Does there have to be a reason?
This is one of the most sublime covers, well performances full stop ever.
Yes, I love the original by Tim Buckley, but somehow this cover is just so otherworldly…
Somwetimes, it’s best just to let the music do the talking.
I came at this song ‘the wrong way round’, enjoying the TMC version before discovering Tim Buckley’s. Agree with your comments, but Buckley’s rendition remains stunning, and if I have to choose, I’ll take his.
I heard TMC first and have to say it still stuns whenever I hear it: I probably will get shot for this though by saying I’m also fond of the elongated version by The Czars which lacks the ethereal quality of TMC but is not yet like the Tim Buckley original…
i too heard this Mortal Coil’s version first, have also heard it covered by Robert Plant.
Rob - you’re right, Buckley’s version in stunning
Rullsenberg -haven’t heard THE Czars version, but will investiagte….
I own this on vinyl. I just ripped it to mp3 & uploaded it if any desire to listen.
To play it go here: http://www.archive.org/details/ThisMortalCoilSongtotheSiren/
To DOWNLOAD go to bottom of page, find the blue 8.02 MB link and right click & “save as”.
You are right to appreciate this song. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced!
And I care not at all that it is a cover of an earlier artists work. I’ve no desire to hear any other version. This is pure!
And if you’re interested, I’ve included it in this mini-mix which I posted yesterday:
http://www.archive.org/details/Error404Intermission_ByE-404_/
thank you!
Still have my 7″ vinyl copy I brought when I was 16. Now 42, and it’s still one of the best covers every recorded. Elizabeth Frazer is one of the best singers to emerge from the 80’s. Just a shame her output is now zero. Tim Buckley’s original is good, but this version is just so much better. It get’s you right there!!!