I listen to music all the time: on my way to class, when I’m studying, when I wake up, before I go to bed, and many other times throughout the day. Sometimes, a song really hits me… other times, it takes another version of the song to get the message across. Some people might say, “Don’t mess with the original!” but, in my opinion, some songs are just the base of a greater work waiting to be created. Here are thirteen cover songs that I like just as much (or better) than the original piece!
I got 99 problems and this song ain’t one.
Habits (Tove Lo) – Postmodern Jukebox Ft. Haley Reinhart
As you’ll see, Postmodern Jukebox makes a few appearances in this list. While I like Tove Lo’s pop song, Haley Reinhart’s sultry voice adds a new edge and dimension to the emotion of the song.
Hit ‘em Up Style (Blu Cantrall) – Carolina Chocolate Drops
Nothing improves a pop song like an old-time string band.
Love Lockdown (Kanye West) – Glass Animals
Glass Animals have the power to make any song super chill, and their cover of Kanye’s song is no exception. Also, a song with a recorded cough? Pretty cool.
Steady As She Goes (The Ranconteurs) – Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae also covered “Sexyback” by Justin Timberlake, and as is the case with that cover, here she takes a simple song and infuses it with her smooth, sultry voice. The original song, and this version are both effortlessly cool, but it quite different ways, while the original is almost hard to understand through the screech of electric guitars, Rae’s stripped-down jazz version gets to the real heart of the song.
Source: fanart.tv
Blank Space (Taylor Swift) – Brooklyn Duo
The Brooklyn Duo is an insanely talented duo and married couple making music on Youtube. While I like Swift’s original as a quirky self-reflection, this cover gives the song an emotional quality that the original seemed to lack.
Problem (Ariana Grande) – Hozier
I’ll admit to running to Grande’s original song at the KAC. However, I think Hozier’s indie rock twist completely transformed this track.
Hot in Herre (Nelly) – Jenny Owens Young
While Nelly’s 2002 song was a shocking staple of my childhood, there’s something about the way Jenny Owns Young changes the song so significantly that takes you by surprise. I love this cover because I don’t have to make a choice between Owens Young and Nelly – the two seems to exist in two different worlds.
Source: Youtube.com
Sugar (Maroon 5) – Kevin K.O Olusola
Obviously, I’m a sucker for the cello sound. Also beatboxers. K.O. is not only both of these things, but also a member of the ever-popular a capella group Pentatonix. His skill is limitless, and his cover of “Sugar” is just a small, sweet taste of this.
Talk Dirty To Me (Jason Derulo) – Postmodern Jukebox Ft. Robyn Adele Anderson
While I appreciate Derulo’s pop vibe, Postmodern Jukebox reimagines the song with powerful vocalist Anderson. This song not only has klezmer violin, but also a Yiddish rap-break. I repeat: a Yiddish rap break.
Super Freak (Rick James) – Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, John Anderson
I think the real draw of this cover is how unexpected it is. Who would have imagined funk song about promiscuity transformed into a bluegrass ballad?
Valerie (The Zutons) – Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
Although The Zutons released this song in 2006, Windhouse made it a hit. There’s just something in the way that Ronson and Winehouse bring the tale of Valerie to life that always stays with me.
Stacy’s Mom (Fountains of Wayne) – Postmodern Jukebox Ft. Casey Abrams
Stacy’s mom was all about that bass.
Honorable Mention: Once in a Very Blue Moon (Nanci Griffith) – The Handsome Devils
Although sadly I have no recording of this, I can’t listen to Nanci Griffith’s sad country ballad without craving the warm sounds of a cello, the careful plucking of a guitar, and the soft crooning that always comes with a performance by Kenyon’s very own Handsome Devils.
And there you have it! Hope these songs make it into one of your iPhone Music playlists!