"Sing Out" by Ghost Mice

 

Bloomington, Indiana folk punk duo Ghost Mice offer a quirky remake of "Sing Out," a popular 1971 folk hit from Cat Stevens and the cornerstone of the soundtrack for the coming-of-age comedy "Harold and Maude."

For another Stevens cover, 10,000 Maniacs version of "Peace Train" can be found here.

"Peace Train" by 10,000 Maniacs

 Look, I love 10,000 Maniacs. They're fantastic.

That said, considering Natalie Merchant's lazy R, London, UK folkie Cat Stevens' 1971 single "Peace Train" is a really weird choice.

I'm not a licensed speech therapist, and can't diagnose rhotacism. But, it's hard not to hear "Everyone jump up on the pee stain!" and "Come on the pee stain!" and "THIS IS THE PEE STAIN!"

And, if people wanted to jump up on the pee stain, they'd spend a lot more time at the Red Roof Inn near the airport.

I can imagine Cat Stevens sitting on a yellow and brown plaid couch in his basement, hearing this cover version on MTV. Suddenly, he bolts upright and throws his metal mixing bowl filled with Cheetos at the television screen, causing spiderwebs of broken glass to spread from the corner.

"Peace Train!," he yells, ripping the television from the wall and slamming it on the ground like he's an 80's wrestler delivering a suplex. "Peace TRRRRRAIN!"

And, that just goes against what should be the ultimate chill of this song.

Serenity now, Cat.