Jakob Dylan (pictured), his band the Wallflowers and producer Andrew Slater were a bit nervous about reworking the 1977 David Bowie track. Wallflowers' 'Heroes' Takes Off At Modern-Rock Radio New version of David Bowie song flies up the charts. Contributing Editor Teri vanHorn reports:
Not unlike the Manhattan, N.Y., populace facing Godzilla in the new movie of the same name, Jakob Dylan's rock outfit the Wallflowers and producer Andrew Slater were a touch nervous about attempting to rework the classic David Bowie song "Heroes" for the Godzilla soundtrack.
"Very nervous," Slater said. "We proceeded with great humility, because we knew we were on sacred ground."
Bowie issued the original "Heroes" (RealAudio excerpt of original) -- a collaboration with ambient audiomeister Brian Eno -- back in 1977.
"We figured they'd have an original song for the first single, and 'Heroes' would be buried on the soundtrack." -- Andrew Slater, producer of "Heroes"
Now, nervousness has been replaced by relief -- and surprise. The Wallflowers' "Heroes" (RealAudio excerpt) was chosen as the first single off Godzilla: The Album, an album that includes tracks by such hit acts as Jamiroquai, Rage Against The Machine and Green Day, in addition to a collaboration between hip-hop monarch Puff Daddy and former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. And the song is already a Top 10 hit at modern rock radio.
No way were the Wallflowers expecting the song to be chosen as a single at all, much less the lead-off single. "We figured they'd have an original song for the first single, and 'Heroes' would be buried on the soundtrack," Slater said.
Slater -- who also produced Fiona Apple's debut, Tidal -- said he's heard indirectly through Bowie's label that the veteran rocker approves of the Wallflowers' interpretation of the song. "If the guy who wrote it says we've done it justice, that's definitely a relief," Slater said. "But you've still got everyone in general -- you hope you don't offend the big fans of the original."
At the alt.fan.david-bowie newsgroup, fans of the glam-rock singer expressed mixed sentiments about the Wallflowers' cover. While some argued that the rendition should be seen as a flattering tribute to Bowie that will only widen his fanbase, others said the song is too close to the original and lacks its own flare.
The Wallflowers' decision to record the song was a lot easier than awaiting the reaction to the finished recording. "We love this song, so let's just do it and have fun," Slater said of the consensus reached by the bandmembers.
In deciding on the track's arrangement, the group opted to preserve the basic components of Bowie's original, including the guitar and basslines. "I don't think it's such a good idea to perform surgery on something that's been done before and done well," Slater said, "but you still want it to sound like the Wallflowers."
There was one necessary change, however: The remake trades in the choir accompaniment of the original for a string arrangement. "The choir didn't seem right for an American rock band," Slater said.
[ Tue., May 26, 11:31 AM PDT ]