Eric Taylor

Eric lives in the great state of Utah. He likes (virgin) piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. He also likes to speak in third person. He became really interested in cover songs when he first heard Tiffany's cover of Tommy James' "I Think We're Alone Now". (He was 15. Don't judge.) He worked for 20 years on the radio, but wanted to make more money, so he became a school teacher.

Mar 252019
 

In the Spotlight showcases a cross-section of an artist’s cover work. View past installments, then post suggestions for future picks in the comments!

def leppard covers

It seems like just yesterday. I was listening to the radio, when a song by a previously unheard-of band from Britain – who apparently didn’t know how to spell their own name – came on and my eleven-year-old mind was blown! And while this may sound like a scenario during the height of Beatlemania, this was 1983. This was Def Leppard!

Before I continue, I am not stating that Def Leppard is the Beatles of my generation. However, their album Pyromania was my first purchase, which changed the way I listened to music forever. I am ecstatic that they will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.  I spent some time during my winter break re-listening to all of Def Leppard’s covers. And even though it was difficult, I was able pick my personal Top Five.
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Feb 172017
 

Welcome to Cover Me Q&A, where we take your questions about cover songs and answer them to the best of our ability.

erictaylor

Eric Taylor is a former Clear Channel DJ who now serves as an elementary school teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah. He’s been writing news pieces for Cover Me since 2015.
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Jan 232017
 
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Banjo Guy Ollie is a multi-talented musician from Ireland.  He spends most of his time recording covers of video game music using acoustic instruments.  I first heard of him a couple of years ago when my friend, Dave, sent me the Double Dragon theme song.  (Dave and I spent most of our time in high school at the arcade trying to save Marian from the Black Warriors.)

Ollie admitted to me, though, that occasionally he likes to cover the odd rock/pop tune. His most recent in this category is Metallica’s “Wherever I May Roam.”  For the song, he uses a mandolin, an Irish bouzouki and a five-string tenor banjo.  (I love his creative drumming, as well.) Continue reading »

Sep 272016
 
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Dwight Yoakam is no stranger to covers.  He has successfully covered Cheap Trick, Queen, Elvis Presley and even The Clash.  (To name a few.)  But I have to be honest, I never thought I would ever post something like this here: “Man, I dig Dwight Yoakam covering Prince.

While in the studio recording his latest album, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…, he learned of the death of Prince. In People magazine he explained, “We were all lamenting (his death), and I said, ‘It just feels like we should record ‘Purple Rain.’ I had always loved the simplistic beauty of that melody and refrain. I always loved the song.” Continue reading »

Aug 022016
 
pixels

The Pixels is a band from Thessaloniki, Greece that describes itself as “Pop/Alternative Rock with a taste of swing and jazz”. Well it’s more than “a taste” on their new cover. A few years ago, lead singer Giotis Dort became somewhat of a YouTube sensation with his cover songs. Since he formed the band in 2014, they have also done their fair share of covers, but their latest takes them to a whole new level: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. Continue reading »

Jul 212016
 
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A few weeks ago I was having a discussion with my friends about Bon Jovi’s best song.  Of course, there were plenty that chose “Livin’ On a Prayer” or “Bad Medicine”.  Even a couple of votes for “It’s My Life”.  My friend, Steve, chose “Bed of Roses”.  (I still don’t know if he was joking or not.)

My vote went to “You Give Love a Bad Name”.  For me, there is not a better Bon Jovi tune.  So when I heard that the amazing Postmodern Jukebox did a cover of this song, I had to write about it. Continue reading »