Music
It's time to get a little controversial.
The cover song has never been more fashionable than it is right now. Once an opportunity for artists to revamp a lost classic, these days a track need only be a week or two old before it cops a reimagining. We decided to take stock and reflect on 10 renditions that outshine the original. Things are about to get a little controversial...
José González – Heartbeats
Original by: The Knife
An acoustic version of an electro track? Leave it to the Swedes to do things differently. With Heartbeats, Gonzalez swaps The Knife’s razor sharp synths for acoustic guitar chords and his own beautifully forlorn voice, in the process crafting one of the greatest love ballads of the ‘00s.
Gary Jules – Mad World
Original by: Tears For Fears
Recorded for the soundtrack of cult film Donnie Darko, Gary Jules surprised everyone with an unexpected cover of Tears For Fears. Utterly depressing yet utterly brilliant.
Schneider TM & Kpt.michi.gan – The Light (3000)
Original by: The Smiths (There Is A Light That Never Goes Out)
We know we’re going to cop a lot of flack for this one, but let’s face it, pissing off Smiths fans never gets old. Put simply, you can’t deny the sheer brilliance of transforming what is considered one of the greatest songs of all time into a slab of computerised digital soul. Genius.
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
Original by: Leonard Cohen
There have been countless versions of Leonard Cohen’s 1984 hit Hallelujah, but Jeff Buckley’s seven-minute rendition remains the most emotionally wrought. It was, believe it or not, inspired by John Cale’s 1991 cover.
Iron & Wine – Such Great Heights
Original by: The Postal Service
Admittedly The Postal Service’s electronic cult hit Such Great Heights is pretty darn perfect, but Iron & Wine turn it into a dreamy folk ballad that’s so good you could be forgiven for thinking it’s the original.
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Original by: Nine Inch Nails
Seriously, who would have ever anticipated a country music icon like Johnny Cash covering an industrial rock song by Nine Inch Nails? But it’s that stark contrast – along with the haunting similarities between Trent Reznor and Cash in the lyrics – that makes this cover so damn good.
Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Originally by: The Zutons
Recorded with Mark Ronson for his covers album Version in 2007, Valerie remains a shining example of the truly unique vocal talent that was the late Amy Winehouse.
Interactive – Forever Young
Original by: Alphaville
Scoff at this inclusion if you must, but Interactive’s happy hardcore remix of Forever Young captures the spirit of lost youth – via MDMA-induced nights and raving dance floors – far better than Alphaville ever did. And they only needed the chorus and the Amen break sped up to 160bpm to do it.
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Original by: Gloria Jones
That Soft Cell managed to retain the heartbreak of a broken relationship within a groovy electro-pop track is why their edition of Tainted Love still stands the test of time.
The Fugees – Killing Me Softly
Original by: Roberta Flack
With Lauryn Hill’s striking and soulful tones at the centre, The Fugees created an unforgettable version of this classic song for a whole new generation to enjoy.
Honourable mentions...
Chromatics – Running Up That Hill
Original by: Kate Bush
It’s almost sacrilege to claim that anyone could better this '80s classic, but the Chromatics sure came close.
Elizabeth Rose – Rhythm Of The Night
Original by: Corona
Sydney songstress Elizabeth Rose’s cover of the 90s dance-pop hit Rhythm Of The Night stands out as one of the best cover versions in recent memory.
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