The 20 Best Covers according to Juice
Posted on February 4th, 2008. Filed under: Music.Well ya know, I’m not pretty stoked at the fact that out of all of my friends who are enjoying their stress-filled lives with schoolwork and projects and waking up early, I’m the only one left who’s bumming around and sleeping up to 15 hours a day. I shouldn’t be complaining, but when it’s almost 3 months down the line, my life’s becoming a little more bleak than it is. Jai guru deva om anyway.
So here now, I present to you, my Top 20 best covers. Not necessarily of all time, but from the ones I definitely enjoy listening to. Artists could either make or break it with their songs, in this case, they totally made it.
UPDATE: Songs available for download HERE. You know what to do.
20. Quietdrive - Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper, 1983)
I don’t think many people agree with me on this one. Some rock band covering a hit song by the legendary Ms. Lauper, but in my ears, I think they pulled it off. The band gave it a distinct sound while sticking to the melodies.
19. Sixpence None The Richer - Don’t Dream It’s Over (Crowded House, 1986)
There’s not much difference between the original one and this one in terms of the song, but Leigh Nash’s voice is calming.
18. Nouvelle Vague - I Melt With You (Modern English, 1982)
There’s nothing Nouvelle Vague can’t do. I was contemplating on choosing between this one and Love Will Tear Us Apart, but another band’s already got that one covered for me.
17. Fall Out Boy - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division, 1980)
Nouvelle Vague’s version was still my favorite, but I thought it wouldn’t be fair to put them twice on the list, so I opted for my 2nd best version. Although Patrick Stump’s voice can get a little bit irritating towards the end, I just really like the guitar arrangements.
16. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Dear Prudence (The Beatles, 1968)
This is probably the oldest cover in the list, since Siouxsie and the Banshees covered this all the way back in 1983, but the synths are awesome!
15. Scott Simons - Umbrella (Rihanna, 2007)
When you can’t stand the original but still like the melody, this is the next best alternative. He kind of channeled The Postal Service in this one, but hey, I’m not complaining.
14. Stereophonics - Don’t Let Me Down (The Beatles, 1969)
Hello Kelly Jones’ husky yummy voice!
13. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (Oasis, 1995)
I quite liked the way he changed the singing style because Liam Gallagher’s voice can just get so distracting sometimes. And the acoustic feel of course.
12. Lily Allen - Oh My God (Kaiser Chiefs, 2005)
You gotta give props to Mark Ronson. His whole “Versions” album is the shit. The intro in this one, totally out of this world. Lily Allen’s signature heavy Brit accent helps too.
11. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (The Zutons, 2006)
Mark Ronson changed the tempo and made it a little bit faster than the original and the genre changed from uptempo rock to funk-style pop. Brilliant.
10. Tally Hall - Smile Like You Mean It (The Killers, 2005)
Listen listen listen!!!! I love how they made it so dramatic, fit for the song.
9. Joss Stone - Fell In Love With A Boy (The White Stripes, 2002)
This was Joss Stone’s introduction to the music world. She nailed it with this cover, her soul-filled and blues voice totally did justice to the original, and the arrangement was kick ass as well. I don’t know why I don’t really like her original songs though.
8. All Saints - Under The Bridge (Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1991)
The original is one of my favorites from RHCP, and this cover was different in its own way. Some people may hate it and think that it was totally crap, but for me, All Saints worked it out. I love it. I love how they turned the song towards a totally different direction.
7. The Fugees - Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack, 1973)
My first song of this genre. This song is a legend of it’s own, I mean nobody can forget the lines “Strumming my pain with his fingers (ONE TIME!)”. Lol.
6. Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana, 1991)
It speaks for itself, especially when you listen to it.
5. Iron & Wine - Such Great Heights (The Postal Service, 2003)
This is probably one of my most favorite songs from TPS, and hearing Iron & Wine cover it in a much slower version didn’t take my love for it nonetheless. It’s so deep and full of emotion.
4. Dashboard Confessional - Better (Regina Spektor, 2006)
This song, Shinji introduced it to me. The minute I listened to it, I think I kind of fainted a little. Originally with piano, Dashboard arranged it with guitars and various strings instead and when you put that with Chris Carraba’s voice, you get the ultimate melodic song.
3. Rufus Wainwright - Across The Universe (The Beatles, 1969)
This is probably the most covered song ever, with over more than 25 artists I think but Rufus’ was my favorite, with Fiona Apple’s version coming in close second and Jim Sturgess’ for the movie Across The Universe in third. Needless to say, Rufus is an amazing musician and there was no doubt he couldn’t do this song with justice.
2. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen, 1984)
If there’s one thing Leonard Cohen didn’t deliver from the original, it’s the timeless sound of this one and of course, the dreaminess of Jeff Buckley’s voice.
1. Feist - Inside And Out (Bee Gees, 1979)
This is my number one cover. Probably the reason why Feist’s Let It Die album was soo good, this was one of my favorite songs. I don’t know how to explain it, but this song just gives me so much.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
No links to pirated MP3s? :-P
February 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Never read some Beatles’ “Across the Universe” reference in a while. Cool. Great.
I was thinking of album covers. But I was fooled. Hehe. Anyway…
Quietdrive’s rendition is a-ok, but INOJ’s R&B version is loads better.
For some reason, I don’t have a liking for Sixpence’s version of that song. Sounds like goat-ish to me lol. Their “There She Goes” is more like it.
Liam Gallagher’s voice can just get so distracting sometimes. Haha, where the hell did you get that insane idea? lol.
I hate All Saints’ Under The Bridge with a passion. Don’t ask why.
Lauryn Hill and her cohorts put that song to a new level, alright.
You really, really, really love Feist, huh? You know what? I DO, TOO!
Ok, I just skimmed this entry super fast. I’ll be back with my honest-to-goodness opinions when I’m normal again alright WTF.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I love Rufus Wainwright’s Across The Universe. I’m a big fan of the original, but I feel that the cover captures the song’s essence better.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I was downloading covers of songs I like earlier today and I had this exact idea! Damn, now I’m going to have to credit you for it.
I always though The White Stripes covered Joss. *learnt something new*
February 4th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I didn’t like Iron & Wine’s cover of Such Great Heights. But yeah, I have to agree with you. It is full of emotions.
Hmm… Have you listened to TPS’s own cover of Phil Collins’s Against All Odds? It’s a good one.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Inside and Out! I was listening to that track all throughout my 2006 trip to Baguio & Sagada and back. And yes, I have to agree that Let It Die is twice the album that The Reminder is. I couldn’t listen to TR without skipping songs, unlike LID where everything just flows smoothly from one track to the next
February 5th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Girl, I am with you except for the 15 hours a day of sleep. I can’t do that,I’d ridiculously get in trouble and be inquired as to why I’m sleeping sooo long/til late. haha! I’m bumming it hardcore at home and it’s depressing because I don’t like being home not doing shit. I like being productive and doing something with my life lol~~!
February 5th, 2008 at 9:11 am
All I know was Jason Mraz covering I Melt With You way back…. 2004? Lol. And really, Dashboard covered Regina Spektor?
February 5th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
…Gah. I want to listen to the Regina Spektor cover by Dashboard Confessional. Can you tell me where to find it?
February 6th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I agree with Joyful Chicken: SHARE!!! I only have Amy Winehouse’s version of Valerie. John Legend did a pretty good job with Umbrella, too.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I love your choices for Items 9 and 8.
Champion yung number 3 mo. I love that Rufus Wainwright cover.
By the way, I jumped into this blog, care of Kevin, aka. Utakgago.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I think I have heard number 4 before. I’ll check youtube for a vid or something
February 7th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
wow! i want too hear dashboard’s!!!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Oh, oh, oh! I am so in love with 17, 9, 7, and 6! I personally like Fiona Apple’s cover of “Across the Universe” a lot more than Rufus Wainwright’s. And I absolutely need to listen to Lily Allen’s cover of the Kaiser Chief’s “Oh My God.” I love that song, so I’m interested to know what she’s done with it.
February 9th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Don’t you like Marie Digby’s cover of Umbrella?
February 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Great List! You mentioned some of my favorite covers! All Saints, Under The Bridge, wonderful. Thanks for telling me about that dashboard confessional cover!
February 10th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Time after time (Cindy), and Fall out boys should of been in top 5 :P (or at least top 10 hehe).
Everyone has their own taste for music, everyone should respect each others:)
February 11th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Wow, thanks for this list. I completely agree with #2 and #3! such gorgeous songs!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
My personal favorites are 5 and 7. Especially number 5, I like it better than the original.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I see several favorites up there as well as several more I have to check out. And of course…several that should be on there asap! Tell what, I’ll check out the several on here and I’ll report back on which ones I liked…meanwhile, I’ll give you some suggestions as well.
I might suggest a handful from that Gap Favorite Songs promo comp that was released a while back (John Legend, Joss Stone, Jason Mraz, Brandon Boyd from Incubus, and others).
And…
White Stripes - Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)
Fiona Apple - I Want You (Elvis Costello cover) Damien Rice - Creep (Radiohead cover)
John Mayer - Kid A (Radiohead cover)
KT Tunstall - I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
and if you’re gonna have Lily Allen’s “Oh My God” up there, you gotta have Amy Winehouse’s cover of the Zuton’s “Valerie.”
I’m all suggested out now…all right, time to find illegal downloads of songs on your list.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Michael: I did have Amy Winehouse’s Valerie! It’s right below Oh My God haha :P guess you missed that.
Dammit, I need to check that Gap thing you’re talking about pronto. Anything that has to do with Incubus I have to listen.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Actually, I TOTALLY agree with you on “20. Quietdrive - Time After Time”. Loved it more than the original.
Ditto on #7 and #15 - good (#15 by original wailer… which I normally CANNOT STAND… my ears bleed thinking about it).
February 18th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Hey girl! Just wanted to drop by and say hello..see how you’re doing
February 19th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Yeah…I guess I did miss it. Man…my internet’s been rather spotty lately and I’ve been busy so I haven’t been able to check out the list.
I’ll probably come back here like 8 months from now and post how I feel about the songs…haha