The most unintentionally funny record of the year. Indeed, perhaps of the decade. If I thought they actually understood the meaning of the song, I’d accuse them of hubris. But they seem about as aware of the song’s intent as Pat Boone was when he sang “Tutti Frutti.” Listen all the way through so you can hear the “shoo-be-doo-wops” they throw in towards the end.
A hilarious, foolish disaster that reveals just how vacuous and shallow a band they are. Somewhere in heaven, John Lennon is laughing his ass off.
Grade: F
Listen: Revolution
Buy: Revolution
Let’s not malign Pat Boone – he understood that what he was doing was sanitizing R&B songs for an audience that wasn’t quite ready to accept the real thing. Pat listened to Country and R&B and was as aware as any artist. Much of his music still bears listening, particularly the non-cover material, but even the R&B covers can be listened to and appreciated on their own terms
That defense of Pat Boone makes him sound worse, not better, as does the use of the word “sanitized” in this context.
I would expect nothing less from this group. This wreaks of trying to get more Pop/AC airplay after the success of their Life is a Highway remake.
Kevin – you apparently don’t understand the situation that existed at the time – while you may not like Pat’s versions, they served as a transition and helped make white audiences more accepting of R&B material . Moreover, many R&B numbers had (for the time) relatively filthy lyrics so sanitized is an apt describtion. Much of todays’s music could stand being sanitized
In reference to Roger, Rascal Flatts is great. They arn’t trying to get any pop airplay and besides this isn’t even a solid single. its just a cut from Evan Almighty.
Look at big stars like George Strait and Tim McGraw and you’ll learn that any mention of country music artists on pop charts from any group or singer only supports the genre so to critisize them of any possible appearence on the chart seems foolish to me.
Oh, it’s a solid single. Their last iTunes exclusive sold 1,000,000 units. That’s big money.
I don’t dislike the song only because I think it’s a cheap way to get people to listen. I also think it’s just a terrible remake of a great song. Unless you can add something new and interesting to a song or produce an entirely new take, I don’t see the point.
I think anyone dissing the flatts should take a look in the mirror , can you sing like that? Well dont mock
It’d be hard to look in the mirror if I sang like Gary LeVox. My voice would be cracking it.
Paul,
I stand by my original response to your comment. I’m well aware of the situation at the time – quite frankly, you should no longer be arrogant enough to underestimate my knowledge of music history. I just don’t think “sanitizing” R&B & country records for an audience supposedly not “ready” for them is performing some noble service. I think it’s exploiting the talents of others to make a quick buck. It is actually possible to have all of the same information and come to a different conclusion than you.
I can tolerate it in the sense that it’s apparently in conjunction with a movie soundtrack. But only because of that. And I’m not a Rascal Flatts fan nor hater.
How could you put an f for this song, it’s catchy and I think they do a good job of remaking it.
I do not like the way RFs sang the song! I am not a fan of RFs either. They sound alright as long as their on a CD but , live…….not good! Gary LeVoux voice is way too nasally for me.
dude don’t hate rascal flatts is the best thing to hit music. Anything they sing is better than the best thing from anybody else. Don’t get mad that their better than whatever band you listen too.
The thing about this record, to me, is this: if you’re going to cover a Beatles song, you are taking an ungodly risk. SThere are those who have managed to pull it off–for example Anne Murray’s memorable R&B-style version of “You Won’t See Me”, which was a big hit in 1974 and which got John Lennon’s personal seal of approval–but Rascal Flatts is not among that chosen few by a longshot.