RS Readers like/don’t like U2’s ‘Helter Skelter’
U2’s cover of “Helter Skelter” is named Best Beatles Cover by Rolling Stone readers.
As expected, commenters at RS revolt:
That U2 cover is atrocious (and I like U2).
and
I like U2 circa “Rattle and Hum,” but their version of “Helter Skelter” castrates the original.
and
U2’s version of Helter Skelter is horrible. I have no idea what the hell you guys are smoking
Just another day on the Interweb…..
Edwardo said,
March 26, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Surprising choice as I thought most people hated this cover. I don’t hate it but there is nothing special about it.
!!!!!!!!!
Erika said,
March 26, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
The only remarkable part of this song is “This is a song Charles Manson stole from The Beatles, and we’re stealing it back.”
Janko said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:04 am
I think this cover is marvelous! Imho it’s much better than the original, it’s more fluent. Full of energy!
Niterpi said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:54 am
this is a great cover! U2’s cover of happiness is a warm gun - now that sucks!
mkfg said,
March 27, 2008 @ 8:37 am
I agree with Erika and am VERY SURPRISED it was chosen… so many better ones out there.
ian said,
March 27, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
you guys kiddin’ me? the BEST part of that song is the guy in the audience who howls, “YAAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOO!!!!”
awesome. Best. Beatles. Cover. Ever.
Watts4 said,
April 4, 2008 @ 4:18 am
The “Happiness is a Warm Gun” cover was worse, but not by a lot.
Had R&H started with “Desire” as the first track, instead of that “Helter Skelter” cover, I think the reviews would have been a lot better for R&H. That cover just put people off right from the start. It’s not that bad of a cover, it kinda rocks, but it would have been better as an unexpected b-side than the intro song.
There are so many great Beatles’ covers out there, the fact that voters chose this as the best shows a) U2 is popular b) People are stupid. I don’t like the math here!
Moi said,
April 7, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I think it was a good cover, nothing like the original, it was an interesting choice, as not so many people would choose a song like Helter Skelter to cover. I think it was far better than the Happiness… and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, no doubt.