Very Good Lesser Known Cover Songs
I just spent many fruitless hours sofa shopping online trying to replace my dog’s smelly couch. Yes, he has his own couch. And no, I do not know the difference between a sofa and a couch. Winslow’s couch sits below our front window and acts as his patrol perch for a solid 18 hours a day. Because he is 16 years old and his little chicken legs ain’t what they used to be, we reconfigured the couch cushions to act as steps so he can climb up and down and bark at every delivery truck that dares to pass our house. As you’d imagine, this odd cushion configuration leaves a cushion void, but don’t fret, Winnie likes to fill the space and act as a crucial fourth cushion. Such a good boy.
What does this weird little slice of Jeff’s home life have to do with cover songs? Not really sure, but I needed a break from browsing home decor sites and hitting up youtube for some nostalgic deep cuts is always a nice distraction. Earlier in the day I heard the worst cover song of all time which, as we all know, is Guns N’ Roses doing that super dull Dylan song. Brutal. So, turning a negative vibe into a positive, I’ve decided to compile a list of exceptionally good renditions of classic and under-the-radar jams performed by alternative and punks bands. Feel free to let me know your favorite covers in the FB comments below.
One last covers-related thing, my high school band, Froot Loops, played “Wild Thing” (Murphy’s Law version), “Beach Blanket Bong Out” by JFA, and “Chinese Rock” by The Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers. Sadly, all recordings and VHS tapes of our performance were destroyed and do not appear below. Apologies to all you F-Loop fans.
“Hanging On The Telephone”
Original by The Nerves (1976)
Cover by Blondie (1978)
“The Back of Love”
Original by Echo & The Bunnymen (1982)
Cover by Burning Airlines (1999)
“Someday I Will Treat You Good”
Original by Sparklehorse (1995)
Cover by Alessandro Nivola (2002)
“Prisoners”
Original by John Denver (1972)
Cover by J Mascis and Sharon Van Etten (2013)
“Different Drum”
Original by Linda Ronstadt (with the Stone Poneys) (1967)
Cover by The Lemonheads (1990)
“Staring At The Rude Boys”
Original by Ruts (1980)
Cover by Dag Nasty (1988)
“Walk Unafriad”
Original by R.E.M. (1998)
Cover by First Aid Kit (2014)
“Go Your Own Way”
Original by Fleetwood Mac (1976)
Cover by Seaweed (1993)
“If You Have Ghosts”
Original by Roky Erickson (1981)
Cover by Ghost (2013)
“Raisans”
Original by Dinosaur Jr (1987)
Cover by Juliana Hatfield (1992)
“Wild in the Streets”
Original by Garland Jeffreys (1973)
Cover by Circle Jerks (1982)
“Eight Miles High”
Original by The Byrds (1966)
Cover by Hüsker Dü (1984)
“Strange”
Original by Wire (1977)
Cover by R.E.M. (1987)
“Crazy”
Original by Pylon (1981)
Cover by R.E.M. (1987)
“Enjoy The Silence”
Original by Depeche Mode (1990)
Cover by Nada Surf (2010)
“Mad World”
Original by Tears for Fears (1983)
Cover by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews (2001)
“Bring on the Dancing Horses”
Original by Echo & the Bunnymen (1985)
Cover by Lagwagon (1999)
“Better Things”
Original by The Kinks (1981)
Cover by The Bouncing Souls (2006)
“That’s When I Reach for My Revolver”
Original by Mission of Burma (1981)
Cover by Graham Coxon (2006)
