I have never seen the HBO series True Blood. Maybe I’m reticent to get sucked into the current vortex of popularity created by the return of vampires and zombies in pop culture. I don’t know, but I have never felt a strong desire to watch the show. Maybe that will change.
One thing that might make me switch on True Blood is their use of music in the show. Apparently, each episode is titled after a piece of music that is used in that show. I came across one such piece of music created for an episode that really piqued my interest. It’s a remake of the 1964 hit She’s Not There from the classic 60’s British Invasion band, The Zombies, performed by my favorite, Neko Case, and the provocative Nick Cave. I immediately knew that this would not be your typical cover/remake.
Normally, I wouldn’t even want to hear a remake of a song like She’s Not There. It has held up spectacularly well over the almost 50 years since it was released, as do several of The Zombies’ other songs. Probably why they still perform and tour after a half decade. But the idea of these two performers singing it expressly for a vampire series brought up some the possibility of something different than a straight cover.
And I was right. It has a creepy Cajun bayou thump in its bass and with Nekos’s voice soaring over Cave’s growl, it makes a compelling cover. Old yet new. Like a vampire, I guess.
So, here I am, despite my protests, endorsing a song made for vampires originally sung by zombies. Here is the new cover with Neko and Nick (hey, that’s kind of catchy) and, if you’d like to compare, the original from The Zombies.
Redtree Times 
So call me an old fart but the difference between those two versions is the difference between music . . . and noise. You can keep your vampires; I’ll stick with The Zombies.
I agree. I also prefer the original but I do appreciate that instead of thinking they could outdo the original ( like when Michael Bolton did an awful verbatim rendition of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”) they chose to make it a different animal altogether.
Hello, Gary… I can totally relate to not getting caught up with the whole teen-vampire craze, but True Blood is so much more than that. It’s a microcosm of society with vampires mixed in. And you’re right, the music is beyond amazing. I’ve watched every episode, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next season.
If you’re ever looking for something new to watch, give the first few episodes a try. Ya never know…
Hi, LuAnne! I know that what you’re saying is probably true and I know that eventually I will be drawn, like one of these vampires to a throbbing jugular, to the show. And will, most likely, really love it. But for just a bit longer I want to hold on to my idealized world of vampires as being Bela Lugosi’s Dracula and the even older silent version, Nosferatu.
Good to hear from you!
I think this cover would be great to hear in the context of the show – definitely fits… and yes Gar, I have seen some episodes – but only when Sarah was catching up on the series during one of her infrequent visits. She’s a big fan.
I knew you couldn’t resist!
I’m a big true blood fan. You might want to start watching from the beginning to really know whats going on. I can’t watch the opening credits…it freaks me out. Love your new painting!
Thanks, Carol. I may start watching but I’m not promising anything!