Jim James' Inspiration for George Harrison Covers LP: Animals

When Jim James released an EP of George Harrison covers in August, he had a specific audience in mind: chickens, pigs and goats. "George was a lover of animals and a vegetarian," says the singer, who is donating part of the proceeds from Tribute To — which he recorded under the name Yim Yames — to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York, which houses 150 abandoned, abused and sick animals. "It just clicked."

James cut the acoustic, six-song EP in 2001, but had no plans to put it out until Jenny Brown, the farm's founder, approached him at a Louisville café last fall. (Both are natives.) "I noticed he was eating a vegetarian meal," says Brown. "Plus, I'm pretty ballsy when it comes to asking favors."

Music legends and their animals: photos of Clapton, Townshend and more.

Since the EP came out, the farm has seen a spike in visitors. While James hasn't dropped by yet, Brown — who has steer named Dylan and Elvis [Costello] — is planning a tribute to him. "Next time an animal comes in without a name," she says, "we're calling it Jim James."

Click here to find out how to donate to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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