It’s hard to top an original, but some of these artists have either done just that or provided such new spin that you might just think it is the OG. Here are a few of my favourite covers that I think are worth putting on your playlist.
“I Can’t Make You Love Me/Nick of Time” – Bon Iver (Bonnie Raitt Cover)
This might be my favourite mash-up ever. Specifically, this live version from the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The piano part is interpreted to perfection with the right amount of feeling and finesse to match Justin Vernon’s falsetto.
“I’m On Fire” – The Staves, Gus Dapperton (Bruce Springsteen Covers)
I’m going to drop two covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire”. One has the impressive vocal harmonies of The Staves, and the other, an indie-electronic interpretation from New York’s Gus Dapperton.
“Jolene” – Miley Cyrus (Dolly Parton Cover)
I didn’t realize Miley Cyrus was such a talented vocalist until I saw this unplugged backyard session that blew me away. Her performance of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” provides deeper, earthier vocals that give the song a bit more grit than its original.
“Electric Feel” – Tash Sultana (MGMT Cover)
This 8-minute cover of MGMT’s “Electric Feel” is full of mesmerizing guitar loops performed to perfection by Australia’s Tash Sultana. As a sidenote, Triple J’s “Like a Version” segment has spawned some of my favourite fresh takes, so I strongly recommend subscribing to that channel. Be sure to give this one a listen!
“Tennis Court” – The Kite String Tangle (Lorde Cover)
While perhaps a providing a lighter, glossier vocal than its original, the electrical instrumentation on this Lorde cover quickly gets into your head – especially the wooden block sound effect.
“A Case of You” – James Blake (Joni Mitchell Cover)
James Blake completely re-envisions Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” with this version. I do find that James Blake is a bit like marmite, so you may hate or love this cover. I, for one, love it.
“You’ve Got the Love” – Florence & the Machine (The Source Cover)
I was shocked to learn that “You’ve Got the Love” was actually a cover from The Source’s ft. Candi Staton “You Got the Love” in 1991. It is truly night-and-day from the original.
What are some of your favourite cover songs?
