Under Cover Lover

I've always had a love/hate relationship with cover songs. When I was a kid, I loved being more aware of the original versions of the songs being covered. Like when Lauryn Hill and the Fugees covered Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack. WE LIVED FOR THIS SONG. But knowing the original song suddenly became this source of credibility for me among my friends - I knew the lyrics to the song, I knew who wrote it, and I could sing along almost right away. I felt like I was on the inside, that I knew something that most of the audience didn't. It was empowering.

In high school, I flip flopped. On one hand, I got upset when people covered Beatles songs, because no matter how good they were (think I'm Only Sleeping by the Vines) they weren't as good as the originals. To everyone's surprise, at first, I HATED the I Am Sam soundtrack (I have since changed my ways). On the other hand, I loved Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies, especially their version of Nothing Compares 2 U. And Mandy. Mandy was pretty great. Those covers were fun, and served their purpose well as fuel for my teen angst.

There was also a very dark time in my listening life. A time where the Punk Goes series of compilation albums were in heavy rotation. I'm not lying when I tell you this was mostly what I listened to when I was out running... but I definitely also listened avidly in my car. In all honesty, however, the only reason I know the lyrics to Rhianna's Umbrella is because of All Time Low's version of it. We don't usually speak of this time.

Thankfully, my tastes have grown and improved. More songs have been written and subsequently covered. I don't have to fill this list with punk versions of oldies or pop songs (even though that's a pretty fun idea... and may be something I do in the not-so-distant future). But I will give you a taste of some of my favourite covers to date. I've even included links to the original! Get into it!

Placebo - Running up that Hill (Kate Bush cover)

This version is even more haunting than the original, if that's even possible. I adore this more than anything.

Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover)

There's a great version out there somewhere with Connor Oberst and Ben Gibbard as the rest of the Wilburys, but I couldn't find it on youtube.

Florence and Kid Harpoon - Going Down (Bruce Springsteen cover) Such a refreshing take on an old standby. Florence can honestly do no wrong. Her version of Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love gets an honourable mention.

Rock Plaza Central - Sexyback (Justin Timberlake cover) Another one of those songs that helped familiarize me with something I wouldn't have listened to otherwise. It's a wonderful, folksy version of a song that used to make me want to drink bleach.

Hole - Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mack) This song has always been somewhat of an anthem for me, and I've always held the lyrics pretty closely. Courtney Love definitely does it justice, and while Stevie Knicks is the queen, Hole's version is still pretty kick-ass.

J Mascis - Fade Into You (Mazzy Star cover) The original version of this one is so incredibly dreamy and romantic, and Mascis' attempt is no different. He makes this song his own, without compromising that distinct 90's aesthetic. Front runner for my wedding song, FYI.

Jack White - Jolene (Dolly Parton cover) If you were to tell me that this was the original version of this song, (in this instance, pretend I'm a little dumber than I really am. Maybe a little cuter too.) I'd completely believe it. Jack White channels his inner Dolly Parton, and sells it straight through till the end. I almost wish he'd wrote it himself.

SIDEBAR: This is a really rad contest the Arkells ran, encouraging fans and other artists to cover their single Leather Jacket. Check it out here! Happy listening!!!