This Tuesday has been good and all, but it’s missing some choice tunes, man! Instead of finding some amazing original tracks, I thought I would mix it up a bit and give you a few choice cover tracks to jam to. I know, most cover songs suck, but I can guarantee you that this list is legitimately awesome! Some are close representations of their original rendition, and others are wild interpretations, all of them are worth a moment of your auditory time. Enjoy!
- Foo Fighters – Baker Street. A modern and stripped down version of the Gerry Raferty classic. A great track and a fine way to start off any rock playlist. Look for the lyric switch where “give up the crack and the one night stands” instead of giving up the booze. Sign of the times…
- Reel Big Fish – Hungry Like the Wolf. A comedic and playful rendition of the Duran Duran classic. Gone are the sultry New Romanticism of the original, replaced with an goofball opening monologue and a Ska Punk jam replete with hooting, hollering and wild animal noises. Good times.
- Powerman 5000 – Electric Avenue. It is almost shocking how much justice PM5K’s style lends itself to this reggae hit, originally recorded by Eddy Grant. The electronic metal fuses well with the Jamaican beats and influence to make for a delightful track to sing and dance to!
- Johnny Cash – Rusty Cage. If you needed someone to sell a tale of rage and rebellion (from Soundgarden, no less), you never had to look further than Mr.Cash. Every time he sings about the harsh realities of life, you believe him. Listen and believe again.
- Dwight Yoakum – Little Sister. Dwight Yoakum, you either love him or you are a horrible human being. It’s no secret that he loves Elvis, and that’s never been more evident than in his cover of the King’s frisky little song about a man scorned by love. Go get it Dwight!
- Mary Lou Lord w/ Semisonic – Sugar, Sugar. A fun and faithful adaption of the Archies’ hit song. Mary Lou Lord brings a soulfulness to this cut, while the boys from Semisonic absolutely nail the bubblegum pop soundtrack. Love this song…
- Hall & Oates – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. It was a staple of the Righteous Brothers experience, but when this soulful gang from Philly decided it to record it, it became a modern classic. If you do not sing-a-long every time you here this song, well then… you are simply not human.
- Bruce Willis – Love Makes the World Go Around. Most people know Willis from his storied career in the movies, but Bruno has been recording music for over 20 years as well. His cover of Deon Jackson’s legendary track is phenomenal.
- Goldie Hawn – Hard Day’s Night. And now for something completely different: I present to you Goldie Hawn singing a massive hit by the Beatles in an adult contemporary/jazz format. ‘Nuff said.
- Murray Lachlan Young – Doo Wah Diddy Diddy. I don’t know what the lads from Manfred Mann thought would happen to their beloved song, but when Mr. Lachlan Young is finished with it, it becomes a twisted tale, with Gregorian chants and threats. Essentially, it’s amazing.
