25 December 2021 - Lights - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

You're reading Totally Covered on Christmas Day, too?

Well, then, you get more Lights, this time covering the John Lennon classic Christmas song in an electronic way.

3 December 2021 - Hole - You Know You're Right

Courtney Love was the lead vocalist for Hole, and also the widow of Kurt Cobain.  So, it makes sense that she would cover her husband's last song live.  She sings it differently than he did - softer, sweeter, more reverently.  

28 November 2021 - The Polyphonic Spree - Don't Change

I love it when a band that covers a song TRULY understands the original essence of the song - and makes it their own.  

Such is the Polyphonic Spree, who released their version of this INXS classic as a single earlier this year.  Adding horns and strings and giving it a more orchestral sounds serves to make it a bigger, grander song.  

28 November 2021 - Bruce Springsteen - Don't Change

Bruce Springsteen performing this INXS anthem with added horns and his deep growl in Sydney is a fitting tribute to Michael Hutchence and his legacy.  It is almost desperate in its execution, and still beautiful. 

28 November 2021 - Limp Bizkit - Don't Change

When I heard this cover existed, I expected "Don't Change Your Nookie".

What I GOT was Fred Durst and a guitar, with minimal accompanyment, passionately singing the hell out of this song, doing INXS and Michael Hutchence proud.  It's beautifully arranged and meticulously performed.   

19 November 2021 - k-os - Just What I Needed

In what is the second least expected cover* of the year, the "Crabbuckit" guy did a cover of what is arguable the best known song by The Cars.  Adding some hip hop in for good measure, it is mostly a straight forward, yet fun cover by the Toronto native.  

And clearly, he doesn't mind you coming here and wasting all his time.  

* it still isn't as expected as The Wiggles covering Tame Impala

11 November 2021 - Ryan Adams - Wildest Dreams

My former co-author Scott would be proud.  You see, I'm discovering that Taylor Swift isn't actually a bad lyricist.  Ryan Adams brings a folkier feel to her most iconic album, 1989.  "Wildest Dreams" is one of her better known songs and, in fact, my favorite of hers - it was briliantly and heartbreakingly executed in its original form, and briliantly covered and given a melancholy gender swap in this form.