in which a cover of a U2 song just might be better than the original

so, many years ago (or so it seems), the best friend introduced me to a really awesome australian movie called looking for alibrandi, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name. sometimes i almost wish she hadn't shown it to me, because it's rarely on television and only available on dvd coded for some other country (and no, i don't have a universal dvd), but i still search for it on a monthly basis, hoping to watch it once more.


don't even get me started on just how hard it is to track down the soundtrack for the movie. yeesh.

brilliant story aside, looking for alibrandi is memorable to me because it had this amazing cover of U2's with or without you by hamish cowan (lead singer of cordrazine). HOLY COW, PEEPS, IS THIS SONG FABULOUS. i mean, U2's version, is of course, flawless, but this one?



shhh...

i think i like it better.

i'm not sure if it's because the scene it's in (shown below) slays me every time i watch it (weepers, be warned - it's a funeral scene) - GAH. cowan's plaintive vocals are so, so powerful and haunting, especially in context to what's happening. but it also could be that cowan simply brings it with his version. it's a bit more techno sounding than U2's, but in my opinion, fifty times sadder.

and how i love me the sad songs.

see the stone set in your eyes
see the thorn twist in your sides
i'll wait for you.

sleight of hand and twist of fate
on a bed of nails she makes me wait
and i'm waiting for you.

through the storm we reach the shore
you give it all but i want more
and i'm waiting for you.

with or without you
with or without you
I can't live
with or without you.

and you give yourself away
and you give yourself away
and you give
and you give
and you give yourself away.

my hands are tied
my body bruised, she's got me with
nothing to win
and nothing left to lose.

and you give yourself away
and you give yourself away
and you give
and you give
and you give yourself away.

with or without you
with or without you
i can't live
with or without you.

(mp3) with or without you by hamish cowan

here's the sob-worthy scene from looking for alibrandi:

buy the book the movie is based off of HERE.