A Valentimely Covers Post

This was a dumb decade.

In my mind, the 80’s were responsible for 4 worthwhile things, and the remaining portion of those 10 years showed painful aberrations instead of progress. Those four, in order from least to most important, were: Back to the Future, the best of Prince’s career, Back to the Future II, and Edward Gottfried. However, if I had to stretch that list of four out to a list of five, settling in at #5 would be A-ha’s immortal “Take on Me.” (And, if we were talking about a top 6, I’d prolly give Flock of Seagulls haircuts a shoutout.) Anyway, as the title probably made you aware, SOMEONE recently covered that 80’s masterpiece. But I won’t tell you until after the break. Oh sweet god the suspense, right?

AC Newman. It’s AC Newman. New Pornographers frontman AC Newman covered A-ha’s “Take on Me.” That’s who did this cover. “And why,” you ask, “is this so ‘Valentimely?’ Also, you know it’s ‘Valentine’s’ day, right?” I’ll answer those questions in reverse order. Valentimes is serious times, and how dare you question my spelling. And this cover is Valentimely, because it originally appeared on a Valentine’s Day special compilation put out by that modern-day Cupid, Starbucks. Anyway, enjoy this, in which Newman strips the song down from its original electro-goodness to acoustic somethingity. I guess he makes it sound more like a love song. It’s definitely almost unrecognizable, but very cool. Check it:

Take on Me – AC Newman (zshare)

Take on Me – A-ha (zshare)

And maybe buy the album or something.

Also, to recap the top 10 of the 80’s, in my honest, if not humble, opinion:

1. Edward Gottfried (thaaaaat’s me!)
2. Back to the Future II
3. Prince’s good albums
4. Back to the Future (I)
5. “Take on Me”
6. Flock of Seagulls hair-dos
7. Duck Hunt
8. Muppet Babies
9. The Indiana Jones Trilogy
10. Full House

What have I left off?