Cover Me: A Musical Open Thread
Posted on November 30, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 178 Comments
I owe somebody something and they’re getting justifiably twitchy about, so I’m off to my sea-side writing bungalow to get it done. Or maybe my mountain writing bungalow! Possibly the African veldt writing bungalow. So many writing bungalows.
Oh, wait, I don’t actually have any writing bungalows. I’m just going to sit here at my desk and unplug the DSL. Crap.
Anyway, that’s all for today. Have an open thread. To get you started, a topic:
You can hire any band/singer/music artist in the world to cover any song you want — Who is the singer and what is the song? Difficulties: band/singer/artist must be alive and working; also, the cover version must not currently exist in the real world. Also, make it something you’d actually want to listen to — don’t make it wacky just for wacky’s sake. That’s too easy, you know? “Fields of the Nephelim doing ‘MmmBop’ by Hanson!” Yes, yes, very clever. But to listen to it would be madness.
I have two:
1. Alison Moyet covering the Waterboys’ “This is the Sea”
2. The Cure covering Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl”
Your turn.
I’ve got a few. Sorry, but I’m gonna have to put them all.
The Killers- London Calling (The Clash)
U2- London Calling
U2 featuring The Killers- London Calling
The Polyphonic Spree- My List (The Killers)
The Raconteurs- Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes. Alright, I know, Jack White is already a Raconteur. In fact, I’ve seen both of his bands live. But, come on, two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer better than the original one? It’d be awesome.)
The Polyphonic Spree- Forever for Her Is Over For Me (The White Stripes)
There are many others. I could sit here and think all day. But I won’t.
J
P.S. Like NBC’s The Office? Check out my new blog, The Dundies! Click my name for the link.
I’ve got a few. Sorry, but I’m gonna have to put them all.
The Killers- London Calling (The Clash)
U2- London Calling
U2 featuring The Killers- London Calling
The Polyphonic Spree- My List (The Killers)
The Raconteurs- Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes. Alright, I know, Jack White is already a Raconteur. In fact, I’ve seen both of his bands live. But, come on, two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer better than the original one? It’d be awesome.)
The Polyphonic Spree- Forever for Her Is Over For Me (The White Stripes)
There are many others. I could sit here and think all day. But I won’t.
J
P.S. Like NBC’s The Office? Check out my new blog, The Dundies! Click my name for the link.
Metallica covering Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County”
Metallica covering Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County”
Johnny Cash performing filk
Johnny Cash performing filk
J, I liked U2 doing the Clash.
This is fun.How about Jimmy Buffett and Leon Russell doing a duet on Bob Marley’s “No Woman,No Cry”
Note to self.E-mail many Parrotheads and get the ball rolling.
Stan, he’s dead and you didn’t specify a song. The Zombie Irving Berlin will be along to punish you shortly.
Well, for not putting too much thought into it…
How about Regina Spektor covering The Pixies “Gigantic”
or The Decemberists covering the Psychedelic Furs “Love My Way”
I think I’d dig on that.
Well, for not putting too much thought into it…
How about Regina Spektor covering The Pixies “Gigantic”
or The Decemberists covering the Psychedelic Furs “Love My Way”
I think I’d dig on that.
More:
Ashley MacIsaac covering Rush’s “YYZ”
Green Day covering Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way”
The Diddy-bops singing TMBGs’ “Birdhouse in my Soul”
Bummer, I was going to say Twisted Sister doing O Come All Ye Faithfull….but that doesn’t meet your requirements, because THEY DID IT.
http://www.twistedsister.com/xmas-video-pop.html
Now, I have to THINK about it.
Bummer, I was going to say Twisted Sister doing O Come All Ye Faithfull….but that doesn’t meet your requirements, because THEY DID IT.
http://www.twistedsister.com/xmas-video-pop.html
Now, I have to THINK about it.
Cheryl Crow covering “Brand New Key” (Melanie)
Staind covering “One Tin Soldier” (I think the original from Billy Jack was done by Maureen mcGovern but I could be wrong)
That last one is just because I think it would be both funny and cool.
1) Tom Waits singing “Road Movie To Berlin” by They Might be Giants
2) Bjork singing “Uncle Fucker” from the South Park soundtrack.
Unknown Hinson singing “Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer”
Courtney Love singing Head Like a Hole (okay, maybe not…)
The Offspring doing Feelings (oh, wait – they already did that one…)
How about System of a Down singing California Über Alles?
I never come up with anything on the spur of the moment… except today. And I fear that were it to happen, it would be the moral equivalent of opening the seventh seal or something.
The Rolling Stones covering Xanadu — can’t you just hear Mick doing Olivia Newton John? And a real band wiping the floor with ELO? No — it really would be awesome.
Yeah, I was the good kid growing up. Probably snapped sometime in the last couple of years.
Dr. Phil
I never come up with anything on the spur of the moment… except today. And I fear that were it to happen, it would be the moral equivalent of opening the seventh seal or something.
The Rolling Stones covering Xanadu — can’t you just hear Mick doing Olivia Newton John? And a real band wiping the floor with ELO? No — it really would be awesome.
Yeah, I was the good kid growing up. Probably snapped sometime in the last couple of years.
Dr. Phil
The Decemberists covering Moxy Fruvous’ My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors, or else Ookla the Mok’s Guggenheim Love
Yeah, lit-rock rocks :-)
Green Day- All These Things That I’ve Done (The Killers)
The Killers- Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2)
U2- All These Things That I’ve Done
Yeah. I like U2 and the Killers. A lot. I really think they should do something together. The Killers did actually open for U2 on the European leg of the Vertigo Tour for a few dates. Ultimate concert right there. And, at the Las Vegas show for the Vertigo Tour, Brandon Flowers (lead singer of the Killers) did join them when they played “In A Little While”.
And, has anyone heard U2 and Green Day doing “The Saints Are Coming”? Its awesome.
J
I’d really like to hear someone cover the Beatles’ “Only A Northern Song” (from Yellow Submarine). When I asked Brian Ibbott at Coverville (coverville.com), he didn’t know of any but suggested Ben Folds could do a great version.
I’d really like to hear someone cover the Beatles’ “Only A Northern Song” (from Yellow Submarine). When I asked Brian Ibbott at Coverville (coverville.com), he didn’t know of any but suggested Ben Folds could do a great version.
Okay, you did say something serious.
Perhaps Norah Jones covering The Cranberries’ Linger…
I’d sort of like to hear Glenn Danzig cover The Doors’ “Not to Touch the Earth, Not to See the Sun.”
I’d like to hear Tom Waits covering anything by Norah Jones. Or maybe singing Ave’Maria on a Christmas album.
And I’ll second the whole Jimmy Buffett, Willy Nelson, Bob Marley mashup!
I’d like to hear Tom Waits covering anything by Norah Jones. Or maybe singing Ave’Maria on a Christmas album.
And I’ll second the whole Jimmy Buffett, Willy Nelson, Bob Marley mashup!
For some reason, the idea of Morrissey covering Elvis Costello’s “Baby Plays Around” with overwrought orchestral backing comes to mind.
One of my favorite existing covers is the Beastie Boys, live, with Biz Markie on vocals, doing “Bennie and the Jets.” It’s on their “Sounds of Science” greatest-hits collection. It’s an unironic homage, and pure entertainment.
Ah, Shoot! I have a whole list of these somewhere and my brain is too fried to come up with any off hand. Shoot.
I had some spectacular ones, too. Nuts!
I think Ben Folds Five could have done an awesome cover of Madonna’s “Vogue,” but since BFF has broken up, I guess that one’s out the window for purposes of this thread. I’d like to hear Dire Strait’s “Twisting by the Pool” covered by a ska band… let’s say Fishbone. And I’ve always thought that They Might Be Giants “Don’t Let’s Start” would sound great backed by a marching band, though of course that wouldn’t be a cover, just a reinstrumentation.
I think Ben Folds Five could have done an awesome cover of Madonna’s “Vogue,” but since BFF has broken up, I guess that one’s out the window for purposes of this thread. I’d like to hear Dire Strait’s “Twisting by the Pool” covered by a ska band… let’s say Fishbone. And I’ve always thought that They Might Be Giants “Don’t Let’s Start” would sound great backed by a marching band, though of course that wouldn’t be a cover, just a reinstrumentation.
I’d like Aerosmith to cover Guy Clark’s “New Cut Road” (in general more people should cover that song; Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris have)
This is probably going to show what a dinosaur I am in some ways…
The Eurythmics doing Helter Skelter by the Beatles
Jeff Beck doing The WASP by the Doors
Emerson Lake & Palmer doing Third Stone From The Sun by Jimi Hendrix
Sarah McClachlan doing I Had A King by Joni Mitchell
and just for pure weirdness…
Crystal Method doing Ball O’Confusion by the Temptations…
This is probably going to show what a dinosaur I am in some ways…
The Eurythmics doing Helter Skelter by the Beatles
Jeff Beck doing The WASP by the Doors
Emerson Lake & Palmer doing Third Stone From The Sun by Jimi Hendrix
Sarah McClachlan doing I Had A King by Joni Mitchell
and just for pure weirdness…
Crystal Method doing Ball O’Confusion by the Temptations…
I have this long-held obsession with the idea that Guns & Roses should cover “Hotel California”. Axl Rose + Slash circa 1987 could have done something kickin’ with that.
Also: I think the Breeders should get together (or, heck, it could just be the Deal sisters) and cover “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend”. I’d want that on a downbeat tempo, but with lotsa guitars.
I have this long-held obsession with the idea that Guns & Roses should cover “Hotel California”. Axl Rose + Slash circa 1987 could have done something kickin’ with that.
Also: I think the Breeders should get together (or, heck, it could just be the Deal sisters) and cover “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend”. I’d want that on a downbeat tempo, but with lotsa guitars.
Well, damn, I was going to pair Fields of the Nephilim up with someone (though not Hanson since no one can cover a Hanson song and turn it into anything listenable). After all, FotN did cover “In the Year 2525” and turned a bad song into a pretty good song. Pretty good. Okay, listenable at least.
So instead, how about:
1. Tom Waits covering Fields of the Nephilim’s “Celebrate”
2. NFD covering Bruce Cockburn’s “If I Had a Rocket Launcher”
3. Marillion covering Roy Harper’s “When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease”
And in the spirit of the season:
4. Mogwai doing Handel’s Messiah
Metallica cover of the Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” or “Covered in Flowers” your choice.
or Celine Dion covering Joe Walsh’s “Confessor.”
Mike Doughty doing a small-rock version of Massive Attack’s “Inertia Creeps”.
Mike Doughty doing a small-rock version of Massive Attack’s “Inertia Creeps”.
Hmmm.
Tool (or A Perfect Circle) covering Pink Floyd’s album “Animals” (because, really, the songs are meant to be heard as a group, and there’s only five songs on the album anyway, and I’m not being at all greedy).
Hmmm.
Tool (or A Perfect Circle) covering Pink Floyd’s album “Animals” (because, really, the songs are meant to be heard as a group, and there’s only five songs on the album anyway, and I’m not being at all greedy).
Now ya done it. I’m gonna be thinking about this all day long. Here’s one more:
Primus covering Tom Waits’ “Clap Hands”
Even though I think it’s nearly impossible to do a Johnny Cash cover (just because the man was so good at what he did), I think I could live with Neko Case doing something of his. Maybe something like “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town,” or even (heresy!) “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”
Alternately, El-P and Aesop Rock doing Eric B. and Rakim’s “Lyrics of Fury,” complete with El-P beats. I just now thought of that, and it’s sick as hell. Damn.
I’ve been thinking for a while now that I would love to hear Enter the Haggis doing “Istanbul Not Constantinople” by They Might Be Giants.
I’ve been thinking for a while now that I would love to hear Enter the Haggis doing “Istanbul Not Constantinople” by They Might Be Giants.
Oh God. This is an addiction.
The Polyphonic Spree- Blinded By The Light (The Manfred Mann Version)
J
Oh God. This is an addiction.
The Polyphonic Spree- Blinded By The Light (The Manfred Mann Version)
J
Ooh, got another one.
Kiss It Goodbye doing “At Least the Dark Don’t Hide It” by Magnolia Electric Co.
Or, Magnolia Electric Co. doing “What If” by Kiss It Goodbye.
Either way.
I’ve always wanted to hear Tom Waites do As Time Goes By. Misty would be another great one for him.
I’ve always wanted to hear Tom Waites do As Time Goes By. Misty would be another great one for him.
I know it doesn’t count since I think they broke up ages ago, but I always thought Pansy Division really needed to do a cover of Son of a Preacher Man.
If ever there was a song asking for a Queercore cover, and if ever there was a queercore band that would have lots of fun doing it …
I was trying to think of who I’d like to hear covering Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money”, but I think they’d all sound great. Elvis Costello, Springsteen, Dixie Chicks.
And a reggae version, too.
“The Polyphonic Spree- Blinded By The Light (The Manfred Mann Version)”
OOOOOHHH That WOULD be interesting.
“The Polyphonic Spree- Blinded By The Light (The Manfred Mann Version)”
OOOOOHHH That WOULD be interesting.
Alternately, El-P and Aesop Rock doing Eric B. and Rakim’s “Lyrics of Fury,” complete with El-P beats. I just now thought of that, and it’s sick as hell. Damn.
WOOOOOOORRDDDDDDD!!!!
Billy Idol covering Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Oh, wait.
Eleni Mandell covering “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”
Evanescence covering Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”
Yikes.
Evanescence covering Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”
Yikes.
In the Johnny Cash vein: How about Beck covering “Delia’s Gone”?
To second & expand on others’ opinions here: Ben Folds (hisself or with the reconstituted band) covering just about anything.
In the Johnny Cash vein: How about Beck covering “Delia’s Gone”?
To second & expand on others’ opinions here: Ben Folds (hisself or with the reconstituted band) covering just about anything.
Prince doing an acoustic cover of I’ll Be Around.
Prince doing an acoustic cover of I’ll Be Around.
Tommy Petty covering “Instant Karma.”
Tommy Petty covering “Instant Karma.”
Oh, wow, Randy, another person who’s actually heard of The Polyphonic Spree. Nice.
On that note:
The Polyphonic Spree- Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve)
And, yeah, I definitely agree with the “Ben Folds Covering Anything” Motion.
J
U2 doing Radar Love
U2 doing Radar Love
Paul Simon covering Schoolhouse Rock’s Rufus Xavier Sasparailla.
Really.
Glen Phillips doing Tom Waits (just about anything, but “Heart of Saturday Night” would work wonders)
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones doing the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station”
Threadstealing:
My current favorite “I can’t believe they just did that” cover of recent years was Nickel Creek doing Britney Spears’ “Toxic” at the Vic in Chicago.
“I’d like to hear Tom Waits covering anything by Norah Jones. Or maybe singing Ave’Maria on a Christmas album.”
I’ve heard him sing Go Tell It on the Mountain with the Blind Boys of Alabama, and that’s NICE.
My two main choices, though, would be Elvis Costello and the Attractions doing TMBG’s “Until My Head Falls Off” or the Mighty Mighty Bosstones on Sleater-Kinney’s “Start Together,” which is already a perfect song but could be made even more perfect by a horn section and the gravelly vocals of Dickie Barrett.
“I’d like to hear Tom Waits covering anything by Norah Jones. Or maybe singing Ave’Maria on a Christmas album.”
I’ve heard him sing Go Tell It on the Mountain with the Blind Boys of Alabama, and that’s NICE.
My two main choices, though, would be Elvis Costello and the Attractions doing TMBG’s “Until My Head Falls Off” or the Mighty Mighty Bosstones on Sleater-Kinney’s “Start Together,” which is already a perfect song but could be made even more perfect by a horn section and the gravelly vocals of Dickie Barrett.
Annie Lennox covering Rush’s “I Think I’m Going Bald”
Barenaked Ladies- Life in a Northern Town (Dream Academy)
Barenaked Ladies- Cruel to be Kind (Nick Lowe)
Great Big Sea- Los Angeles Is Burning (Bad Religion)
Luther Wright and the Wrongs- YYZ (Rush)
Sleater-Kinney- We’ve got the Beat (Go-gos)
Deathcab for Cutie- Wouldn’t it be Nice (Beach Boys)
Metallica- The Hand that Feeds (NIN)
Anne Dudley (formerly of Art of Noise)- O Fortuna (ok, so it’s not a cover per se? But I’d love to see what she does with an arrangement/electronic incarnation of it)
I’d like to hear Joe Cocker sing pretty much any song from Rush. Actually, Joe Cocker could cover just about anyone and make it sound good. Let him have at that god-awful annoying James Blunt song “You’re Beautiful” and watch James Blunt curl up and weep in the corner for his lack of testicles.
So, Joe cocker + Anything = Teh awesome!!!11!
How about having Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance” ruined by Rick Rubin?
Or does remixing count?
If not, then how about “I am Asshole” by Dennis Leary redone by Ian Brown?
How about having Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance” ruined by Rick Rubin?
Or does remixing count?
If not, then how about “I am Asshole” by Dennis Leary redone by Ian Brown?
I’ve got to go with Rickie Lee Jones doing Randy Newman’s “Guilty,” complete with some of the trippy harmonies/dissonances she is so good at.
I’ve got to go with Rickie Lee Jones doing Randy Newman’s “Guilty,” complete with some of the trippy harmonies/dissonances she is so good at.
Wow, this is an awesome thread.
Denis,
I just checked, and I was able to find one cover version of “Only A Northern Song”. (I still think Ben Folds would do an amazing job with it). Jamie Hoover covered it on the He Was Fab George Harrison Tribute.
My pick, and it’s something that whet my appetite when it was rumoured to exist. A duet between Garbage’s Shirley Manson and Marylin Manson doing “Don’t You Want Me baby” (originally by the Human League).
Actually, that said, I’d love to hear Shirley Manson and Garbage do a whole album of covers. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting”, just to name a couple. I think she’d do a brilliant job with a Nick Cave song, too.
Brian Ibbott
Coverville.com
The Cover Song Podcast
Wow, this is an awesome thread.
Denis,
I just checked, and I was able to find one cover version of “Only A Northern Song”. (I still think Ben Folds would do an amazing job with it). Jamie Hoover covered it on the He Was Fab George Harrison Tribute.
My pick, and it’s something that whet my appetite when it was rumoured to exist. A duet between Garbage’s Shirley Manson and Marylin Manson doing “Don’t You Want Me baby” (originally by the Human League).
Actually, that said, I’d love to hear Shirley Manson and Garbage do a whole album of covers. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting”, just to name a couple. I think she’d do a brilliant job with a Nick Cave song, too.
Brian Ibbott
Coverville.com
The Cover Song Podcast
Gillian Welch covering:
Richard Thompson’s “Withered and Died”
and
Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows”
Plus, obligatory Beatles & Stones bit:
Oysterband covering the Beatles’ “It’s All Too Much”
Sinead O’Connor covering the Stones’ “Shine a Light”
Clapton performing Billy Thorpe’s “Children of the Sun” at my underwater bungalow where the acoustics are bitchin’. You all should come.
Susanna Hoffs covering “Beginning to See the Light” by Don George, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington and Harry James
k d lang covering “Beginning to See the Light” by the Velvet Underground
Susanna Hoffs covering “Beginning to See the Light” by Don George, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington and Harry James
k d lang covering “Beginning to See the Light” by the Velvet Underground
Kate Rusby covering “Broken Flag” by Patti Smith
Vienna Teng covering Paul Simon’s “American Tune”
Tori Amos doing “Surrender” by Cheap Trick (this could easily already exist).
Guns and Roses doing “Alex Chilton” by the Replacements.
The Donnas doing the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Theme.
Bruce Springsteen doing “First We Take Manhattan, Then We Take Berlin” by Leonard Cohen
I just heard Linda Ronstadt’s version of ‘It don’t matter anymore’ (Buddy Holly) which leads kind of naturally to Linda Ronstadt singing ‘Master of Puppets’ (Metallica)
Morrisey would do a splendid version of Richard Thompson’s ‘1951 Vincent Black Lightning’
I was going to suggest Johnny Cash singing ‘Shaddapa ya face’ by Joe Dolce to see if there is ANY song he couldn’t make listenable, only he’s dead and I really don’t want an encounter with his shade, so I’ll settle for a Talking Heads version..
I just heard Linda Ronstadt’s version of ‘It don’t matter anymore’ (Buddy Holly) which leads kind of naturally to Linda Ronstadt singing ‘Master of Puppets’ (Metallica)
Morrisey would do a splendid version of Richard Thompson’s ‘1951 Vincent Black Lightning’
I was going to suggest Johnny Cash singing ‘Shaddapa ya face’ by Joe Dolce to see if there is ANY song he couldn’t make listenable, only he’s dead and I really don’t want an encounter with his shade, so I’ll settle for a Talking Heads version..
Since this IS an open thread, I thought you’d be interested to know that (while watching a repeat of “breaking Bonaduce” on VH1) I witnessed what should be labeled “revenge of Bacon Cat.”
Bonaduce rubbed bacon all over his wife’s Chinese Crested dog, wrapped bacon around the dog’s collar, then walked it late at night with his children. The object was to attract wolves, I think.
Bruce Springsteen covering Richard Thompson’s “I Feel So Good” (with the full E St Band, not the folk musicians)
Porcupine Tree covering Traffic’s “Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys”
Green Day covering The Kinks’ “I’m Not Like Everybody Else”
Shakira singing Gershwin’s “Summertime”. The Janis Joplin version is a revelation, and Shakira has some of the same pliability in her voice, mutando mutandis.
Luciano Pavarotti doing the Love Boat theme or Roger Daltrey singing the theme song from The Greatest American Hero.
Luciano Pavarotti doing the Love Boat theme or Roger Daltrey singing the theme song from The Greatest American Hero.
I’d listen to:
– The Shins covering Radiohead’s “Let Down” (or any Radiohead song, for that matter)
– Norah Jones covering the Magnetic Fields “69 Love Songs” (sorry that’s too many songs… but it’s true)
– Gnarls Barkley covering just about any song in existence (again, breaking the rules but the songs would just be so fun!)
– Tom Waits covering Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye”
joss stone doing big country’s “just a shadow” all bluesy. is that possible?
tom waits covering sugarcubes’ “birthday”
i would’ve said that i’d like to hear what radiohead did with “bohemian rhapsody,” but then you turned us all on to muse, so we know the answer to that.
joss stone doing big country’s “just a shadow” all bluesy. is that possible?
tom waits covering sugarcubes’ “birthday”
i would’ve said that i’d like to hear what radiohead did with “bohemian rhapsody,” but then you turned us all on to muse, so we know the answer to that.
Dan says,
“So, Joe cocker + Anything = Teh awesome!!!11!”
If any of you have never heard Cocker’s versions of “Bird on a Wire” or “The Letter” on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen album…..go get it RIGHT NOW!!!
Why are you still here? Go get it NOW!
Dan says,
“So, Joe cocker + Anything = Teh awesome!!!11!”
If any of you have never heard Cocker’s versions of “Bird on a Wire” or “The Letter” on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen album…..go get it RIGHT NOW!!!
Why are you still here? Go get it NOW!
Vienna Teng covering “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” or any of the Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach/Hal David hits from the ’60s.
Muse might as well go ahead and record “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but just before the operetta section thread in bits of “Come Sail Away.”
Beyonce singing ‘Hurt’ (the Johnny Cash version)
Marilyn Manson doing ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles
Iron Maiden doing ‘Hotel California’
Okay, stop it, stop it now.
Beyonce singing ‘Hurt’ (the Johnny Cash version)
Marilyn Manson doing ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles
Iron Maiden doing ‘Hotel California’
Okay, stop it, stop it now.
When Genesis hits the road again next year they should do “Sledgehammer” or “Big Time” just to be funny.
And it occurs to me that now Yusuf (Cat Stevens) is back, he’d be a good one to cover “Point of No Return” by Kansas.
mia,
The genderqueer folk-pop band Girlyman does a very fun “Son of a Preacher Man” as an encore at their shows, which you may be able to find online somewhere.
mia,
The genderqueer folk-pop band Girlyman does a very fun “Son of a Preacher Man” as an encore at their shows, which you may be able to find online somewhere.
Korn covering Michael Jackson’s “Bad”
Got another: Nine Inch Nails covering REM’s “Everybody Hurts.”
Scissor Sisters performing Tommy. The whole thing.
Stephen Merritt covering the Bonzo Dog Band’s “I’m the Urban Spaceman.”
I’m a musical poseur, so grains of salt here:
Ray LaMontagne covers “Mind Glow” (Dinosaur Jr.)
the reunited Fugees cover “Get By” (Talib Kweli)
Tori Amos covers “We’re In This Together” (NIN) (Of course, she may have done that too.)
Tom Waits covers “King Earl” (Charlie Parr)
Portishead covers “Goldfinger” (Shirley Bassey) (Too obvious?)
Apocalyptica covers “Light Cavalry Overture” (Von Suppe)
The White Stripes cover “Corona” (the Minutemen) (And after hearing their cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, is there anything they can’t cover?)
Queens of the Stone Age cover “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (The Stooges)
Red Hot Chili Peppers cover “The Wreck of the Old 97”
Hey J (J of the first comment on this page), have you heard the Nostalgia 77 cover of Seven Nation Army? It’s worth tracking down.
I’m a musical poseur, so grains of salt here:
Ray LaMontagne covers “Mind Glow” (Dinosaur Jr.)
the reunited Fugees cover “Get By” (Talib Kweli)
Tori Amos covers “We’re In This Together” (NIN) (Of course, she may have done that too.)
Tom Waits covers “King Earl” (Charlie Parr)
Portishead covers “Goldfinger” (Shirley Bassey) (Too obvious?)
Apocalyptica covers “Light Cavalry Overture” (Von Suppe)
The White Stripes cover “Corona” (the Minutemen) (And after hearing their cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, is there anything they can’t cover?)
Queens of the Stone Age cover “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (The Stooges)
Red Hot Chili Peppers cover “The Wreck of the Old 97”
Hey J (J of the first comment on this page), have you heard the Nostalgia 77 cover of Seven Nation Army? It’s worth tracking down.
Not to break the train of thought, but why don’t you use the autosave feature? I believe every word processor has one. Sure prevents urges to throw the computer through the picture window!
They Might Be Giants covering “Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead”
They Might Be Giants covering “Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead”
Ginny, you have awesome taste in music. So few people even know about Melanie, and then to mention Billy Jack in the same post! WOW.
I would like to hear:
Nora Jones cover “Soul Sister Annie” by Melanie.
Ginny, you have awesome taste in music. So few people even know about Melanie, and then to mention Billy Jack in the same post! WOW.
I would like to hear:
Nora Jones cover “Soul Sister Annie” by Melanie.
Pat Benatar covering the Stones “You can’t always get what you want”
or U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
IMHO she has one of the best voices going.
Hey Jeff Hentosz,
I love Scissor Sisters, and Tommy is by far my favorite album. But, I’m really not sure about it. If I’m gonna pick a band to cover Tommy, I’m gonna have to go with Gnarls Barkley. It would be like nothing we’ve ever seen before.
J
I’m putting in an order to see Type O Negative gettin’ gothic on Cream’s White Room.
I’m putting in an order to see Type O Negative gettin’ gothic on Cream’s White Room.
David Gilmour covering Hotel California (Eagles)
**could you imagine Gilmour’s guitar work on this?**
I have long wanted to hear Tori Amos cover Rush’s “Available Light.” Like everyone else who mentioned Tori Amos covering something, I feel compelled to add “Granted, she just might have already done it.”
When I was a smidge younger I sent a request that she do so, along with an audio cassette recording of the song, to Tori, c/o her fan club. I mean, you never know.
I am very amused by “Annie Lennox: Rush’s ‘I Think I’m Going Bald'” upthread. I think it should be the B-side to Annie Lennox covering “A Farewell To Kings,” actually. That would be swell.
I have long wanted to hear Tori Amos cover Rush’s “Available Light.” Like everyone else who mentioned Tori Amos covering something, I feel compelled to add “Granted, she just might have already done it.”
When I was a smidge younger I sent a request that she do so, along with an audio cassette recording of the song, to Tori, c/o her fan club. I mean, you never know.
I am very amused by “Annie Lennox: Rush’s ‘I Think I’m Going Bald'” upthread. I think it should be the B-side to Annie Lennox covering “A Farewell To Kings,” actually. That would be swell.
Supernova’s Lukas Rossi doing a pared down acoustic version of Nik Kershaw’s Wouldn’t It Be Good.
Sarah Maclachlan singing Nirvana’s Pennyroyal Tea.
Gordon Lightfoot performing any Led Zeppelin song he chose.
Lovehammers- Yahweh (U2)
Rock Star Supernova- Don’t Change (INXS)
J
Lovehammers- Yahweh (U2)
Rock Star Supernova- Don’t Change (INXS)
J
The Magnetic Fields – One (Harry Nilsson)
Aimee Man – Perfect World (Liz Phair)
The White Stripes – Epic (Faith No More)
Old 97’s – You’re My Best Friend (Queen)
Cake – Anyone Can Play Guitar (Radiohead)
J, from your first post, check out the cover of Seven Natio Army by Nostalgia 77. Tres interesting!
I’ll take Elvis Costello’s ‘Pump It Up’ as covered by The Hold Steady.
And while we’re there, my girl Penny would like to hear the Violent Femmes cover ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ by Hunters and Collectors.
J, from your first post, check out the cover of Seven Natio Army by Nostalgia 77. Tres interesting!
I’ll take Elvis Costello’s ‘Pump It Up’ as covered by The Hold Steady.
And while we’re there, my girl Penny would like to hear the Violent Femmes cover ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ by Hunters and Collectors.
ooops-and a late entry. The Hold Steady to cover Melanie Safka’s ‘People in the Front Row’.
Hilltop Hoods sample it quite nicely in their track ‘The Nosebleed Section’ if anyones interested…
Metallica should play Beethoven’s fifth.
I’ve always wanted them to do that. It would be sooo heavy.
Actually, any metal version of Beethoven’s fifth could be great, but somehow I imagine Metallica doing it.
axl rose covering CCR’s “fortunate son”
axl rose covering CCR’s “fortunate son”
Mastodon covering Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” and “Storms in Africa.: Yes, I know this sounds like a violation of the “metal ‘Mmmbop’ principle,” but I’m serious. There’s a definite percussive drive in both songs that could make them fantastic metal tracks, and the last two Mastodon albums have shown that they can handle music with more complexity and depth than your average metal group; the final result could be fascinating.
Mastodon covering Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” and “Storms in Africa.: Yes, I know this sounds like a violation of the “metal ‘Mmmbop’ principle,” but I’m serious. There’s a definite percussive drive in both songs that could make them fantastic metal tracks, and the last two Mastodon albums have shown that they can handle music with more complexity and depth than your average metal group; the final result could be fascinating.
**mia**Pansy Division has covered “Son of a Preacher Man”–they used to, at least, have a link to their live version on their website.
It’s funny there’s so much Tom Waits here–I truly have always wanted to hear him cover Wham’s “Careless Whisper.”
**mia**Pansy Division has covered “Son of a Preacher Man”–they used to, at least, have a link to their live version on their website.
It’s funny there’s so much Tom Waits here–I truly have always wanted to hear him cover Wham’s “Careless Whisper.”
Oh, and someone needs to do “Jesus Built My Hotrod” on banjo.
Ooh! I know this one.
http://www.xkcd.org/c56.html
Monica, I don’t know if he plays banjo or not, but I know there’s one in his band…..and the voice would REALLY make it interesting….
Leon Redbone covering Jesus Built My Hotrod.
Monica, I don’t know if he plays banjo or not, but I know there’s one in his band…..and the voice would REALLY make it interesting….
Leon Redbone covering Jesus Built My Hotrod.
Sorry about the double-post, IE froze on me, and it didn’t look like it went.
Nikkita, Beethoven meets metal has already been done… They don’t do the whole thing, merely incorporate bits and pieces, but Trans-Seberian Orchestra has a CD called “Beethoven’s Last Night”
Sorry about the double-post, IE froze on me, and it didn’t look like it went.
Nikkita, Beethoven meets metal has already been done… They don’t do the whole thing, merely incorporate bits and pieces, but Trans-Seberian Orchestra has a CD called “Beethoven’s Last Night”
Ralph_Desmond, thanks! I work in radio, so I’m exposed to a lot of different types of music and have a pretty good knowledge of popular music…but my favorites tend to be the stuff I heard on AM radio in the `70’s growing up.
“You Could Be Mine” by the Del McCoury Band.
Diamanda Galas duetting with herself on “Dog and Butterfly.”
Barenaked Ladies doing Sugar’s “If I Can’t Change Your Mind.”
Butch Walker doing “Tonight It’s You” and Cheap Trick returning the favor by covering “Radio Tokyo.”
My Chemical Romance’s version of “A View to a Kill.”
Counting Crows doing the Indigo Girls’ “Cara Mia.”
Damien Rice and Lisa Harrigan on a “Beth/It’s Only Love” medley.
Lindsey Buckingham doing “When You Were Mine.”
Polly Jean Harvey’s “Stray Cat Blues.”
Bjork doing Roxy Music’s “The Thrill of it All.”
Scissor Sisters’ “Outshined.”
The Pogues’ “Here Comes A Regular.”
And finally, Terence Trent D’Arby doing all of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks.”
“You Could Be Mine” by the Del McCoury Band.
Diamanda Galas duetting with herself on “Dog and Butterfly.”
Barenaked Ladies doing Sugar’s “If I Can’t Change Your Mind.”
Butch Walker doing “Tonight It’s You” and Cheap Trick returning the favor by covering “Radio Tokyo.”
My Chemical Romance’s version of “A View to a Kill.”
Counting Crows doing the Indigo Girls’ “Cara Mia.”
Damien Rice and Lisa Harrigan on a “Beth/It’s Only Love” medley.
Lindsey Buckingham doing “When You Were Mine.”
Polly Jean Harvey’s “Stray Cat Blues.”
Bjork doing Roxy Music’s “The Thrill of it All.”
Scissor Sisters’ “Outshined.”
The Pogues’ “Here Comes A Regular.”
And finally, Terence Trent D’Arby doing all of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks.”
Sam Young, I’ve always said G’n’R should cover Fortunate Son. Can’t believe I forgot that one…
J
BNL covering Sugar is an awesomely good idea.
BNL covering Sugar is an awesomely good idea.
Monica,
Thanks! Found it, and it is everything I would have expected it to be.
* Oleta Adams covering Bowie’s “Man Who Sold the World”
* Mindy Smith recasting Sting’s “Russians” as “Muslims”
* James Hetfield of Metallica & Sinead O’Connor covering the Barbra Steisand/Neil Diamond “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore” (or really any duet by those two…)
* T-Bone Burnett doing The Captain & Tennille’s “Muskrat Love”
* Oleta Adams covering Bowie’s “Man Who Sold the World”
* Mindy Smith recasting Sting’s “Russians” as “Muslims”
* James Hetfield of Metallica & Sinead O’Connor covering the Barbra Steisand/Neil Diamond “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore” (or really any duet by those two…)
* T-Bone Burnett doing The Captain & Tennille’s “Muskrat Love”
The Shins cover “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard”.
I was also listening to “Purple Rain” (the song) last week and suddenly thought it screamed out for a ska cover. Take your pick of ska bands. I was thinking The Toasters or Bim Skala Bim, personally.
The Shins cover “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard”.
I was also listening to “Purple Rain” (the song) last week and suddenly thought it screamed out for a ska cover. Take your pick of ska bands. I was thinking The Toasters or Bim Skala Bim, personally.
I had a dream once of Juliana Hatfield singing the Flaming Lips’ “With You”. It was just so beautiful and forlorn.
1. Sly and Robbie covering “Godzilla” by BOC.
2. Scissor Sisters doing Little Feat’s “Rocket in My Pocket.”
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers interpreting “War Dance” by Killing Joke.
4. Los Lonely Boys Texicanizing “Jack Straw” by the Grateful Dead.
5. Type O Negative illuminating “Black Planet” by Sisters of Mercy.
That’s enough for now.
1. Sly and Robbie covering “Godzilla” by BOC.
2. Scissor Sisters doing Little Feat’s “Rocket in My Pocket.”
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers interpreting “War Dance” by Killing Joke.
4. Los Lonely Boys Texicanizing “Jack Straw” by the Grateful Dead.
5. Type O Negative illuminating “Black Planet” by Sisters of Mercy.
That’s enough for now.
Willie Nelson doing Cradle of Filth’s ‘Nymphetamine’
Cradle of Filth doing Willie Nelson’s ‘Night Life’
I married a very strange woman, thank the Lord.
I’d like to hear Spock’s Beard cover Miss American Pie.
RK Jones
William Shatner (Ben Folds on piano) covers “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet.
Neil Young covers “Slow Ride” by Foghat.
Just in time for Christmas, Chris Isaak covers “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby.
Smashing Pumpkins covers “Crush on You” by the Jets.
Heart covers “Violet” by Hole.
Henry Rollins, Cee-Lo Green, and Cake cover “Mama Told Me Not To Come” by Randy Newman (but pretty much by Three Dog Night).
Since “Hallelujah” has popped up, I’d like to hear what Bob Mould would do with it.
On a related note, John, today was one of WXRTs “Not By the Original Artist” Fridays. I didn’t hear much of it, but the Juliana Hatfield cover of “Every Breath You Take” was awesome.
Even more apropos — just now, a track from “If I Were a Carpenter” popped up on shuffle — Red Kross playing “Yesterday Once More.” That’s such an awesome album — Sonic Youth’s “Superstar” cover is haunting.
Since “Hallelujah” has popped up, I’d like to hear what Bob Mould would do with it.
On a related note, John, today was one of WXRTs “Not By the Original Artist” Fridays. I didn’t hear much of it, but the Juliana Hatfield cover of “Every Breath You Take” was awesome.
Even more apropos — just now, a track from “If I Were a Carpenter” popped up on shuffle — Red Kross playing “Yesterday Once More.” That’s such an awesome album — Sonic Youth’s “Superstar” cover is haunting.
Ooooh, I just thought of another:
Turbonegro covering Foghat’s “American Band.”
Ooooh, I just thought of another:
Turbonegro covering Foghat’s “American Band.”
The Cruel Sea’s “Naked Flame” covered by either Michelle Shocked or Suze deMarchi.
Linkin Park covering The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” or perhaps “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except for Me and my Monkey.”
John Mayer doing The Pretenders’ “Kid” — I’d love to hear where he would take Jim Honeyman-Scott’s wonderful jangly guitar solo.
Linkin Park covering The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” or perhaps “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except for Me and my Monkey.”
John Mayer doing The Pretenders’ “Kid” — I’d love to hear where he would take Jim Honeyman-Scott’s wonderful jangly guitar solo.
TV On The Radio covering “Easy Lover” by Phil Gordon (feat. Phil Collins)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers covering “Ocean Breathes Salty” by Modest Mouse
My Chemical Romance covering “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears
The Black Keys covering “Steady As She Goes” by The Raconteurs
Mos Def & Talib Kweli covering “Down Rodeo” by Rage Against the Machine
Nas & Jay-Z covering “What’s Beef” by Biggy
Sorry, this is addicting…
TV On The Radio covering “Easy Lover” by Phil Gordon (feat. Phil Collins)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers covering “Ocean Breathes Salty” by Modest Mouse
My Chemical Romance covering “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears
The Black Keys covering “Steady As She Goes” by The Raconteurs
Mos Def & Talib Kweli covering “Down Rodeo” by Rage Against the Machine
Nas & Jay-Z covering “What’s Beef” by Biggy
Sorry, this is addicting…
A friend sent me over with my picks:
Ben Folds Five covering “I Think I Love You” by The Partridge Family. Ben Folds doing it on his own just wouldn’t be the same.
The Dresden Dolls doing “I Thought You Were My Boyfriend” by The Magnetic Fields.
Poe covering Neil Finn’s “Don’t Ask Why.”
And a couple of silly ones: Ashlee Simpson covering R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” and Hilary Duff covering Prince’s “Baby I’m a Star.”
I also think there’s some twisted part of me that really wants to hear Jewel performing Dio’s “Rainbow in the Dark” on an acoustic guitar.
TORONTOist cover song catalog
http://www.torontoist.com/archives/2006/11/the_torontoist_2.php
TORONTOist cover song catalog
http://www.torontoist.com/archives/2006/11/the_torontoist_2.php
Ozzy Osbourne covering “Fire Lake”, by Bob Seger.
The Barenaked Ladies covering “The Trees”, by Rush.
Audioslave covering “The Shape of Things”, by Jeff Beck.
Ozzy Osbourne covering “Fire Lake”, by Bob Seger.
The Barenaked Ladies covering “The Trees”, by Rush.
Audioslave covering “The Shape of Things”, by Jeff Beck.
U2 doing George Harrison’s “What is Life?” or Raveonettes doing The Seekers, “World of Our Own.”
Late comment:
djscman- check out Chris Isaak’s Christmas Album from a couple of years ago and find your wish granted.
my favorite cover is Richard Thompson covering Prince’s “Kiss”, playing this game, how about the Cowboy Junkies covering Bruce Cockburn’s “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” or Johnny Cash’s “I Still Miss Someone”?