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RIP Ace Frehley
- Thread starter DiehardHeelFan
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I've done some digging, evidently the KISS lyrics are about a prostitute (and prostitution in general) and specifically the queen mama prostitute, the Black Diamond. The Replacements version was always, to me, about themselves - regular old disaffected hardscrable teenagers with not much to look forward to in terms of future life prospects. "They've got you under their thumb" is about themselves in their version, not a social commentary on a completely other entity. I'm not saying one or the other is the "superior" message, but it's certainly a very different song in terms of meaning and, to respectfully disagree with you further, musically as well. Just my take, and we can agree to disagree, no hard feelings whatsoever.
Another difference is that the Mats were one of the quintessential garage bands, just kids getting together to play stripped down, lo-fi music. KISS was one of the quintessential corporate creations: The whole makeup and costume get up, the expensive, meticulously engineered sound and stage production/personae, etc. I guess in that sense, KISS could've been singing about themselves in Black Diamond, i.e., prostitutes in a sense. Again, not saying one is necessarily better than the other, but they couldn't have been coming from more different places. So too, IMO, their respective versions of Black Diamond...
FTR, you're one of my top 1000 posters too, Gee..
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@hedge KISS became a corporate band. They created their own personas and makeup. Their label almost went bankrupt.
@DiehardHeelFan You want to hear a band make a song their own? This is definitely an interesting take.
@DiehardHeelFan You want to hear a band make a song their own? This is definitely an interesting take.
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Very nice. I know I've heard that before but it's been awhile. Glad to give Ace and the boys their propers. That's a good cover. I'm just glad this whole subject has come up, I would not hazard to guess how many time I listened to The Replacements album Let It Be (from whence their Black Diamond cover, which was a particular favorite), it basically dropped at the exact moment I stepped foot in Chapel Hill, a fresh-faced redneck with a gleam in my eye and curiosity in my heart and man did that album fit the bill. Been way too long since I've given it a proper outing.
Speaking of fitting the bill, it was also a particular favorite of a buddy I met in Chapel Hill named Bill Spruill, now tragically deceased. Sorry to hijack the Ace Frehley thread with that (and talk of The Replacements), but I dont' think he'd mind. The whole thread has really taken me back to some good memories of fun times and good friends in Chapel Hill, and isn't that really motive force of this forum? 'Preciate ya, Ace! Love ya, Bill!
Speaking of fitting the bill, it was also a particular favorite of a buddy I met in Chapel Hill named Bill Spruill, now tragically deceased. Sorry to hijack the Ace Frehley thread with that (and talk of The Replacements), but I dont' think he'd mind. The whole thread has really taken me back to some good memories of fun times and good friends in Chapel Hill, and isn't that really motive force of this forum? 'Preciate ya, Ace! Love ya, Bill!
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And for @hedge just in caseShock Me cover by Red House Painters. Actually a pretty good slowed and stripped down version.
Wow, I've never heard this before. Thanks for that, Diehard. Just excellent. I know Kozelek has his issues and detractors, and I'm not Mr. Indy Rock Icon Worshipper Guy (too old and don't have the time or inclination), but I've really liked most of his stuff that I've listened to with any band he's been with. This one continues that tradition...