So I find a lot of my covers on Like a Version, a feature on the Australian radio station Triple J where the musicians come and play one of their own songs and then add a twist to a song by someone else. Last week I highlighted Josh Pyke's cover of the Jezebel's Endless Summer. I felt inspired to create a list of some of my favorite covers. Here's what I came up with:
Matt Corby: Lonely Boy (the Black Keys cover)
This performance is so heart-achingly raw and wonderful. The slowed down tempo, stripped to acoustic guitar allows Matt to create such a dynamic vocal performance that gives a new twist to the song.
Missy Higgins: Heart's a Mess (Gotye cover)
This is already one of my favorite songs so it's safe to say not only will I love any version, but I will also never think any comes close to the original. This cover is one of my favorites because Missy has such an emotive voice and stripping it down to just her and the piano adds more than it takes away. It's also interesting to hear the lyrics and imagine the original scenario flipped on its head to a woman's perspective. Another cool thing is that I saw Missy Higgins tour with Gotye in September so it's cool to see her play his stuff before the whole tour happened.
Jimmy Eat World: Last Christmas
Now I love T. Swift as much as the next guitar playing gal, but Jimmy Eat World has my heart when it comes to covering the song "Last Christmas." Something about this version captures the more hopeful side of the song, while still conveying the original hurt behind the lyrics.
Angus and Julia Stone: You're the One that I Want (Grease cover)
For some reason it seems most of the covers I like are slowed down, moody versions of songs, maybe I'm more emo than I'll admit but I do really like this cover sung by Julia Stone of the Grease hit. Also, one of my favorits SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) contestants did one of her 30 second solos to this song so I always see that in my head when I hear "I got chiiiiiillls".
The Rocket Summer: Hey Ya (Outkast cover)
I can't yet find a good quality video that shows Bryce looping all the instruments and the full song but I'll update this post as soon as I do. What makes this cover cool is that I saw it performed live in the His Instruments Your Voices tour. The Rocket Summer is basically this really talented musician/composer/singer/performer named Bryce Avary who plays basically any instrument. It was really neat to see the whole song slowly built piece by piece, and finally figure out what it was.
There are other cover's out there that I like, for example Anya Marina's Whatever You Like (T.I. cover), or any Karmin Music cover but I needed to cut off the list at some point or else this post would never end.
Do you have any favorite covers? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section! I LOVE sharing music and I'd love to hear what you'd recommend!
So it's not like my own personal life crises are influencing the song choices this week. Nope, not at all. This has nothing to do with the metaphorical walls I feel closing in on me as I face the realization of another year gone, student loans looming and no permanent employment to speak of. Or even the fact that simply publishing a blog poast feels like an obstacle to overcome at the present moment. Or that I have had these songs selected for well over a month and simply hitting the "Publish" button has seemed too daunting a task. No this had no influence on this weeks (months?) theme.
Stars -- Walls
Off of the latest album from Canadian indie band Stars, another solid track displaying why they've been one of my favorites for so long.
The Rocket Summer -- Walls
Not new by any means but a powerful simple song about how important it is to be there for someone and to remember & thank the people who are there for us.
Matt Corby -- Coloured Stones and Walls
I used this one as an intro to my yoga class I used to teach. It always put me in the right mindset, relaxed, open-minded, connected, & anticipating what's next to come. Hopefully it will continue to do so.
Bedouin Soundclash -- Walls Fall Down
Again, not new but still great. "When the walls fall down you begin," what a perfect sentiment for this place I find myself. Now I just gotta start knocking some of these dang walls down, so I can "begin"
