Yule Shoot Your Eye Out [Skyway Traffic / Fallout Boy] 12 Days Of Covers

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Merry Christmas, I could care less ...

Merry Christmas Baby [Three Blazers / Southern Culture on The Skids] 12 Days of Covers

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This is one of my favorite Christmas song, cover or not. Although the fact it's a cover certainly helps things. Covering the Three Blazers 1947 song, here's Southern Culture On The Skids (Or SCOTS for those hip) camel walking a kick ass cover of Merry Christmas Baby.

The Christmas Song [Hootie and the Blowfish / Mel Torme] 12 Days Of Covers

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I wonder if the Velvet Fog, Mel Torme realized his legacy would be as a joke on Night Court? Here's Hootie and His Blowfish covering The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).

Baby, It's Cold Outside [Lady Antebellum / Ricardo Montalban & Ester Williams] 12 Days Of Covers

  

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Have you ever actually listened to the words of "Baby, It's Cold Outside?" The guy tells the girl to stay, and the girl asks "Say What's in this drink?" So it's a song about date rape. Merry flippin' Christmas.

It was first recorded for the movie "Neptune's Daughter" by Ester Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Wait a minute .... Ricardo Monalban? I guess on Fantasy Island date rape it okay, or something.

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) [Death Cab For Cutie / Darlene Love] 12 Days Of Covers

 

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Darlene Love's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) has been called the greatest rock Christmas song ever. She performs it yearly on Letterman's last show before Christmas. In all it's a classic. Here's Death Cab For Cutie taking a stab at it.

Do They Know It's Christmas [Weston and Bouncing Souls / Band Aid] 12 Days Of Covers

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 I always thought a singing a Christmas song for African famine relief was kinda weird because I don't think of Africa as a continent that does a whole lot of Christianity anyway. I mean they ask, "Do they know it's Christmas time?" and my thought has always been, "No, they don't and likely don't care." Maybe I'm dumb though. Anyway here's Weston and Bouncing Souls covering the Bob Geldolf penned tune

In a Big Country [Dashboard Confessional / Big Country]

 

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In a Big Country, dreams stay with you ... but for some reason the name of the bad that originally recorded this Dashboard Confessional cover didn't stay with me. I had to search the internet. Apparently the band that originally recorded the song "In A Big Country" was in fact Big Country. So ... thanks Wikipedia. *facepalm*

Justice For All My Lovin' [Beatallica / Beatles & Metallica]

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I could explain to you the concept of the band Beatallica, but if you can't guess by the name of the band or the name of the track ... leave now.

I Want Candy [Bow Wow Wow; Aaron Carter; Melanie C/ Strangeloves ] Deep Cover & Cover to Cover

"I Want Candy" is best known as recorded in the early days of MTV. But in reality it's originally a 60's surf-abilly song by the Strangeloves. Also apparently it's one of those songs that seems innocent at first, but then you find out it is about sex.

Which is kinda scary because the most popular cover of the song was done by Bow Wow Wow, who at the time had a 15 year old lead singer.

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So less scary is the version done by Aaron Carter when he was 13 ...

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Wait ... that's even more scary. This version is not scary though. It's Sporty (Spice).

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Scary covers ... about wanting candy. Because it's Halloween. You saw where I was going with that right?

U Got The Look [ Gary Numan / Prince ]

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It is the opinion of this humble blogger that Prince is one of the most underrated rock musicians ever. He's a wicked fiend on the guitar, but he also practices the art of self restraint, so he's never all in your face about it, so when he decides to really less loose, you're all like "Whoa! Where the hell did that come from.

Not to mention in his heyday, he was so far ahead of his time, both musically and socially. He thought about the whole y2k problem in the 80's ... wait, that's not what 1999 was about. Okay well he invented text messaging short hand years before txting was popular used in such song titles as "I Would Die 4 U", "Nothing Compares 2 U" and the ditty here covered by Gary Numan, " U Got the Look."

You don't remember Gary Numan? Here try this "Here in my car; I feel safest of all; something something; in Carz; bloop blebleep bloop." Yeah, he's that guy.

Gangnam Style [ Josh Woodward / Psy ]

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Finally a song that'll make Carly Rae Jepson say "This song is overplayed."

 Josh Woodward covering Psy and it's a free download.

Just The Way You Are [Pierce the Veil; Boyce Avenue; Jimi D; Ahmir; Megan Nicole, Alex Goot / Bruno Mars]

Just the Way you are seems to be the current "it" song to cover. Don't believe me? Here's a smattering. Mainly because I don't get to use the word "smattering" enough. Also "jinkies" ... can't remember the last time I used that in casual conversation.


For the protopunks, here's Pierce the veil's take ...

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If you wanna rock down to the light accoustic Boyce Avenue ...

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Ya mon, there's a reggae cover too by Jimi D ...

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Need an R&B version, Ahmir has provided ...

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What about a female vocal version? Here's Megan Nicole.

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What about another version? Alex Goot is a hoot.

Ohio [Devo / Neil Young]

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At first glance it seems to be absolutely bizarre for Devo to be covering the Neil Young protest song "Ohio." But seeing as Devo is from Akron, Ohio (where I currently reside BTW) and the song is about the Kent State massacres and Kent only a few miles away, it does kinda sorta make sense in a weird round about way.

Goodnight my Angel [John Stamos / Billy Joel]

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Every singer wants to be an actor, every actor wants to be a singer. The singer to actor works most of the time, the actor to singer not so much. Remember Eddie Murphy? Bruce Willis? William Fucking Shatner?!?

Anyway back in 2006 someone thought it'd be a good idea to get a bunch of actors together, including Xena and what's-her-name-with-a-smile-like-a-velocoraptor from Alias and record a bunch of non-traditional lullabies. Surprisingly it didn't suck. Here from his pre-Glee singing career is Uncle Jesse ... I mean John Stamos covering Billy Joel.

(I Could) Never Take The Place Of Your Man [Goo Goo Dolls / Prince]

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This one goes way back in the Goo Goo dolls catalog. Way before anyone had ever heard of them to 1990. This particular track doesn't have Johnny Rzeznik on vocals and therefor is almost completely unrecognizable as the Goo Goo Dolls, but I promise you it's them covering Prince.

Redemtion Song [Wyclef Jean / Bob Marley]

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From the 9/11 memorial concert telethon, Wyclef covering Bob Marley.

Fly Me To The Moon [Skanatra / Frank Sinatra]

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With in the world of of cover bands, there exists the tribute band. Tribute bands, unlike the straight up cover band, only does covers of songs by one artists. Sometimes the tribute bands are just straight up impersonators, but sometimes they put an awesome twist on the original artists and wind up with an awesome gimmick and band name. There's Mini Kiss, who you might have seen in a Dr. Pepper commerical. They're a little person Kiss Tribute band. There's Lez Zepplin, a tribute band whose members are all lesbians. There's the Misfats, a heavyset Misfits knock off. Black Diamond is a great Neil Diamond impersonator, as long as you don't look at his skin color. There's MANdona, which has to be a favorite on the drag queen circut.

Today's cover is by Skanatra, a ska group that you guessed it, covers the Old Blue Eyes in the Ska style. Neat!

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me [Melanie Safka / Culture Club]

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I have no idea who this chick is, but she showed up in my FB feed and the cover has banjos! Need I say more?

Ordinary World [Fenix TX / Duran Duran]

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Duran Duran is named after the villian in the French Jane Fonda Sexplotation sci-fi movie Barberella.

Fenix-TX was originally named Riverfenix, but changes to Fenix TX after a cease and desist from the estate of the late actor.

Lay Lady Lay [Ministry / Bob Dylan]

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Any band worth a damn does a Bob Dylan cover. But a band isn't worth a damn until it does a Dylan cover. Whoa, deep!

Here's Ministry covering Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay."

Love Will Keep Us Together [Nickelback / Captain and Tenille]

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If I had five cents for every crappy song I heard on the bar's jukebox last night, I'd have a Nickelback.

When Santa runs out of coal, he gives the naughty kids Nickelback CD's.

All kidding aside, congrats to newly engaged front man Chad Kroeger on his impending nuptials to Avril Lavigne. They go together like Chocolate and Peanut Butter. If both Chocolate and Peanut Butter were both made of pure Canadian Evil. Avril, if you pull a Yoko Ono with Nickelback then I'll be so .... actually that's a pretty good plan. Let's do that.

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now [Starting Line /Starship]

Starship is one of those bands that has gone through so many line up changes you need an diagram just to follow it. Everyone know the whole name/line up changes from Jefferson Airplane, to Jefferson Starship to Starship. There was also a brief pause as Starship Jefferson in there. But before all that, the group was called  Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra and consisted of three members of the Grateful Dead (including Jerry), David Crosby, Graham Nash and Grace Slick and others who would continue onto the form Jefferson Airplane. There also was briefly a group called "Jefferson Starship - The Next Generation" formed of a hodgepodge of the different artists to be in the every changing lineup. So there's your history lesson for the day. 

Here's The Starting Line covering the Starship incantation.

Pop Goes The World [LMP / Men Without Hats]

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All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love To You) [Halestrom / Heart]

Covering Heart is difficult. Those Wilson sisters are hard to match for sheer intensity, especially Ann Wilson's boombastic vocals. However Halestrom has a go at it and flippin' nails it vocally and adds some  staying extra crunchy in milk guitars. Take that you silly rabbit.

Mr. Brightside [Boyce Avenue / Killers]

I saw a shirt the other day that said "Started out with a kiss, How did it end up like this?" Now you might think this was an officially licensed piece of Killers' merchandise, but no, it was a maternity shirt. Well I guess if you're going to cover up that baby bump, might as well make it tacky.

Speaking of covers, here's Boyce Avenue covering Mr. Brightside.

Take On Me [Reel Big Fish / A-ha]

For a while A-ha was the biggest thing out of Scandinavia since ABBA. With that kick ass, early MTV hand drawn video, that even after 25 some years is still an awesome effect. The song was covered for the soundtrack to the entirely forgettable Matt Stone/Trey Parker movie BASEketball by Reel Big Fish. 

Landslide [Glee; Dixie Chicks; Bush; Smashing Pumpkins / Fleetwood Mac] Cover to Cover

It's amazing how many different ways the same song came be cover. That however is not the case with Fleetwood Mac's Landslide. No matter who covers it, it sound almost exactly the freaking same ...

 Here's a version from Glee ...

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Here's the Dixie Chicks, which sounds exactly the same ...

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Maybe we'll get a slightly different version with a male lead singer, like perhaps from the band Bush ...

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Surely Smashing Pumpkins can do a harder, more rockin' version ...?

 Nope, All exactly the same!!!

Every Rose Has It's Thorn [Miley Cyrus / Poison]

I feel sorry for the youth of today. I really do. Growing up we had a few songs that we'd call guilty pleasures.  Almost every song on the radio now qualifies as a guilty pleasure. We had great bands like Poison. They have crappy Disney teen junk like Miley Cyrus covering Poison.

And I say this in spite of Miley being of legal consenting age now, so you know I mean it.

Thunder Road [Dan Bern / Bruce Springsteen]

Dan Bern is, hands down. my favorite musician ever. If you've head of him, it's likely because you watched the bonus features to  "Walk Hard : The Dewey Cox Story" as he helped write most of the songs for that flick. While he's hilarious at times, singing songs about the size of Tiger Wood's testes among other things, he's a serious musician first. He's been called the "only thing to happen to folk music since Dylan." Might be a bit of an oversell, but not by much.

 The first time I saw him play live was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I'd just discovered him, so when he played a tune called "The Barber From Ann Arbor" I assumed  it was a deep cut I'd not yet heard he felt obiged to play because we were in Ann Arbor. A good song, not great. Three songs later, in the middle of one of his signature songs he stopped, apologized for forgetting the words because he was "still writing that barber song" in his head. I was blown away. 

Here he is covering the Boss's Thunder Road.

Moves Like Jagger [Little Big Town / Maroon 5]

I'm becoming a full fledged addict. Every song sounds better with banjos. I started out with just a little banjo here and there but now I seem to want it in every cover. Seeing as this Maroon 5 cover is being done by a country band, Little Big Town. This song has a banjos. I'm an addict. I need a twelve string program or something. I mean  twelve step! Not 12  twelve. I had no idea there were twelve string banjos!

Convoy [Colt Ford / CW McCall]

Once on a whim, I bought a CD called "CW McCall's Greatest Hits." Turns out it was a CD Single. Convoy is the very definition of a guilty pleasure song. It's terrible, it's catchy, it almost swears and it's fun to sing to.

Here's Colt Ford covering Convoy. I wonder if that's his real name.]

Tyrone [My Morning Jacket /Erykah Badu]

Erykah Badu is the Queen of Neo Soul. My Morning Jacket is Psychedelic rock. So when My Morning Jacket covers Erkah Badu somehow that equates to a deep Louisiana blues ballad. Yeah, I guess I can live with that math, as long as you show your work.

Creep [Afghan Whigs / TLC]

Are the Afghan Whigs disguises used Taliban?  If so you like this TLC cover by the Afghan Whigs, then you're a terrorist! If not, then please proceed as normal.

Call Me Maybe & Boyfriend [Ahmir / Carly Rae Jepsen & Justin Bieber]

I'm a lyrics guy. I love lyrics. It's amazing to me when someone can take a trashy pop song, cover it in an entirely different music style, and turn it into something wonderful. That's what Ahmir does here with not one, but two Top 40 songs. They turn "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen and "Boyfriend" by Justina Bieber into a slow Boyz II Men style, sweet love making, slow jam. 

Super Bass [Chad Sugg / Nicki Minaj]

Self recording YouTube artist is the new indie artist. I swear as soon as just one of these guys gets a real record deal, you'll see the entire music industry turned on it's ear. Just my humble prediction.

Anyway here's on of those YouTube artists turning Nicki Minaj's Super Bass in to a song that sounds more like it should be played at a Luau instead of a gay bar.

You Got Lucky [Gaslight Anthem / Tom Petty]

Gaslight Anthem made British music history becoming the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the magazine having previously written about them. Which confuses me slightly as someone had to be on the cover of the first issue, no? Also Kerrang! is fun to say.

Here they are covering Tom Petty.

California Gurls [James Blunt / Katy Perry]

Remember James Blunt? Despite having the perfect last name to front a jam band, his one and only hit was "Beautiful." The song is notable because it's second only to Chris Issac's "Wicked Game" for usage by single dudes in attempts to get laid. After that song, we pretty much never heard from him ever again. If I were to guess it was because he was getting laid all the time. 

He did take a break from getting laid to record this Katy Perry cover. 

I Started A Joke [Faith No More / Bee Gees]

I started a joke, it went like this "Knock, Knock." Of course it kinda required some audience participation, so it died there. In 1998 Faith No More started a joke. The joke was one of the most influential metal/rock bands of the late 80's and early 90's, and credited for inventing alternative metal and as an influence on the band Wyld Stallyons, decided to cover the Bee Gees. Did a pretty decent job too. So I guess it's not "Ha Ha" joke, but like  ... that other kind of joke. 

Who Let The Dogs Out? [Baha Men / Anslem Douglas] - Deep Cover

You may remember the Baha Men and thier hit song "Who Let The Dogs Out?" It's a musical question that's plagued philosophers since 2000.

Or has it? Before the Baha Men recorded the song for the "Rugrats in Paris : The Movie" soundtrack the song was called "Doggie" and was written and recorded in 1998 by Trinidadian recording artist Anslem Douglas. Yeah, I got no clue who that is either, but odds are he doesn't want you to know who he is either since he's somewhat resposible for a song ranked 3rd most annoying song of all time by Rolling Stong mag, Worst Song Ever by Spinner mag, and #2 on AOL Radio's worst song ever.

So now when someone asks you "Who Let The Dogs Out? You can answer, with smug confidence "Anslem Douglas."

Why Try To Change Me Now [Fiona Apple / Frank Sinatra]

I was once told my high school girlfriend looked like Fiona Apple. I suppose it was supposed to be a complement, but I didn't find Ms. Apple all that attractive. I'm temped to compare her to a Dreamworks cartoon, but that'd be just mean.

Here's Princess Fiona covering the Cy Colemen penned, Frank Sinatra classic, "Why Try To Change Me Now?"

Baby Hold On [Foo Fighters / Eddie Money]

In February 2000, the Foo Fighters recorded a cover of Eddie Money's "Baby Hold On," which for some reason I always though was actually called "Baby Hold On To Me" to be used as a B-side in one of the singles for There Is Nothing Left to Lose, However, it was not used as a B-side as planned. They later recorded a part of the song as an acoustic version as part of a radio session for the Rockline radio program. I think this version however is from an old episode of Craig Kilborn.

We Are Young [Alex Goot, Tiffany Alvord, Luke Conard / .fun]

Tonight ... we are young, so lets set the world on fire. At which point we'll be incinerated and our age will no longer matter. Sounds like .fun! Here's Alex Goot with help from Tiffany Alvord and Luke Conrad covering the typographical nightmarishly named .fun.

Turning Japanese [No Use For a Name / Vapors]

R.I.P. Tony Sly, the lead singer of No Use for a Name passed away today at 41. I honor the loss the best way I can, playing a cover by No Use For a Name. Here they take on the Vapors

Voices in the Jungle [Rock Sugar / Guns and Roses & Til Tuesday]

Dear Big Daddy, 

This how you do a "Welcome to the Jungle" mash up/cover.

Sincerly, 

The Voice of Wakko Warner

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Here's Rock Sugar with the G'N'R/Til Tuesday mash-up/cover.

E.T. [Yellowcard / Katy Perry]

E.T.  is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. This has nothing to do with the Katy Perry song of the same name. I'm not really sure why I brought it up in matter of fact. I'm sure I had a good reason at the time. Anyway, here's that lil' ditty covered by punk poster boys, Yellowcard.

Hit Me Baby (One More Time) [Britney Spears/Fountains of Wayne]

I'm really surprised more women's right's groups weren't up in arms about "Hit Me Baby (One More Time)" since it so clearly advocates punching women in the face. That's not what it's about? Then how come every time I hear it I want to punch Britney Spears in the face? Even when covered by Fountains of Wayne I want to punch Britney Spears in the face. Actually come to think about it, even when I don't hear the song I want to punch Britney Spears in the face ... who's with me? Lets start a Facebook group or something.

Three Days

For money L7 was one of the most underrated bands of the grunge era. Me thinks it was because with a 100% female line up, they got lumped in with the Angry Cooter music with Alanis and Tori. Which is a shame because they were pretty kick ass.

Here they are with country legend Waylon Jennings covering Three Days from the Alt Rock Willie Nelson tribute album, Twisted Willie.

 

Welcome to the Jungle [Crappy Cover]

I'm a fan of a good mash-up/cover. Case in point, love me some Beatallica and Rock Sugar.

 A good mash up takes two songs that have something similar and makes those similarities play off each other. When the similarity is that the third word of the song is "jungle" you might want to rethink your strategy. What I'm basically saying here is there's no way "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens* should not even be aloud in the same room.

 But for some god forsaken reason, Big Daddy decided to do that. Credit while credit is due, I'll admit, they all but invented the mash up genre but taking lyrics to current songs and singing them to 50's and 60's music (Current being a relative term since this was recorded many many moons ago). Apparently they had some moderate success at one point in their career with a song called "Hamster Love." I was going to Google to see if that was some sort of Dr. Demento parody of Captain and Tenille's "Muskrat Love" but I quickly abandoned that search when every result on the first page had to do with Richard Gere.

 Back to this particular track, It's like they said ... "Hey maybe if we suck bad enough, Adam Sandler (whose old lady voice sounds exactly like Axl Rose) will name a movie after us, and it'll suck too!" That, ladies and gentlemen, is why it's a "Crappy Cover."

 

*Yes, there's a whole legal mess about who "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" belongs to, I credit it here to the Tokens, because, right or wrong, the first time the song was copyrighted in the USA with that title, it was to the Tokens. 

Highway to Hell

Here's where I lose all my street cred. I like this cover. Don't judge me! I don't love, it, it's not great, but I like it. Of course the original is by AC/DC. The cover version is by, don't judge me, Tiny Tim. Yes, the Tip Toe Through The Tulips guy. Apparently he didn't always do the falsetto, because if he did, it wouldn't be falsetto, it'd be ... realsetto or something. Anyway he barely breaks into falsetto at all here and has a decent singing voice. DON'T JUDGE ME!

Bohemian Rhapsody

Hayseed Dixie often called the pioneers of "Rockgrass" by ... their publicist and wikipedia. Combining Rock & Roll with Bluegrass. Or more accurately bluegrass covers of rock songs. What does that mean exactly? Well, they're very popular in Norway and Scotland. Also ... Banjos! Lots and lots of Banjos! My inordinate love of banjos, I would would have to place the blame for that 100% on Kermit the Frog.

Here's their take on Wayne and Garth's favorite song, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Hurt

I'm actually embarrassed I haven't posted this already. One of the best covers ever ... The Man in Black covering NIN.

Barbie Girl

Of all the crappy songs to come out of the 1990's "Barbie Girl" was one of them. Yeah, I don't know where I was going with that either. Here's Mars Moles covering Aqua.

She Drives Me Crazy [Cover to Cover]

You know for a one hit wonder, Fine Young Cannibals sure has had a lot of covers of it's one hit. There of course is the previously posted Sharon Van Etten version.

 Then there's this punk version by Rhythm Collison ... 

Well of course there's an Acapella cover, by the Flying Pickets. 

Gotta have the metal version, here by Bliss.

And then there's this country version by Dolly Parton ...

I told you, I love me some banjo covers, and I totally blame that on Kermit the Frog. Who of course used no banjos when he covered the song with Ms. Piggy ...

I Walk The Line

Back in the day there was a big stink raised because Chris Daughtrywasn't original enough when he preformed Johnny Cash's "Walk The Line" on American Idol. What was the fuss? He covered the song in a fashion similar to Live. Really? Calling an American Idol unoriginal is like complaining there's too much bread in your toast. Anyway here is Live's take on the track.

Everywhere

Remember Vanessa Carlton? She was Will Smith's side kick on that TV show? No, that was a different Carlton. Well if you don't remember her either, you might vaguely remember this song, covered here by this years Warped Tour alumni, Yellowcard.

Under Pressure

If you even say "Hey this sounds a lot like that Vanilla Ice Song" I swear to god I will disembowel your favorite stuffed animal from when you were four and leave it's head on a pike and then light it on fire and then urinate on it to put it out, because seriously ... 

Here's The Used and My Chemical Romance covering the Queen classic "Under Pressure."

Love Rollercoaster [Red Hot Chili Peppers / Ohio Players]

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The Acadamy Awards occasionally overlooks cinematic brilliance. Such was the case with "Beavis and Butthead Do America." It had all sorts of cool stuff, including one dude who looked and sounded suspiciously like Hank Hill. There was also this Ohio Players cover by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the soundtrack, back when movie soundtracks used to mean something.

Bangarang

Dubstep covered Acapella, in dutch. Sure ... why the heck not? It's just refreshing to hear Skrillex and not wonder if 2, twenty year old fax machines are making sweet, sweet love.

 So here's Dario Fo Choir covering Skrillex.

 

I Will Always Love You

Texas Chainsaw Orchestra is an Orchestra from Texas that play chainsaws as musical instruments. Same days these just write themselves you know? Anyway covering the Polly Parton original, "I Will Always Love You" here ... dammit Now I forgot their name.

Baby Got Back [Johnathan Coulton / Sir Mix-A-Lot]

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You know what? I have to admit it. Every freaking time someone covers a rap song with Banjos, I think it's like ... an LA Face with an Oakland booty. 

So here's internet nerd alt-folk TMBG opening act Jonathan Colton covering Sir Mix A Lot.

Wait and Bleed

Slipknot ... covered by Hanson?!?

Is this some kinda of April Fool's gag? Oh ... yes, kinda of course it totally is. In 2011 Hanson pulled one over on their fans leading them to believe they were releasing an entire album of Slipknot covers. As proof they offered grainy leaked cellphone video on YouTube of them covering "Wait and Bleed."

Not the greatest audio quality here, but still ... rubber duckin' weird in an awesome kinda way.

Pour Some Sugar On Me

It's not a secret. Every actor secretly wants to be a rock star. Remember The Bacon Brothers? 30 Odd Foot Of Grunt?  That album Eddie Murphy released in the 80's? Anyway when the chance to play a rock star in a movie comes along, it must be hard to say no. That's my theory on how "Rock of Ages" got made because I've heard nothing but shitty reviews about it. 

The review over at IndieWire states "'Rock of Ages' will make you want to raise your arms...and then immediately plunge your fingers into your eyeballs for salvation (you can go back for seconds to rescue your ears)." 

Alas I'll let you judge for yourself.  So here's Tom Cruise giving his take on the Def Leopard classic, "Pour Some Sugar On Me."  I mean I'm not going to tell you he sounds like Mickey Mouse with Nasal congestion on a poorly mixed track. 

Hard To Handle [Deep Cover]

It's amazing how many bands' "signature" songs are actually covers. For example Aretha Franklin's "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." was originally by Otis Redding. Today's Deep Cover is also an Otis Redding original, covered here by the Black Crows, "Hard to Handle" originally recorded by Redding in 1968 reached #38 on the Billboard R&B charts and #51 on the pop charts. And you thought he was just the "Shitting on the Dock of The Bay" guy. Sitting! I meant Sitting!

 

Lovers In a Dangerous Time

Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers In A Dangerous Time" was ranked by CBC radio as the 11th greatest Canadian single of all time. This cover was also the first top 40 hit, all the way back in 1992, for Canadian band Barenaked Ladies. So if you get a slight maple taste listening to this track, that's why.

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me

Last year I went to the Rock and Roll all of Fame when they had their special "Women Who Rock" exhibit. It wasn't bad I suppose, but they over looked some obvious choices ... Like Alice Cooper, Marylin Manson, Twisted Sister, Catherine Wheel and Alice in Chains.

Also over looked, Violent Femmes. Here they are covering the Culture Club's "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?"

She Don't Use Jelly

Remember the 90's? When excess was judged in palooza's? Those were magical times. Lollapalooza, HomerPalooza, and of course Lounge-A-Palooza, a CD of Lounge style covers and other songs. 

From that album, here's the trio known as the Ben Folds Five covering the Flaming Lips' "She Don't Use Jelly."

Born This Way

Country band, Little Big Town apparently has an on going series on their YouTube channel called "Scattered Smoothered and Covered" an obvious riff on the Hootie and the Blowfish album of all covers with the exact same name, which obviously lifted it's name from the Waffle Hizzy menu.

Anyway, banjos. Every song can be made better with banjos. Here's "Born this Way" sounding less Lady Gaga and more Lady Antebellum.

Christine Sixteen

Once upon a time it was kinda okay for songs to be about sex with girls under the age of consent. Winger's "Seventeen", Motorhead's "Jailbait", Sam Cooke "Only 16", The Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There," DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince "Parent's Just Don't Understand"  and well pretty much every song by Chuck Berry.

The Knights In Satan's Service (AKA KISS) contributed with "Christine Sixteen." Here's that Chris Hanson favorite as covered by the Gin Blossoms.

Beast of Burden

If you ever just wanna make out with some one for an entire afternoon, you need to have a Big Head Todd and The Monsters playlist in your iTunes library for the soundtrack. Slow jam band goodness, without getting firsky enough to want to bump uglies. Love this group. Here they are tackling the Rolling Stones' Beast of Burden.

 

Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right ... a hall of fame caliber recording artist finds himself with out a hit record so he releases a album of contemporary covers ... Johnny Cash's "American I - V", Paul Anka's "Rock Swings," Pat Boone's "In Metal Mood" and of course Glen Cambpell's "Meet Glen Campbell."

Here's the Rhinestone Cowboy covering those American Idiots, Green Day.

Call Me, Maybe

Did I get ahead of that whole youtube cover of Goyte "Somebody I Used to Know" Facebook trend or what? Seems like I get a new one in my feed every 6.3 hours. I'm tired of the song and I've only heard the original like once.

So I'm hoping to stay ahead of the curve here, and here's the first cover of your next earworm, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" covered by Alex Goot, Dave Days and Chad Sugg.

Billie Jean

The Civil Wars are the other duo with a member last named White with terrible hair and early 80's porn star 'stache. They are not married and they are not brother or sister. As far as I can tell they're not siblings married to each other either. They're a country group, I felt mentioning that last part was important. Here they are covering the King Of Pop ... and Foghat.

Hotel Califonia

I swear there's like a never ending battle between Dave Grohl, Jack White, and Chris Cornell to release music under as many different band names as possible. It's prolly a $1 bet too, like in that Eddie Murphy movie before he started churning out crap on a stick.

Anyway here's Mr. Cornell solo preforming under his own name, which is entirely different than when he proformed solo as the Nightwatchman. He covers the Eagles classic Hotel California, which is not to be confused with the Nerf Herder song, Motel California. 

Complicated

Why write a snarky intro when the artist covering Avril's "Complicated," Josh Woodward (aka CheEsy) has already done it for me?

"Ten years ago today, the deepest and most beautiful song in the history of Western civilization was unleashed onto an unsuspecting world. Herein, I attempt to pay tribute to this work of art, in the most respectful and heartfelt way I can."

One More Night

I'm a lyrics guy myself, hence my love of covers. Of course the music matters too, but good gut wrenching lyrics can make up for lack of musical talent. This, to me, is how Bob Dylan had a career. I know I'll get lynched for saying that, but it's true he's a mediocre musician at best, but lyricly, he's the bomb. I'd also throw Phil Collins into that group. I know I'll get lynched for that too. But he's a good song writer, and a half way decent musician.

Case in point, here's former Verucca Salt lead singer Nina Gordon covering Phil Collins's lite FM hit, one more night. It's no where near as good as her cover of Straight Out Of Compton, but still, good none the less.

Oh, no wait I have to redact my opinion on Phil Collins's musical abilities. He's one of the most bad ass musicians on the planet, but only because of that drum thing from "In The Air Tonight." I mean seriously, those 5 seconds of music or so should have it's own display in the rock Hall of Fame.

Fix You

I actually thought I posted this one many moons ago, because it's one of two songs I've ever heard, cover or not, that has ever evoked genuine tears from me without other stimulus. And the richer the sound system I hear it on, the more likely I am to have that response again. Here's Street Corner Symphony covering Coldplay.

 

Fight For Your Right (To Party)

"Mom busted in and said 'what's that noise?' I said mom 'you're just jealous it's Coldplay covering the Beastie Boys!'"


RIP MCA. You fought the good fight, which was, of course, was for the right to party.

Girls On Film

Duran Duran's Girl's on Film music video was so sexy and provocative it was banned from MTV and the BBC. So of course, it should be covered by the late homeless paranoid schizophrenia sufferer, Wesley Willis, lead singer of the Wesley Willis Fiasco. Because homelessness is so damn sexy. 

Someone That I Used To Know (Cover to Cover)

Aussie crooner Goyte recently complained that Glee, did him wrong when they covered his song "Someone That I Used To Know." Which out of all the covers of the song I found, Glee strays least from the mean. So maybe he sucks at singing it is what he's saying? Judge for yourself in this edition of Cover To Cover

Here's the Glee version.

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Here's a very haunting acapella version by Pentatonix that just mops the floor with the original version.

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Here, take a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor. Then try this cover with five people playing the same guitar at the same time by Walk Off The Earth 

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And finally here's the Netherlands Radio Choir taking their shot at it.

Miracles [Look at the Fields / Insane Clown Posse]

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Normally. I'm pretty forgiving when an artist covering a song decides to omit profanity from their cover version. This time it is absolutely unforgivable. How can Look at the Fields cover Insane Clown Posse's "Miracles" and alter the best line in the song "Fucking magnets, how do they work?"

I'm mean I understand the F-Bomb doesn't lend it's self to ukulele driven songs ... but ... of all the questions pop music has produced in the past 60 years ("Why do Fools Fall in Love?'; "How Soon is Now?" ; "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?") there's no question I am more eager to have the answered than "Fucking magnets, how do they work?" I don't care if you really want to hurt me, just tell me ... fucking magnets, how do they work? I understand it's a highly travelled, six lane highway and that's why we're not doing it in the road, but that's not the question I want answered! Yes, the GPS will show me the way to San Jose, and that's where all the cowboys have gone. Do you understand? I don't give a shit about that ... all I really want to know is ... FUCKING MAGNETS! HOW DO THEY WORK!?!

For those of you not familiar with the Insane Clown Posse, and their song Miracles, here's a brief run down. ICP is equal parts Vanilia Ice, John Wayne Gacy and Kiss. Basically white boy rappers in black and white clown makeup, with grindhouse themed songs with more marketing than talent resulting in an obsessed legion of Faygo drinking fans called Jugglos. "Miracles" strays way ... way off their proven formula and takes a moment to really stop and smell the roses, appreciating all the smaller things in life like "long neck giraffes," "Fucking rainbows after it rains" and "everything chilling underwater."

So here without further ado is Look at the Fields, covering ICP. Oh ... and download it for free too, if you want.

Run This Town

From the epic Punk Goes ... series, here's a screamo cover of Jay-Z by Miss May I.

Wait, wait! Wait! ... Screamo? Did I just invent a word? It's like Screaming + Emo. I always wanted to invent a word. It's like being famous or something. Damnit. There's already a wikipedia entry for it and everything.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, if you haven't heard of Miss May I, looks like the odds are you will in the very near future. They have a run on this years main stage of the Warped Tour and were featured on the Saw IV soundtrack. In my opinion Saw IV was the second best of the Saw movies, with I being first, V being third, III being fourth and II being 5th.

Since discovering this band (a week ago) I've been very impressed with the lyrics rivaling the writting Lennon/McCartney, commanding stage presence to rival Jagger and screaming ability to rival Rodney King. Also the lead singer's mom reads this blog and she's really hot. So ... that may have influenced my otherwise usually unbiased review.

Superman's Song

Introducing Nataly Dawn. Before you hate her for the absurd spelling of Natalie, remember to blame her parents. Ms. Dawn is another one of those up and coming YouTube artists who ... uh ... put their music out on YouTube in hopes of being discovered. Well, I for one Nataly, have discovered you. You who sounds a lot like Zooey Deschnel and looks a lot like Beck's hot kid sister. I mean really, are you related to Beck? Because throw on some scruffy sideburns and you're a Loser, Baby.

Anyway here she is covering the Crash Test Dummies' Superman's Song. It was the song they were known for that wasn't used in a French cheese commercial. While their second biggest song here in America, (they're Canadian, eh?) it was officially only released as a B side to Mmm Mmm Mmm. Actually, I made all that up.I mean I already did research on how to spell Deschnel, and that's way to much research for one blog entry. Oh wait, the cheese part, yeah, that part is 100% fact.

You Shook Me (All Night Long) Like a Prayer

Music by AC/DC, Lyrics by Madonna, Vocals by Wakko Warner and you've got a musical gem by Rock Sugar.

Sexy and I Know It

(Jimmy Fallon as) Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen cover LMFAO's Sexy and I know it. Is that really The Boss? No Words.

Whatever You Like

If I said I had no idea this T.I. cover by Anya Marina was featured on Gossip Girl until right now would you belie me?

I'm Alive

Say what you want about American Idol, I will begrudgingly admit it has produced some fine talented people. Like Bikini girl from Season 8 and  . . . uhm . . . Randy Jackson.

Oh and David Cook. I liked him. He really didn't suck. He did this really nifty Neil Diamond Cover.

Hittin' The Hay

I'm actually surprised anyone ever heard "Hittin' The Hay," let alone covered it. Primus front man Les Claypool, teamed with the North Mississippi All Stars to cover the song for the soundtrack to the Nickelodeon animated bomb, The Barnyard. The original was never a single, but was recorded in 1994 by the Swedish techno/bluegrass band the Rednex. Yes, let that sink in, Swedish techno/bluegrass. If you're wondering what Swedish techno/bluegrass sounds like, you might remember Rednex's one hit song, a cover of an old American slave hymn, "Cotton Eye Joe."

Wish You Were Here

For some reason when the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame had an exhibit on "Women Who Rock" they totally overlooked Catherine Wheel. So here, as some matter of payback, is a Pink Floyd cover.

Mad World

Remember how shocked everyone was when Adam Lambert revealed he was, in fact, gay? Me either. I tend to avoid American Idol covers (except when I don't) but seeing as he was recently named as the official lead singer and Freddie Mercury's replacement in Queen, I suppose he's due some props. Mad props, perhaps? Cause what I have here is him covering Tears for Fears "Mad World."

Friend Of The Devil

When we look back at the 1990's it's easy to forget or skip Counting Crows entirely. Which is a shame really because "August and Everything After" was the fastest selling album since "Nevermind." I mean sure they weren't quite as grungy as Nirvana, but then again who was? Besides didn't the lead singer nail Courtney Cox or something? That has to count for something. Anyway here's Counting Crows covering the Grateful Dead.

Blinded By The Light [Deep Cover]

Most people know "Blinded By The Light" as the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version of the song, which makes it a Deep Cover. The original of the song was done by The Boss, Tony Danza. Er... I mean Bruce Springsteen. You can see how I get those two confused? Anyway it was the first single off the "Greetings From Ashbury Park" album and failed to chart. It wasn't until later when, to paraphrase Springsteen, Mann rewrote the song to be about a feminine hygiene product that the song charted. There don't you feel smarter for knowing that?

Signs

There's nothing like a good protest song, and in the hands of a band like Tesla, the song "Signs" is nothing like a good protest song. Originally by Five Man Electrical Band Tesla covered the song on their album called "Five Man Acoustical Jam."

All Along the Watch Tower

I'm feeling a bit lazy today, so I'll just cut and paste from the Wikipedia page on "All Along the Watchtower."

Dave Matthews Band has played the song since the band's inception in the early 1990s. Their rendition maintains Dylan's three chord structure and key signature but differs in style. Dave Matthews typically begins the song slowly with just bass, vocals and acoustic guitar. The band members come in after the line "the hour is getting late", picking up the tempo and intensity. The band's members then take extended solos, culminating with the line, "No reason to get excited." "Watchtower", as it is referred to by the band's fans, is a concert staple, often performed as either a closer or encore. In all, they have covered the song live more than 600 times, including solo performances by Matthews, and it has appeared on six of their officially released live albums, though the band has never released a studio version.

Baker Street

"Baker Street" also known as "That song with that sax part" was former Stealers Wheel front man, Gerry Rafferty's first solo single. Here the Foo Fighters cover the song, sans sax.

I've Done Everything for You

As a follow up to "Jessie's Girl," Rick Springfield decided to release a cover of Sammy Hagar's "I've Done Everything For You." Obvious a great career decision as he's had a string of hits ... or not.

Higher Ground

I was first introduced to this Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of Stevie Wonder via the soundtrack to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie and while ... you know what?!? Fuck you for judging me okay! Did you ever see the movie? Then how do you know it wasn't on par with "Citizen Cane?" Yes, I'm aware of the spelling of "Kane," I'm talking about the porn version staring Candy Canes, where Rosebud was her ....  What I'm trying to say is, I never saw either of those movie I only acquired the CD for reasons I can't quite recall right now. Anyway some British rag called Trash Guitar called this song the second greatest cover of all time. Meh, I can live with that.

Sexy Back

Some people might say that Poison covering Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" is just a desperate attempt to stay relevant and appeal to the under 21 demographic. The counter argument is that bandanna Bret Micheal has had crazy glued to to his head for the past decade is some kind of mind control device that forced him to do it. I'm kidding of course. There is no other option than the first one.

Battle Of Evermore

If the Lovemongers sound a bit like Heart, it's because it basically is the sisters Wilson gone accoustic. Here they are covering some band I've really never heard of called Led Zepplin or something ...

 

Got To Be Real

In the wake of the success of "Finding Nemo" every animation studio tried to put out some fish based movie for the nearsighted grandma to buy for their grand kids. This brought us The Reef, Shark Tale and others. Shark Tale actually had some star power behind it, but was still basically a terrible movie. On the soundtrack however  was Mary J. Blige and Will Smith covering "Got To Be Real."

Interesting side note, on the original Cheryl Lynn recording, the session guitarist was none other than Ray Parker Jr. So apparently he did do something other than rip off Huey Lewis.

I'm a Believer

There a precious few bands that manage to successfully bridge the gap between tween girls and frat boys. Wait, did I say "manage?" that should have been "want." None the less, Smash Mouth for reasons entirely unknown to to everyone but societies mindless sheep, does just that, with mediocre party songs featured prominently in animated cartoons. Here they are covering the song Neil Diamond wrote, and the Monkees made famous, "I'm a Believer."

Two Become One

Paul Gilbert is hardly a house hold name. He was formerly in Racer X, they were big in Japan. He was also in another band that was big in Japan, and in America called Mr. Big.

So it's perfectly logical he'd cover the Spice Girls right?

Shout

If you are ... Disturbed ... by 80's New Wave covered by Nu Metal bands, then this isn't the cover for you. Unless of course, you like the band named Disturbed. Then you'll totally love this Tears for Fears cover.

Where Do Broken Hearts Go? [R.I.P. Whitney]

Obligatory Whitney Houston cover by the proto-punk cover supergroup Me First and Gimmie Gimmies.

Lose Yourself / Riding Dirty / Hey Ya / Don't Cha / Can't Touch This /Hot in Herrre [Crappy Cover]

I normally don't bother with covers by artists without a real recording contract, or at least attempting to make a living off music. And normal I'm a big fan of vocal only doing current songs, because they usually have some brilliant angle stripping the song to it's emotional core, or there an odd juxtaposition of beauty with harsh, angry lyrics.

I say usually, because well, there's exceptions, like this one. It's the Funky Fresh Senior Choir. No, senior does not refer to a senior in high school or a senior in college. They are old. Very, very old. The last people min the world you want to hear singing "it's getting hot in herrre, so let's take off our clothes." Yet, there it is. In all it's glorious youtube ... uh, glory. They are neither funky, nor fresh. Unless Mc Hammer is your idea of fresh. They are seniors. But again the word choir may have been misused here. That is why, this is, without a doubt, a Crappy Cover.

[R.I.P. Etta James] Welcome To The Jungle

If you were to look on Spotify right now, the number one listened to Etta James' track is not her signature song "At Last." It is however her cover of Prince's "Purple Rain." However since the purple one has his head up his ass about the whole internet thing, it's nearly impossible to find any of his music streaming. Even covers of his music.

So instead I found a downright ... odd ... cover from the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Famer from her last album. It's called "Welcome to The Jungle." Yes, it's *that* song and it's barely recognizable. Etta is no Axel, but she's not supposed to be ... she's Etta.

 

Imagine

If you must know two intimate quirky details about me, here they are:

1) I'm fairly indifferent on the Beatles. I don't know why but they do nothing for me.

2) If I were ever to "go gay," it would only be for one man, and that one man is Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. I might however consider a little bi-curiosity for Scott Bakula though.

So with that in mind, from season 3, episode 1 of Quantum Leap, here's Sam Beckett covering Imagine.

Betty Davis Eyes

Okay, I'll admit it. I wish I could sing like Brad Roberts, the former lead singer of The Crash Test Dummies. Gravelly, yet smooth. Like Drinking a high self vodka when you just woke up hung over.

Here's his tounge, planted firmly in cheek, covering Kim Carnes.

Sexy and I Know It [Big Head Todd and the Monsters / LMFAO]

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There are two musical certainties I present to you today ...

1) LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" will be remembered in 2025 the exact same way we remember Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" here in 2012.

2) Todd Park Mohr, AKA Big Head Todd of Big Head Todd and The Monsters fame, could sing the Denny's menu and make it sound like a blues classic.

So here's Todd Park Mohr covering LFMAO.