Mick Jones in the Library

So apparently all the music that you've ever listened to still lies in your head waiting to be retrieved or reawakened by some future touchstone. That in itself is an awesome feat of brain processing power.  But it can be dangerous, if the wrong live wire ends touch, then some fearsome energy can be released.

While the tunes remain the same, the meaning of the artistry can certainly change.  Sometimes the passage of time reveals certain truths.

For example, this lame "Train in Vain?" proves that the energy source of the Clash was Joe Strummer.

Bad suit.  Muffs the lines.  Guitar sound is flat, undistorted.  Geriatric lounge energy level.  Of course, Mick could never really sing, so can't complain about that. But it is the sad fact that a punk anthem (albeit at the later pop punk end phase) has descended into utter mildness.

Just as McCartney needed the harder edged Lennon to de-treacle his pop syrup, Strummer was the jagged thumping heart that was the source of the Clash's true energy. Sadly, a heart that blew out too soon.

But the comments reveal that the viewers' judgement is clouded by their own misty memories, which could happen to us all, I guess.  Their reaction shows that they are recreating an intensity in their own minds that could never exist if this were the first time they were hearing the song in this version.

NJ Kpopper fears ending up like that, but is seeking a better path by digging deeper for fresh bitter truths.

Fortunately, some geezers do not succumb to the same kind of softening as Mick, as in:

• Personal Jesus
• Redemption Song

Those covers, however, prove the next point ... that is extremely hard for a cover to improve on the original, even when the cover is great... so kudos to those that can pull that difficult trick off!