Not that I'm trying to be controversial, but.. I feel like I'm the only person on the planet willing to admit that the Ca$h cover of "Hurt" was actually bad. Everyone seems to forget that at the time, when the album came out "Personal Jesus" was what people were paying attention to... no one liked the Hurt cover [it was too soon]. Not even Trent liked it at first, but after Cash's death I'm assuming he was under a ton a pressure to pretend it was awesome, and suddenly he changed his tune. Everyone completely forgets this. It's marketing.
Anyway... to stay on-topic, some of my favorite covers...
Yes, I did know that Trent wasn't keen on Cash's "Hurt" at first, but I don't think he caved to pressure. From what I can tell, over time he came to see how it had taken over the zeitgeist, making his original more or less moot. I'm convinced he never thought it was better than his version, just that it was no longer his. Maybe he eventually came to feel less protective of his "baby."
Love the Lemonheads' "Mrs. Robinson" -- one of the best. Hadn't heard that "Moonage Daydream" before. Considering how many covers of that one are out there (most of them awful), this was a great surprise. I didn't know the WDE song, so can't attest to the effectiveness of the cover by MBM.
I just heard a cover of Doobie Brothers' "Takin' it to the Streets" and I dig the sludgy, almost unrecognizable take they give it.
Almost? lol. I clicked before I read and I was like... "wait.. I thought I knew this song"... I had to look it up to make sure I wasn't losing it. I like their take on it, though.. I kinda wish the TITTS (lol) refrain was a little sludgier, just to make it that much more unrecognizable.
The MBM cover is a funny one because it's one of those songs that, until the internet [YouTube specifically], very few people even knew was a cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPKrampwNbM (I think he did it justice)
As far as "Hurt" goes: forgetting everything else... just listening to it.. how can you not hear that it's an old feeble man being being milked for one last hit? It's technically a bad performance, and it just *sounds* morally corrupt. It's not enjoyable to listen to at all.
Cash (pun very much intended) was Rick Rubin's personal little project starting in the mid-90s. Rubin is a total fraud of a "producer"... he basically "flipped" Cash.
"Gee this old dilapidated house has a such a large back catalogue we can just re-sell on CDs [remember it's the mid/late 90s], let's try to fix it up and get her back on the market!"
That's what all the albums leading up to the last one were... it's just none of them got much mainstream focus until "Personal Jesus"... and then after he died, "Hurt".
Seeing as it was still quite close to the 90s, 90s gimmicks were still being employed. At least 3 of them with this: 1) old people doing young people things (usually dancing or rapping) 2) doing covers of old songs and giving them a modern make-over [only this was a reverse take on that]. 3) Using death to sell plastic... now, ones and zeros — so green! [Actually, it's not even the 1s & 0s anymore, it's just the experience... "Streaming"]
All of this, plus the fact that the album [but really just "Hurt"] is more popular now than when it came out... or even 5 years after it came out, makes me suspicious of it all. This is marketing at play, it's not organic.
That Sonic Youth cover of Superstar is definitely a favorite of mine. I had that 1990s Schoolhouse Rock cover album back in the day and loved it! You’ve picked my favorite track with Three Is A Magic Number. I didn’t know about that Beck project, I really look forward to digging into that!
I’m also a huge Cat Power fan and could happily listen to Chan Marshall sing the phone book. What she did with Frank Ocean’s Bad Religion on her 2022 Covers album was nothing short of incredible for me: https://youtu.be/90qsTpEqjHA?si=ARrsYxBdMy-rMx5w
Lastly, I recently touched on anther of my favorite cover songs, Mark Lanegan teaming up with Maggie Bjorklund to cover Nutshell by Alice In Chains, just amazing: https://youtu.be/1m9IG66EUe0?si=L9IBAj_0UGeSfMJK
I haven’t heard that Lanegan cover, but I can only imagine how good it would be, as he had one of the best grunge voices (and all around voices) of all time. In fact, I’m sure I’ve heard several covers from him over the years, though the examples escape me. Oh, the porous memory....
Ohhhh I LOVE Metalachi! TRES is fantastic but I'm a huge fan of UNO; their takes on "Rainbow in the Dark" and "Livin' On A Prayer" are amazing!
Because I am nothing if not on brand: I've lately been listening a lot to Leoni Jane Kennedy's album of acoustic Rush covers. I highlighted one for today's song of the day, but her "Cold Fire" duet and "Different Zone" are must-listens as well.
And that Saturday morning cartoons cover album you shared is triply blowing my mind. What a lineup! And Tanya Donnelly and Kristin Hersh doing Josie and the Pussycats? How did I never know about that!?
Finally! Someone who responded to the Metalachi part!🤩 I’m sure you are right about Uno, it’s been a while since I listened to the older stuff but that was when I got into them so I am betting that I agree!
And you are going to explode my Rush brain this year. First, the Alex album and now a an acoustic covers album?
I remember when I first heard/saw the U.S. Army Band perform “Time Stand Still” after Neil passed and it was so emotional. I haven’t sought out covers of Rush for the most part though.
Thanks for shining a light on FR&B's "Inside Tracks," Steve! I'm incredibly proud of having whelped that lane out of an increasing amount of articles that organically emerged centered around my love of covers....we all seem to share that, don't we?!
For those who want to dig into more covers, my catalog of "Inside Tracks" can be found right over here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/inside-tracks Enjoy, Earworms and Song Loops readers, and thanks again, Steve!
You bet, Brad! I couldn't cover all the covers but had to cover the 'Stackers who are dedicated to uncover the secret (and not so secret) history of covers. Undercover of the night, indeed!
Are there covers on the album? Or simply that Alanis should be mentioned in all posts? :) Or maybe a reference to the broadway show which I suppose is made up of her songs, aka covers?
I Love Covers. Hayseed Dixie is quite excellent, and I really enjoyed Mariachi. I'm sure you've heard Me Too and the Gimme Gimmes. Another fun band. Good article, Steve!
I loved that School Houserock CD - still have the case but the CD itself is lost to the ages. The Blind Mellon cover is sublime- last song they ever recorded, I believe. Check out The Bad Plus’s cover of The Flaming Lips’ Feeling Yourself Disintegrate. One of my faves.
I will definitely check out that cover. Didn't know about it. The Bad Plus do great covers. I have the CD and the disc of Schoolhouse Rock; one of the few that I've saved!
Thanks for this great post. Of the ones you mention, I'm a fan of the Carpenters tribute and have also been listening to the Trevor Horn album and enjoying it. I love Cat Power's covers and recently wrote about the Dylan one (https://songstudies.substack.com/p/rearrange-their-faces-give-them-all).
One of my favourite albums from last year was The Endless Coloured Ways, a tribute to Nick Drake. Lots of great covers by John Grant, Fontaines DC, Liz Phair and my favourite Let's Eat Grandma.
A great album from a few years ago was Bill Callahan and Bonnie Prince Billy's Blind Date Party, where they collaborated with lots of great artists on cover versions during lockdown. https://open.spotify.com/album/561g6g50IxDAHeS2LRMsp8
Honestly, this is a topic I could talk about all day. I have two loooong Spotify playlists or weird/wonderful/favourite covers.
Thanks, Richard! Feel free to share your playlists of favorite covers! I have one going as well, though there are so many worthy songs, it’s kind of silly without more parameters.
Looking forward to checking out that Nick Drake tribute and the Blond Date Party.
I did stumble across a YouTube video of Beck and pals recording a version of Skip Spence’s song “Weighted Down” was unaware that it was pet of a bigger project.
Shit! I should have included that Laibach album! Though it’s a challenging listen. I saw them in concert on the tour of that album. Maybe I’ll write about that in a future post.
Oh my gosh, the Johnny Cash NIN cover is among my favorite covers of all time. I thought it was on the tribute album Covered in Nails. But I just looked and no. Hmmm.
And yeah, Cat Power has some amazing covers.
I appreciate the brain train I can already see this post taking me on🤣. Thanks, Steve!
Mad props should always go to Johnny's producer on that album, the incomparable Rick Rubin. 'Twas he who introduced Johnny to the song in the first place, and was behind the board to encourage Johnny to wring all of Reznor's angst out of it! And, good on Trent for all but handing the song over to Johnny's performance.
Thanks, Mike! That's right. My mind had it that it was on a NIN tribute album. No wonder I couldn't find it.
I do remember where I first heard the song. I was living in a 26-foot RV I called the Leprechaun. (It was a Chevy Leprechaun, so cleverly named.) I was parked at a spot in rural West Virginia, lying on the pink shag carpet. It was 2004, so the album had been out for a couple years it looks like. I think it was a gift from a friend.
When you dig into Rubin's career, there are so many writing and producing credits that are nothing short of ground-breaking and astounding! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rubin
When I saw your COW reference in the header I immediately thought thought about Pink Floyd's bovine album sleeve of Atom Heart Mother (1970, I believe). I know you were talking about covers for other musicians tracks. I suppose I have an eyeworm along with an earworm. 🤔
Not that I'm trying to be controversial, but.. I feel like I'm the only person on the planet willing to admit that the Ca$h cover of "Hurt" was actually bad. Everyone seems to forget that at the time, when the album came out "Personal Jesus" was what people were paying attention to... no one liked the Hurt cover [it was too soon]. Not even Trent liked it at first, but after Cash's death I'm assuming he was under a ton a pressure to pretend it was awesome, and suddenly he changed his tune. Everyone completely forgets this. It's marketing.
Anyway... to stay on-topic, some of my favorite covers...
- Meat Beat Manifesto's cover of "Asbestos Lead Asbestos" by World Domination Enterprises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsF5nmwAp3s
- Lemonheads' cover of "Mrs Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvMFm5nKeUc
- Brazzaville's cover of "Moonage Daydream" by David Bowie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG0zXO_tBFU
Yes, I did know that Trent wasn't keen on Cash's "Hurt" at first, but I don't think he caved to pressure. From what I can tell, over time he came to see how it had taken over the zeitgeist, making his original more or less moot. I'm convinced he never thought it was better than his version, just that it was no longer his. Maybe he eventually came to feel less protective of his "baby."
Love the Lemonheads' "Mrs. Robinson" -- one of the best. Hadn't heard that "Moonage Daydream" before. Considering how many covers of that one are out there (most of them awful), this was a great surprise. I didn't know the WDE song, so can't attest to the effectiveness of the cover by MBM.
I just heard a cover of Doobie Brothers' "Takin' it to the Streets" and I dig the sludgy, almost unrecognizable take they give it.
https://youtu.be/TWskTT62r0w?si=Jgma8qD7B3HtFvFF
Almost? lol. I clicked before I read and I was like... "wait.. I thought I knew this song"... I had to look it up to make sure I wasn't losing it. I like their take on it, though.. I kinda wish the TITTS (lol) refrain was a little sludgier, just to make it that much more unrecognizable.
The MBM cover is a funny one because it's one of those songs that, until the internet [YouTube specifically], very few people even knew was a cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPKrampwNbM (I think he did it justice)
As far as "Hurt" goes: forgetting everything else... just listening to it.. how can you not hear that it's an old feeble man being being milked for one last hit? It's technically a bad performance, and it just *sounds* morally corrupt. It's not enjoyable to listen to at all.
Cash (pun very much intended) was Rick Rubin's personal little project starting in the mid-90s. Rubin is a total fraud of a "producer"... he basically "flipped" Cash.
"Gee this old dilapidated house has a such a large back catalogue we can just re-sell on CDs [remember it's the mid/late 90s], let's try to fix it up and get her back on the market!"
That's what all the albums leading up to the last one were... it's just none of them got much mainstream focus until "Personal Jesus"... and then after he died, "Hurt".
Seeing as it was still quite close to the 90s, 90s gimmicks were still being employed. At least 3 of them with this: 1) old people doing young people things (usually dancing or rapping) 2) doing covers of old songs and giving them a modern make-over [only this was a reverse take on that]. 3) Using death to sell plastic... now, ones and zeros — so green! [Actually, it's not even the 1s & 0s anymore, it's just the experience... "Streaming"]
All of this, plus the fact that the album [but really just "Hurt"] is more popular now than when it came out... or even 5 years after it came out, makes me suspicious of it all. This is marketing at play, it's not organic.
I had a post a few months ago with some “lovely covers” for those that might be interested: https://open.substack.com/pub/joyinthejourney/p/jitj-playlist-002-lovely-covers
Yeah, I loved that covers playlist and piece you wrote! I think I had commented on it, but I can’t remember.
That Sonic Youth cover of Superstar is definitely a favorite of mine. I had that 1990s Schoolhouse Rock cover album back in the day and loved it! You’ve picked my favorite track with Three Is A Magic Number. I didn’t know about that Beck project, I really look forward to digging into that!
I’m also a huge Cat Power fan and could happily listen to Chan Marshall sing the phone book. What she did with Frank Ocean’s Bad Religion on her 2022 Covers album was nothing short of incredible for me: https://youtu.be/90qsTpEqjHA?si=ARrsYxBdMy-rMx5w
Lastly, I recently touched on anther of my favorite cover songs, Mark Lanegan teaming up with Maggie Bjorklund to cover Nutshell by Alice In Chains, just amazing: https://youtu.be/1m9IG66EUe0?si=L9IBAj_0UGeSfMJK
I haven’t heard that Lanegan cover, but I can only imagine how good it would be, as he had one of the best grunge voices (and all around voices) of all time. In fact, I’m sure I’ve heard several covers from him over the years, though the examples escape me. Oh, the porous memory....
Ohhhh I LOVE Metalachi! TRES is fantastic but I'm a huge fan of UNO; their takes on "Rainbow in the Dark" and "Livin' On A Prayer" are amazing!
Because I am nothing if not on brand: I've lately been listening a lot to Leoni Jane Kennedy's album of acoustic Rush covers. I highlighted one for today's song of the day, but her "Cold Fire" duet and "Different Zone" are must-listens as well.
ETA: Do you remember this album of Saturday morning cartoon covers? There was a good six months as a teenager when this is all I listened to. Weirdly, my introduction to both Sponge and Liz Phair: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Morning:_Cartoons%27_Greatest_Hits
And that Saturday morning cartoons cover album you shared is triply blowing my mind. What a lineup! And Tanya Donnelly and Kristin Hersh doing Josie and the Pussycats? How did I never know about that!?
Finally! Someone who responded to the Metalachi part!🤩 I’m sure you are right about Uno, it’s been a while since I listened to the older stuff but that was when I got into them so I am betting that I agree!
And you are going to explode my Rush brain this year. First, the Alex album and now a an acoustic covers album?
I remember when I first heard/saw the U.S. Army Band perform “Time Stand Still” after Neil passed and it was so emotional. I haven’t sought out covers of Rush for the most part though.
Thanks for shining a light on FR&B's "Inside Tracks," Steve! I'm incredibly proud of having whelped that lane out of an increasing amount of articles that organically emerged centered around my love of covers....we all seem to share that, don't we?!
For those who want to dig into more covers, my catalog of "Inside Tracks" can be found right over here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/inside-tracks Enjoy, Earworms and Song Loops readers, and thanks again, Steve!
You bet, Brad! I couldn't cover all the covers but had to cover the 'Stackers who are dedicated to uncover the secret (and not so secret) history of covers. Undercover of the night, indeed!
Thanks for sharing my Coverville lists, Steve. As is often the case, I left off three must-hear covers. IMHO, these interpretations are bulletproof.
"Woodstock" (Grace of the Sun, 2004) - Richie Havens <https://music.apple.com/us/album/woodstock/216008881?i=216008942>
"Who Knows Where the Time Goes" - Eva Cassidy <https://youtu.be/s_5rjM10Chs?si=pRv6ibaIf5przv1d>
"Tam Lin" - Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer <https://youtu.be/c3yTEUnyYDA?si=kgRSuXEhtaW8FEj6>
Thanks for adding a few folk classics to the list!
Jagged little pill- it’s always Alanis for me
Are there covers on the album? Or simply that Alanis should be mentioned in all posts? :) Or maybe a reference to the broadway show which I suppose is made up of her songs, aka covers?
I mean more that she should be covered in all your posts 🙄. Why miss an opportunity to include her awesomeness?
Ha! See you are already using all the words! An alternate definition of the word "cover"!
I Love Covers. Hayseed Dixie is quite excellent, and I really enjoyed Mariachi. I'm sure you've heard Me Too and the Gimme Gimmes. Another fun band. Good article, Steve!
Here's a cover playlist I made for Brad once upon a time...https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7z4shhROX5YsZBhfQrtTjI?si=9eceb1dfd4ef4ff0
And, lest we forget, Paul, the fabulous covers thread we pulled, and managed to unravel many terrific responses and covers: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/open-threadjoin-us-under-the-covers/comments
lest. I. forgot.
Nice! Thanks, Paul!
I loved that School Houserock CD - still have the case but the CD itself is lost to the ages. The Blind Mellon cover is sublime- last song they ever recorded, I believe. Check out The Bad Plus’s cover of The Flaming Lips’ Feeling Yourself Disintegrate. One of my faves.
I will definitely check out that cover. Didn't know about it. The Bad Plus do great covers. I have the CD and the disc of Schoolhouse Rock; one of the few that I've saved!
Just here to say that everyone deserves to hear Shonen Knife’s cover of ‘Top of the World’ at least once.
Definitely. I saw them play right before the pandemic and they played it live. So good.
Thanks for this great post. Of the ones you mention, I'm a fan of the Carpenters tribute and have also been listening to the Trevor Horn album and enjoying it. I love Cat Power's covers and recently wrote about the Dylan one (https://songstudies.substack.com/p/rearrange-their-faces-give-them-all).
One of my favourite albums from last year was The Endless Coloured Ways, a tribute to Nick Drake. Lots of great covers by John Grant, Fontaines DC, Liz Phair and my favourite Let's Eat Grandma.
https://open.spotify.com/album/41NPRAXWRq1a5JKOfxvkfE
A great album from a few years ago was Bill Callahan and Bonnie Prince Billy's Blind Date Party, where they collaborated with lots of great artists on cover versions during lockdown. https://open.spotify.com/album/561g6g50IxDAHeS2LRMsp8
Honestly, this is a topic I could talk about all day. I have two loooong Spotify playlists or weird/wonderful/favourite covers.
Thanks, Richard! Feel free to share your playlists of favorite covers! I have one going as well, though there are so many worthy songs, it’s kind of silly without more parameters.
Looking forward to checking out that Nick Drake tribute and the Blond Date Party.
Here’s one of them. It started with some subthemes in mind but then got a bit out of hand. I enjoy playing it when people are visiting for the surprise factor. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dHzvyNY8i9V36LVo7xTjG
I did stumble across a YouTube video of Beck and pals recording a version of Skip Spence’s song “Weighted Down” was unaware that it was pet of a bigger project.
Also, Laibach’s “Let it be”? Weirdness!!
Shit! I should have included that Laibach album! Though it’s a challenging listen. I saw them in concert on the tour of that album. Maybe I’ll write about that in a future post.
Yeah. It was always more of a novelty. Wouldn’t put it on at a party, unless it was to make people leave.
Oh my gosh, the Johnny Cash NIN cover is among my favorite covers of all time. I thought it was on the tribute album Covered in Nails. But I just looked and no. Hmmm.
And yeah, Cat Power has some amazing covers.
I appreciate the brain train I can already see this post taking me on🤣. Thanks, Steve!
Mad props should always go to Johnny's producer on that album, the incomparable Rick Rubin. 'Twas he who introduced Johnny to the song in the first place, and was behind the board to encourage Johnny to wring all of Reznor's angst out of it! And, good on Trent for all but handing the song over to Johnny's performance.
Right?! What album was it? It’s living in a long ago place in my brain I can’t retrieve.
"American IV: The Man Comes Around": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_IV:_The_Man_Comes_Around
I think it was that video that landed Rubin on my radar....I mean, my goodness!!!
Thanks, Mike! That's right. My mind had it that it was on a NIN tribute album. No wonder I couldn't find it.
I do remember where I first heard the song. I was living in a 26-foot RV I called the Leprechaun. (It was a Chevy Leprechaun, so cleverly named.) I was parked at a spot in rural West Virginia, lying on the pink shag carpet. It was 2004, so the album had been out for a couple years it looks like. I think it was a gift from a friend.
And thanks for now putting Rubin on my radar. :)
When you dig into Rubin's career, there are so many writing and producing credits that are nothing short of ground-breaking and astounding! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rubin
When I saw your COW reference in the header I immediately thought thought about Pink Floyd's bovine album sleeve of Atom Heart Mother (1970, I believe). I know you were talking about covers for other musicians tracks. I suppose I have an eyeworm along with an earworm. 🤔
Atom Heart Mother.. clever sleeve, rubbish album.
Ha- yeah, I used to explain the meaning of the COW each time but then got bored with it. I think I like Atom Heart Mother more than you!;)
LOVE Sonic Youth's cover of "Superstar." So so beautiful.
For sure. One of the top 10 covers of all time.
Thanks for the shout-out, Steve. Much appreciated.