Hanoi Rocks guitarist/vocalist Andy McCoy says he sifted through a list of 60 potential songs to cover for Jukebox Junkie, and he settled on 14 that he thought “deserved to be bigger hits” and that “everyone ought to know."
He’s not wrong.
McCoy serves up his sleazy take on overlooked songs such as Toots and The Maytals’ “54-46 That’s My Number,” Squeeze’s “Take Me I’m Yours” and The Climax Blues Band’s “I Couldn’t Get It Right.” There’s also a barely recognizable version of David Bowie’s “China Girl.” One of the most unexpected covers, however, also is among the best of this bunch: “Miss Tennessee,” a goosebumps-worthy country love song from 2020 originally sung by Katie Noel and Autumn Brooke. McCoy's version is propelled by piano and accelerated by emotional vocal performances from Jamie Hembree and Niki Westerback.
The 14 songs on Jukebox Junkie whiz by, with only two songs clocking in at longer than 4:30 (1988’s “Back to the Wall” by Divinyls and 1981’s “Countdown” by U.K. Subs).
Overall, McCoy’s versions are solid and delivered with respect, but they also will have you Googling the originals. Which ain’t a bad thing.
Track Listing:
1. I’m Gonna Roll
2. 54-46 That’s My Number
3. Take Me I’m Yours
4. Miss Tennessee
5. Hot Night in Texas
6. I Can Feel the Fire
7. Shot Full of Love
8. Solo in Soho
9. Back to the Wall
10. Motorbiking (CD version only)
11. I Couldn’t Get It Right
12. China Girl
13. Funnel of Love
14. Countdown