Covers to warm the soul
By Anna Williams, Staff Writer
January 5, 2008 | 6:15 p.m.
A good cover song is like an amazing find at a thrift store. Sure, it’s used, but it is still just as fabulous as it was back in its prime.
The art of producing note-worthy cover songs is a feat few bands can successfully pull off. They are more often criticized for straying too far from the original song’s sound or accused of lacking originality. Some bands take lesser-known songs, recreate, and then popularize them on the charts. Others remake old classics with a new twist. Regardless which approach an artist takes to covering a song, they are putting themselves out there to be scrutinized by music critics and fans alike. Many people think that nothing can ever be better than the original version of a song.
For Speakeasy’s January playlist, we have compiled a list of outstanding cover songs that stand in serious competition with the original versions. So while students are covering their arms up from the winter’s chill, they can enjoy covers even more by listening to some of these remakes.
“My Humps” by Alanis Morissette (cover of Black Eyed Peas)
Morissette is simply genius with this remake of the pop chart-topper. Like all of her songs, she emphasizes the lyrics throughout by singing in a very solemn and dismal voice, accompanied by a piano. As a listener, one’s torn between feeling distressed because of Morissette’s tone or wanting to go out and party because of the lyrical content. But really, the end result is just a hilarious cover song that really makes listeners rethink the words to all those pop songs that they lip sync to.
“Wonderwall” by Cat Power (cover of Oasis)
It was hard to pick just one of Cat Power’s cover songs, considering they have done an entire album dedicated to them. However, singer Chan Marshall’s version of “Wonderwall” is a rare but absolutely delectable take on Oasis’ hit from the '90s. Marshall’s raspy, bone-chilling vocals intertwine with the acoustic guitar to create a beautiful, slower adaptation of this classic.
“Handle With Care” by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins (cover of The Traveling Wilburys)
This list would be nothing without this song.The Traveling Wilburys was comprised of the late '80s top singer-songwriters, including Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Tom Petty. Jenny Lewis took the same approach when she did a remake of their song “Handle With Care,” recruiting fellow indie frontrunners Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes), M. Ward and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service). Oberst, who is often praised for his lyrical genius and is called the Bob Dylan of our day, warbles the verse Dylan sang in the original version: “Oh the sweet smell of success/ Handle me with care." Success has treated both bands well. This song deserves an entire article; it is pure musical brilliance.
“Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” by Nirvana (cover of Lead Belly)
A tale of unfaithful lovers is the basis for this classic song with its most popular recording done in 1944 by Lead Belly. This folk song actually dates back to the 1870s and has since been covered over 160 times. However, Nirvana’s performance of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” during the MTV Unplugged session made this song more popular than ever. The lyrics are dark and haunting with the tone of the song paralleling this feeling. There is a reason that this song has been around and remade for over a century. It just took Nirvana’s popularity to bring it to the mainstream.
“Bitches Ain’t Shit” by Ben Folds (cover of Dr. Dre)
Riding on the same page as Morissette with her cover of “My Humps,” Ben Folds hilariously and melodically sings the verses of this crude rap song. Comparing Folds’ own lyrics to the ones in this song make listeners realize how ridiculous some lyrics are.
“Because” by Elliott Smith (cover of The Beatles)
Smith covered this Beatles song for the American Beauty soundtrack. It is mostly a capella, which really showcases Smith’s ability as a singer, though he is usually most noted for his lyrics.
“Hurt” by Johnny Cash (cover of Nine Inch Nails)
Talk about putting a new twist on an older song; Cash totally reinvented the sound and ambiance of this song to resemble a much more somber and sullen version of “Hurt.” This song's video is especially moving because it shows Cash reminiscing about his deceased wife. He looks utterly heartbroken, which helps listeners understand his personal connections in the song a little more.
“Against All Odds” by the Postal Service (cover of Phil Collins)
Leave it up to the Postal Service to turn a piano-pop ballad into a techno-esque, upbeat masterpiece. Props to Collins for the heart-wrenching lyrics about a lover who just won’t give up on their ex-significant other, but the Postal Service definitely brings these lyrics to life with its boy-bandish melody and electronic twist.
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Watch Alanis Morissette’s perversely entertaining video for My Humps.
For more on the history of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” check out this article from the New York Times.