In 1995 BBC1 DJ Chris Evans introduced the Mike Flower Pops' "Wonderwall" as the original version of the Oasis, a rare old '60s number on a crackling 7". Listeners bought the idea, despite the incongruity of those highly original monobrow lads being anything less than entirely original. Of course the whole thing was a very well executed gag, which the Gallagher boys themselves enjoyed enough to allow the thing being out out as a single. It eventually reached #2 in the UK charts (fucking Michael Jackson's fucking "Earth Song" kept it off the top spot).
Ten years later, Paul Anka covered "Wonderwall" for his Anka Swings album, a rather good collection of rock songs set to the big band sound, without introducing camp irony (which eventually became the Mike Flower Pops shtick). It works very well (the solo 2:22 in is great). A good song can transcend genres. By that standard, "Wonderwall" is a very good song.
Ryan Adams' version is not amusing or entertaining, so you'll need to look elsewhere for that.
Mike Flower Pops - Wonderwall.mp3
Paul Anka - Wonderwall.mp3
And, yes, Richard Cheese. He did a fine version of "Wonderwall" in cheesy lounge jazz style. But I can't find it at he moment. Instead, we give you his Sunday Bloody Sunday in mamba style ("Tonight we fiesta while tomorrow they die") and his Coldplay-deflating "Yellow", which he sings the only way it should be sung: life-affrmingly.
Richard Cheese - Sunday, Bloody Sunday.mp3
Richard Cheese - Yellow.mp3
Ryan Adams version is just haunting and beautiful.
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