Visual brain teasers

There are occasions, with time on your hands, when just just fancy a few good brain teasers .....

Site 1      Site 2      Site 3      Site 4       

Loads more.

How many people in the world?

I came across this website, which you may be tempted to visit, that gives details about the world's human population.

We humans are the "elephant in the room" when looking at many world problems, from famine to war, to monumental destruction of habitat, including our own. Cutting the number of children being conceived for a couple of years might is a good and long-lasting solution?

People / Km2 - The UK is officially full so stay away!

FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME

Facebook (algorithms) facilitates crimes?

If you agree these Facebook sites are dodgy, along with others you may find are similarly dodgy, you must object to Facebook using your Facebook account, because the complaint processing is algorithm driven and dodgy sites only get deleted if there are enough complaints against it; so please do your bit to help tidy Facebook.

 FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME CASE #1

If the link here to a genuine Facebook user remains active (after it was reported on Dec. 6th 2023) it illustrates how Facebook supports crime(s). Selling drugs and real/fake DVLA docs (used to legitimise illegal immigrants) this Facebook ID of "David Hemsley of Liverpool", has updated "her" profile picture several time to fully publicise illegal wares and also gives an external Telegram site link (https://t.me/jay_pahd420), where the full extent of this person is revealed. Though this person wears black gloves, one of "his" white hands is clearly shown in a short on this site.

If you come across sites selling fakes, drugs, or originals that are created for the purposes of deception or illegal use then report them to Facebook/Police and keep tabs on whether Facebook do anything about it or not - I bet they will do very little.

FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME CASE #2

If the link here to a genuine Facebook user remains active (after it was reported on Dec. 7th 2023) it illustrates how Facebook supports crime(s). Selling drugs such as Codeine Phosphate, Farmapram, Zopiclone, Oxycodone, Xanax, cloned cards and fake money, delivered by Royal Mail special delivery, this Facebook ID of "Craig Belton Fraise, aka Benzos", has updated his profile picture to fully publicise illegal wares and also gives an external Telegram site link (https://t.me/Whiteruntsexostic), where the full extent of this person is revealed.

If you come across sites selling fakes, drugs, or originals that are created for the purposes of deception or illegal use then report them to Facebook/Police and keep tabs on whether Facebook do anything about it or not - I bet they will do very little.

FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME CASE #3

If the link here to a genuine Facebook user remains active (after it was reported on Dec. 7th 2023) it illustrates how Facebook supports crime(s). Selling drugs, real/fake DVLA docs (used to legitimise illegal immigrants), fake money and cloned cards, this Facebook ID of "GetUkdrivinglicence.Clonecards.Propnotes Jackson" of Swansea, has updated their profile picture to fully publicise illegal wares and also gives an external GB WhatsApp contact number, where the full extent of this person is revealed.

If you come across sites selling fakes, drugs, or originals that are created for the purposes of deception or illegal use then report them to Facebook/Police and keep tabs on whether Facebook do anything about it or not - I bet they will do very little.

FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME CASE #4

If the link here to a genuine Facebook user remains active (after it was reported on Dec. 7th 2023) it illustrates how Facebook supports crime(s). Selling drugs, real/fake DVLA docs (used to legitimise illegal immigrants), fake money and cloned cards, this Facebook ID of "GetUkdrivinglicence.Clonecards.Propnotes(Jackson) aka Kialorenaldo" this time from Shillingford in Devon, has updated their profile picture to fully publicise illegal wares and also gives an external Telegram site link (https://t.me/ukclonescarddrivinglicense), where the full extent of this person is revealed.

If you come across sites selling fakes, drugs, or originals that are created for the purposes of deception or illegal use then report them to Facebook/Police and keep tabs on whether Facebook do anything about it or not - I bet they will do very little.

FACEBOOK SUPPORTING CRIME CASE #5

If the link here to a genuine Facebook user remains active (after it was reported on Dec. 7th 2023) it illustrates how Facebook supports crime(s). Selling drugs, real/fake DVLA docs (used to legitimise illegal immigrants), fake money and cloned cards, this Facebook ID of "GetUkdrivinglicense.Clonecards.Propnotes Bismark", this time again from Shillingford in Devon, has updated "her" profile picture to fully publicise illegal wares and also gives an external Telegram site link (https://t.me/ukclonescarddrivinglicense), where the full extent of this person is revealed.

If you come across sites selling fakes, drugs, or originals that are created for the purposes of deception or illegal use then report them to Facebook/Police and keep tabs on whether Facebook do anything about it or not - I bet they will do very little.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT ....

I have come across so many Facebook sites offering drugs, fake money, forged or real documents to aid illegal immigrants or other criminals that I have decided to do no more than list them after reporting them to Facebook. To illustrate their problem I list such sites below, with the day of reporting.

Reported Dec 7th 2023    GRAYSON

Reported Dec 7th 2023    Valiumdiazclonecardcokeprebdrivinglicense

Reported Dec 7th 2023    Ladouce Kenne (King Pharmacy)

Reported Dec 7th 2023    Real Cafu Birmingham Birmingham

Reported Dec 7th 2023    Real Cafu Birmingham (Birmingham)

Reported Dec 7th 2023    CLONED CARDS AND FAKE NOTES

Reported Dec 7th 2023    Ukdrivingliences.Clonecards.Propnotes

Reported Dec 8th 2023    cloned cards and fake notes in europe

Reported Dec 8th 2023    Fake 50 pound sterling notes

Reported Dec 8th 2023    Fast and easy full UK drivers licence

Reported Dec 13th 2023  Danielle Franklin 

Reported Dec 13th 2023  George Dylan  

Reported Jan 1st 2024     LSD anyone Brisbane Belton Fraise

Reported Jan 3rd 2024 Scam / Fake money from Thomas Wuming (AKA Daniel Smith)

Reported Jan 4th 2024    Scam / fake money (Danny notes Jason)

Reported Jan 6th 2024    Counterfeit goods?

This will be an ongoing topic ....

MISS AFFECTION

Miss affection where are you now?

Miss affection, I need your hand in mine.
I miss you miss affection.
Know the state I'm in
and realise I miss you

miss affection.

Personal comment - There was more to this.

Meaningful songs #23 - STAN RIDGEWAY

This  is the twenty-third in an occasional series of songs from my collection, with the intent of introducing music to younger readers that they may gain appreciation of music from the classic years, 1957-1990. 

I have lived long enough to hear the "popular" music industry become ever-more formulaic, lazy, uninspiring and cynical; delivering "units" and "artistes" as interesting and memorable as polished mud.

Meaningful songs that eloquently convey a story, sentiment, or social comment and make it to national consciousness are rare these days. If you agree this song is meaningful, please introduce it to someone young; they might enjoy becoming "musical archaeologists".

Todays song, titled "Camouflage", released in 1986, is by a singer called STAN RIDGEWAY.

Stan Ridgeway

Hear the song here

Camouflage is certainly a story, albeit fanciful and sentimental; not for the Vietnam war itself, but for extraordinary feats of heroism and camaraderie between fellow combatants. I don't know why I like it but I do. The full story of Camouflage is told here.

CAMOUFLAGE

    

I was a PFC on a search patrol, hunting Charlie down

It was in the jungle wars of '65

My weapon jammed and I got stuck way out and all alone

And I could hear the enemy moving in close outside

Just then I heard a twig snap and I grabbed my empty gun

And I dug in scared while I counted down my fate

And the a big marine, a giant with a pair of friendly eyes

Appeared there at my shoulder and said "Wait"

When he came in close beside me, he said "Don't worry son, I'm here

If Charlie wants to tangle now, he'll have two to dodge"

I said "Well thanks a lot". I told him my name and asked him his

And he said "The boys just call me camouflage"

  

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
I was awfully glad to see this big marine

Well we fought all night, side by side, we took our battle stands
And I wondered how the bullets missed this man
Cus they seemed to go right through him, just as if he wasn't there
And in the morning we both took a chance and ran
And it was near the riverbank when the ambush came on top of us
And I thought it was the end, we were had
Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzing through a bush
And that big marine, he just swat it with his hand
Just like it was a fly

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
This was an awfully strange marine

And I knew there was something weird about him
Cus when I turned around he was pulling a big palm tree
Right up out of the ground and swatting those Charlies with it
From the here to Kingdom come
When he lead me out the danger, I saw my camp and waved goodbye
He just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone
And when I got back to my H.Q. I told them about my night
And the battle I'd spent with a big marine named Camouflage
When I said his name, a soldier gulped and a medic took my arm
And led me to a green tent on the right
He said, "You may be telling true boy, but this here is Camouflage
And he's been right here since he passed away last night
In fact he's been here all week long"
But before he went he said, "Semper Fi", and said his only wish
Was to save a young marine caught in a barrage
So here, take his dog tag son, I know he'd want you to have it now
And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage
  
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
This was an awfully big marine

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
This was an awfully big marine

Whoho Camouflage

Whoho Camouflage

Return to the first article in this series or hear the first song in this series.

Read the next article in the series or hear the next song in the series.

For the index of all songs in this blog click here.

YOUR LOVE

I read your letter,

became aware of your love,

its depth and purity,

forgiveness and loyalty,

a love untainted by conditionality

with joyous forgiving

and ever-present hope;

and I envy that love,

for I have no reply.

Personal comment - this poem was a  response to a letter after a choice.

Anglian Water (et al) - Bloody cheek

 

It really ticks me off when I read articles about large organisations, in this case Anglian Water, and Thames Water, who tell their captive customers (who must buy from a company exclusively servicing their area) that their charges are to rise appreciably, to pay for "this, that, or the other".

Leaving aside the thought that national and strategic services such as water should be state-run, (not for political ideology), my grievance is that in years past they should have been planning for such works and putting money aside from their annual profits, instead of dispersing much of that into shareholder's pockets. They are really now asking the public (their customers) to stump up money they have given away.

Professionally run (for profit) companies should not need to run to their customers for money, they should borrow from the financial markets or their shareholders (current yield 6.8%), or the Government if it is at their behest work has to be done.

Anglia Water - bloody cheek!

They are all at it now, but Northern Ireland water authorities have the most to answer for.

N.B.

My personal belief is that industries that are vital for the upkeep of living standards of any populace, such as water and sewage, electricity, security, education, prison, police and health, should be publicly owned (by the State for the sole benefit of its contributors). Privatisation of such functions merely strips-out money to profit-takers or parasitic shareholders when it should be retained for the betterment of the service; it also fosters a management mentality focused on short-termism and the next annual dividend war with predatory rivals, equity funds, asset-strippers, etc. etc. 

State owned in my world means government can steer an enterprise, but not withdraw its profits into any other government holding or "slush fund"; and under no circumstances should any politician hold an executive role.  The Labour Party in the UK seem to be touting a similar mantra, but who can believe anything (any) a political party looking for election will say.

I know I live in my own "simple world", but whilst I'm kicking the water industry (for it isn't a service), have a read of this; oh and this.

UPDATE Sep 5th 2023: It just keeps happening again and again and again and AGAIN!

UPDATE Dec 4th 2023: Whistle blowers say Environment Agency collude with polluters.

UPDATE Dec 12th 2023: Thames Water (actually Kemble) are at it

UPDATE Mar 28th 2024: Thames Water (actually Kemble) dump 72 billion litres and demand investment - bloody cheeck!

UPDATE Apr 22nd 2020: Thames Water's mismanagement is breath-taking

Word of the day - CORUSCATE

The word today is Coruscate

Coruscate is a verb and means the following:

- To give forth flashes of light and sparkle and glitter

- To exhibit sparkling virtuosity or skills

- To be brilliant or showy in technique or style or performance

You're said to be coruscating if you exhibit brilliance of spirit

A coruscating performance leaves the audience coruscated

1. 
   

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

Pamela Anderson - Bravo!

Pamela Anderson, the oft' maligned actress, model and latter-day campaigner, may have just become an inspirational influencer of women who may believe that more (lots more) make-up makes them more attractive (to who?). 

In Baywatch (aka body watch) she was beauty and glamour personified, but recently, at the 2023 British fashion awards, she once again succinctly proved that make-up may be something to hide oneself behind, but confidence without it reveals a much more truthful beauty.

Bravo Pamela Anderson.

Pamela Anderson (56!)

Old pictures of Pam.

What?

WHAT?

Case: A child (and friends) trespass on a building site surrounded by tall fencing, which they ignore to have their fun on the deserted site (no workmen there). He decides he would like to descend a manhole shaft, loses his footing in there and falls a further 20 feet to his death. Cause and effect right? Death by a misadventure that he freely undertook after ignoring much signage and obvious obstacles meaning stay out?

Conclusion: £860,000 fine for the building company, found in breach of some health and safety law(s) in place for the protection of it's authorised site workers, NOT some child (10) with nothing better to do,  who in law is the legal responsibility of  his parent(s).  I'm pretty sure that kid would have been in even if the perimeter had been mined, so why is a firm who had done what was required and keeping many in employment fined. This is clearly death by misadventure, self inflicted.

Question: Why is this company, who simply "facilitated" the death of a voluntary trespasser found guilty when others who made or installed faulty and dangerous building cladding, proven to have killed hundreds in building fires, not prosecuted commensurately under "health and safety" law? My belief is easy targets get duly processed by the law and slippery buggers get off. What say you?

Read about the case starting here.

Meaningful songs #21 - THE STRANGLERS

This  is the twenty-first in an occasional series of songs from my collection, with the intent of introducing music to younger readers that they may gain appreciation of music from the classic years, 1957-1990. 

I have lived long enough to hear the "popular" music industry become ever-more formulaic, lazy, uninspiring and cynical; delivering "units" and "artistes" as interesting and memorable as polished mud.

Meaningful songs that eloquently convey a story, sentiment, or social comment and make it to national consciousness are rare these days. If you agree this song is meaningful, please introduce it to someone young; they might enjoy becoming "musical archaeologists".

Todays song, titled "Golden Brown", released in 1981, is by a group called THE STRANGLERS.

The stranglers - Punks for a while but so much more

Hear the song here

Golden Brown, credited to all band members, is a lyrically vague song having two accepted interpretations: Either s song about a woman with golden brown skin, or about heroin - a golden brown powdered opiate drug. It is musically complex and was expected by the band "to tank in the Christmas rush", but it took off and became a hit, such was the appreciation of its unique musicality at that time. The full story of Golden Brown is told here, though a lesser narrative accuses The Stranglers of plagiarising the US band Quicksilver Messenger Service and their instrumental piece Gold And Silver.

N.B. There is an exceptionally good spoof video of a 1950's-60's Jazz group called the Dave Brubeck Quartet "performing" Golden Brown; actually a real group who never did perform Golden Brown. The spoof was created by Englishman Laurence Mason.

GOLDEN BROWN
    

Golden brown, texture like sun

Lays me down, with my mind she runs

Throughout the night, no need to fight

Never a frown with golden brown

Every time, just like the last

On her ship, tied to the mast

To distant lands, takes both my hands

Never a frown with golden brown

Golden brown, finer temptress

Through the ages, she's heading West

From far away, stays for a day

Never a frown with golden brown

Instrumental break

Never a frown (Never a frown)

Never a frown with golden brown)

Never a frown .....

 

There is a musical link to Angie by The Rolling Stones, in that both songs appear to be love songs but relate to the use of Heroin.

Return to the first article in this series or hear the first song in this series.

Read the next article in the series or hear the next song in the series.

For the index of all songs in this blog click here.

Word of the day - MALEFICENCE

The word today is Maleficence

Maleficence is a noun and means the following:

- An act of harm or malignant mischief

- Harmful or malicious intent or action(s)

- Doing or producing evil

Surely this should be non maleficent?
(do no act of maleficence)

You are said to be maleficent if you do an act of maleficence

If someone says you are maleficent they are calling you an evil bastard

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

PREDICTION : Tesla and Musk and X

I predict X(twitter), Tesla and Musk will go belly-up before 2025 because Tesla makes little real profit for investors, Musk is, well, unusual and X will have insufficient advertiser funding, whilst his verbal war with them continues and public bodies are beginning to pick on him.

Musk accuses X advertisers of blackmail, but sees X users as customers though they don't pay his bills. He must remind himself of the truism that "if something is free its users are the product" (to the advertisers).

They will be X'd out

Dec 3rd 2023 - Strike One

Dec 7th 2023 - Strike Two - USA consumer turns back on EVs

Jan 2nd 2024 - Strike Three - China to take Tesla Crown (and cheaper)

Jan 26th 2024 - Strike Four - Teslas not selling and China is coming

Apr 14th 2024 - Strike Five - Ongoing sales woes and mass lay offs

Apr 22nd 2024 - Strike Six - Stagnant sales - prices/profit have to fall

COP28

COP stands for Conference Of (the) Parties: globally significant producers of oil and petroleum. The  best article I have read about it is here.

Dec 13th 2023 summary: It ended, everyone slapped themselves on the back, condemned fossil fuels and flew home. Nothing much will come of it: Poor countries can't do much other then buy carbon credits, rich countries will do noting if there is a better profit with "fossil" and oil producers will keep laughing because they think you still believe what they promise.

The United Arab Emirates are hosting COP28 (in 2023) in Dubai but they have a cynical cheek for they flare Methane gas day in and day out and planned to secretly promote the burning of even more of their oil whilst at COP28. Hypocrites! Do these climate conferences ever achieve anything meaningful? (No, not really - with their carbon credits scam and buy-off payments to salve their non-existent consciences.)

As usual this COP ended with smugness for some and annoyance for many.

Not Clever!

Don't think I'm just highlighting the UAE's duplicity today; all oil producing countries of the world espouse the reduction of globally destructive by-products of their trade, but never wish to offer and undertake effective solutions (that hit the bottom line!?) said Greta Thunberg, because without oil extraction most would revert back to feudal desert kingdoms of little global focus.

Why can't they turn their attention to the production of electricity or liquified Hydrogen, for export,  generated via their seas and their abundant sunshine?

P.S. Trees of any kind (maybe not Palm oil plantations) are good for the earth as they soak up all sorts of crap, air air-born gaseous pollutants and give us Oxygen, whilst enabling many forms of biological diversity amongst them; so if you are able, please plant a tree and nurture it as best you can, if not for yourself but the children of the next 200 years. Perhaps checkout this site as well.

Restoration of the Earth and its diversity should be a major human aim of this 21st century, probably by stopping global sea temperature rises, so that restorative endeavours can be effective. (This link might not work outside the UK due to copyright stuff).

STICK VICKY : RIP you legend

"Sticky Vicky", Victoria Marie Aragüés Gadea died with the mantel of fame still brilliant in the memory of many awe-stuck viewers of her extraordinary X-rated stage show. Starting in Benidorm in the 80's, it  continues to this day, performed by her daughter Maria. One is a legend, the latter is becoming so. 

R.I.P. "Stick Vicky"

Obituaries: BBC      Mail     Mirror     Sun     Wiki

Guinea-Bissau nutcase - Adam Mendes (formerly Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane)

Being a 2022 Nottingham graduate in mechanical engineering, this former student didn't go "home", nor gained employment, though a quirk of the Brexit negotiations has allowed him to remain in the UK, being deemed to have achieved settled status, presumably on the basis of living in Nottingham whilst a student; that or the fact he holds a Portuguese passport. He has however been charged with multiple murders.

"Settled status" may be revoked for serious crime (such as multiple murders!) and you are deported. I think he is now more than qualified after killing 3 random strangers and driving a van into a crowd.

He is a nutter who should be sent back from whence he came, be that Portugal (Portuguese passport holder) or his birth country of Guinea-Bissau (former Portuguese "colony"). Medically unfit or not, with parasitic "human rights lawyers" claiming that he's not responsible for his actions; kick this bugger out forever. 

Adam Mendes (formerly Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane)

The legal definitions of the difference between settled status and being a true British citizen is here and the families of the 3 victims are certainly not happy with the judgement.

Australia's dirty secrets

Australians are (finally) Waking up to their country's dirty secrets. The sort that undermine their stated aims on climate change and stewardship of the country; for Australia is the world's second biggest coal exporter ( >350 million tons of coal) and still relies on fossil fuel for its own electricity needs, refusing to give up coal whilst making net zero pledges This fact was exposed to the wider world by 3000 Australians who converged at the Newcastle (NSW) coal export station for a 30-hour (weekend) blockade of it's shipping lane. Surprisingly, some would say, it was approved by the local police.

Unsurprisingly, 109 protesters became a little heady with their 30-hour success and 104 were subsequently arrested and charged for their refusal to leave the harbour channel when the time came to get the money flowing again. Ah! - big cash business vs global climate change again; which confirms what many global authorities already think: Australia is a "climate laggard". The fact that four new coal mine licenses have recently been granted also shines a light on Australia's cynicism, much to the delight of "the greens".

Australian coal protestors at Newcastle (NSW)

 

The press in Australia talking about their greenhouse gas emissions as "a national disgrace", which they are; indeed the latest statistics regarding CO2 emissions per person make Australia the 10th highest polluting country (out of 208). Leaving aside minor states (Palau, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Trinidad, Brunei, Gibraltar) only Canada is worse at 9th. In numerical terms Australia has a value of 15.12, whilst the UK value is 5.00 and many countries are openly asking, What is Australia doing about climate change?

We here in the UK are being financially thrashed in the name of saving the planet, whilst the Australian parliament seems to have their heads up their collective arse on this. I have friends and family members who are Ozzy (for 40+ years) and their consensus is that Australian politicians are self-seeking power brokers, too busy looking big for their local voters, whilst squandering time in office and being so ineffective at most times that their inability to address national issues such as housing, finance, banking, misogyny, agriculture and land management is minimal. (Scathing or what?)

It is not all bad news from Australia, as pure ("gold") Hydrogen was added to the list of permitted natural substances in 2023, when 18 companies were granted exploration licenses across 570,000 square kilometres (32%) of the state of South Australia. This followed the discovery of a large gas field by a company called Gold Hydrogen, which intends to bring it on-stream as soon as possible. This will alleviate some measures of CO2 and other gaseous emissions, which are slowly falling in response to internal efforts and energy generation is improving, but with regard to coal exports, merely thinking "we export coal but WE don't burn it" could be likened to "we sell poison but don't force anyone to take it" and does not absolve them, when their coal is burnt in the furnaces of less enlightened (or caring) customers, who indirectly are screwing one of Australia's ecologies and biggest tourist attraction.

Australian coal exports will become a major embarrassment as Australia's greenhouse pollution from coal is higher per person than any other developed country! Not good when air quality is already bad in the large cities. 

If I could ask Australia one thing, it would be this. "You have the most polluting neighbours in the world (China and India), but do you want to remain in that club when you have wind and sun aplenty and a huge landmass on which to generate electrical power; so why won't you?" Australia used to look forward, but at this time it is looking away.

With COP23 taking place in Dubai will oil and coal producers actually take notes and why are the Australians even bothering to attend for many will just laugh at them. See how your country is doing.

P.S. Trees of any kind (maybe not Palm oil plantations) are good for the earth as they soak up all sorts of crap, air air-born gaseous pollutants and give us Oxygen, whilst enabling many forms of biological diversity amongst them; so if you are able, please plant a tree and nurture it as best you can, if not for yourself but the children of the next 200 years. Perhaps checkout this site as well.

Copycats - sometimes better

There are songs that are truly great (sellers) and remain favourites because of sheer presence, lyricism, presentation and, to be honest, being released in a time conducive to being a hit in the first place.

To be a "hit", as opposed to being an also-ran, cover versions need at least 3 of the above criteria to be successful again, sometimes more than the original, but often not.

I will keep adding to this list as covers come to mind, suggesting why they succeeded (sometimes better than the original).

STEP ON YOU AGAIN by John Kongos

  Covered, transformed and bettered by The Happy Mondays

I'M FREE by The Rolling Stones

  Covered, transformed and bettered by The Soup Dragons

HOLE IN MY SHOE by Traffic

  Covered humorously by Neil (real name Nigel Planer)

LIVING DOLL by Cliff Richard

  Covered and ruined humorously by Cliff Richard and The Young Ones

HURT by Nine Inch Nails

  Covered, transformed and bettered by  Johnny Cash

This next song has been copied by many artists, most better than the original.

EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' (AT ME) by Fred Neil (is a poor rendition)

  Best covered, transformed and bettered by Harry Nilsson

  Covered with country pickin' by Glen Campbell

  Covered with respect by Rick Watson

I LOVE ROCK 'N' ROLL by The Arrows

  Covered in attitude by Joan Jett and The Black Hearts

IT'S MY LIFE by Talk Talk, 

  Covered in Gwen Stefani by No Doubt (feat Gwen Stefani)

FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE by Peggy Seeger

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Roberta Flack

  (who sang it just as well live)

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE by the Shirelles

  Covered and bettered by The Mamas And The Papas

THE IN CROWD by Dobie Gray

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Bryan Ferry

JEALOUS GUY by John Lennon

  Covered successfully by Bryan Ferry at the right time (Lennon's death)

WITHOUT YOU by Badfinger

  Covered and bettered by Harry Nilsson

NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU by Prince

  Covered and bettered by Sinead O'Connor

  Covered and transformed by Puddles Pity Party

    Puddles Pity Party site here

DIAMONDS AND RUST by Joan Baez (Song history here)

  Covered and transformed from folk to heavy metal by Judas Priest

GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU by Argent

  Covered respectfully but presented with more bombast by Kiss

WAR PIGS by Black Sabbath (great video!) 

  Covered with twist by CAKE

  Covered and transformed from rock to solo by Puddles Pity Party

  Covered and transformed from rock to choral by Rondellus

TAINTED LOVE by Gloria Jones

  Covered, transformed and bettered by Soft Cell

SATISFACTION by The Rolling Stones

  Covered and transformed from rock to soul by Otis Redding

  Covered and transformed from rock to indie by DEVO

  Covered and transformed from rock to very indie by the Venturer

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER by Bob Dylan (Song history here)

  Covered, transformed from folk to rock and bettered by Jimi Hendrix

  Covered and presented in a unique way by Bastion Rose

OH YOU PRETTY THINGS by David Bowie

  Covered (let's leave it at that) by Peter Noone (Ex Herman's Hermits)

This is a rare example of a record company having faith in the early part of an artists career.

SPACE ODDITY Original acoustic version by David Bowie (1st release)

  Covered, transformed and bettered (just) by David Bowie (2nd release)

  Covered and bettered by David Bowie (3rd release - the hit)

  Covered and transformed by Bowie's former bassist Gail Ann Dorsey

This has been copied by many artists (including Bowie), all better than the original.

THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD by David Bowie

  Covered and bettered by Lulu

  Covered respectfully by Nirvana

  Covered (remixed) many time by Bowie (to better covers?) - one here

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS by The Beatles (history here)

  Covered, bettered? and transformed from pop to rock by Joe Cocker

  N.B. Joe did loads of covers

AMERICAN WOMAN by The Guess Who

  Covered, transformed and bettered? by Lenny Kravitz

This next song has been copied by many artists, none better than the original.

BREADFAN by Budgie (underrated yet influential 70s Welsh band)

  Covered and only made more popular by Metallica

  Covered with original's passion by "unknowns" Galactic Lemonz

  Covered badly (weird syncopation) by Alunah

  Covered well, with respect for the killer riff by Florence Black

LIGHT MY FIRE by The Doors

  Covered and transformed by solo guitar by Jose Feliciano

  Covered and transformed by Will Young (1st version)

  Covered and transformed by Will Young (2nd version - the hit)

  

THE ONLY WAY IS UP by Otis Clay (original soul hit)

  Covered, bettered and transformed to pop by Yazz

  Covered (let's leave it that) by Stornoway

ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART by Dionne Warwick (US hit)

  Covered identically but at the right time in the UK by Cilla Black

  Covered and bettered by lush orchestration by Rebecca Ferguson

  Covered poorly by actress Sheridan Smith for TV homage

Want some more varied music?