oh why can't we talk again

The Nerves - Hanging on the Telephone (from a 1976 EP; collected on D.I.Y.: Come Out And Play - American Power Pop: 1975-78, 1993) - The original version of this oft-covered track, by the seminal and short-lived LA power pop outfit whose members would go on to form The Beat (non-"English" version) and The Plimsouls. In a just world, this would be the version that everyone is familiar with.

Blondie - Hanging on the Telephone (from Parallel Lines, 1978) - The version of the song most likely to be heard while in the produce aisle of Market Basket. From our 21st century vantage point, it's odd to think of Blondie's music as groundbreaking (and punk purists have never forgiven the band for "Heart of Glass"), but Maura has 1980's Dick Clark's Rocking New Year on tape and it's fascinating to watch the audience's response to "Dreaming" as their disco-programmed dance instincts attempt to cope with a straightforward uptempo pop song.

Scheer - Hanging on the Telephone (from Express Ready Mix '97, 1996) - It sounds like a certain Northern Irish alt rock outfit is having trouble shifting out of low gear. Creative interpretation is fine and all, but a power pop cover shouldn't plod. This is from a promo CD put out by the Express chain of clothing stores to pimp their line of retro fashions, and features various contemporary "alternative" acts covering classic songs. Maura picked it up for me back in the day because she thought I'd dig Belly's rendition of Tom Jones's "It's Not Unusual," and she was correct in her assumption. If only the rest of the compilation was as inspired.