The Kinks vs The Jam - David Watts Reaction
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- In this video we will be comparing two recordings of the same song, to see which one we like best. This time, it's The Kinks versus The Jam, and the song is David Watts. We love both these bands, so we're excited to try this out. Enjoy!
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I think we'll call this a score draw. Love both versions, love both bands, seen them both do it live.
We think a lot of people will agree with you.
It made total sense for The Jam to cover The Kinks & both versions are brilliant. Two definitive British bands. My favorite Jam song was originally a B-Side " The Butterfly 🦋 Collector " ✅️ it out 🎸
Loved The Jam, teenager in London when this came out, vivid memory of technical drawing classes at school, with a mate whose name was David Watts, at the start of lesson teacher called our names one by one, to walk up and collect our folders of work, when he called David Watts, 35 pupils shout out ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba, it didnt take the teacher long to remember Davids face and hand him his work instead of calling his name out
No idea if you'll read this, but if you do then I hope it helps!
So, the Kinks were the absolute masters of arch, nudge-and-a-wink commentary on British social structures, and this song is a particularly good example. It's basically skewering the fawning, deferential nature of public school culture. ("Public school" in this case confusingly means an extremely exclusive, *private* establishment. The kind of place where young royals are sent for their education.) The narrator looks up to David Watts because he's the embodiment of teenage perfection in the view of that culture. But Ray Davies doesn't agree with the narrator; he thinks he's a naive, fawning idiot. Note also that when Ray tells us that Watts is "gay and fancy free", he means that literally. That's again a reference to public school culture, where it was (and perhaps still is) the norm for younger boys to be "deflowered" by the older ones. He's implying, with a level of subtlety that was required to avoid a radio ban back then, that the narrator badly wants to get into David's perfectly pressed trousers! (It's probably no coincidence that the song was recorded at the same time that the 1967 Sexual Offences Act - which legalised sex between men - was moving through parliament.)
The Jam's take on it changes things a little. Whereas before we had a bunch of cheeky English wits poking fun at the establishment, now we have working class rage at the upper classes. Weller is angry about this cultural supremacy, where we're expected to look up to these people - the elites of young society - even while behind closed doors they're doing things that the general public at the time would've been appalled by. The Kinks' arch commentary becomes The Jam's sneering resentment. (An attitude that they used to great effect on the same topic in "Eton Rifles", recorded the following year.)
How about the Kinks vs the Fall - Victoria? Vs Herman's Hermits - Dandy? Vs kirsty McColl- Days? Vs Joan jett - Celluloid Heroes? Vs Sia or the pretenders- I Go To Sleep? Vs the shacks - this strange effect?
David Watts isn't anyone in particular more a representation of someone who is rich, successful and most importantly someone who has a moral compass.
There was literally a rich guy named David Watts that invited them to a party, then did something a bit embarrassing with Dave Davies. Google it.
The Jam's version gave it the full Punk Rock makeover with a bit more thump, but the Kinks were doing their own thing with a very unique sound in the mid to late 1960s when this was recorded. The Jam were one of many bands trying to establish themselves by copying the Kinks 10 years later.
- I vote KINKS -
@levi 10 years difference in recording technology will do that.
Ray Davies reckons the Jam version is better. He even used to introduce it by saying, we play a cover of the Jam's version now.
Me? I am the biggest Kinks fan in the world. Both versions are great. The Jam wins by a nose.
Davies was very fond of songs with imperfect narrators. Most famously in Lola the singer doesn't realize, but gives away that Lola is really a transvestite. This comes across in the purposely ambiguous line "I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man and so is Lola" in which the singer is saying that Lola is glad that the singer is a man, but Davies is telling us that Lola is a man.
In the case of David Watts, the song suggests that David Watts is gay, although the singer doesn't realize it. (The song says at one point that David Watts is "gay and fancy free" but, of course, that has two meanings. Additionally it is odd that David Watts does not go out of any of the girls. One gets the sense that one of the things that the singer admires about David Watts is that David Watts turns down the girls who either have turned down the singer, or the singer is afraid to approach.
That is Davies is telling us that David Watts is gay. The singer doesn't realize it, and might not admire him so much if he did.
The only band that I know of that did as much with the layers to the lyrics as the Kinks is the 90's band Pulp. And they were very consicious of their debt to the Kinks.
I'd say both of these renditions are equally awesome in their own style
Should have used the live version of David Watts from OFTR.
Huge fan of both bands(I was in the original Jam tribute band from the US, no less.) I think the Jam version has more energy
That was a good idea. I prefer The Jam's version , but both are great. Maybe you could consider, Its My Party, sung by both Lesley Gore, and Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin. Then there's "I only want to be with you" Dusty Springfield and The Tourists (later to form The Eurythmics), and one more, "Always Something There to remind me", Sandie Shaw and Dionne Warwick
Speaking of Sandie Shaw: Her version of 'Hand In Glove' vs. the original by The Smiths! 😀👍 And also, that Dave Stewart covering 'It's My Party' with Barbara Gaskin must've been the same one who also was in The Tourists and later one half of the Eurythmics 🙂
@@mightyV444 Actually I believe it was a different Dave Stewart. That cover got to number one in the UK charts in 1981.
@@jonathancole833 - I liked it a lot at the time, too! 😊 At only 11! 😭😄 I didn't know then that this was actually _not_ the original, just like Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love', which was a hit around the same time 🙂 And you're right! This was a David LLoyd Stewart, while The Eurythmics' was a David Allan Stewart! 😳 I'd believed for 42 years that it'd been him! 😅 Thank you for enlightening me, Jonathan! 😁👍
@@mightyV444 We were all naive in those days! 😉
@@jonathancole833 - Yeah... 😅 There's a 4-part series of videos here on YT called '33 Songs You Didn't Know Were Covers', and quite a few examples did indeed shock me! Even Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' was a cover! 😳 😄
I love both bands. And have all their albums on vinyl. I am not kidding. I like the Kinks version better, as someone wrote it stops and builds up again, Moreover, the singer is supposed to be a nerd of sorts, "And as I lie on my pillow at night, I dream I could fight like David Watts ...." Paul's deep voice, snarling as it does, does not suit the song. The Jam should have covered "All Day And All of the Night" , or one of the harder edged early singles.
both good versions...problem is the version most people hear first will usually be their favourite....on the same subject please review big bird eddie floyd vs jam .think there's only a live version available from the jam but its an absolutely Amazing cover.thanks
keep up the good work hanier family
The jam wins that battle hands down for me!
Good reaction and good concept.
Another suggestion: The Kinks "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" (1966) and David Bowie's version (1973).
Bowie's cover is different than the original. czcams.com/video/vI_k1gTlWTg/video.html
Pretty interesting idea to do from time to time! I like it.
I can't say I've ever seen a reaction channel do this, you might be on to a thing!
Weller and Foxton sharing the lyrics beautifully! As a trio, they were the absolute business, tight band.
Great idea to compare both versions. David Watts was the first single I bought by the Jam. I love the guitar on the Kinks version but feel that the recording and punk attitude of the Jams version makes it more powerful.
I think you should do this original v cover test regularly it’s an great idea and would like if I may, suggest you pair The Rolling Stones (I can’t get no)Satisfaction v the Devo cover version. It would be interesting to see your reactions.Regards Paul.
Yep ! Great Idea to compare The kinks and the Jam ! I do prefer The Jams version , but you can Appreciate the influences the Jam drew from ! The Jams first album ! I think its called "In The City " they do a very Lively version of the 1960s "Batman " series theme tune ! Other back to back or Original and cover version is a great way to hear tunes you may not have realized were covers ! I have a few suggestions ,
John Lennon "Jealous Guy" cover . "Roxy Music"
Kate Bush "Wuthering Heights" cover "Pat Benatar"
Jimi Hendrix "Little Wing " covers "Stevie Ray Vaughn" "Eric Clapton" "Jeff Beck "
cheers
Gotta go with my boys jam.. but love kinks too
Bruce Foxton sings lead vocals on this track.
On the subject of cover versions of original songs, there is an interesting situation with the Elvis Costello song 'Shipbuilding'.
Despite co-writing the track, Costello only released his own version after it had first been recorded by Robert Wyatt; therefore effectively 'covering' his own song!
Both versions would make for an interesting comparison - very different approaches to the song, both poignant in their own way.
Prefer The Jam's cover -- but out of sheer loyalty it has to be the Kinks original. :0)
One of several Kinks songs that evince a sly homoeroticism. Very fun and playful sounding. Never heard the Jam's cover before. Fine version, but I can't say it adds much. To me, it just feels a tiny bit stiff in comparison.
Great idea by the way, starting a trend perhaps ?
If so how about "Alone again or" original by Love and cover version The Damned
This could well be my favourite song ever, if you don't know it you are in for a treat.
How about doing 'Without You' by Badfinger and then Harry Nilsson?
Or, Jump Into The Fire by Harry Nilsson, and then LCD Soundsystem?!?
The jam edges this one for me although i love both versions, but i second the comment about the eddie floyd vs jam and the song big bird!
All day and all of the night by The Kinks was covered by the Stranglers. You should take a listen.
My message disappeared...so here goes again...lol..
Apparently David Watts was indeed a real life character known to The Kinks....and (so he said) Watts was attracted to Dave Davies. Good song...both versions...love The Jam anyway, and their version.
Wow! What an interesting concept! Ready to take it a step further Hanier family? Good, I knew would be up for a good challenge! Try The Kinks "Till the end of the day" and compare it to Shonen Knife "Till the end of the day"!
David Watts is a fictional character, the chap that breezes through life without a hitch, clever, great at sport, attractive.......really annoying and we all know one !!!
I think David Watts was an actual person the band met back in the day.
Jam
Killing Joke 80s vs Come as You Are by Nirvana. Not same song but two different uses of Killing Joke’s bassline :)
Which killing joke stole from the damned” life goes on “ song ......which came out before killing joke whom I love by the way
Personally, I like The Jam version.
In the Crowd is a wonderful song by the Jam too
The better version is the KinKs Live "One for the Road" version of David Watts!
The Beatles 'Helter Skelter' vs Siouxsie and The Banshees 'Helter Skelter'. :0)
You should also react to John Grant "Queen of Denmark" and its cover by Sinead O'Connor.
Jam sandwich has it...They had time to hone it. Wish I could drum like David Watts...Hey! !
Hello from the UK. In my opinion the Kinks have this one, after all it is there's. Why not do a back to back with the Rolling Stones and Melanie Safka with Ruby Tuesday or Adele and Elkie Brooks with Make You Feel My Love... Maybe both why not...:)
"After the goldrush " by Neil Young compared to the cover by Prelude could be very interesting.
Great idea by the way guys...doing these comparisons
Great Idea, love both versions.
How about "I'll Keep On Holding On"
The Marvelettes, 1965. Classic Tamla Motown.
The Action, 1966. British 60's Mod
The Chords, 1980. Post Punk Mod revival.
I will always remember the first play of the Chords version on the B side of In My Street and thinking, that should have been the A side.
Add The Detroit Cobras version.
Have you done That's entertainment: Jam vs Morrissey?
we did The Jam version of that song a while back
The only real difference is that The Jam's cover is slightly faster. Nice cover, but The Kinks' original is the one for me.
The Kinks version has more vocal harmonies I feel, and it stops and builds up again at one point.
Of course Jam fans in 1978 would (mostly) not have been aware of the original when hearing their heroes version. For me the original wins by a short head.
I knew the Jams version was a cover of a Kinks song so I was thrilled to hear the Kinks version at last , still prefer the Jams version but that in no way diminishes the original . 👍🏴
Almost a copy of the original, as such Kinks get the vote. But both bands were brilliant. Two of the best writers we have had
@@andyf2837 even handed .. respect ✊
👍🏴
I prefer the Kinks But jam done a good cover
I’d say the Kinks easily. The Jam version is just a straight copy with no particular innovations/improvements.
Covers that are very different from the original:
With a little help from my friends - Beatles/Joe Cocker
Girls talk - Elvis Costello/Dave Edmunds
We know both versions of With A Little Help From My Friends. Both are amazing! We added the other song comparison to our list.
@@hanierfamily
Thanks, look forward to hearing them on your channel...
Both are great but the jam tightened it up and made it less melancholy ... the jams version sounds more alive
who did it best[ martha my dear] the Beatles or slade
Slade
Pretty much a draw in this instance I reckon. Why not try Days by The Kinks and Days by Kirsty MacColl
OR
I'm Gonna Love You Too by Buddy Holly and I'm Gonna Love You Too by Blondie
OR
It's Oh So Quiet by Betty Hutton and It's Oh, So Quiet by Björk
If you are going to do more of this then please do Junior Murvin V The Clash : Police & Thieves
Love The Jam but The Kinks version is better
Er paused with you and you seems to have misunderstood the lyrics
Ah - but then you got it 🎉
Mod vs Punk! I prefer the punky one in this case,
Ever wondered what happened to that dull and simple lad who wanted to be David Watts?
You and Weller both, but Weller found him and wrote a song for him, his name was Billy Hunt, coincidentally or not this also appears on the album All Mod Cons
Billy inevitably ends up with a factory job, being pushed around by his foreman.......but not for long as Billy is now dreaming about being Steve Austin !
When he gets those bionic arms there will be no stopping him.
That's my theory anyways, or perhaps Weller just knew a guy called Billy Hunt
I like both versions.. Each has their qualities.. from different decades.
Kinks more, as you say 'quirky' and the Jam more rocky..
..
Try 2 versions of Joni Mitchell's 'Both sides now' one by Joni herself and the other by Judy Collins.
Joni Mitchell
czcams.com/video/Pbn6a0AFfnM/video.html
Judy Collins
czcams.com/video/8L1UngfqojI/video.html
I'd love a back to back video of 2 versions of a song by the same band.
The Sports - Who Listens to the radio (original Australian vs International version). Same song, different approach...
Both have music videos , both look similar, the international version has been unearthed recently after 42 years of not being seen.
Let me know if that's an interest to both of you.
My vote is for the Kinks version
Stephen Cummings is very talented .. The track you suggested was a hit on alternative radio 📻 in Los Angeles when I was a kid. Nice 👍
@@davidellis5141 So I've heard. It reached # 45 on the US Billboard Chart which must have come as a surprise to the band. I agree that Stephen Cummings is talented. He has a fascinating array of solo albums. It'd be interesting to see a reaction to the two versions of that song. 👍
Do you remember "Dave and the Derrows" They did a version of "2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps " ? I cant remember who the band was who did it originaly ! Not exactly a masterpeice but good for a laugh !
When we look that up, all we see are some episodes of a show?
@@hanierfamily I am so sorry ! Not sure weather you are replying to me or the chap I commented on ! But I do hope you have my suggestions for " Original song and cover " Great Idea ! Graham .
nice idea... I thought you should do a comparison react with song I fought the law.... but I realize now thathat song has had so many bands cover it... stiill I prefe The Clash version the best// Green day would be tied 2n... ( Because has same 'punk' feel to it) The Pgoues Did cover of it o... ( With Joe Strummer - hekash ) doing vocals... Bryan adam did an okay cover of it... even Tom Petty but it just doesn't feel right when Tom Petty sings it....
This was a Kinks number
I'm pretty sure the viewers know that.
Nice reaction... disagreeing with your statement ofcourse. Though The Jam did a nice cover The KinKs-version/original is the best with most heart in the observation. Especially the in the background I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish show how much they want to be that successfull boy, even though it is even doubtful he loves girls. One comment though. I don't know Paul Weller that well, but Raymond Douglas Davies is one of the most introvert persons in this world, lol. .
That's surprising. He seems like such a goofball.
@@hanierfamily Haha, on stage he is indeed an entertainer pur sang, charismatic and lively. But off stage he is the total opposite and his brother Dave (the lead guitar player) is the goofball.
The Beatles, "Taxman" vs The Jam, "Start?"
The only comparison would be the bass line. As a song it simply wouldn't work!
@@CAdams6398 lolwut?
Same riff, not the same song. Hmm....
The bass line was undoubtedly stolen by The Jam. What else sounds similar between the two songs?
@@hanierfamily True, I never meant it was the same song. and yes, I understand the point of this is cover songs. But since you have done the Kinks and the Jam, I thought I'd mention the Jam and Beatles. But c'mon, "Start" completely verges on plagiarism. This isn't something I came up with there are literally a 100 articles on this very subject. BTW, Wet Leg won two Grammys. LOL
Difficult to compare guys. The Jam at the time would always bend the knee to the Kinks. They are both stalwarts of what British Mod popular music was all about. The Kinks were setting the stall of the time. The Jam were the only real credible band to come out of the "Mod revival' . Punk dropped away . New romantics dropped off. Mods still remain.
Although I really respect The Jam, the original by The Kinks is far better. That said, production wise, The Jam is better.
How's that for sitting on the fence?
This was a fence sitter for sure. Both great renditions.
Better washout the beard lol Brian Birch
The Jam sound a lot more cynical.
Rare to say...the re-make wins...The Jam gives that tinge of anger, missing in the great original.
Okay, this is a great idea. So, my suggestion is Dream on my Aerosmith and then the cover by Ronnie James Dio
You should do this every week
Probably the 2 most stereotypical English bands ever, Americans would find it difficult to understand
First punk song, kinks you really got me or the who substitute?
the kinks are the reason the jam exist but they aren't half as good as the jam
There's nothing wrong with improving on the masters' teaching.
Not as good as The Jam? That's your subjective opinion, and not a truism!
Also Weller saw "Quo" live ,the tickets were bought by his Dad! Thats why the Jam started from what ive read !
Your opinion is just that, an opinion. And a rather uninformed one at that.
@@kinksfan9781 Are you talking to me?
I love The Jam, but they shouldn't have attempted this song. Very embarrassing cover.
How you come to that conclusion is way beyond me. It's not as though they're wildly different in their construction or delivery!
Are you sure ?
You are in the minority but it’s your opinion so fair enough
@@CAdams6398 Strewth ! Must be easily embaressed !
@@e.m.b2834 How is a cover embarrissing ? I do think they were clothed at the time !!
The Beatles 'Helter Skelter' vs Siouxsie and The Banshees 'Helter Skelter'. :0)
@williamr3840 I Siouxie's version is better and I think her version of dear Prudence is better too, and that's from a massive Beatles fan.