Who doesn’t like a cover version? A new take on a classic track can introduce a whole new audience to a much loved piece of music or sometimes show off a really well written song that was lost behind some poppy bells and whistles in its original form.
One of our listeners introduced us to an excellent version of Alice In Chains’ Rain When I Die by City & Colours’ Dallas Green this morning, so to return the favour here are a few more cover versions you may not have heard before that you might like:
Lianne La Havas - Weird Fishes (Radiohead)
Are you a fan of Radiohead? Can you play guitar? Chances are you’ve had a go at Creep, Just, Fake Plastic Trees, Karma Police and a bunch of other tracks from the band’s early albums. And then, unless you were really talented, ambitious and slightly masochistic, you stopped once they released Kid A. Great album, brilliant songs but not one for your everyday bedroom guitarist. You don’t find too many good covers of any tracks from that album, luckily Lianne La Havas is no ordinary musician and this cover of Weird Fishes is, arguably, better than the original.
Lydia Ainsworth - Good Times (Chic)
“Good times, These are the good times” It doesn’t really feel like it does it? And Lydia Ainsworth’s cover of the Chic party hit drips in venomous sarcasm. It’s really good and she is definitely an artist who deserves more recognition. Her fourth album Sparkles & Debris is out in May.
Fox Jaw - Ghost Town (The Specials)
The first in the Irish band’s excellent Covid Covers series. While all Irish people enjoy hearing their national anthem, (Hello Fr Ted fans), this cracking version of the Specials’ Ghost Town hit a little close to the bone when it was released almost a year ago, just as things started to shut down around the world. The band said at the time that they would be doing a special night featuring the whole cover series once they could get back on stage, we’re still waiting.
Shamir - Ocean Eyes (Billie Eilish)
Given that she is very much the star of the moment, it’s no surprise that the internet has been awash with covers of Billie Eilish songs for the last year or two. This cover of Ocean Eyes by American singer songwriter Shamir might be the best of them. The 26 year old has an amazing voice and with seven albums under his belt already he should probably be better known but perhaps this will get his name out there.
Have you any other covers that you’ve discovered that we should know about? Let us know.