Battle of the Bands – I Got You

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It’s time for Battle of the Bands again! This battle came to me as I was driving the other day when this song came on the radio. I had forgotten how much I liked this song! I cranked it up and blasted on down the highway. Hopefully you’ll like it as much as I do. For those who may not be familiar, “I Got You” is a 1979 song by New Zealand rock group Split Enz from their studio album True Colours. Split Enz’s most commercially successful single, “I Got You” was written by Neil Finn and released in late 1979. In 2001 it was voted 11th best New Zealand song of all time by APRA.

Here is the Split Enz version, for your enjoyment only. Don’t vote on this version!

 

Covers:

Pearl Jam, Marilyn Manson, Something for Kate and Semisonic are among the artists who have played the song live. The song was recorded by my battle contenders, Vitamin C and The Connells.

 

Contender #1:  Vitamin C

Wikipedia tells us that Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick (born July 20, 1972), better known by her stage name Vitamin C, is an American pop music singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. Her singles include “Graduation (Friends Forever)”, “As Long As You’re Loving Me”, “The Itch”, and her most successful hit the Top 20 Gold certified “Smile”. Vitamin C is also the former lead singer of the alternative rock band Eve’s Plum. As an actress, she has appeared in the films Hairspray (1988), Dracula 2000 (2000), Da Hip Hop Witch (2000), Scary Movie 2 (2001), and Get Over It (2001).

She was ranked No. 76 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2001. Mattel released a Vitamin C doll in 2000. She was a video game character in the game EA Sports Triple Play by EA Sports. Vitamin C has her own Tommy Hilfiger lipstick color developed after her signature yellow and orange hair.

On March 21, 2012, Vitamin C was appointed as Vice President of Music at Nickelodeon

 

Contender #2:  The Connells

The Connells are an American band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They play a guitar-oriented, melodic, power pop style of rock music with introspective lyrics that reflect the American South. Though mostly dormant, the band continues to play to this day. The band is best known for their song ’74–’75, which became a Top 20 hit in the UK and made them quite popular in Europe at the time.

Here is their cover version of I Got You:

 

TIME TO VOTE! Which version do you like better and why? And when you’re done voting, please visit these other BOTB participants and check out their cool battles:

 

 

27 thoughts on “Battle of the Bands – I Got You”

  1. This was a really difficult one as I’m such a fan of Split Enz and wanted to vote for them. Couldn’t get the Vitamin C video to play but found it somewhere else to listen to.
    I really didn’t like the Connells version as they’ve tried to make it too moody so my vote goes to Vitamin C.

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    • Sorry you couldn’t play the Vit C video but glad you found it elsewhere. Good to know that you’re a fan of Split Enz. They were pretty cool.
      Thanks for your vote!

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  2. Hi, Michele!

    As Ronald Reagan said during a presidential debate with Jimmy Carter, “There you go again.” For the umpteenth time you have made it very difficult for me to decide how to vote in your band battle. 🙂

    For one thing, this post was loaded with new info. At first I thought you were presenting covers of the James Brown hit “I Got You.” I never heard this “I Got You” song before, nor had I ever heard of the Raleigh band The Connells. I was familiar with Vitamin C, but the biggest surprise for me was discovering that she is Colleen Fitzpatrick, the actress who played Amber Von Tussle, the snooty mean girl and fabulous line dancer in one of my favorite movies, John Waters’ original Hairspray (1988), a sensational high school musical with an authentic 1960s Baltimore regional soundtrack.

    Both versions of “I Got You” are excellent and they offer a clear choice between two very different styles. Lately my ears have been tuned to female vocalists and to the sophisticated dance club sound more so than to bands one might find playing at a roadhouse. The Connells are fine musicians and laid down a great sound, but it was nothing new, a typical southern rock sound that no longer interests me. I also knocked off points because the lead vocal is a bit too gentle and laid back to suit my sensibilities. Vitamin C’s vocals, on the other hand, are zesty and the arrangement fresh, fun and spirited. When I ask myself which recording I would be more likely to buy the answer is the one by Colleen. That’s why I am giving my vote to Vitamin C.

    Thank you very much, dear friend Michele!

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    • I’m so excited that I was able to introduce you to something new! You’re always so in the know! 🙂
      I’m not surprised that you chose Vitamin C. I kinda figured that would be your pick, given your recent interest in female vocalists.
      “Fresh, fun and spirited”: great way to describe Colleen’s version.

      Thanks for your vote Shady! Have a good week…

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  3. I got heavily into Split Enz and all things Finn after the first Crowded House came out. They had such a great sound that I wanted to hear more.

    I like the bouncy version by Vitamin C. A very commercial sounding cover version.

    However the edgier sound of the Connells suits my taste better. So that’s where my vote is going.

    Nice picks for battle.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    • Thanks Lee. So glad to hear that you like Split Enz and the Finn brothers! Then you probably know that when they started out they called themselves “Split Ends” but changed the spelling to Split Enz to honor their New Zealand roots. I thought that was pretty cool.

      Thanks for your vote. I have you down for the Connells.

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    • Thanks for your vote Janet! Gotcha down for Vitamin C (such an odd name for an artist, I think…but there are plenty of those out there, that’s for sure.)
      Have a good week.

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  5. This is a song I have never even heard of. Nor, have I heard of any one of three groups you presented. I enjoyed the songs by all of them but I liked Vitamin C best. I just liked the way she made it seem like such a cheerful song.

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    • Hi Paula, I’m glad you liked all versions of the song. Glad I was able to turn you on to something new. I’ve got you down for Vitamin C. Thanks for your vote!

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  7. Girl you got me here. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song before. On a positive note, at least I can give an unbiased vote 😉 Of the two contestants, I do believe that I enjoyed Vitamin C just a little bit more. Great catchy song. I can see how you would like it. Thanks for introducing me to this!

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle

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    • That’s so cool that so many of the commenters here have never heard this song before! I love being able to introduce something new, especially when people end up liking it.
      Thanks for your vote. I have you down for Vitamin C.

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  8. MICHELE ~
    I didn’t know this song either, but that protly don’t surprise you.

    That woman, Vitamin C — that’s a goofy but perfect pseudonym for her, based on the way she looks. Makes me wanna run right out and get a Tequila Sunrise (and I don’t even like Tequila Sunrises!)

    But… Vitamin C’s song was way too poppy for me. And too much electronica stuffs going on. I thought THE CONNELLS rocked it good and they easily take my vote.

    Now then, meet me at (Link>) GREAT BASIN BREWING COMPANY at about noon and I’ll buy you that Tequila Sunrise. (But me, I need a cold Mojito to go along with my sweet potato waffle-cut french fries and chipotle dipping sauce.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    Postscript: Got your interesting E and will r-E-ply soon… for a change.

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    • I’m definitely down for that Tequila Sunrise. It’s been so long since I’ve had one of those! The very thought of Tequila Sunrise reminds me of a party I went to way back when (late 70s/early 80s) and I was drinking the Tequila Sunrise that was premixed in a bottle. That’s probably the last time I’ve had one of those!
      So sure, let’s go have that drink! The Great Basin Brewing Company looks like a cool place. Would have to try some of their brews while we’re at it…

      I’m surprised so many haven’t heard the Split Enz song so I’m happy to introduce it to you all. I like all that “electronica” stuff (synthesizers, etc).
      Thanks for your vote: I’ve got you down for the Connells.
      Have a good week Stephen. Thanks for giving me a hankering for a Tequila Sunrise… Tequila I have; I’ll just have to get the sunrise onboard… 🙂

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      • I probably haven’t had a Tequila Sunrise for the same length of time you haven’t. For whatever reason, I never really liked orange juice drinks — TS, Screwdrivers, Harvey Wallbangers, Mimosas, etc.

        I guess I’m more of a lime juice guy — Margaritas, Mojitos. Mm…

        I love Great Basin Brewing. There’s two of them here and they’re probably my favorite restaurants in the Reno area. Great beer AND great food. Best fried mozzarella cheese sticks of all time, and maybe the best onion rings, too. Everything they serve is terrific!

        ~ D-FensDogG

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    • I’m so sorry that you weren’t able to listen to Vitamin C Birgit! I tried to find another version too and couldn’t. So I guess by default your vote goes to the Connells. Glad you liked it!

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  11. Oh yes, I remember this song. I rather liked it as I recall. How odd that Vitamin C has covered it because I actually own that album. Years ago, my sons and I discovered her on a WB spoof reality show and when we found out she was a singer, we checked it out and liked it. Though my kids were the ones who ordered the CD, we all enjoyed it. Since I still like her version of the song on my re-listen through today, I’m placing my vote for her.

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    • Thanks for PMing me your vote since your comment ended up in Spam until today (10/17). I didn’t know anything about Vitamin C until I was researching covers for this song. Such a weird name…
      Glad to know that you have her album and enjoy her stuff. Very cool.

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  12. I don’t know what happened. I left a comment yesterday but it somehow disappeared.
    I do remember this song, it’s a great song. Somehow I forgot that Vitamin C sang this song. My children discovered her years ago when she appeared on a WB spoof reality TV show. When they found out she was a singer, they looked her up and bought her CD. I found myself liking it as well, and she does a great rendition of the song. So I’m going to place my vote for her.
    Thanks for the memories.

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  13. Hey Michele,
    Thank you for the kind words over at my place.
    This song is a blast from the way back.
    As you probably agree, the original is best, but of the covers I choose Vitamin C. I think I would have liked The Connells better if his voice had been stronger. That may not be the best word, but it felt thin to me. So VC gets my vote!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hey Robin,
      Yep, I totally agree that the original is best but I do really like Vitamin C version.
      I think that’s who I’m going to vote for too…
      Thanks for coming by!

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  14. MIchele, Thanks for the introduction to a new song and artists. The rivals covered the song differently and after a few seconds into each, I knew which one I liked best. I’m not sure what the particulars are that grabbed my ear. Maybe it was a bit of vocal and music arrangement. Anywho, please give my vote to The Connells !

    Liked by 1 person

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