Cover Me Up

In the world of music, there is nothing worse than being subjected to a diabolically bad cover of what was originally a decent song. A few examples of this that spring to mind instantly for me, are Madonna's 'American Pie', Jessica Simpson's 'These Boots Were Made for Walking', and let us not forget (please God, let us) Britney Spears' atrocious butchery of Joan Jett's 'I Love Rock and Roll'.

I pondered over this for a while, had a look at the aforementioned monstrosities and face-palmed the sh*t out of myself... I had nearly resigned myself to the idea that a higher power (Simon Cowell?) had decided all good music, at some point in its life, was destined to be tainted....destroyed... by messed up, female, blonde pop starlets.

Then I got sense, and started thinking about covers I like. The very first one that popped into my head was Nirvana's version of 'Jesus Don't Want Me for a Sunbeam' by the Vaselines. The V's took the song - an old Christian folk song, which is actually called 'Jesus Wants Me for A Sunbeam' - and re-recorded it under the new title. Cobain wanted to cover that version, so that's what he did. And boy, did he do it well.

See, this is a prime example of the goodness that can come from cover versions... And when I started thinking about this more, let's just say the floodgates opened... (thanks to a few friends for assisting with that via Twitter - I had a field day).

Some of the most superbly composed songs have been covered time and time again, by recognised, accomplished artists who have done (in my opinion) a beautiful job of making a song "their own". Side-note: One of the reasons I'd rather X Factor didn't exist, is that it is diminishing the kudos deserved for a good cover.

So, with all of this, I thought i'd pull together my own list of covers to share with you good people. All 3 of you reading this... Hi mom. Now, this list was long, but i've whittled it down to these few because let's be honest, you don't have all day.

The ones most people will be familiar with...

Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley's version

Nine Inch Nails, Hurt - Cover by Johnny Cash

The Beatles, With a Little Help from my Friends - Cover by Joe Cocker

Nina Simone, Feeling Good - Cover by Muse

Kate Bush, Running up that Hill - Cover by Placebo

Bonnie Raitt, I Can't Make You Love Me - Cover by Justin Vernon

Bob Dylan,  All Along The Watchtower - Cover by Jimi Hendrix

Some others I adore, which may not be as widely known...

Hank Williams, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Cover by Seasick Steve

Ben Harper, Waiting on an angel - Cover by Joshua Radin

Tom Petty, I Won't Back Down - Cover by Benjamin Leftwich

Tracey Chapman, Fast Car - Cover by Foy Vance 

Joni Mitchell, A Case of You - Cover by Diana Krall

Oasis, Wonderwall - Cover by Ryan Adams

Elliott Smith, Between The Bars - Cover by The Civil Wars

Arcade Fire, My Body is a Cage - Cover by Peter Gabriel

Bob Dylan, My Back Pages - Cover by The Byrds

Robert Knight, Everlasting Love - Cover by U2

Gerry Rafferty, Baker Street - Cover by Foo Fighters 

Here are some covers I came across thanks to some friends with excellent taste in and knowledge of, music...

The Rolling Stones, Gimme Shelter - Cover by Merry Clayton

Bob Dylan, Man In The Long Black Coat - Cover by Mark Lanegan

Ricky Nelson, Lonesome Town - Cover by Richard Hawley

Bob Dylan, Times They are a Changin' - Cover by Odetta

Tom Waits, Martha - Cover by Mick Flannery

The Beatles, Twist and Shout - Cover by Shaka Deemus and Pliers

And the beauty of a good cover..? On the rare occasion, it can actually be an improvement on the original. Evidence of this is right here. 

Carly Rae Jepsen, Call me Maybe - Cover by Ben Howard

LMFAO, Sexy and I know it - Cover by Jimmy Fallon and Bruce Springsteen

JoJo, Too Little Too Late - Cover by Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear

Katy Perry, Hot n' Cold - Cover by Los Colerados

Happy Listening :-)