A lot of covers of “Heartbreak Hotel” really lean into the blues side of the song. So many versions copy the famous breaks in the original. And plenty of those who sing it try, at least a little bit, to imitate Elvis’ delivery.
So it’s at least a little curious that singer Brian Fate’s new cover does not fall into the “Heartbreak Hotel” cover cliche mold. In part because some publications describe Fate as a “blues singer.” But, rest assured, this is not a typical “Heartbreak Hotel” cover and it leans heavily away from the blues, Elvis’ delivery, and the famous breaks in the song. None of those are present.
Instead, I’d say there’s almost a Bruce Hornsby quality to the recording, a blend of roots influence and pop rock polish – almost sophistipop-esque if it sounded more ’80s. Fate plucks his acoustic guitar and slowly sings the words over top, at a pace much slower than the original. (The guitar is not slow, only his voice.) He is accompanied by touches of piano, a synthesizer for some background colour, gentle electric guitar fills and an appropriately lonesome-sounding cello.
It is a complete reinvention of the song, owing basically nothing to the original recording or to most covers I’m aware of. It sounds like a brand new song. Those don’t always work, of course, but this one presents these well-known lyrics in a new light. Gone is the manic, desperate energy of the original, replaced by a kind of resignation, surrounded by an arrangement that almost implies a peaceful acceptance.
