‘The Best Ever’ series counts down our favorite covers of great artists.
All week we’ve been running features on every artist inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s unusually strong 2019 class. But the biggest tribute goes to the band least excited about the honor. And that’s maybe as it should be.
Their unenthusiastic reaction – as I write this, it’s not even clear if any of them will show up – reminds me of when Bob Dylan first played Obama’s White House. Bob didn’t come to his own rehearsal, or to the customary photo op with the president. He turned up at the last minute, played his songs, shook the President’s hand, and immediately left the building. And as Obama told Rolling Stone: “That’s how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don’t want him to be all cheesin’ and grinnin’ with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the whole enterprise.”
Same with Radiohead. You want them to be a little skeptical about the Hall of Fame. So it’s no contradiction to use this occasion to honor a band who couldn’t care less. We love them all the more for their refusal to play nice or conform to anyone expectations. Any excuse for posting Radiohead covers is a good one, so we’ll take it. (Plus, since the band won’t be performing themselves, we may get a new Radiohead cover at the ceremony tomorrow evening to add to the pile.)
The countdown begins on page two!
OK Im Upset. Seriously, how did you not Include Lianne La Havas – Weird Fishes?!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_sJVazqw58
Thank you for this
Where is Sia? Her version of Paranoid Android is a masterpiece
Pretty surprised to not see
My Brightest Diamond – Lucky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21XRHBwMZMc
and Kate Rogers – Climbing Up The Walls has always been a favourite too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhuogkZai0s
No Easy All-Stars? Their “Radiodread” album was pretty good. This is the standout track from it (IMHO):
https://youtu.be/USuhLK_bn_Y
Look again at #17…
I’m not a fan of imitation covers, LOVE when people take a song and make it their own.
Me too, Harlen! …I had that in mind when I recorded a Thom Yorke tribute EP – it sounds like you might appreciate it – i’m super proud of it, but am struggling to get any listens. Would love you to check it out… https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1PUJA2ePOopaN0ch59oY7leLJTht425y
I’ve done a solo, acoustic harp cover of Creep that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Do you have a link for it? I love the harp, and Radiohead! Would love to check it out.
…if you’re interested, I’ve done a bunch of Thom Yorke covers in a quirky freak-folk style – a lot of effort, and barely any listens – i promise they’re worth a listen – leave a comment and I’ll be SO HAPPY! Thanks!! https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1PUJA2ePOopaN0ch59oY7leLJTht425y
Graham, you can find it on Spotify – enjoy!
Thanks, Patrick Robbins :-) …very pleasant listen, Kirsten Agresta Copely. I think Motion Picture Soundtrack would be beautiful on solo harp!
You forgot this (the best Bloom’s cover) ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MeA8-_17mk
This one caught me off guard. I know everyone says this but it’s one of the better Radiohead covers you will ever hear: https://youtu.be/HI5Pnn70u3g “I Will” by a Georgian men’s church choir from Tbilisi.