Last blog, I featured a version of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” sung by Willie Nelson, and it got me thinking about cover songs. They can go wrong in so many ways (did anyone see the video of Miley Cyrus skewering “Smells Like Teen Spirit?”), but on the off-chance that they don’t, they can even outshine the original. Here are ten covers that I think stand out:
Ellie Goulding: “Black and Gold” (original by Sam Sparro)
I could have made an entire playlist featuring cover songs by Goulding, but I like this one because of the ethereal melody and the way she speeds up Sparro’s slicked-out version. Say what you will about Goulding’s voice; it’s certainly unique and not the most technically perfect, but I think it suits the song well.
To listen to “Black and Gold,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQJ2CC4B_NI
Goldspot: “Float On” (original by Modest Mouse)
Try to resist tapping your foot to this one; I dare you. Goldspot took a tune everyone knows and made it its own, which is what a successful cover song does. Whether it beats the original is debatable, but ultimately unimportant—just sit back and enjoy its cheerful tone.
To listen to “Float On,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwpzKBsJ4kY
Katy Perry: “Electric Feel” (original by MGMT)
I have issues with Katy Perry. Every time she releases a new song, it gets drilled into my head so fast that it triggers my gag reflex after like, two days. I used to want to go to California and go out on a Friday night and, I don’t know, maybe even fall in love with an alien, but not anymore. So thanks a lot, Katy. That being said, I’m digging her cover of MGMT’s “Electric Feel” because of the way she softens it up and strips it down. Who knew underneath all that Autotune was a genuinely beautiful voice? I just don’t want to hear it two thousand times a day.
To listen to “Electric Feel,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSow6ePFxbw&feature=related
Novel: “Mad World” (original by Tears for Fears)
It’s rare that a hip hop artist covers a pop song. It’s even more rare for one to cover an 80’s pop song (even though Novel’s cover borrows more from Gary Jules’ popular version). What makes Novel’s take on “Mad World” interesting is the way he spins it into a social commentary; he changes the meaning of the song to reflect the sorrow and confusion of living in fear. It just goes to show that you can always make old material fresh and relevant.
To listen to “Mad World,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFPyHBgrxAs
Greg Laswell: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (original by Cyndi Lauper)
Leave it to a man to take the universal girl anthem of the century and strip it down to a bare-boned, piano-driven downer of a song. Laswell doesn’t stretch his voice much—the dude just sounds so bummed out to be singing this. But I give him props for being unconventional and for probably taking a lot of teasing from his friends for singing a Cyndi Lauper song.
To listen to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMXun0DGdg
Lissie: “Pursuit of Happiness” (original by Kid Cudi)
White rocker chick covers rap: it should be a recipe for disaster, right? But Janis Joplin sound-a-like Lissie somehow makes it work, warping the stoner-esque jam into an electric guitar-driven anthem. You go, girl.
To listen to “Pursuit of Happiness,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeVHSFM6u68
Ryan Adams: “Wonderwall” (original by Oasis)
Adams’ slower, moodier version of the Oasis classic just seems to make more sense, given the lyrics’ raw emotion. But, let’s face it, we’ve all heard Oasis’ sing-a-long version enough times to make us immune to any of that emotion. That’s why listening to Adams’ cover is refreshing and enlightening, if not a tad gloomier.
To listen to “Wonderwall,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzZhtrsbJzs
Cee Lo Green: “No One’s Gonna Love You” (original by Band of Horses)
This is the definition of breathing new life into a song. It was a bold interpretation on Green’s part, but it works because of the heightened emotion, aided by a sweeping orchestral chorus, he brings to the indie-rock standby.
To listen to “No One’s Gonna Love You,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzAof7HjaxU
Hugo: “99 Problems” (original by Jay-Z)
Adding a banjo to a Jay-Z song? Why didn’t anyone think of it sooner?! This is my favorite kind of cover: one so unexpected that it catches you completely off-guard. I’d probably be laughing if I weren’t so disturbed by the music video, which features lots of chains, gas masks, girl fights, and an iguana. Is this real life?
To listen to “99 Problems,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LloIp0HMJjc&ob=av2e
Lily Allen: “Womanizer” (original by Britney Spears)
Okay, confession time: My name is Madeline, and I am a Britney Spears superfan. Seriously, I love the girl and always will, which means that I must automatically and dutifully dismiss any attempts other artists make to match her genius. However, I actually really like this version of “Womanizer.” Maybe it’s Allen’s playful English accent or the jazziness of it, but somehow it works. But shh, don’t tell Britney I said that.
To listen to “Womanizer,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jOzuLsJIUE
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