Cover to Cover: Just Like Heaven

Hey there, music lovers! Welcome back to Radio Unfriendly!

Today I’m going to be diving into the song “Just Like Heaven.”

The Original:

The Cure are an English rock band that started up in 1976 in Crawley, England, a little town about 30 miles south of London. They were formed by singer Robert Smith and drummer Lol Tolhurt. The band was originally called Malice. They eventually changed their name to Easy Cure and eventually shortened it to just The Cure in 1978. Their debut album Three Imaginary Boys was released in May 1979 by Fiction Records. To date, the band has released 14 studio albums, along with 6 live albums, 7 compilation albums, 8 box sets, 12 EPs, and nearly 50 singles.

“Just Like Heaven” was recorded for the album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. This album was released in May 1987 by Fiction Records. It was their 7th LP. “Just Like Heaven” was one the 3rd single from that album. The song reached #40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #29 on the UK Singles chart.

I have to say that I was never a really huge fan of the band. I mean, I liked a lot of their stuff and owned some of their albums but I never saw them live or anything. They’re a good band. I give them props.

The Cover:

Dinosaur Jr. are an alternative rock/indie rock/noise rock…something band…that was formed in 1984 in Amherst, Massachusetts. It got started by guitarist J Mascis (Joseph Donald Mascis Jr.), bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph. The band was originally called just Dinosaur but added the Jr. after the released of their 2nd album You’re Living All Over Me after they were sued by another band using that name. Their first album was self-titled (Dinosaur) and was released in 1985 by Homestead Records. As of this writing, the band has released 12 studio albums, 2 live albums, 15 EPs, and 7 compilations.

Their version of the song was recorded for their EP Little Fury Things. That EP was released in 1987 by SST Records. It was included as a bonus track on You're Living All Over Me and their 1991 compilation album Fossils. I first heard their version of “Just Like Heaven” on that compilation. This compilation also included a cover of Peter Frampton’s “Show Me The Way.”

The Verdict:

I have a bit of a nostalgic feeling about the Cure’s version of “Just Like Heaven.” I am pretty sure that it is the first song that I heard by the band. Robert Smith has said in the past that he think is one of their best songs. I would have to agree. It is a beautifully crafted song. It is just simply very pleasing to the ear and just an overall nice little pop song. The Dinosaur Jr. version distinguishes itself very well because it is very…well…Dinosaur Jr-y. The guitars are inundated with effects throughout the song. Not in a bad way. That is kind of what the band does. The gang vocals in the middle of it are really cool and the guitar solo is fantastic.

Vocally speaking, I prefer The Cure’s version. Robert Smith’s vocal delivery is just, I dunno, of a higher quality. Not to say that J Mascis’ vocals are bad. I just think Smith is a better singer.

However, overall, I actually prefer the Dinosaur Jr. version over the original. It’s the instrumentation that does it for me. While The Cure’s use of guitars and keyboards is delicately balanced for what they were doing at the time and not bad in any respect, I just like what J Mascis and company did better. I just like the vibe more.

But what about you?

I’d really like to know what you think about this little series. I really enjoy engagement from my readers.

See you next time around.