There is a reason why many of the covers featured on the great Covers Revue are “oldies but goodies”: these songs are CLASSIC. This week’s exploration of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is definitely one of these, as not only did it propel The Shirelles (and Carole King, who write it … I told you Carole King is involved in a butt-load of songs!), but it placed The Four Seasons on the Billboard Charts as well (No. 20 on Billboard Hot 100).
The original version contains nothing but a double-snare beat and Lead Singer Shirley Owens’ voice at first. On “paper” it sounds boring, but Owens’ voice gives this song all the character it needs. After the first chorus, the string section comes in and so do the “sha-da-da-sha’s” from the other gals in the group. Ball all these things up together and you get a classic (early) 60’s hit.
In July 2009, Swedish songstress Lykke Li covered the classic and stripped it down to nothing but a piano and her voice. This version’s tempo is slowed completely to the point you feel like she’s playing it under water (the echo definitely contributes). The feeling and emotion definitely come out of this version, making it seem like a whole other song from the upbeat and poppy Shirelles’ version.
Though Lykke Li plays the part better than The Shirelles did, I can’t say that I prefer the newer version. For one, I’m not a fan of the echo; actually, it really bugs me. Also, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: nothing beats a classic!
Here are some other pages you might enjoy:
- Covers Revue – Soft Cell covers Gloria Jones
- Album Review – A Strange Arrangement by Mayer Hawthorne
- Musication – Featuring “Working on a Groovy Thing” by Patti Drew
- Artist of the Week – She & Him
- Covers Revue – Lauryn Hill covers Franki Valli