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Roxyrama Cover Versions

Cover Versions by Roxy Music

Roxy Music Roxy Music issued only four cover versions in their entire career, and all of those were in the last three years of their existence.

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The Midnight Hour

(Cropper / Pickett)

Sixties R&B icons Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper co-wrote this classic which was a US Top Ten hit for Pickett in 1965. The rather lightweight Roxy version opened Flesh and Blood. It is said that the song was used at Phil Manzanera's suggestion. Lyrics to The Midnight Hour

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Eight Miles High

(Clark,Crosby, McGuinn)

Roxy Purists were dismayed when Eight Miles High appeared on Flesh and Blood, but it appeared to be an attempt to break the band in the lucrative American market. Sadly it didn't work, although F&B and its accompanying tour sold in huge numbers in Europe. The Roxy version was a funkier, more upbeat workout than its jangly predecessor, something of an anthem to the 'Peace and Love' generation. It was Ferry's idea to cover the song. Lyrics to Eight Miles High

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Jealous Guy

(John Lennon)

After the shocking murder of John Lennon in December 1980, Roxy introduced this song as a tribute to Lennon, initially during their tour in Germany, specifically Dortmund, and later recorded the track at Manzanera's studio in Chertsey, Surrey for release as a single. The song, with an accompanying video shot in Australia, attained the top spot in the UK - Roxy Music's only Number One single. Lennon's original appeared on his 1975 album 'Imagine' and was somewhat overshadowed by the title track. Lyrics to Jealous Guy

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Like A Hurricane

(Neil Young)

The Neil Young penned song was a staple of Roxy Music's final tour, and appeared on the farewell live offerings 'The High Road' and later 'Heart Still Beating' It is said that Ferry was inspired to cover this song by his wife Lucy who loved it. It works surprisingly well. Lyrics to Like A Hurricane

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It is said that Roxy Music rehearsed and possibly even recorded a version of The Doors' 'Light My Fire' around the time of the Avalon album/tour.

'Wild Weekend' which was featured on the Siren tour but was not released by Roxy Music, only by Andy Mackay as a solo artist, was also a cover version, having been previously released by the Rockin' Rebels.