the song doesn’t remain the same

UPDATE, November 12, 2023: Proving nothing is eternal, all three originally-linked videos of the song got zapped over time. I have replaced all of them with the videos from their respective YouTube channels, so hopefully they don't go poof any time soon.

Roy Orbison recorded the song “I Drove All Night” in 1987 and five years later it was released as a single — three years after Cyndi Lauper released a cover version of it. A country band named Pinmonkey also recorded a cover in 2002 and finally Celine Dion released her own take in 2003.

I remember the Lauper version and was unaware at the time that it was a cover of an Orbison song. I liked the song enough to actually buy it as a single from iTunes. Since then I’ve listened to each version to compare and contrast, and see how each artist has interpreted the song.

First, we have the original:

Roy Orbison (1992)

The clips of Jason Priestley and Jennifer Connelly were apparently shot for the video, despite looking like movie clips. The attempt to put Orbison in the video by using concert footage from shortly before his death and covering up the fact that he’s not singing the actual song in question by layering on obscuring video effects is both creepy and ineffective.

But to the song itself, it’s fine and stands up well. I’d rate it as a lesser effort than the best tracks from his late career but it’s smooth and his voice is in fine form.

Celine Dion (2003)

This version is a bit odd in that it both calls back to the Orbison version, particularly with the ‘Uh huh, yeah’ part of the chorus, then goes off in a completely different and predictably jet-sleek direction as a Euro-style disco number. Dion’s vocals are soaring, as expected, though she manages to pull back when the song requires it. The ending kind of flails about limply, and the video suggests that Dion isn’t exactly taking the song seriously, what with mugging at the camera and such. This version is better than I would have expected, but it’s polished to such a high sheen it feels a bit sterile.

Cyndi Lauper (1989)

This is easily the most rocking version of the song and the only one where the percussion really snaps. Lauper fully invests in the song, belts it out, brings a sultriness that Dion lacks and in the video dances like a spaz, just as you’d hope and expect. The video also features the most arresting visuals of the three, with images of cars projected onto Lauper’s nude body. It all works well. It’s a shame this was Lauper’s last big hit, she was and is very talented and deserved more success.

Pinmonkey’s cover is a slick countrified take that sounds exactly like what you’d expect from that description. I don’t know that it adds anything to the song but I suppose it doesn’t take anything away from it, either. It’s basically inoffensive.

In order, then:

1. Cyndi Lauper: fun, sultry, nutty.
2. Roy Orbison: sturdy, smooth, solid.
3. Celine Dion: slick, clinical.
4. Pinkmonkey: Yep, that would be country, all right.