Rate-O-Rama: Love is the Drug

Rate-O-Rama : Songmania is a reader participation game.

About once a week I will publish a Rate-O-Rama article which will feature two or three versions of a popular song.

The object is to listen to each of the music videos provided within the post.

After listening to each video you can rate each song in the comments section below.

(You must be a member to comment. If you are not a member you can join Vocal Media for FREE. You don’t ever have to pay for membership unless you choose to upgrade your membership)

The rating method is easy. Simply give each song a rating of 1 to 100.

(The more you like the song the higher the rating).

If possible, please provide a brief comment explaining the reasoning behind your ratings for each song.

After a week or so I will tally the ratings and in the next Rate-O-Rama post I will announce the winner from the previous post.

The winners will be determined on a scale of averages.

If you wish to receive a notice when the next Rate-O-Rama post is published please mention that you would like a notification in the comments section.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Last week we featured the classic song "Feeling Good" as recorded by The Nina Simone (1965), Michael Buble (2005), and Avicii (2015).

The following are the average rating for each song:

Nina Simone = 95.2

Michael Bublé = 91.1

Avicii = 80.6

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

The Third Edition of Rate-O-Rama features three renditions of the glam rock classic: "Love is the Drug."

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Roxy Music (1975)

Written by Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry and saxophonist Andy Mackay. The song was their highest charting hit in the US reaching #30 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. In the UK the song reached #2 and in Canada #3.

The song has been hailed as an early influence on new wave and has been praised for its groove and bassline. (Wikipedia)

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Grace Jones (1980)

From her classic 1980 album Warm Leatherette, her electronic dance rendition failed to chart but was a hot hit in dance clubs across the US. In 1986 a remixed version was released to promote the 1985 compilation album Still Life. This remix reached #35 in the UK and #18 in Ireland.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

The Divinyls (1993)

Featured on the Super Mario Brothers Motion Picture Soundtrack this alt-rock rendition made it to #126 in Australia and was also featured on the compilation album The Collection.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

My Thoughts

Roxy Music has the definitive version. I love how the song begins with the sound of footsteps walking toward a car. The door is opened and the music starts with the heavy thumping of the bass and the engine ignites then the car speeds away. Soon we hear the distinctive tones of Bryan Ferry's voice and the whole song comes together. I played this song (and its parent Album) like crazy back in my teenage days of the 1970s. I give Roxy Music's version a solid 100.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Grace Jones this is another rendition I played quite a bit but in my 20s. She completely revamped the song and created a flashy disco tune - I can imagine the disco lights as I listen to it. Her deep aggressive voice matched up with the synthed up arrangement makes for an interesting listen. I give the song a 98

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

The Divinyls composed a fairly decent alt-rock arrangement of the song so they get points for that. But Chrissy Amphlett's lead vocal simply does not appeal to me so they lose a few for that. Overall, I give the Divinyls 63 points for their recording.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

I will be back next week with the results of this Rate-O-Rama Edition.

Last Week's Rate-O-Rama:

With Love, RHC