I Remember You Two: An Odd Cover

Why did Johnny Solinger – and therefore Skid Row – record “I Remember You Two?” I heard the song on Hair Nation yesterday and totally ran into the grass while backing out of my driveway on the way to work.

I suppose the band wanted to cash in on one of their biggest hits and prove their new singer had chops way back in 1999 when Solinger came aboard...but still.

“I Remember You Two” is a weird cover. First, I don’t know many bands that make cover songs...of their own tunes. Second, Jonny’s voice isn’t great on the song – he even sounds a little scary. This isn’t true of Johnny at all, though. I actually think he does an amazing job with Skid Row. Think about it: here’s this country boy, selected to fill one of the biggest voids in Metal. Skid Row had some of the biggest hits of the early 90s...and Sebastian Bach is regarded as having one of the best voices in Metal – period. So here we are, Johnny is in the band, the Skids want to forge ahead and make some new tunes. I think that’s great! Why shouldn’t they continue to earn a living? So, the band records Thickskin and adds “I Remember You Two” to the mix. To me, adding a punky-grunge-odd mix of “I Remember You” is just saying to fans “Hey, we know you like Bach a lot but this other guy can sing the song too...except he doesn’t. At least not on the album.” I should say I’ve seen Skid Row lots of times with Jonny Solinger and every single time the crowd response is bonkers. People still love this band! That aside, the band sure as hell as never performed “I Remember You Two” live – at least not when I’ve been in the crowd!

I wish the band would hurry up and make a new album...and actually play some fresh tunes live! Bach hasn’t been in Skid Row for a decade so it’s ok for the band to swap songs in the set. At this point, none of us is getting any younger and I highly doubt a Skid Row/Bach reunion will happen anytime soon.

A grammar note: I do want to add I think the title of “I Remember You Two” is subtly brilliant. At first glance, a listener would assume the band made a simple grammar error, meaning to use the word “too” as in “also.” By selecting the numeric derivative of the word, the band is slyly referencing some sort of relationship triangle. It isn’t clear if this is romantic or platonic.

Comments

[JT]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I love the Thickskin version. Not as much as the original, but I like to hear songs performed in different ways.

[lajustice77]

I think it's a great version plus it was actually written in this tempo back in '88, they just slowed it down for the debut. remember it ain't a cover if it's your song and they started playing this version after Johnny joined. btw they played it live on the Poison tour back in 2003.

[Damnp78]

I've never heard it. I am actually shocked you don't have an attatched YouTube clip. I'll have to search this one out.

[Lucas Serpa]

I really don't know what I feel when I hear this song.
Skid Row is my all time favorite band...together with GnR.Once a time I read an interview with Rachel Bolan and he said that it was a joke just for the people knew that it was a new Skid Row...almost like "Do you remember that lovely guys with a beautiful lead singer....they changed..now they are a strong band playing rock n' roll"

I like both versions...of course I prefer the light one.... but I always think it is two different musics.

I so excited that I'll see them live next September in San Paolo...and if they play the punk version I'll be very disapointed!!!

But these guys rocks...

[Fitz]

I think its a very cool version of the song , they use to play that version live all the time. There wont be a new Skid Row album anytime soon the last one RPM tanked big time. Sebastian is looking for a new guitarist and bass player as we speak maybe just maybe the powers above will get the original Skids back together one more time. $$$ Talks!

[Rob Rocker]

I really like Skid Row and I think "Ghost" and "Born A Beggar" off Thickskin are two of the best songs they have recorded, but I didn't care for "I Remember You Two". Although Solinger is a good singer, for me the cover was just a reminder that Baz is a great singer. And beyond that I felt RPM was weak, it felt rushed as if the songs were still in the idea stage?

[looksthatkill]

cashing in, you hit it on the head.
No one will replace Baz and it's an insult they continue under the SR banner.

[Kenny Ozz]

Im SHOCKED that you have never heard that version before yesterday. They played it consistently on a few tours. I personally like the version too. And Thickskin as a damn good album. Im not the biggest fan of Johnny Solinger but I will admit that he took an IMPOSSIBLE job. Replacing Sebastian? No one alive is capable. My problem with Johnny and Skid Row is the last album "Revolutions Per Minute" was WEAK. Even Scottie Hill told me he didnt like it. And I feel like Johnny doesnt even want to be in the band. He doesnt have much stage presence any more and all he ever pushes on his myspace page and in-person is his country career. I just dont feel that he appreciates what he has. Ya know?

[David]

They played it when I saw them, and I was pissed because I wanted to hear the real deal'but I got over it and then they closed the show out with the one we all know and love.

And for the record I love Johnny Solinger, but maybe its because I'm from Dallas and am bias....his old band was pretty damn good by the way.

[Rhodeislandrock]

I saw Skid Row open for KISS three times on the Farewell Tour and they played the song live. It came off OK but Solinger doesn't have the high range Baz does. The crowd did give it a healthy round of applause.THICKSKIN was a decent record but I also didn't like RPM.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[Allyson B. Crawford]

I guess if the band was playing the song live a lot during 2003-04, that would explain why I never saw it live! I went to very few concerts during those two years for lots of reasons, mainly graduate school at night meaning it just wasn't an option.

Interesting to know they used to do it live - I would sort of want to hear the version just to say "been there, done that."

Allyson

[TNT]

Everybody knows this is one band that needs to get their act together, forget about the past and reunite with all original members. I saw them play live one time with the new singer and didn't know why they chose him. First of all he looked like a Brett Michaels poser with the stupid cowboy hat and secondly he fuckin' sucked ass! Here was a guy who thought he could sing Skid Row songs instead he totally put that band to shame. I mean come on now, how many people out there can really do what Sebastian Bach can do even today. Exactly. As far as "I Remember You Too", I don't know if its even worth discussing. What a shame.