Aug 012022
 
best cover songs of july 2022
Brett Eldredge – Cold Heart (Elton John, Dua Lipa cover)

Against all odds for a rocker of his generation, Elton John had a genuine hit with a single he released just last year, at age 74: “Cold Heart.” It topped the chart in the UK – his first song to do so in 16 years. It did nearly as well in the States, reaching number 7 and topping a number of secondary charts. Having current pop hitmaker Dua Lipa on board no doubt helped, as did releasing it as a remix by Pnau (“Hot Dance/Electronic Songs” was one of those secondary U.S. charts). It also fairly shameless incorporates bits of earlier hit singles “Rocket Man” and “Sacrifice” as well as deeper Elton cuts “Kiss the Bride” and “Where’s the Shoorah?” In country star Brett Eldridge’s live cover, though, it all blends together seamlessly. Continue reading »

Jun 222022
 
Alicia Keys Johnny Marr This Charming Man

Empire State of Mind no more: Alicia Keys is going full-on Brit this month. After a mini-set at the center of the Queen’s recent Platinum Jubilee festivities (I always knew Elizabeth II was the titular “Girl On Fire…”), Keys journeyed up the country for a subsequent performance at Manchester’s AO Arena. Midway through the show, Keys invited Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to the stage for guest spot on an unexpected cover of The Smiths’ “This Charming Man.” Continue reading »

Mar 202015
 

Johnny Marr has had quite the career.  Besides being the guitarist for The Smiths, he has also been part of The The, Electronic, The Pretenders, The Cribs and Modest Mouse.  He started a band with Zak Starkey (Ringo’s son) called Johnny Marr and the Healers.  He has worked with Paul McCartney, Talking Heads, Beck, Pet Shop Boys and a whole slew of other artists as a session musician.

Here, he takes on the 1993 Depeche Mode hit, “I Feel You”.  To some of you, that may mean nothing.  To a kid raised in the ’80s, though, this is the best of both worlds.

This limited edition 7″, released for Record Store Day 2015, will also include a B-side live performance of The Smiths’ “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want”.

At first, it almost sounds like a George Thorogood tune with the drum and guitar, but then it quickly becomes the well-recognized song that I wore out on Depeche Mode’s Songs of Faith and Devotion album.

Check out more Johnny Marr on his website.