Play it Again, Sam #1b - "Kingdom Come"

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When I first introduced Play it Again, Sam, I promised a few curveballs, which consisted of an occasional, second cover version. However, here we are at the finish, #1b, the "cover," with the biggest curveball yet: The Mission (known as The Mission UK here in the States) with a cover of their own song, "Kingdom Come." Is it even right to use a band covering itself? In this case, yes. A bit of history: During (counting a few hiatuses) The Mission's four-decade existence, leader/vocalist/guitarist Wayne Hussey has made a habit of reworking his own songs, some of which have appeared on albums, some of which have been used as B-Sides. In 1990, The Mission followed up their successful 1988 album, Children (which contained the rocking "Kingdom Come,") with Carved in Sand, the first half of which was as strong as anything the band had done. Unfortunately, other than a couple of gems, the second half of the record fell flat on it's face, causing much infighting between bandmembers. In an attempt to rectify things, the group released Grains of Sand, an album of outtakes, many of which were Carved in Sand rejects (and quite beffuddling. The inclusion of those songs over the Carved in Sand "duds" would have made that album great.) One of those tunes was a cover of "Kingdom Come." Hussey had reworked "Kingdom Come" into a beautiful piano ballad, which would have sounded right at home on Carved in Sand, but for some reason, did not make the cut. "Sad" is one word that comes to mind. "Why?" is another. Hussey has apparently seen the error of his ways. For the last few years, the band has incorporated both versions into their live performances, beginning the song with the piano version, but finishing it with the original, rock version. Play it Again, Wayne! (Info verified by Wikipedia)