Friday, November 10, 2023

WIRTW #695: the “cover” edition


Earlier this week, I used the song "Pass the Kutchie" to illustrate Ohio's new recreational marijuana law. Some commenters were quick to point out that the song is called "Pass the Dutchie," not "Pass the Kutchie." Except it's not. "Pass the Kutchie" is a 1981 Jamaican reggae song by the Mighty Diamonds about Rastafarian cannabis pipes. One year later, Musical Youth covered that song and made it famous. Because they were all children, however, they replaced the song’s drug slang with “dutchie,” a food reference.

Coincidentally, this week the AV Club published lists of the 25 best and 25 worst cover songs of all time. All of this got me thinking about my favorite cover songs. Here are my top 5:

  1. The White Stripes  "Jolene"
  2. Sinead O’Connor — "Nothing Compares 2 U"
  3. Johnny Cash — "Hurt" 
  4. Janis Joplin — "Me and Bobby McGee"
  5. Talking Heads — "Take Me to the River"

What about your favorite covers? Head over to LinkedIn and drop a comment to let me know.

Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.



Internet Scammers Used My Name to Take People's Money — via Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas






Extortion By Noncompete? — via Michigan Employment Law Advisor

Ohio Franchise Bill Intro'd in House — via Brewers Association

Toledo to Host Ohio Craft Brewers Conference — via Ohio Craft Brewers Association