The Philip Bailey/"Easy Lover" thread comparing different cover versions reminded me of "Compared to What," one of my favorite songs (that folks might not be familiar with), that has been covered by a a ton of different artists over the years, with different spins from jazz to soul to funk to blues to rock to reggae.
Even Philip Bailey has recorded a version.
So I found YouTube videos of some of the best versions (and Philip Bailey, but I left him out of the poll because, well, you can listen to it yourself -- it's not bad but IMO not competitive).
In the poll, you can vote for up to 3 favorites and you can change your votes.
Jerry Jones (female reggae singer -- I stumbled on this very cool version just now in putting together this post. She was an American who was playing a hotel gig in Kingston in 1971 and was discovered by producer Coxsone Dodd):
Here are the lyrics (by Gene McDaniels), but the specific lyrics and order of the verses vary somewhat among different versions:
Spoiler:
Compared To What?
Love the lie and lie the love Hangin' on, with a push and shove Possession is the motivation That is hangin' up the whole damn nation Looks like we always end up in a rut Tryin' to make it real but compared to what?
Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs Twisted children killin' frogs Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs Tired old ladies are kissin' dogs Hate the human, love that stinking mutt Try to make it real but compared to what?
The President, he's got his war Folks don't know just what it's for Noone gives us rhyme or reason Have one doubt, they call it treason We're chicken-feathers, all without one gut Tryin' to make it real but compared to what?
Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of stupid nut Tryin' to make it real Tryin' to make it real Tryin' to make it real Tryin' to make it real Real real Tryin' to make it real Real real real real Tryin' to make it real Tryin' to make it real
Where's that bee and where's that honey? Where's my God and where's my money Unreal values, crass distortion Unwed mothers need abortion Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut, He tried Tried, tried, tried to make it real Tryin' to make it real yeah But compared to what?
Love the lie and lie the love Hangin' on, with a push and shove Possession is the motivation That is hangin' up the whole damn nation Looks like we always end up in a rut Tryin' to make it real but compared to what?
Just because it happened to you, doesn't make it interesting.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
Yesterday I was lying; today I'm telling the truth.
