15 Plays
“Gone Daddy Gone” by Gnarls Barkley (Violent Femmes cover)
Perhaps one of the most memorable covers in recent years.
Didcha know?
The lyrics borrow a complete verse from Willie Dixon’s 1954 song “I Just Want To Make Love To You” (originally recorded by Muddy Waters).
29 Plays
“Under Pressure” by Xiu Xiu featuring Michael Gira (Queen and David Bowie cover)
On a song as classing as “Under Pressure,” Xiu Xiu manages to capture the spirit of the original while still incorporating their signature “freak folk.” To me, it sounds like a “rough cut” of the original, like a lost demo.
Didcha know?
Bowie had originally come to the studios in order to sing backing vocals in another Queen song, “Cool Cat,” which would end up being edited out since he wasn’t satisfied with them. Once he got there, they worked together for a while and wrote the song.
26 Plays • Download
“Pretty in Pink” by the Dresden Dolls (Psychedelic Furs cover)
The Dresden Dolls make surprisingly catchy “cabaret punk.” They embrace a witty, sophisticated sound and make it popular for audiences both young and old. I highly recommend the album Yes, Virginia, if only to hear the enthusiastic “Dirty Business.”
Didcha know?
The song “Pretty in Pink” was actually the inspiration for the film, and not vice versa.
15 Plays
“Brazil (Aquarela do Brasil)” by Beirut (Ary Barroso cover)
If you read my regular Tumblr, you’ll know that I am a huge Beirut fan. This cover was done on March 16, 2007 live on KLRU.
Didcha know?
This song marked the creation of a new genre, the samba-exaltação (Exaltation Samba), which was looked upon favorably by the nationalist dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas.
50 Plays
“How Deep is Your Love?” by the Bird and the Bee (Bee Gees cover)
Lovely vocalist Inara George likes to end the group’s set with this excellent cover of the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love?”.
And it works, brilliantly.
The song is also included on the Bird and the Bees’ “Please Clap Your Hands” EP, out now.
Didcha know?
The song was ranked number 366 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time.
P.S. Sorry for the delay in posting. I’ve been rather busy/tired lately.
53 Plays
“Puff the Magic Dragon” by Broken Social Scene (Peter, Paul and Mary cover)
The always impressive Broken Social Scene adds their signature “post-rock” aesthetic to their cover of “Puff the Magic Dragon.” The song is at turns gorgeous and melodramatic.
Didcha know?
The lyrics for “Puff, the Magic Dragon” were based on a 1959 poem by Leonard Lipton, a nineteen-year-old Cornell student. Lipton was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem titled “Custard the Dragon,” about a “Really-O, Truly-O, little pet dragon.” Lipton passed his poem on to friend and fellow Cornell student Peter Yarrow, who created music and more lyrics to make the poem into the song. In 1961, Yarrow joined Paul Stookey and Mary Travers to form Peter, Paul and Mary. The group incorporated the song into their live performances before recording it in 1962; their 1962 recording of “Puff” reached #2 on the Billboard charts in early 1963.
The lyrics tell a story of the ageless dragon Puff and his playmate Jackie Paper, a little boy who grows up and loses interest in the imaginary adventures of childhood and leaves Puff alone and depressed. The story of the song takes place “by the sea” in the land of Hanalei, which is on the island of Kaua’i, Hawai’i.
26 Plays
“Tyrone” by My Morning Jacket (Erykah Badu cover)
Thanks to bg5000 for the recommendation!
Didcha know?
“Tyrone” is actually a single off of Badu’s live album entitled Live.
Along with an audio post, I also have a video clip for today.
“Are You That Somebody?” by the Gossip (Aaliyah cover)
39 Plays
“Ceremony” by Radiohead (Joy Division cover)
Let’s get this straight, okay?
“Ceremony” is by Joy Division. New Order covered Joy Division. New Order didn’t create “Ceremony”. I mean, okay, technically they did, but technically, they didn’t. It was Joy Division and it was Ian Curtis’ voice that made the song.
Period.
With that said, Radiohead, perhaps the only band worthy of covering “Ceremony” besides New Order offers an interesting treat to their already historic discography and catalog. The song is much more energetic, hopeful, and exciting. The original was laced with the tragedy of Curtis but Thom Yorke’s voice, eerily similar to Curtis’, adds interesting depth, anger, and eagerness.
Take a listen.
