Darren Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who is best known for his work in the group Hefner. The artist recently decided to take on Madonna’s “Borderline.” The original “Borderline” was first released in 1983, and is a metaphor for a relationship that is on the line. It’s chimey with its bright synths, boppy organs, and has a driving beat that is pushed forward with none other than a classic ’80s kick drum. Continue reading »
Sumner is an Australian electronic music duo that first formed in 2018. Artists Chloe Wilson and Jack McLaine’s original song “Stranded” garnered attention from Aussie radio station Triple J, and made it onto the radio station’s hottest list in both 2020 and 2021. Surprisingly, their new cover of “Like a Prayer” for cover-song series Like a Version for the station steers away from their usual electronic impulse, at least in the intro. McClain arranged a rich new 4-part vocal harmony in this version of the tune. The duo also added drummer Patrick Denao for the live cover. Continue reading »
Once self-style “generation terrorists,” Manic Street Preachers are not the first band I’d think of if I was asked to come up with groups likely to cover early Madonna songs. But age mellows us all. Recorded live for the BBC 6 Music Festival in their home nation of Wales, their new cover of “Borderline” is remarkably faithful for a band that started a punk band (sort of). Continue reading »
Wet Leg are a duo from the Isle of Wight who debuted with a viral hit last summer. “Chaise Longue” sounds like a parody of post punk, almost like Flight of the Conchords doing a 21st century, professional version of The Slits or something.
Their cover of “Material Girl” has that same satirical edge, but it’s a lot more muted. It opens with a thudding chord that feels like the distorted echo of a memory of a ’60s pop song, and nothing like Madonna. A buzzing second guitar soon joins in before lead vocalist Rhian Teasdale’s lilting voice joins. She alternates between that lilt, speaking and a slighty more passionate delivery. The music behind her, the thudding rhythm guitar, the plodding drums and the buzzing, shimmery lead guitar, thump out a mechanical that sounds both 21st century and primitive. Continue reading »
Canadian indie rockers Blinker the Star last appeared here at Cover Me with a version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up that Hill” in 2012. They’ve put out a few albums in the interim and they’re returning this summer with a album full of covers, inclyding their version of Madonna‘s “Holiday,” the most enduring song (and biggest hit) from her debut album. Continue reading »
Some covers are more equal than others. Good, Better, Best looks at three covers and decides who takes home the gold, the silver, and the bronze.
Madonna’s eighth album Music (the one with the cowboy hat) turns 20 today. She worked on it while pregnant with her son Rocco (and yes, she was pregnant when the music video was recorded). Before its official release date, preliminary recordings of the album were leaked on Napster (remember those days?). Despite this, the album sold plenty of copies, reaching triple platinum status.
The title track, and first single, “Music” was inspired by Madonna’s experience at a Sting concert, watching the audience engage with Police classics. At this writing, it’s also Madonna’s last number one single, which I’m actually surprised by–what, not enough “Hung Up” or “4 Minutes” fans out there? Nevertheless, today we celebrate the song that encouraged us to “put a record on” (before Corinne Bailey Rae did) with three covers.
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