Tuesday, December 27, 2016

27 December 2016 - One Republic - Millennium

I know you were hoping for a cover by a band with one hit in the US of an artist that never made it big here on his own.



My friends, your hopes are answered.



Friday, December 23, 2016

23 December 2016 - A Very Bittersweet Christmas

One of my favorite songs of all time is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve.  Legally, it's considered a cover.  No,  really: Jagger/Richards are credited because it was ruled that Richard Ashcroft lifted the violin rift from a cover of the Rolling Stone's song "The Last Time" by the Andrew Oldham Orchestra.  Judge that for yourself here:



But we aren't here to talk about that.  We're here to talk about covers of that "cover".

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

21 December 2016 - The BlackSheeps - Gold Lion

The BlackSheeps was a band from Norway who happened to also be indigenous people from there - Sami, to be precise.  Yeah, they live north of the Arctic Circle.

That doesn't mean they can't pull out a superhot Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover.  While they were just out for a stroll.  And using a soccer goal as a drum kit.



As an added bonus, here is a more stripped down version of the same cover......



....and here's a far less stripped down version.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

29 September 2016 - Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame

I know what you're thinking.

Just because a group of women who can sing get together doesn't mean they should tackle The Bangles.

It's a fair thought.   Hell, they probably shouldn't tackle the Spice Girls.

HOWEVER, these women really could sing, and did an admirable job with the song.  And since Jenny Frost - the woman lying down doing her solo piece - had TONSILLITIS during this shoot and COULDN'T do anything but lay down, the video even came out pretty good.


Thursday, August 25, 2016

25 August 2016 - Kesha - It Ain't Me, Babe

Tonight, I get to see Kesha live.

Notice how I didn't use the $. She dumped that.  It was a good move.

Anyway, back to Kesha.  I have not been this excited for a show in years.  YEARS!!!!!!  And I admit, as a 44-year-old man, I'm slightly embarrassed.  But only slightly.  I mean, this woman has serious pipes, and this cover of a Bob Dylan classic truly showcases those.  Even the Queen of Autotune has a voice - who knew?

And if you are in Central New York, come to the New York State Fair.  It's $3 today, and it comes with a Kesha concert!





Monday, July 11, 2016

11 July 2016 - Kelly Willis - Fist City

I saw Kelly Willis live in 1991.  She did this song live.  I was there with my mother because no one else wanted to go see a country act with me.

My mother recognized the song first.  I was so ashamed.  But I got over it.  Because damn, it was brilliant.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

9 July - Elle King - The Weight

This is a song that's supposed to be simple and heartfelt.

Good thing Elle King knows that.  Because she nailed it.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

14 June 2016 - Tove Lo - Elastic Heart

Frequent readers of Wicked Guilty Pleasures will recall that I am a huge Tove Lo fan.  She is a brilliant songwriter in her own right, but with all her electronica, she doesn't get her due as a talented performer and vocalist.  Which she is.

So, singing a song by Sia (someone else who only goes by a part of her name professionally) is a great way to do that.  So here you go.


Thursday, January 28, 2016

28 January 2016 - FKA Twigs - Elastic Heart

Let's just address the 500 pound gorilla in the room right now: after being gone AGAIN for so long, why choose such a fringe artist doing such a populist song?

Because it's amazing, and so is she. FKA Twigs needs to get more attention for her music and less for dating Cedric Diggory (because we refuse to mention that glittery vampire), and we hope our little blog can help with that.

Plus, we missed you.  So there's that.