Under The Boardwalk: The Rolling Stones and Other Versions

Recently, I was browsing through Wikipedia, and found that the Rolling Stones, on one of their early albums, had covered the classic pop tune Under The Boardwalk. This seemed odd, as it’s neither bluesy nor aggressive, and it made me wonder what other versions might be out there.

First of all there’s the original from The Drifters, which needs (and will receive) no introduction:

While it’s lovely, I’ve always considered it a bit subdued. Surely more could be done with that melody and those harmonies. John Mellencamp evidently agrees.

For a more soulful rendition, who better than Rickie Lee Jones?

And moving from the sublime to the ridiculous, as you might recall after Moonlighting made him famous as an actor, Bruce Willis also fancied himself a recording artist.

To get back to Mick, Keith and Company, here it is.

Jagger’s vocal is fine (if unusually sincere) and the harmonies aren’t bad, but the way they sing “Boardwalk” in unison is just plain weird.