Fresh Takes: Cover Versions Of Popular Songs

By Seb Gorlov

Covers can be some of the most engaging and entertaining forms of music, as they allow for an artist to put their own spin on a track, sometimes even enhancing it.

Tracks like Jeff Buckley’s enchanting cover of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah”, Royal Blood’s high-octane rendition of “My Sharona” and the recent stellar version of “The Sound” by OUT IN FRONT are all examples of some famous covers.

Here’s a list of covers and what makes them so worth listening to

 

“My Sharona” – Royal Blood (Spotify Singles)

Brighton based duo Royal Blood have built up a reputation over the years for their loud and unapologetically energetic brand of rock music, from the shredding guitar tones and heartfelt vocalisations of lead singer Mike Kerr to the heavy acoustics provided by drummer Ben Thatcher.

It’s been the story ever since their introduction in 2014, and their scintillating cover of classic song by The Knack,  “My Sharona”, in collaboration with Spotify for the streaming platform’s collection, Spotify Singles, is a fantastic redo of the famous rock tune.

Spotify Singles is a plethora of recordings by artists around the world in collaboration with the famous streaming service, where the artist plays one of their own tracks, then a covers version of another famous tune. For their double header in 2017, Royal Blood performed this alongside their hit single “How Did We Get So Dark?”.

They collaborated with Spotify Singles in the famous Abbey Road Studios in London, home to the Beatles and many other famous artists have worked there, such as Oasis, Lady Gaga and Stormzy. Some incredible albums such as Radiohead’s 1995 album The Bends were produced there as well.

The band’s version of the song, which delves into themes of adoration and romance keeps all the components that makes it one of the most memorable rock songs in history but also highlights the things that have made Royal Blood one of the most influential bands in the industry – stellar acoustics and a deep and powerful voice from Kerr, which here are both utilized to great effect, creating an innovative modernized take.

“When you gonna give to me, give to me?/ Or is it just a matter of time, Sharona?/ Is it d-d-destiny, destiny?/ Or just a game in my mind Sharona?” (“My Sharona”, Spotify Singles, Royal Blood).

 

“The Sound” – OUT IN FRONT (The Sound)

The 1975 had one of their biggest hits with their catchy pop-rock tune “The Sound”, released in 2016 as part of the album I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it. 

Recently, upcoming Los Angeles based rock band OUT IN FRONT took on the task of covering the song, and their version is scintillating in all the best ways –  not taking away from the original, but instead having a new, refined feel to it. The acoustics are spectacular, with a kick-drum sound to power the beat, fuelled by sharp and short riffs credited to the group’s fantastic guitarists Ryen “Dax” Wagner and Isiah Volk, with a captivating solo right before the final chorus.

Lead singer Madie Renner is a powerhouse. Her vocals are crystalline and melodic, sung with a deep desperation, accurately reflecting the original song’s inner themes of love and the desire to fix a broken relationship

“Well I know when you’re around/ Cause I know the sound, I know the sound of your heart” (“The Sound”, The Sound, OUT IN FRONT).

For the band – who are inspired a lot in their musical creation by the ideologies surrounding space – this is a monumental moment in their career, as it has gained them widespread recognition as one of the industry’s best upcoming talents.

 

“Teenage Dirtbag” – Peach PRC (Spotify Singles)

One of the additions to the Spotify Singles collection,  Shaylee Curnow –  who makes music under the name Peach PRC – created a cover of the 90s classic “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus which is refreshing, yet carries the same level of angst and heartbreak, making for a perfect modernised twist. The pop starlet worked on this cover in Sydney, back in 2022.

“Though it retains the original version’s core melody and hook, Peach’s take on the pop-punk staple turns it into a shimmery – and somewhat melancholic – hyperpop number” (Robinson, NME, 29.06.22)

The singer brings her trademark bubblegum-pop style into the fray, and whilst there are still some extremely strong acoustic elements such as electric guitars and a simple drum beat to set the tone, it’s the singer’s vocalisations that really make the track stand out, her angelic harmonies powering the song and enhancing the themes of heartbreak, love and self-acceptance

“I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby/ Listen to Iron Maiden with me” (“Teenage Dirtbag”, Spotify Singles, Peach PRC).

 

“Bad Reputation” – Avril Lavigne (Goodbye Lullaby)

Avril Lavigne has taken the industry by storm with a catalogue of hits and her album Goodbye Lullaby was a major part of that. One of the tracks, “Bad Reputation” epitomises everything that makes her one of the coolest rock artists of all time. It’s feral and unbridled from the start, drums and guitars colliding in a maelstrom of sound.

The song is a cover of the original classic by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, and Lavigne’s version is stellar, doing a great job of capturing the essence of the record – being a free spirit, not caring what anyone thinks, living life to the fullest no matter the effects and not confining to the rules society sets out.

“And I’m only doing good when I’m having fun/ And I don’t have to please no one/ And I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation.” (“Bad Reputation”, Goodbye Lullaby, Avril Lavigne).

The song even made its way into pop culture as it featured in the anime movie One Piece: Z. This aligns with Lavigne’s popularity and cultural impact in Japan, where she has a deep connection with her fans in the country, performing there for multiple tour dates and filming the “Hello Kitty” music video in Tokyo.

“Not only does she boast over 40 million total worldwide album sales over her career, but she was the first Western artist in Japanese history to have three albums in a row to sell over a million copies in Japan.” (Roll, JapanToday, 07.09.22)

 

“Feeling Good” – Muse (Origin of Symmetry)

The stellar Muse track “Feeling Good” is so fantastically crafted that you’d be forgiven thinking it’s an original release, but it’s actually a solid cover version, fuelled by the shredding of guitars and varied drumbeats from band members Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard, encapsulating everything good about the Devon based rock trio.

The original was sung by Nina Simone, a brilliant track which Muse’s version pays homage to, with lead singer Matt Bellamy bringing grunge-fuelled powerful singing and a vocal range that reiterates why he is one of the greatest artists in the industry.

“Blossom in the trees/ You know how I feel/ It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life/ For me/ And I’m feeling good.” (“Feeling Good”, Origin of Symmetry, Muse).

The song was met with critical acclaim, with an NME poll revealing it as the best cover song of all time. Even after putting their own spin on a classic, Muse have created a masterpiece that stands out on their 2001 album Origin of Symmetry.

 

“Where Is My Mind?” – Tkay Maidza (Where Is My Mind?)

Tkay Maidza’s synth-laden version of the Pixies classic “Where Is My Mind?” is like stepping into a dream. The Australian singer fuses creative sonic elements and powerful vocals, delving into genres like house music, a key part of her discography, as evidenced on her 2020 album Last Year Was Weird, Vol.2 ( where songs such as “24k” are the perfect blend of electronica and rap music)

Maidza showcases her vocal talent, fluctuating between soft and loud tones which pair perfectly with the background. Even as the song comes to its eventual conclusion and the recognizable background notes of the Pixies fan favourite, Maidza remains a tour de force.

This version also seems to hone in on the themes of not knowing where the mind is further, the repetition of “where is my” in the chorus creating a sense of the protagonist being completely lost.

Maidza is one of the best upcoming rappers of her generation and her multitalented approach to creating music is evident with her five-star cover of such a timeless rock song.

 

“Of The Night” – Bastille (All This Bad Blood)

One of the standout tracks from British rock group Bastille’s discography is a song which combines two covers at once, fusing the Eurodance classics “ Rhythm Of The Night” by Corona and “Rhythm Is A Dancer” by SNAP!

The track is taken from the band’s stellar 2013 album All This Bad Blood, featuring some of their greatest hits such as “Pompeii” and “Icarus”.  “Of The Night” is a fantastic addition to the album, both sonically and thematically fantastic throughout.

The track starts with a synth pattern and a melodic yet unsettling xylophone sound before lead singer Dan Smith kicks things off with crystalline vocals and expert lyricism focusing on themes of love and desire, which also cleverly play on the original lyrics of the two aforementioned dance tracks, such as the opening line emulating the famous words sung many years ago by Thea Austin (who worked alongside SNAP!)

“Rhythm is a dancer/ It’s a soul’s companion/ People feel it everywhere” (“Of The Night”, All This Bad Blood, Bastille).

It’s a cover which works because it creates the perfect illusion. The upbeat feel of the dance classics is the polar opposite of what Smith tries to convey with his lyricism in “Of The Night”

“Won’t you teach me how to love and learn/ There’ll be nothing left for me to yearn” (“Of The Night”, All This Bad Blood, Bastille).