According to Wikipedia, the song was written in 1958 by Louisiana bellboy John Phillip Baptiste, who was encouraged to use a stage name, Phil Phillips. Here’s his recording:
It’s been covered many times, including by Tom Waits:
Iggy Pop:
Cat Power:
chords:
John Fahey imposter:
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Sea of Love6 comments to Sea of Love |
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And there was a movie with Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin, based around a serial killer who leaves the original 45 playing on the turntable after each kill (back when I guess most people still had a turntable). I saw back when it came out and at least back then found it somewhat interesting.
I believe that Robert Plant also covers Sea of Love.
Um. It’s The Honeydrippers.
And yes Kilian, yer right, there is a Robert Plant version. I find it’s underrated just becasue, well it’s Robert Plant, but I actually think it’s a good version that keep true to the original and Plant never tries to overshadow the song which I think is key.
I think that’s what’s interesting about these vesions is about how one tries to keep true to the original and still have one’s own voice which is the heart of doing a cover. The Iggy Pop version is pretty straight forward but I can’t buy into it – it seems hacky. Meanwhile, the Waits version is so deconstructed that it loses the original’s spirit. I think Chan Marshall does a lovely job with it though – capturing the spirit but never losing what makes her voice unique.
Just for the record. I cringe when someone erroneously credits the performer as the author liek the person did with the Cat Power video above.
Especially when it’s from an album entitled “The Covers Record”!
And he really needs to tune.