Listlessly List-Making since '91

COVERITUP!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

2:16 PM

So, I think I've finally decided on a sort-of theme for my blog: Lists. Specifically (for now), music-based lists. I've always been an avid list maker, and I'm always making weird music lists in my head, so I figured why not get it down on paper? (or in this case, blog it). I've already got one makeshift list on here, my youtube one, that I still stand by, but now its time for TMYB (ToMakeYouBelieve)'s Top Ten Music Covers (And Bottom 3, as usual)!

DIX: I Wanna Love You - The Maine
Akon cover
Maybe it's a personal preference, but after a while, Akon gets hella annoying. Hence, this cover by the Maine had a uncertain reception at first, but after a few listens, I began to realize how good it is. They basically took the annoying, whiney Akon voice out of it and made it much, much more enjoyable. This cover is on this list for one reason, and that is that the cover itself is better (WAY better) that the original.

Oh, and this cover can be found on the "Punk goes Crunk" album, which is filled with many other amazing hip hop / r&b covers by rock/scene/punk artists. I highly recommend it.

NEUF: Baby Doll - The (International) Noise Conspiracy
N.E.R.D cover
Unlike my #10 pick, this one's a bit different. I am an avid N.E.R.D song, but "Baby Doll" just didn't strike me as a hit. I am not, by any means, an "International Noise Conspiracy" fan. Like, I don't even know who the hell they are. All I know is, that this cover is totally amazing! They add this weird, quirky, indie vibe to a hip hop song. When I first heard this cover I was blown away at how catchy it is. It's funny because I found this song totally by accident; I was just scrolling through a filesharing blog about 3 years ago, and this sounded interesting so I downloaded it, and boy am I happy that I did.

I tried desperately to find this song on imeem, because I'm making a playlist (on the right >>), to go along with this blog, but its next to impossible. One day, when I'm not so lazy, I will upload it to my box.net account or something so that its awesomeness can be shared with the world!

HUIT: Fall At Your Feet - James Blunt
Crowded House cover
I'm sure everyone's heard the original on any old soft rock radio station, and it's okay. It's got the whole 80's vibe to it. Mr. Blunt, in his sexy, saultry(sp?) way, adds soul to this song. Plus, it's acoustic which makes it that much more intimate. I wouldn't say I'm a crazy fan of James Blunt, his music is very calming when it needs to be, but this cover is definitely my favourite song from him. It's flippin' amazing. I don't really know what else to say, just go check it out.

SEPT: Over My Head (Cable Car) - A Day to Remember
The Fray cover
It's already a given that I am passionately in love with The Fray, but this cover came quite unexpectedly. Firstly, since I love The Fray's music so much, I wasn't so sure some punk band could sing their song better (or as good) as they can. Boy, was I wrong. I wouldn't say that the cover is BETTER than the original, but they are both very different from eachother. The tone of the cover is totally the opposite of the original, yet it's still really good. Secondly, they are a screamo band. What? A screamo band doing a cover of the Fray?! Sounds like a weird combination, right? Wrong. It actually works. You will see this theme of screamo band covers again on this countdown. I actually really like it.

Oh, and another reoccuring theme: this cover is off of the "Punk Goes Pop" cd, another installment of the series from the #10 cover on this countdown.

SIX: Hips Don't Lie - Shakira ft. Wyclef
Claudette Ortiz (of City High) ft. Wyclef cover (originally named "Dance Like This")
Wait, what? Yeah, I know what you're all thinking: "Shakira didn't write this song?!" This cover is different from the rest in that the original is not as well-known as the remake. Only extreme Dirty Dancing II: Havana Nights (my all-time favourite movie..of all time...ever...of life..) fans will recognize this song. My first experiences with this song were in the steamy night clubs of Havana where Diego Luna danced it up with that white chick (I don't know or care what her name is, I just loveee Diego). I admit, I was pretty mad that Shakira went and remade this song and made it all famous. My favourite movie was not getting the credit for thing song. However, I eventually came around when I realized that the cover is pretty good. The reason why this is #6 is purely because it was so successful on the music charts, so this is not so much a personal preference as it is a general agreement that this cover is good.

Plus, Shakira does the boob dance in the video :).

CINQ: Feeling Good - Muse
Nina Simone cover
There's so many covers out there of this song (Michael Bublé, The Pussycat Dolls) , that I had to mention this one because it stands out. It's not only because I am completely and utterly obsessed with Muse either. Well maybe just a little. This song kind of introduced me to Muse's style, so it deserves a lot of credit. I had originally heard the Michael Bublé version, and I hadn't thought much of it, but when I heard Muse's rendition of it I fell in love. So, if any of you ever want to share my passion for Muse with me, this is a good song to get started on. It is simply amazing. It has Muse's retro rock feel to it without taking away from its original jazz roots. You can imagine how ecstatic I became when this song came on in the background of another one of my favourite movies, "Seven Pounds" (starring Will Smith). The combination of the two was almost orgasmic.

For another awesome Muse cover that didn't make this list, check out their rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" By Frankie Valli.

QUATRE: Killer Queen - Panic! At The Disco
Queen cover
This cover has a story behind it. I first heard it when I was at a Panic! At The Disco concert, and I really didn't know the song at the time but I knew quite a few Queen songs prior to hearing it so I was really intrigued that Panic! would make covers of Queen songs. Two of my friends that went with me already knew the song, and they were the only 2 people in the crowd that sang along. It was definitely a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. So, I went home and checked out the original for myself, and I instantly loved it. I heard it again, and saw it live when I went to see "We Will Rock You". Panic!'s cover, therefore, I feel, allows people of younger generations that never had the opportunity to be exposed to Freddie Mercury when he was alive to listen to their amazing, timeless music.

TROIS: Wonderwall - Cartel
Oasis cover
It get's a little tricky when an artists attempts to make a cover of a song that did exponentially well in it's glory days. This is the case for "Wonderwall". I mean, come on, it came out in the 90's and still kids today know all the words to it. It's just one of those timeless songs. That's why I was really, really impressed with this cover by Cartel. They're a pretty good band to start with, so I gave them a shot. They keep their version quite similar to the original, which is good I think because it could have easily been a disaster had an artist tried to change this song. Of course, Cartel adds a bit of their own punk vibe to it, which I think appeals to younger kids these days. It's simple, and it's a good cover, so go check it out!

DEUX: Let Go - Static Lullaby
Imogen Heap cover
I think the original Imogen Heap version is the iconic indie song of our generation. Everyone's got it on their ipod after they watched Garden State to show that they've got a little indie in them. It's a great song, but a little bland. I was actually quite into Imogen Heap and Frou Frou (their other band) at one point, so I know their style, and after a while Imogen Heap becomes like Coldplay/The Fray/ and so many other bands: repetitive. All their songs sound the same. By the way that is by no means an insult to the Fray or Coldplay because I love them both dearly. Static Lullaby is another screamo/electropunk band , so again this cover was quite unexpected. I must say though, this is one of my favourite covers of all time. It takes a totally soothing, calming song and flips it into a high energy, action-packed song. And I friggen love it. Please, PLEASE go check it out, even if you're not into the screamo thing (Cuz I really don't even like Screamo that much).

UN: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Tori Amos
Nirvana cover
This song simply just takes my breath away. The original was, of course a worldwide success and pretty much defined a generation of angsty teens in the early 90's, but I think this cover appeals to a whole new audience. This is because, the lyrics of the song completely translate into this genre of smooth, piano-based music. Plus, Tori Amos' amazing voice (I'm not really familiar with her other work as well, but I know she's a realy good singer) adds a whole different aspect to the song. Just like the James Blunt cover, this cover strips the original of all add-ons: drums, guitar, screams. It's simple, it's tranquil, and it's beautiful. Once I listened to it I knew that no other cover could ever measure up. I can't really put a finger on why; I've already mentioned the possible reasons. Everytime I listen to this song it gives me goosebumps. It's that good. One listen and you're hooked.

SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS THAT ARE GOOD BUT DON'T DESERVE PARAGRAPH-LONG DESCRIPTIONS:
- Africa by Karl Wolf (Cover of the ToTo song of the same name)
- Reach Out & Touch Me by Hilary Duff (Cover of Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode, which was remade byMarilyn Manson)
- You Give Love A Bad Name by Atreyu (Cover of the Bon Jovi song of the same name)

if you guys have any more suggestions, post it in the comments I'll check em out and put them on the honorable mentions list.

And now for TMYB's 3 Bottom of the Barrel Covers
(they really suck).

TROIS: Hip's Don't Lie - The Fray
Cover of...well...see #6 of the top ten list.
It was just a joke, I'm presuming, so, I'm gonna let it slide for my favourite band of all time. Forgive, but not forget.

DEUX: Welcome To The Record - Hellogoodbye
Cover of Sir Mix A Lot's "I Like Big Butts"
ugh. Need I say more?

UN: Jai Ho - The Pussycat Dolls , and any other PCD cover (Another One Bites the Dust, Feeling Good, etc, etc.)
Cover of A.H. Rahman
ITS JAI HO NOT JAY HO. other than that, it's pretty good.

Dishonourable Mention: any and every cover of "Crank That", because, why would you make a remake of a horrible, horrible song in the first place?!

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