Welcome to another edition of
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
BATTLE OF THE BANDS (BOTB), hosted by Far Away Series and StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. is where you listen to different recordings of the same song and vote for the one you like best. Two “Battles” per month, on the 1st and 15th. Votes will be tallied and posted the following week. (See below for further details.)
Once again, I’m going with a popular song, using lesser known versions for the battle.
#BOTB - BATTLE OF THE BANDS - PAINT IT BLACK. Who did it better? Come on over and vote! #dogladysden Share on X
PAINT IT BLACK
HISTORY
[for reference only – please do not vote on these two]Written by Mick Jagger (lyrics) and Keith Richards (music), “Paint it Black” was the first single released from the Rolling Stones 4th album, “Aftermath” in May, 1966. It reached number one status in North America as well as the U.K. and ranks #176 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Apart from its popularity, it has the distinction of being the first major hit to use a sitar. Many musicians have covered “Paint It Black”, in various genres. There’s even an Italian version, also from 1966, by singer turned record producer Caterina Caselli.
The foregoing serves as background information only.
Now, on to the actual contest……
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ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS
Yes, I know they were mentioned in the last BOTB post. Coincidence, or is it? 😉 Actually, this is not the same band. The original Animals broke up in 1966 and Eric Burdon formed a new group the following year, giving himself top billing. This marked a shift in sound from gritty blues to psychedelic rock. “Winds of Change” was their first album, including a trippy adaptation of “Paint it Black”, which they also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in June, 1967. It was filmed and included in the “Monterey Pop” documentary. See it HERE. Eric later recorded a different arrangement with his new band, War, in 1970. If you’re interested, you can view it HERE, but it’s not part of the contest.
INKUBUS SUKKUBUS
This is a popular British Goth rock band, formed in 1989, under the name “Incubus Succubus”. The incubus and succubus are mythical creatures from Medieval demonology who perform their evil deeds by having sex with their victims. The incubus is the male demon and succubus the female counterpart. Seems fitting. 😀 The group consists of two men and one woman: Candia Ridley – vocals, lyrics (contralto) / Tony McKormack – guitar, production, songwriting, some vocals / Dave Saunders – bass. They decided to change the name to “Inkubus Sukkubus” in 1995 for the sake of better numerological vibes. In 1997, their 6th album, “Vampyre Erotica” included this dramatic interpretation of “Paint it Black”:
VOTE NOW!
Please state your preference in comments below and why you chose it.
Voting remains open until 6:00 p.m., EDT June 7,
after which I will count the votes, add mine and publish the results.
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These are the other BOTB regulars and semi-regulars.
Please cruise on by their sites and, if they have a post up, vote on their selections as well:
[Check back – there’s no set posting time]
Alex J. Cavanaugh Angels Bark Book Lover Cherdo On The Flipside Curious as a Cathy
DC Relief Battle of the BandFar Away Series
Sound of One Hand Typing
Tossing It Out Women: We Shall Overcome Your Daily Dose
As always, “Sharing is Caring”.
Spread this musical joy all over your social networks. Hashtag is #BOTB
Until next time.
ROCK ON!
♫♪♫♪♫
Rockchick Rapture!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
43 thoughts on “PAINT IT BLACK – BATTLE OF THE BANDS #BOTB”
My vote is for I.S. It is a new version to me. I have heard the Animals version before but I prefer the second one better.
Hi Mike; You’re one of the few who has heard Eric Burdon’s version of this song before. 🙂 Thanks for your vote. I.S. it is!
DEBBIE, ordinarily I like Eric Burdon (with The Animals and especially with War), but in this case, I thought the recording was really rough and rather unmusical. It sounded to me like someone just sort of stumbling along with the vocals while trying to mentally sketch out some sort of form for the song. In other words, it sounded to me more like a rough master take than a completed, fleshed-out and polished professional recording.
And I’m not into Goth Rock (or vampires, zombies, tattoos, mixed martial arts, and Sci-Fi space fleets with laser weaponry who are battling to save the galaxy😉, however I do cast my vote for I.S.
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Hi Steven; Eric’s version is an acquired taste. I think Goth Rock is pretty cool, even though I’m not into vampires (except Ann Rice’s), zombies, Sci-Fi (except Star Trek) etc. 🙂 Thanks for your vote, regardless. I.S has a commanding lead.
Hi Debbie,
I’ve never heard of these versions, only the one by the Rolling Stones. I heard them and like the all. They each have their own flare to it….my all-time is the version by the Rolling Stones but for my vote, I had to choose Inkubus. She has a great voice.
Hope you’re having a great day!\
Cori
Glad you enjoyed the music, Cori. Yes, Inkubus’ vocalist has great pipes. Thanks for your vote. Looks like I.S. is the overwhelming favourite.
Dang, such a hard choice! This song lends itself well to many styles. I could not believe how awesome it sounded in Italian. Way cool. And Eric’s Spanish-type music just poured all through me. Awe-some. Loved the angst in his voice too. And of course Inkubus is a longtime favorite band, though I don’t believe I’ve ever heard this song performed by them. That goth sound just rocks.
I think tonight I have to give it to goth. Now, if Evanescence sang this and was pitted against Inkubus I would just give it up as a too tough decision. Going for Inkubus today. Thanks DD.
Caterina Caselli really delivered on that one, didn’t she? 🙂 Loved your comment about Eric Burdon’s rendition and the angst in his voice. You seem to appreciate his style as much as I do. Inkubus’ version is stellar too. Thanks for your vote. Another one for I.S.!
OK I am voting for Inkubus! I have never heard of them but I love their unique rendition of this song as they made it sound macabre. I love “The Animals” but not this rendition. His voice did not seem strong to me
Hi Birgit; Yes, this goth version of the song is definitely striking! 🙂 Thanks for your vote. Yet another one for I.S. They’re well ahead, at this point.
I am shocked that I’m voting for Inkubus. I’ve never heard of them before, but I like the kind of creepy sound and the production values.
Love,
Janie
Yes, they do have that cool creepy sound. 🙂 Thanks for your vote. Another one for I.S.! They have a pretty healthy lead now.
Well, you stepped right into my wheelhouse when you said that Inkubus Sukkubus changed the spelling of their band name because of NUMEROLOGY. I’m a bit of a numerology nut. So, I couldn’t resist adding up the numbers. Turns out that every word can generate 3 numbers, so when their first number of the (new) name came up 6, I was expecting to get 666 as their three name numbers. Not so. Turns out it’s 686, which isn’t quite the same, is it? But for their old name their numbers were 639, which is even further from the mark I suppose. And if you chose only one number, it would be the last of the three as most significant. So, with the new name it’s 6. The old one it’s 9. That’s your numerology lesson for the day. ha!
My surprised vote is for Inkubus Sukkubus. Despite my interest in their numerology, I’m a bit freaked by folks who want to have demonic association with their name. But, based solely on the music (and not the name), I preferred their version.
I don’t know anything about numerology, but am also surprised the total wasn’t 666. 🙂 Maybe they made a mistake? LOL
Anyway, thanks for the numbers lesson and for your vote. I.S. it is! 🙂
HI Shady; I remember reading about the comma controversy a long time ago – slipped my mind for this post, though. Thanks for adding that bit of history for us. You may have a point about Eric’s version being a bit self-indulgent, but IMO, that’s what makes him so great. 😀 Inkubus is pretty cool too and I thank you for your vote. I.S. it is! I’m psyched that these renditions were both new to you!
I’m going with Eric Burdon and the Animals, because you won’t let me vote for Eric Burdon and War and I didn’t like Inkubus Sukkubus at all.
Hi John; Sorry these weren’t to your liking. Eric Burdon and War’s version was cool and funky, but I wanted to go with the earlier version because it was so different. Thanks for adding your vote. Eric Burdon it is! 🙂
Candia Ridley, by default…
This song was the only track the Rolling Stones had to make it into my all time top one hundred.
Candia Ridley has a good voice and I.S. has a healthy lead at this point. 🙂 I take it neither one of those was to your liking. Surprised to know there’s only one Stones song in your top 100. Thanks for dropping in and adding your vote, Myke.
Honestly, I didn’t like either of these versions! Something felt… tacky about the Inkubus Sukkubus one, so I chose Eric Burdon and the Animals.
That’s okay, Madilyn. Come on back for the next one. I’ll be getting away from the rock genre entirely. 🙂 In the meantime, thanks for your vote. Eric Burdon it is!.
INKUBUS SUKKUBUS by a mile – which shocks me to no end.
I love Eric Burton and the Animals, but I have to give it to INKUBUS SUKKUBUS! I love a surprising new version. Good job, girl!
Glad you enjoyed this, Cherdo. Another vote for I.S.! They’ve definitely taken the lead, so far. 🙂
Ooh, Debbie – I like, I like! I think from now on, INKUBUS SUKKUBUS is my favorite version of this song!! I wonder who they brought in to do those drums?!! Eric does it well, but my vote goes to INKUBUS SUKKUBUS, (though I could be in the minority. It happens.)
Congrats on a great battle. I’ll will be curious to see how this goes, (smile).
Glad you enjoyed this, Dixie. 🙂 Actually, I.S. is ahead by a healthy margin. According to Wikipedia, the band uses a drum machine and sequencer to provide percussion and orchestral backing. It makes for a great effect! 😀 So, one more vote for I.S. here.
Of the two, I favored Inkubus Sukkumbus. I just can’t get past all that gothic imagery. I’m not overly religious, but the religion I was raised in did a great job in making us abhor evil imagery. If Jews can be cultural Jews, I’ve alway thought I could be a cultural Baptist, all the guilt with none of the dogma.
The real winner Caterina Casseli. Such a great voice and better than the Stones.
Hi Ann; Personally, I get a kick out of Gothic imagery (probably because it holds no connotations for me), but I understand where you’re coming from. So, one more vote for I.S. They seem to have a healthy lead, so far. 🙂 You’re right about Caterina Caselli. She has a great voice and was a huge star in Italy throughout the 60s and 70s.
Debbie, good battle showdown! My vote went to Inkubus Sukkubus. I’m not a heavy rocker, as you know, but I did enjoy I.S. quite a bit. The rock-style orchestra mingled with female lead raspy voice did the song justice and ultimately became my favorite pick. I don’t know how well I would like other songs by them, but on this track they stole the show, in my opinion. 😉
Hi Cathy; You’ll like my next BOTB for sure, then. Veering away from rock completely. 🙂 As for this one, thanks for your vote. I.S. it is!
I like EB and the Animals. I don’t know how well i can explain after a sleeping pill and pain pill 🙂 but there’s a freedom to that version not in the others. The song isn’t bound to the stones notes and arrangements. EB adds a bit of himself which works for me in this case.
Cheers, your Rockin’ Roll Kitty! ❤
Another vote for Eric. 🙂 Thanks, Chi Chi! Yes, Eric Burdon does freestyle better than anyone, I’d say. Cheers to you, as well.
I’m having problems with the voting thingie, but it is Inkubus Sukkubus for me!
Hi Corinne; I’ll register your vote of Inkubus. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
I definitely liked the Inkubus Sukkubus version better. It’s just much richer and very pleasing to my ears. I like the instrumental sound to the song and I like her voice too. And I have to say: I love how they changed the spelling of their band name to get a better numerology hit! That’s classic! 🙂
My vote goes to Inkubus Sukkubus. Maybe I just wanted to say that out loud… 🙂
Good battle!
HI Michele 🙂 Thanks for your vote – Inkubus Sukkubus it is! That’s also fun to write…..I agree, their vocalist has a great tone to her voice.
Both are interesting versions. I’m partial to the classical overtone of the Inkubus group, but in the end it’s not all that unique.
Maybe Eric Burden’s group is not that original either with their version, but it works for me. And it has that psychedelic sound that I like so well. And I can’t overlook that violin ( at least it sounds like a violin).
My vote is for Eric Burden.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Another vote for Eric. Thanks, Lee! 🙂 Yes, the violin is fairly prominent in there. You can see it on the Monterey Pop video I referenced.
I vote for Eric Burdon and the Animals. I just feels more like the original. Inkubus Sukkubus felt too orchestral to me.
That’s one vote for Eric. 🙂 Thanks, Mary.
Inkubus — did I vote in the right place this time?
Hi Carol; Yes, your vote for Inkubus went through. Thanks! 🙂 What was it you liked about that version over the other one?