Customer Reviews

The First Cut Is The Deepest

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST', the new Shery Crow single is actually a cover of an old Cat Stevens' song, which Rod Stewart made popular years ago. Sheryl's version is excellent, a slow-rock, acoustic song with nice guitar performances and a very emotional melody, among those which bring memories back. Nice job Sheryl!

The release of Sheryl Crow's "The Very Best Of" in October 2003 showcased a true talent in rock music which had reigned for 10 years. From 1993 to 2003, the album was a collection of Crow's best material from four studio albums. The early material from "Tuesday Night Music Club" was evident, where songs such as "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Strong Enough" brought about a striking combination of rock pop and hints of folk and country. The advanced rock pop of her self-titled second album with hits such as "Everyday Is A Winding Road" and "If It Makes You Happy" formed the backbone of the collection, with "My Favorite Mistake" and "Soak Up The Sun" the more recent hits adding to the already sizeable chunk of Crow's body of work.

The album has gone on to sell almost three million copies in America and more than 600,000 in the UK. These sales will add to Crow's already impressive world sales of 15 million considerably and will see her continue long into the future. The Very Best Of also featured a few new tracks. The lead single was "The First Cut Is The Deepest," a cover version of the Cat Stevens original. Most people usually approach cover versions with a little scepticism, as did I myself with this one. It's an average song and I don't really regard it as one of Sheryl's best, but it makes for an interesting look at where her career will take her in the future.

The song opens with some soft guitars before Sheryl starts singing the first verse, "I would have given you all of my heart. But there's someone who's torn it apart. And he's taken just all that I had. But if you want I'll try to love again. Baby I'll try to love again but I know..." Sheryl then starts singing the first chorus, "The first cut is the deepest. Baby I know the first cut is the deepest. But when it come to being lucky he's cursed. When it come to loving me he's the worst." The second verse then starts and Sheryl sings, "I still want you by my side. Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried. And I'm sure going to give you a try. And if you want I'll try to love again. Baby I'll try to love again but I know." Sheryl then sings the chorus again, before a guitar-laden instrumental plays.

Once this instrumental dies down, Sheryl sings the second verse again, before the drums build the song up and the chorus is sung again over and over until the song dies out and ends. The video to the song was really great in my opinion. We see Sheryl playing her guitar in the middle of no where, over an expansive landscape and riding a horse. She looks free and healthy and the video really works well with the tone of the song. Overall I do like this song, but it's not nearly my favourite Sheryl Crow song. The woman is a rock legend, but this song does nothing for that status. Buy it only if you're a die hard fan.

A gentleman below talks about chemistry and other non-subject-related sciences, while describing Sheryl's cover of Cat Stevens' good ol' song. Whether you like Rod Stewart's version or Sheryl Crow's the fact remains that she does a great job in conveying the messege of the song (better than Stewart, IMHO). It is also worth mentioning that she introduces the material to the new generations of listeners. The backup band on her version does not sound as raw as on Rod Stewart's (well, 70's are gone) and overall the song sounds more than just pleasant - it speaks to those who understand the lyrics. I also think this song is perfect for Sheryl's voice.

Lots of female harmony, sort of a cross between Shawn Colvin and the Indigo Girls. Great lyrics, really meaningful. Good rhythm too. Definitely worth buying.

...without the original, there would be no Sheryl Crow version.

I swear, when I first heard this song, I thought it was Sheryl's. haha. And for a while, I thought this.

But then I found out Cat Stevens did the original so I sought it out, and heard it, giving it a chance....and honestly, I don't think he puts as much into it as she does.

But this is a great song about love lost.

4.25 stars.

Sometimes, when covering a certain kind of song, it always needs to have a bit improvement, or the original version seems to take the cake. That does come with the case for Sheryl Crow. She hasn't provided any heavy covers among any of her albums, but there is always the chance to add on for the hitting parades. Her cover of the Cat Stevens classic, The First Cut Is The Deepest really is one of the few lackluster songs that Sheryl Crow has ever done. Although it is nice for the die hard Sheryl Crow fan, it doesn't seem to the actual chemistry that Rod Stewart had conjured when he did it back in the 70's. Unfortunately, it was done in two different versions by Sheryl, and neither of them had a certain chemistry, very rarely said for a Sheryl Crow Track. Hopefully, she can make a better cover song soon.