Run for covers

Now most people would acknowledge his enormous contribution and the quality of his lyrics - he's even a reference point in Post cricket reports ... see our Sport Blog section.

The whole point of the exam question was to assess the works offered up (a Billie Holiday song was also on offer) in the light of what the words 'lyric' and 'lyrical' have come to mean.

The Winehouse song, Love is a Losing Game, doesn't really stand up as words on a page. You can easily Google the lyrics if you are so inclined and if you don't already know them. But when she sings them, it's a different matter.

I think it's the same with Dylan, actually. Way back when Donovan was being touted as the UK version of Bobby Z, there was a CBS slogan everywhere, 'No one sings Dylan like Dylan.' Many of us felt there was an unintentional irony in this in that his vocal talents have never been a strong point, and have, most critics would agree, become even worse with the passing years.

But, there's no denying, his performances of his own material are extraordinary and always worthwhile. The Byrds made Tambourine Man a hit, but the Dylan version was more powerful. Of course, he never bothers much with remembering tunes and chord sequences. Supporters will say this is a deliberate ploy to make the work live afresh for himself and his listeners at every performance. I think otherwise.

So what's this all about? Well I was just thinking about performers and lyrics in the light of the Windeouse debate. Has anyone, for instance, ever done a Leonard Cohen song better than the writer? I think the Judy Collins rendition of Both Sides Now is superior to the Joni Mitchell original and back in the 60s a now-vanished folkie called Tom Rush did a great version as well.

What about the Hendrix version of All Along the Watchtower? Some prefer the Joe Cocker cover of A Little Help from My Friends. I think Ringo rules.

Anyone want to tell me a cover they prefer to the original? I nominate the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (left) rendition of Life on Mars (it's on YouTube). Over to you.