowa89]

Stevie Perfecting the Beatles.

[Thunder20187]

Normally I hate when people cover Beatle songs, but this kicks so much ass. Stevie was a god.

[tet1963]

love this SRV rocks!

[dfury13]

If you don't like this guy you should be dopeslapped!

[YouShalNotPass]

this is what i call musicianship. incredible! 

[sonrisa98]

SRV really turned up this old Beatles song. Lennon, SRV, Harrison are 3 of my favorite singer and songwriters.

[o56kid]

That is one BAD ASS picture of Mr. Vaughn!!!!!

[xxXXHUDROCKXXxx]

@o56kid What picture of him isnt?

[havokewf90]

Stevie is an inspiration to naturally telented musicians. He didn't need a pick, or a theory degree he was just plain talented

[TheGibsonman59]

His voice sounds different, and i think the rsn he's not as full is bec. he's used to singing at full blast and songs that aren't short lyirical bursts/lines, like this song . . . .

He used to singing in longer bursts, but still not bad

[Apockiller]

Stevie sucks? how so? never learned to read or right music. played blues like no one could. he was the best there ever was.

[jrbluesy]

yes just when nuts when I first heard this version of the song great job and wishing he was still around and jamming the blues!

[machinimafan27]

good vid.

[THEKLUTZ99920]

Love stevie ray

[willyrobson]

he sings like tom waitts here lol

[nakedvidsonutube]

beatles suck.....stevie ftw

[buckbuck666]

I DIDNT REALLY LIKE his version of little wing as much as jimis jimis was more fragile and beautiful i thought purely subjective we all hear music differently ive come to understand

[guitarist4everdude]

oommmggg this song is so hard to learn to play even tho iv been playin guitar for 5 years i usally pick songs out pretty fast ahh!!!!

[chlorophylfactor]

I love ted nugent, he %#&#$% ROCKS!

[SRV1DOORS1HENDRIX1]

@chlorophylfactor He's got some great songs but why did you mention him on a Stevie tune dude?

[gimickuk1]

I love the Beatles but Stevie takes this to another level, I love it.

[bronbuick]

and he still manages to keep a pack of smokes in his shirt pocket - lol! The man was and always will be legend - only one SRV - may e blues on wherever he may be!

[petfireball]

@HuevoRock70 right on dude!!!

[dtfan2010]

His shirt looks like it was too hot....and what is the tattoo of on his chest ?

[osufootball09]

@dtfan2010 it was a peacock

[guitarist4everdude]

its so hard to sing like him, he shood be one of the best singers in my opinion, i tried singing like this and its HARD! i cant even get it tune singing with that voice

[petfireball]

@guitarist4everdude i kinda sound like him when i sing

[ordoabchaos347]

makes me want to go out & beat the crap out of a taxman

[powerwindow2]

there is a gigantic statue of stevie on town lake in austin. it should have been bigger. just like he should have been bigger.

[crayrail]

Clearly all the haters never heard a Howlin' Wolf song in your fucking life!!!! This is a master blueman people not tight British Invasion harmonies kiddies. Check that solo too Woo Hoo! - as always Stevie's on fire.

[mauimikey68]

@crayrail

to all haters,,,,, you've never heard howlin wolf, if he were alive and heard the haters comments, he'd crush all you guys......SRV was better than any new band nowdays. we all know music nowdays is shit, garbage. SRV had soul that none of you hater pricks have. the solo rips paint of walls! if you haters knew what a solo should be. SRV could crap more soul than you haters have...espeically british wanna be bluesmand harmonies kidders. kidders is the correct word. crayrail is right

[Iszil]

SRV might be a great guitarrist but this is a really bad cover. Maybe as a song itself it could be good, but as a Beatles' cover is pretty bad.

[cody8804]

tax man was the first george harrison original he put on record so i guess it wasn't perfect. SRV hasn't recorded a song that is beautiful like 'something' although george harrison could sing rockers. George Harrison is a better songwriter and thats just one of the beatles.

[japneezdrummer]

i love stevie, but this isnt his best vocal work so dont judge his vocal ability on this song.

[il927]

Shitty vocals, interesting take on the song.

[BobRayne]

I think Stevie's voice sounds much more appropriate than George's in regards to the lyrics. This coming from a huge Beatles and George Harrison fan.

[Sambarre]

I like it because the vocals are so bad compared to George Harrison. It makes me LOL. Good music sound though. Compared to the Beatles it's nothing, I guess as its own it would be a solid song. BUT can't look at it like that, just another artist butchering a Beatles song IMO.

With that being said I've heard worse covers of Beatle songs. Such as Bono singing I am the Walrus, or any song on Across the Universe.

[sthelens07]

@Sambarre hahah srv and the beatles no comparison, stevie ray was a legend

[thebeatles8267]

Ha Ha! The Beatles!! This is AMAZING!!! LOVE YOU STEVIE!!!

[eliteslayer66]

woah havnt heard this before...

[SRV4evr]

I LOVE Stevie's styling of this song! He sounds a bit sinister and is using his voice in a unique way. This is killer (as is every single thing Stevie does!). Thank you for posting this!

[lucky7splaysfender50]

in response to the brandon guy's comment way down the list. They was no way that the beatles were in any shape or form more talented that SRV. none them could play any of their instruments to even a quarter the caliber of what SRV could. And also only a portion of Srv songs were the 1-4-5 chord progression, or the 12 bar 3 chord blues. Have you ever heard songs of his such as Couldnt Stand The Weather, Lenny, Rivera Paridise, Stang Swang, Life Without you, or the tons of others on his albums?

[skunkmonkey23]

That true bro



[Limited305]

A cover of my favorite band from my favorite guitarist...

How much better can it get? :D

R..I.P. Stevie, Lennon, and Harrison

[amziadi]

@Limited305 Same here man!!

[ddayrocks]

@Limited305 Exactly the same here! :)

[Satchmoeddie]

I remember Rundgren ripping into the Beatles claiming Paul sang flat, and other stuff. The Beatles ear was polished processed music that was excellent and for the recoring techniques used turned out very well. Many early stero stuff and mone was sound on sound. You can punch in and out, but back then I am not sure if there were any sync features available. All said both versions are great. Covering Hendrix and The Beatles and doing it well takes tallent and balls!

[Galantski]

@Satchmoeddie -- When Todd wasn't ripping the Beatles, he was covering their songs on "Faithful"; regrettably, I can't recall any time that Sir Paul's similarly paid tribute to the Runt. Then again, not many people cover Todd's songs, while thousands have cover Beatle tunes. Conclusion: Paul McCartney = Genius; Todd Rundgren = genius.

[dimitreis]

stevie playin tha beatles!okay!

[throbthrobthrob]

this song is hilarious

[bloodthirstysavage]

SRV kicks all your asses

[theaxeman37]

anyone know the key and time sig for this?

[21ejc]

@theaxeman37 probably in D and 4/4 timing

[dcat92]

@theaxeman37 I believe it's in 6/8 time. Not sure of the key.

[4lifeguitar]

@theaxeman37 Its in the key of C minor or C Blues. Stevie tunes his guitar down a half step so you would technically play it in C sharp minor/blues. It's in 4/4 time but it has a shuffle feel. Hope this helps

[austinsaxmansteve]

@4lifeguitar Strange practice, that tuning down. I'm guessing it originated with guitarists playing in "horn bands" so that they could play on open strings in the flat keys used in most of that music rather than learning to actually play "in the flats." I could be wrong, but it just seems like a pretty obvious explanation to me. I spent a LOT of time learning to play in "guitar" keys and am one of few horn players you'll find who likes playing in B more than B flat.

[4lifeguitar]

@austinsaxmansteve The "horn bands" you're referring to with guitar in them are mainly jazz oriented. And usually, the guitarists in a jazz band or "combo" will play a piece in standard tuning, no matter what the key is. I believe that the alternate timings came from the time the guitar was first invented. It was not tuned to the standard tuning we use today back then. It just eventually came to that here in the present day.

[4lifeguitar]

@austinsaxmansteve Many early acoustic players used these alternate tunings because of most of what they did involved open strings, and they could play pieces easier than in regular tuning. As for the half step down tuning, I believe that acoustic players used that in order to play in the flats. Rock and blues players eventually picked it up because of the unusual sound of the flats. Hendrix loved it, and Stevie learned from Hendrix.

[4lifeguitar]

@austinsaxmansteve Hope you got all that haha. And that's awesome that you play the horn. I've always wanted to.

[theaxeman37]

anyone know the key and time sig for this?

[JEDIALADDIN]

You white people is stupid...you PAY TAXES?!?

[robelly1]

SRV for me

[Matildamothers]

Interesting Stevie Ray was very influenced by Hendrix but "Taxman" has the so-called distorted Hendrix chord a year before Hendrix "Purple Haze". The Beatles influence is circular in many ways.

[laurens36]

Awesome Beatles-cover!

[skosti44]

srv always gave it that little something to make it stand out but major props to beatles and hendrix for the things they come up with and the musicians they are

[ossymos]

Never heard this before , what a superb version !!!

[ericineffible]

SRV is the greatest?? Are you people on drugs?? There is no greatest musician, it's all subjective, a matter of opinion. I just really like the subject matter of this tune, even though it is safe and vague.

[grga888]

Hahaha... Only one on drugs here is you.

[tdog420187]

SRV Rules! anyone who says otherwise is scared of the Texas Flood..

[USPSAman]

i love the Beatles but this is miles better than their version of taxman.

SVR is the only one who could take a beatles song and make it better. Anyone else who has tried to do it has failed miserably

[Rockivory1]

USPSA man Bullshit, where have you been ? Joe Cocker did some superb work with Beatles songs ! Before SRV, he was the only one that could pull of a Beatles tune. A Little Help from My Friends was incredible !

[USPSAman]

i agree i love the beatles they are my favorite group. I just think this version of tax man was better than theirs.

[Rockivory1]

Yes I agree with you, there's no doubt. about the musical end of it but vocally, I'll take the Beatles however.. .I did not dispute that, I disputed that you said SRV was the only one that did a Beatles song successfully. Cocker tore it up with Little Help From My Friends and She came in Through the Bathroom window....both gems and very sucessful.

[grga888]

This is an excellent version played by Stevie in his own style, Texas blues/rock. All you haters just shut the fuck and go watch The Beatles if that is what your dick is dying for and leave real music fans to enjoy a musical legend and an icon!

[mlipscomb94]

youre the man! anyone who can compare the beatles to the greatest guitar player ever need to be raped. yes the beatles were ok. but stevie is the greatest blues guitar player of all time. no one will ever be better than stevie. so do us all a favor and not watch stevie if you dont like him.

[Lowclef]

lets not get carried away now. Stevie is great but best of all time... lets just relax a little.

[grga888]

All you guys are fuckin retarded saying that Stevie sucks, had a bad voice, played this song bad, etc... This is Stevie's own take on The Beatles song, he played it in his own way, own style. This version is as good as the original, and in many cases Stevie even did a better version than the original, for example Little Wing. But anyways, Stevie was an excellent songwritter, excellent singer and he changed blues/rock music forever.

[Danielarts123]

yeah... of course....... anyway, he had a bad voice

[grga888]

@Danielarts123 He did not. He had a perfect voice that went amazing with his guitar style.

[Foges6694]

@grga888 It's amazing. He plays guitar amazing and sings great!

[erisos2]

@grga888 its not a bad cover but its not better than the original

[grga888]

@erisos2 Depends on how you look at it. To me it is better.

[poopdawg2301]

@grga888 this version is so much better

[EarthElla]

@grga888 Amen!

[GuitarPhi1]

@grga888 stevie was a legend

[catshumpcats3]

@grga888 the man was a genius 

[sgf1989]

@grga888 it's no surprise that they're saying that his voice is bad, the same was said about jimi hendrix, obviously these assholes have no musical direction and have otherwise never picked up another instrument outside of a recorder back in elementary school. stevie, & jimi are equally amazing musicians and honestly I can't tell who's better than who.

[classicrockNo1]

@grga888 you tell him. SRV was one of the best and he was taken away too soon

[PapaWolfman]

@grga888 DITTO!! Stevie Ray is in a league all his own. Never was, never will be another like him!!!

[mikethewop00]

@grga888

If there's anyone who didn't like it then so what. Wasn't for them

[rhuff43]

@grga888 amen brother

[TOLOMARTON]

@grga888 Stevie was great for sure, but saying that he made a better version of Little Wing then the original Jimi's is just your opinion. I respect it, but I don't agree.

[5507156693]

@TOLOMARTON

SRV's instrumental Little Wing is sonically rich and emotionally deep while Hendrix’s sung original is more psychedelic. SRV plays it so soulfully that lyrics become unnecessary. What makes his version so great is that he manages to make the song his own without taking it away from Hendrix. He keeps the melodic line; he keeps a lot of Hendrix sound and adds lots of his own. As "Guitar One" Magazine wrote, it's an interpretation that should be studied and admired

[SensiJimmy]

@grga888 yo man.. all this is right except Little Wing example... peace

[dndamn]

I'll take this version over the original Beatles anyday. No disrespect to the fab four but Stevie's voice and quitar give the song a sinister flavoring that is simply lacking in the orginal. Especially when you think about the subject matter of the song.

[Drblooter99]

Yeh you're right. George Harrison sounds kind of peevish, like his meditation with the Marahishi Sniffer got interrupted by a call from the Revenue.

[EarthElla]

@dndamn Right on, I agree.

[zoznack]

As usual, Vaughn overplayed on this one. The song was MEANT to be somewhat sparse, with McCartney's punchy bass punctuating every lyric.

Stevie is a fine guitarist given the right material (i.e. his own), but he should have NEVER been given a mike to sing into...

[jeepyak]

SRV sings the blues, not pop music like the Beatles. He's not "covering" the song, he's putting his signature on it. His style of blues is gritty, and his voice suits his style very nicely.

[zoznack]

Oh, now I understand...he sings gritty (cough lousy cough) and his voice suits his style nicely (he wasn't much of a singer cough, cough...). Yeah, now I get it!

[jeepyak]

Do ya?!I never said his voice was good, just that it suits his musical style of play. When one thinks of teh taxman, they don't think sugar coated sweet as a sack of sugar kind of guy. But I guess you're just a bit jealous of his success even in death.

[zoznack]

Certainly do.

Why would I be "jealous" of SRV? I don't compete with musicians; I listen to them. And if I critique something, it's not jealousy-it's...a critique. Look up those words in the dictionary if you're having trouble understanding their meanings.

[brandon9271]

His singing is just fine on Pride and Joy and HIS stuff.. but comparing this song to the Beatles and their multi part vocal harmonies.. well personally I prefer the Beatles version by far. SRV isn't a terrible singer and its not nearly as much of an "acquired taste" as some singers like Bob Dylan or Neal Young for example.

[zoznack]

Fair enough.

And while Dylan and Young's voices are not "good" in the technical sense, there is something emotionally wrenching in the way they sing THEIR songs. Not many people, including SRV and any so-called "good" singers can achieve that effect. Of course, writing amazing songs certainly helps.

[brandon9271]

Very true.. that's why I've always preferred musicians that write their own songs and hate modern pop/country/rock artist that just sing other peoples shit. Not that you can't sing someone else's song and make it your own.. Hendrix proved that with All Along the Watchtower.. but I think that's the exception and not the rule. Plus, the imperfect voices of Dylan, Young, etc, are much more interesting to listen to. Hendrix, he wasn't a "great" singer either but, wow did he put his SOUL into it!!

[JKowalko1]

The Beatles vocals are better In my opinion. Stevie was obviously a better musician. Beatles version always seemed thin and under performed. Beatles were capable of a better performance.

[Goldenearring1988]

By far better than The Beatles!! SRV... Legend forever.

[JaminKoehn]

Yeah, Stevie does a fine job of making the beatles look lousy. They were a legendary band, but their collective instrumental talent in their prime wouldn't amount to Stevie Ray Vaughan right pinky. It's a shame to think that he only made 8th on rolling stone's list of greatest guitarists.

[sonaromroK]

rolling stone doesn't understand a damned note...just think it elected berlusconi rock star of the year

SRV lives

[stevefrareyjr]

That whole Rolling Stone list is crap. I agree Stevie should have been higher than 8th, but that's pretty fair compared to some of the others. For instance I don't think Prince even made the list( but Kurt Cobain did....come on). And If anyone has heard any of Prince's more recent stuff like over the last ten years...He's Smokin' on the Guitar. One of the best out there today, and for whatever reson never get's brought up.

[brandon9271]

I think they factor in album sales and overall cultural impact. Kurt Cobain wasn't that great of a guitar player or singer but he did something that was very significant at the time. Nirvana pretty much defined 90s music and brought the whole grundge genre into the mainstream. Personally, I liked Pearl Jam, STP, Soundgarden, and AIC tons more than Nirvana but I'm sure none of them sold as many albums.

[stevefrareyjr]

I agree totally!

[brandon9271]

SRV was GREAT but come on. He had more musical talent than the whole of The Beatles? That's RIDICULOUS! Paul played Piano, guitar, bass AND was an excellent singer. John played guitar, bass, harmonic and piano.. George Harrison played guitar, ukulele, sitar and perhaps piano (not sure). Listen to their music and it spanned multiple styles and genres most of which are FAR more musically complex than blues. You can only do a 1-4-5 progression so many ways..

[stevefrareyjr]

The Beatles strength was in their song writing!! SRV was a Great Player, but wasn't much of a songwriter.

[grga888]

You can't compare Stevie to The Beatles and the other way around. But to say that Stevie was a bad songwritter, a bad singer and stuff like that. That just shows how stupid you are. Stevie was an excellent songwritter, heavily underrated. Also his singing was amazing, went amazing along with his unique guitar style. He wasn't the greatest singer out there, but there was simply something in his voice. He was pure magic, he had that sparkle You're a moron so fuck off mate.

[yhs1981]

Awesome the Beatles got screwed on this one!!!!

[loveTara15]

fucking awsome¡¡

[Limited305]

Legend.