28 December 2012 - Alanis Morissette - My Humps

Oh man, I totally forgot about this awesome Black Eyed Peas cover by Alanis Morissette. The fact that she spoofed the original video makes it even that much better.

27 December 2012 - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall

Is she Bob Dylan?  No.

Does she bring a gut-wrenching feel to this song that even Dylan couldn't?  Yes.

I always loved this heartfelt version of the song, from the movie "Born on the Fourth of July."  You know, I never did see that movie.  It broke on the day I was supposed to see it, so I got a refund.  I hear Tom Cruise was great in it, though.

What was I talking about again?  Oh, right.  This great cover.

21 December 2012 - David Cook - Rolling in the Deep

I read yesterday that Adele's Someone Like You was named the most popular song to karaoke to in 2012 (Rolling in the Deep came in at No. 4). So of course that gives me a perfect excuse to post yet another Adele cover (hard to believe the last one was in September...I'm slipping). Anyway, here's Season 7 American Idol champ David Cook taking his turn at Rolling in the Deep.

20 December 2012 - Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet

When this song came out, everyone thought it was just a clever new style by the very offbeat Bjork.  Well, that's not entirely true.  This song, originally recorded in 1951 by Betty Hutton, was faithfully covered by Ms. Gudmunsdottir, was already a cover, as it was strongly based on the German "Und jetzt ist es still" by Horst Winter.

It was Bjork's biggest hit, and remains so to this day.  Since she brings such a fun spirit to the song (as does the Spike Jonze-directed video), I can see why that would be.

19 December 2012 - Pixie Lott - Use Somebody

I had every intention of posting Paramore's cover of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody today. But it occurred to me that I did a Paramore video earlier in the year. Never fear though as I've found a much more interesting version. I really don't know too much about English pop singer/songwriter Pixie Lott, but I love the soulfulness in her voice.

18 September 2012 - No Use For A Name - Fairytale of New York

I am sure you read Scott's moving tribute to Kirsty MacColl over here. With his blessing - I got it when he called dibs on the song - I am posting a cover of the very same song, which in its original form defined The Pogues and brought the great Kirsty MacColl to a broader audience.  NUFAN certainly bring a less boozy, less melancholy, more energetic feel to the song - but somehow, it still works.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

17 December 2012 - Nada Surf - Enjoy The Silence

So it's been a whole week since I've posted a cover of Depeche Mode's Enjoy The Silence. First it was Italian metal band Lacuna Coil, now it's NYC indie rockers Nada Surf. I'm pretty sure between last week's post and this one I'll have proven two things. One, a great song can be done in many different styles and still retain it's greatness. And two, I'm very lazy and need to find another band to focus on for covers. Hmmm, I haven't done Adele or Kelly Clarkson in a while...

14 December 2012 - The Noisettes - When You Were Young

Here's a video of The Noisettes performing a very soulful version of one of my favorite songs by The Killers. I really like how they reimagined it.

13 December 2012 - Dandy Warhols - Cherry Bomb

I am not sure if this is an official video or not.  I kind of think it is, but rather just someone who found this song cool and found themselves in Minneapolis.

At any rate, this is a strange cover - a song that is clearly written for a strong woman, sung by a man.  The slackertastic sound of the Dandy Warhols is in stark contrast to the in-your-face rock of The Runaways.... and yet, this cover still works.

Long time readers of this blog know that this isn't the first time we've heard a cover of it.  It's a song that endures, and it's one of my favorites of all time, even in its original form.  I hope you enjoy this version as much as I did.

12 December 2012 - Trampled By Turtles - Where is my Mind?

I've been hearing a lot about indie folk band Trampled By Turtles for a while now. After hearing this cool Pixies cover, I may have to do some further investigating and check them out sooner than later.

11 December 2012 - The Maine - Everything to Everyone / Santa Monica

I really hate to like Everclear. They were a little pretentious, a little derivative of everything coming out of Seattle in the mid-90's, and not enough a part of the Portland scene they claimed to lead.

But I do like Everclear.  Their songs are damned catchy.  That's undeniable.

You know who else likes Everclear?  The Maine.   Here are a pair of Everclear covers that this woefully underrated band does live on a regular basis.

8 December 2012 - Lacuna Coil - Enjoy The Silence

Depeche Mode's dark songs lend themselves perfectly to metal interpretation. For example, here's Italy's Lacuna Coil playing a classic track from DM's Violator album.

7 December 2012 - Mates of State - I Will Dare

Leave it to Lawrence, Kansas indie-poppers Mates of State to totally reimagine one of the coolest Replacements songs. I saw the Mates a few summers ago at the Virgin Mobile FreeFest. If you ever get a chance to see them live, do it. Great music and they are a ton of fun.

6 December 2012 - Cher Lloyd - OMG

We feature a lot of classy singer-songwriters on here doing classy covers.  So, to mix things up a bit, here's Cher Lloyd, a pop artist (with a fantastic set of pipes) doing a cover of Usher's "OMG" - in my opinion, it's better than the original.  It's a song that she originally picked to cover while she was on the UK reality competition "The X Factor".

That's right, America.  Cher Lloyd is a big-time pop star because she was on a reality show starring Simon Cowell.  I know that's hard to believe, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, but it happens.  More amazing?  She didn't win.  I know that's hard to believe, Chris Daughtry.

She should have won.

 

5 December 2012 - Metric - Between The Bars

I have nothing of consequence to say today. So just click on the video below and you'll see Canadian indie band Metric playing one of my favorite songs from Elliott Smith's Either/Or record.

4 December 2012 - Selena Gomez - Cruella De Vil

Of course Disney is going to have their stable of artists cover their classics!

Cruella De Vil was one of the nastiest Disney villains - I mean, who the hell is going to make a coat out of  dogs?!  She was so iconic, she got her own song.  On a personal note, it's one of my favorite Disney songs, even in its original version.  I remember seeing 101 Dalmations at the drive-in - yes, I'm that old - and it made quite an impression.

This version, however, adds to the original - it brings a lot more guitar and energy, yet stays somewhat creepy.  Selena's raspy voice is well-suited for the tune. Also, if you think Selena Gomez is a (Wicked) Guilty Pleasure, you're right.

3 December 2012 - The Pierces - Alejandro

I wrote about The Pierces earlier this year when Your New Favorite Song was still called Your Forgotten Favorite (ahhh the good old days), so there's no need to rehash my adoration for these two sisters. Instead, let's just get down to gettin' down. Here's The Pierces playing a wonderfully understated acoustic version of Lady Gaga's Alejandro.