I am a fan of covers. Why insist on only the original when you can have a bunch of different versions to choose from? Reinventing a song can change it, breathe a different life into it. Lyrics can suddenly seem to tell a different story than the one you’d first heard. Covers broaden the scope and impact of a song. At least well done covers can.
With no shortage of wonderful covers to discover and add to my musical vocabulary, there are always a handful swimming around in my head. This playlist features seven of the covers that are currently vibrating my speakers. I’ve also included some YouTube links of the originals just for fun, in case you want to hear them again or for the first time.
Everything Is Free by Father John Misty (Gillian Welch cover)
Gillian Welch is one of my all-time favorite women on the planet, so any cover of one of her songs is noteworthy. This Father John Misty cover doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel; it’s just him singing her song, her way. The lyrics really shine here. I’m enjoying the strength and clarity of Misty’s version, not to mention the opportunity to join in and sing the harmony.
Wolf Like Me by Lera Lynn ft. Shovels & Rope (TV On The Radio cover)
TV On The Radio manufacture experimental rock and roll. Sometimes they are very dark and ominous, slowly creeping along, and other times they are loud and abrasive. Wolf Like Me is one of the loud ones, moving quickly over a gravely bass. It is also very catchy, just as the Lera Lynn version is. Her approach is organic with hints of a barnyard bash lasting well past sunset. I’ve come to love Lynn’s version for how different it is from its muse. Their approaches could almost be considered contrary; Lynn’s version is the rural to TV On The Radio’s urban take on this werewolf’s tale.
Never Tear Us Apart by The Great Book of John (INXS cover)
This Great Book of John song captures the epic drama that exists in the INXS original, but feels a bit more earthy. Perhaps it is the earthiness that switches the tone into one more comforting and hopeful, more like a love song than a goodbye. The catchy guitar and sexy vocals provide weight, grounding the song but still managing to match the intensity that strings, synth and even wind bring the original. The cover succeeds at being a unique piece of art, moving in its own right, while still closely resembling the INXS song.
The Chauffeur by Sneaker Pimps (Duran Duran cover)
I was a (big big) Duran Duran fan growing up, so I really enjoy remakes, especially those that escape the 80’s aftertaste. No slam on the eighties, but I’ll go straight to the source if that’s what I’m craving, thanks very much. The Sneaker Pimps don’t go nuts with bells and whistles and their version feels contemporary. Not that we were experiencing a shortage of contemporary covers; great versions of The Chauffeur by Warpaint and Deftones both come to mind. While we probably did not need another, I am glad we have the Sneaker Pimps’ take. It isn’t genre bending or surprising, but it hits.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Sleigh Bells (Leadbelly cover)
In The Pines was probably brought back into the spotlight when Nirvana covered it during their spectacular performance on MTV Unplugged. Maybe that’s when the name changed too? Whichever title you use, the song’s ghostly vibe remains. In the old Leadbelly recordings, you can almost hear the ghost sitting at his side. As hard and heavy as the Sleigh Bells cover gets, it seems to be haunted by the same ghost. I’m not sure if the distorted guitar or the gorgeous vocals are what get my pulse to quicken when I listen, but something (someone?) in this cover pulls at me.
Between The Bars by Marika Hackman (Elliot Smith cover)
Another oft covered tune, Smith’s Between the Bars is like most of his songs: a blank canvas. Smith’s minimalistic style left much room for reinterpretation by other artists. This Hackman version adds a dreamy simplicity to the song; it sounds slow and ethereal. Even though the apple did not fall far from the tree, Hackman’s version has its own personality.
Piggy by St. Vincent (Nine Inch Nails cover)
I’ve always been a big fan of the live version of Piggy that Reznor released on All That Could Have Been. St. Vincent’s cover seems more reminiscent of this version. It’s toned down and has less chaos than the Downward Spiral versions. Her vocals have the slight rasp of a sneer, they capture the swagger meant to be coupled with confidence in discovering that nothing can stop her now. I believe her when she sings: “I care don’t care anymore.” St. Vincent steps inside the character; she has made another fine cover indeed!
With all these fantastic originals, it is hard to believe anyone felt the need to cover them at all. But they did feel the need and, lucky us, here they are:
If you have a cover you’ve been feeling lately, feel free to share it here! Let me know what you think of the playlist, or don’t. But just know comments are welcome here.
I knew I'd written about this sometime back when I was starting to serialise my novel on Substack, and have managed to track down the post.
So here are my lead character's (and I guess my own) top 5 cover versions.
https://challenge69.substack.com/p/cover-versions
I have to go listen to the cover versions you mention. I'm especially excited to hear the Lera Lynn/Shovels and Rope one. I've seen both live and they were two of my favorite shows. I was kind of disappointed in Lera Lynn's latest album, as I adore everything else she's released. Maybe it's just less immediate. It didn't have the same haunting depth for me.