If You Could Only See [Boyce Avenue / Tonic]
From the Vault … May 18, 2011
I love Tonic. In my book one of the most underrated bands in the Alt-Rock era. I know, you’ll question my entire musical taste from now on but … I still think they’re awesome. Here’s Boyce Avenue covering one of thier best known songs.
Smooth Criminal [Alien Ant Farm / Micheal Jackson]
From the vault … November 27th, 2010
Until they covered Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal in 2001, no one had heard of Alien Ant Farm. But thanks to a video that was equal parts loving tribute and scathing parody of the gloved one, for a brief moment they were totally unstoppable. Then without warning they disappeared. I somehow blame 9/11. Gone but not forgotten, at Jackson’s funeral last year they were asked to “please move out of the way, we’re trying to get through.”
Not Over You [Parachute / Gavin Degraw]
Remember in gym class in elementary school when you played with the parachute and then everyone would sit under it. Yeah, that was cool.
West End Girls & People Who Died [Gwar / Pet Shop Boys & Jim Carroll]
Okay, I admit, I kinda have a thing for the new chick in Gwar. yeah, I know her stage name is Vulvatron.
Mandy [Barry Manilow / Scott English] DEEP COVER
From the vault … March 3, 2011
It’s been a while since I’ve gone all DEEP COVER on you, so let’s do it now shall we?
For those of you who failed to take notes last time, a Deep Cover is a cover song that has eclipsed the original version of the song in famousness. Is that a word? Famousness? Anyway often times in the case of a Deep Cover the original version is practically forgotten about.
That’s certainly the case of the Scott English song “Brandy.” Never heard of it right? The original Scott English cover was an upbeat bubble gum pop tune, the cover was a sad somber song which Clive Davis suggested a small lyrical change too. And the rest as they say is musical history.
Oh, yeah I almost forgot, that small lyrical change, Brandy became Mandy, and Barry Manilow had his first hit single. The true test between a Cover Lover and just someone who just is mildly interested in covers is their knowledge, or lack there of that bit of trivia.
Also worth noting before becoming a singer, Barry Manilow did jingles. He wrote the “I’m Stuck On Band Aid” and “Like a Good Neighbor” jingle and did the vocals for Mickey D’s “You deserve a Break Today” campaign. Yeah,
I fucking love Barry Manilow. My guilty pleasure.
Tainted Love [Soft Cell / Gloria Jones] DEEP COVER
From the Vault … April 10, 2011
Yes, Tainted Love is a very DEEP COVER. Best known as the signature song of Soft Cell in the 1980’s, it was originally recorded by Motown singer Gloria Jones in 1964 and failed to chart in the both the US and UK. Listening to the original it sounds more akin to “I Will Survive” than the Soft Cell version of the same song. Even the trademark “BUM BUM” is barely noticeable.
I Swear [All 4 One / John Michael Montgomery] DEEP COVER
In the early 90’s R&B scene if Boyz II Men were the Beatles, and Color Me Badd were the Rolling Stones then All 4 One was without a doubt Strawberry Alarm Clock. What you didn’t know was that their big hit was a cover of country crooner John Michael Montgomery,
Don’t Cha [Pussycat Dolls / Tori Alamaze] DEEP COVER
Never heard the original of “Don’t Cha?” Don’t worry no one else did either. Former Outkast backup singer Tori Alamaze recorded the song in in 2004 and then was promptly dropped by the label. A brief attempt was made to talk Paris Hilton into recording the song, before the Pussycat Dolls got their hands on it. It sounds basically the same as the original but sluttier and Busta Rhymesier.
Dynamite [Steve Acho / Talio Cruz]
From the Vault … November 15, 2011
Here’s another guy I randomly stumbled across in my never ending search for awesome covers. He’s name is Steve Acho. He’s from Detroit. He plays piano. That’s all I know … But he does a heck of a lot of covers. And they’re really nifty.
Here he is covering Talio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” Listen to it, it’s that one annoying song you hear all the time but have no idea what it’s called, except not so annoying when Steve Acho sings it.
Sloop John B [Me First and The Gimmie Gimmies / Beach Boys]
It’s the first Friday of the month, and that means another … me First Friday! Yay![Runs around waving hands in the air like an excited Kermit the Frog]
Jolene [White Stripes / Dolly Parton]
Well hello Dolly!
Waterfalls [Bette Midler / TLC]
The divine Ms. M has anew album out today. I’m not a Midler fan, and actually are there any non-drag queens fans of hers? Anyway she covers the Hip-Hop classic as a piano ballad, in case anyone was expecting a death metal version or a polka.
Dancing Days [Stone Temple Pilots / Led Zeppelin]
From the Vault … April 18, 2011
Dancing Days are here again. This time covered by Stone Temple Pilots. I for one think Led Zeppelin would be proud of them if they were alive today. Wait they are? Huh …
I Put A Spell On You [Marilyn Manson / Screaming Jay Hawkins] CREEPY COVER
Man, I totally found this last November but somehow in spite of owning the Lost Highway soundtrack for a dozen years, it escaped my notice until jafter Halloween. This song just screams Halloween!
Because you scream on Halloween … get it?
Monster Mash [Hayseed Dixie / Bobby “Boris” Pickett] CREEPY COVER
You know the banjos give this a Deliverance type feel, which is appropriately scary for Halloween.
Thriller [Duwende / Michael Jackson] CREEPY COVER
When putting together a list of Halloween songs or Creepy Covers in this case, one is morally obligated to include Thriller. So acapella style here it is, complete with the Vincent Price part.
Friend of The Devil [ Counting Crows / Grateful Dead] CREEPY COVER
Reality is this is a great song for Halloween. It’s called “Friend of the DEVIL” its originally by the Grateful DEAD, and it’s being sung by a WHITE GUY WITH DREADLOCKS!
Zombie [The City Shakeup / Cranberries] CREEPY COVER
Before the Walking Dead, there was … the Cranberries!
Stay With Me [Ed Sheeran / Sam Smith]
Ed Sheeran always reminds me of like a younger, but homeless, Ron Howard.
Take Me Home Country Roads [Brandi Carlisle and EmmyLou Harris / John Denver]
I still get Brandi and Belinda Carlisle mixed up.
Simple Man [Rhett Walker / Lynyrd Skynyrd]
In order to cover such a southern soung, you pretty much have to be named Rhett.
I Knew You Were Trouble [We Came As Romans / Taylor Swift]
Huzzah for another Punk Goes Pop Album! We’re up to volume 6 and I hope they’ll keep cranking these beauties out until at least Volume 7.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door [Guns And Roses / Bob Dylan] COVER TO COVER
Cover to Cover is the occasional feature here on undercoverwithcrut where I put back to back, two different covers of the same song so you can see just how different a song can be, covered. This week two takes on the Bob Dylan tune, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” On version is sung by a stringy haired, skirt and wrist band wearing, pompous whiny voiced cunt, the other is by Avril Lavigne. Hay-yoooo!
You Oughta Know [1000 Mona Lisas / Alanis Morissette]
From the vault … July 7, 2011
The year was 1995. My first memory of hearing a song and knowing it was a cover and thinking it was totally smothered in awesome sauce. Here’s 1000 Mona Lisas covering the song that founded the genre of music known as “Angry Cooter Music”, You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette
Angel of Harlem [The Wiggles / U2]
From the vault … April 11, 2010
I honestly expected this to suck, but … Uhm, well it’s U2 being covered by the Wiggles. With no tongue in cheek.
