Cover Me Impressed: 'Superman'

In honor of R.E.M.'s fourth and last classic album (sorry die-hard fans, but it's true) getting the deluxe treatment earlier this month, let's take a listen to the one cover that appears on 'Lifes Rich Pageant.' Class, here's a little history lesson. The original song is an obscure 1969 B-side of a single called "Sugar on Sunday" by Texas-based band the Clique. If, by some minor miracle, you think you know "Sugar on Sunday," it's probably not this version. The original "Sugar on Sunday" was a deep cut by Tommy James and the Shondells. What's a Shondell? Leave your answer in the comments section.

For R.E.M.'s take, Michael Stipe hands the microphone to Mike Mills, and he handles lead-vocal duties perfectly. In fact, the whole band sounds great... a little less jangle and a little more garage rock than previous efforts. "Superman" was the second and last single released from 'Lifes Rich Pageant.' It peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. For many future R.E.M. fans in 1986, this is the song that sold them. Man, I sure miss the band's I.R.S. years. Pick up the 25th Anniversary Edition of 'Lifes Rich Pageant' here.

The Clique - Superman (mp3)
R.E.M. - Superman (mp3)

More Cover Me Impressed:
"Voices"
"Almost Saturday Night"
"Too Many Teardrops"
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
"They Don't Know"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"What Goes On"
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
Halloween Edition
"Porpoise Song"
"Prairie Rose"
"Come On Eileen"
"Walking On Thin Ice"
Jason Falkner Edition
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"