The Cover Stories vol. 2: Just Like Heaven

JUST LIKE HEAVEN

Original version: The Cure
Album: Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me (1987)

LINKS:
The Music Video
The music with lyrics on You Tube
Live Version on You Tube
More Info about the song
The Song Meanings
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About the original version:

Single #3 from The Cure's Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, their first Top 40 hit in the States, to many the 'quintessential' Cure tune. That's OK, it's one of the quintessents to me as well, at least as far as this particular Cure path goes.

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THE COVER STORY:

THE STRING QUARTET "Just Like Heaven"

• The String Quartet Tribute is a series of string quartet tribute albums, released by Vitamin Records and performed by several different groups of musicians. These string quartet tributes are commonly referred to as "VSQ," or "Vitamin String Quartet" by fans. Albums generally focus on one band per record, and perform classical versions of that band's songs, generally note for note. They use a wide array of instruments but primarily use violins, violas, and cellos.
  
  Their version of "Just Like Heaven" is slow and melancholic, and is perfect for a rainy day.
  

From the Album: The String Quartet Plays The Cure (2003)

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THE WATSON TWINS "Just Like Heaven"

• The Watson Twins are an American musical group based in Los Angeles with country and folk influences. Named for identical twin sisters Chandra and Leigh Watson, the band includes contributions from Aram Arslanian, Russ Pollard, Jason Soda, and Jenny Lewis. Their version of "Just Like Heaven" is really a great cover. Cool summerbreeze and lazy in the best sense. And the harmonica really suits the song. My favourite cover-version of this song.
  

From the album: Fire Songs (2008)
Live Version from You Tube

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DINOSAUR JR. "Just Like Heaven"

• Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally named Dinosaur prior to legal issues, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005. Guitarist J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph were the band's founding members; however, Mascis has been the group's sole continual member. Their version is faster than the original, and with a great and strange sounding guitar. The refrain change the mood of the song a bit, and the end of the song is a suprise. A really great version and Robert Smiths personal favourite.
  

From the Album: Just Like Heaven EP (1989)

The Music Video

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CHARLOTTE MARTIN "Just Like Heaven"

• Charlotte Ann Martin (born March 29, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter, who performs predominantly on the piano. She has written several studio albums, two of which have received mainstream commercial releases, 2004's On Your Shore and 2006's Stromata. Her Tori Amos-esque version of "Just Like Heaven" is not everyones cup of tea. Oh yeah, I'd also compare her to Heather Nova. I have no idea what to write about this, because it's really good, yet not... enjoyable.

From the Album: Reproductions (2007)
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KATIE MELUA "Just Like Heaven"

• Ketevan "Katie" Melua is a Georgian-British singer, songwriter and musician. She was born in Georgia, but moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then relocated to England at the age of 14. Melua is signed to the small Dramatico record label, under the management of songwriter Mike Batt, and made her musical debut in 2003. In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's biggest-selling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist. This version of "Just Like Heaven" is not essential, but still sweet, maybe to sweet. With a song like "Just like heaven", I somehow expected to see a different side of Katie Melua. It didn't happen. Well, she can't really be upbeat, there's style to consider here.

From the Album: Piece by Piece (2005)
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ALL THE SONGS HERE