Under The Covers

So I thought I would do a piece about some of my personal favorite cover versions of songs. Covers can be very fun and enjoyable, and even great when a band takes a song and really makes it their own. Feel free to leave any comments and voice your opinion about any of your favorite covers

(These are in no particular order)

1.Telegram Sam-Bauhaus (Originally by T. Rex

Whats great about this track is not only the energy with which the lyrics are delivered, but the implications of the track. What some persons do not realize about the misunderstood goth rock is how glam rock influenced it and how heavily early artists such as Bauhaus drew from T. Rex, Mott the Hoople, and of course David Bowie. This track highlights that connection and simply is fun to listen to.

2. Just Like Heaven-Dinausaur Jr. (Originally by The Cure)

The thing about this track that makes it great is that Dinosaur Jr. really makes it there own and brings it to life in a way in which Robert Smith of The Cure never really did. Of course the Cure’s version of the song is great too, but this version has a raw abrasive energy with an underlying insecurity that works well with the sensual lyrics.

3. Superstar-Sonic Youth (Originally by The Carpenters)

Let me say this, the sound of the melody of the song played very slowly on a crystal clear sounding acoustic guitar played over dissonant fuzz that mimics the melody after the second verse is perhaps the greatest musical break in the history of music, and is certainly my favorite. SY takes a song that was sad and depressing and turned it into a very creepy track about a stalker. They really make it there own and the song is a good tribute to the late Karen Carpenter.

4. Silver Dagger-Fleet Foxes (Originally by Joan Baez)

I simply like this track, the Fleet Foxes version has a transcendent feel to it. Its not much different from the original, but it goes to show that this and defiantly other Joan Baez tunes have stood the test of time and that drawing from her and other pre-eighties folk artists (Nick Drake, Judee Sill, Richard Thompson, and of course Dylan and Young) Fleet Foxes and other modern folk artists have very strong and influential base to learn from.

5. Jealous Guy-Deftones (Originally by John Lennon)

What I love about this cover is that it really shows Chino Morino’s wonderful singing range. Not to say that its better than the original, it is just impressive that he can hit that high note in there and the song is defiantly fun to listen to. The interesting thing about Deftones covers is the variety of them and the strange songs they pick, like Lynard Skynards Simple Man and The Smiths Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. Both are great tracks.