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In Defense: Post-Buckley “Hallelujah” Covers

Posted by Eric Garneau at 5:00 pm 8 Responses »

Mar 182011

In Defense takes a second look at a much maligned cover artist or album and asks, “was it really as bad as all that?”

When the Watchmen movie came out in March 2009, my primary job consisted of owning and operating a comic book store. Because that film is based on one of the most acclaimed graphic novels of all time, the few weeks that followed its release saw me inundated with complaints about its content. The number one gripe: an overabundance of Dr. Manhattan’s junk. Number two: “Why did they play that corny ‘Hallelujah’ cover during the sex scene?”

As anyone familiar with that scene can attest, of course, Watchmen — in keeping with its mostly retro soundtrack — employed the original Leonard Cohen track from 1984’s Various Positions. In fact, that instance marks one of the only major uses of the original recording in a mass-media production. Thanks to Shrek, The O.C., X Factor and a host of others, though, the song’s become inescapable via its many covers. Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang and more have all had their say on this one. In a 2009 interview with Jian Ghomeshi of The Guardian, Cohen revealed that he’d felt sympathy for a review of Watchmen which asked for a moratorium of “Hallelujah” in popular culture. Quoth Cohen: “I think it’s a good song, but I think too many people sing it.” Continue reading »

Ukulele Virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro Breathes New Life into “Hallelujah” (Cover Me Premiere)

Posted by Ray Padgett at 5:00 pm 5 Responses »

Nov 192010

Like a lot of people, we discovered ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro through his six-million-views-and-counting YouTube cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Follow-up covers of “Let’s Dance” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” impressed us even more. Now the four-string star returns with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in an exclusive Cover Me premiere. We chatted with Jake about the tune, which you can listen to below. Continue reading »

The 30 Best Van Morrison Covers Ever

Posted by Staff at 12:00 pm 9 Responses »

Aug 292025

‘The Best Covers Ever’ series counts down our favorite covers of great artists.

I do not consciously aim to take the listener anywhere. If anything, I aim to take myself there in my music. If the listener catches the wavelength of what I am saying or singing, or gets whatever point whatever line means to them, then I guess as a writer I may have done a day’s work. – Van Morrison

When I wrote my first post for Cover Me, it was in celebration of Van Morrison’s 66th birthday. In it, I called him “perhaps the most incantatory singer in rock history; the words tumble from his mouth so fast they become never-quite-meaningless sounds, or they emerge bound and struggling themselves raw, or they flow out like brook water. Truly, he’s mastered what he calls ‘the inarticulate speech of the heart.’”

Fourteen years later (my gosh, has it been that long?), as Morrison reaches his four score, that still holds true. He is rock’s most spiritual curmudgeon, inscrutable and evocative, grouchily but magnificently folding into the mystic. His songs tap into their listeners in ways that would be eerie if they weren’t so universal. You don’t listen to Van Morrison’s music – you respond to it.

Today we’re looking at thirty responses, in the form of cover songs. These artists felt the hand of Van and responded accordingly. We think you’ll find them to be worthy rejoinders, what with their acuity and grace. They will make you feel good, and they will make you feel whole, when their spirit moves you and fills you through and through.

—Patrick Robbins, Features Editor

The 30 Best Pearl Jam Covers Ever

Posted by Staff at 12:00 pm No Responses »

Aug 012025

‘The Best Covers Ever’ series counts down our favorite covers of great artists.

Earlier this month, Matt Cameron announced he was leaving Pearl Jam. He wasn’t their first drummer—or their second, or third, or fourth—but he’d been there longer than all the rest combined. So it felt like the end of an era. Or, at least, an opportunity for us to celebrate their catalog through covers.

As big as Pearl Jam was, and is, they don’t get covered as much as you might expect. No doubt they’re sick of constant comparisons to Nirvana, but, in this respect, Kurt and co. get ten covers for every one of Pearl Jam. But that means the artists who do bother to cover Pearl Jam really care. Find 30 such artists below.

Photo by Danny Clinch

Toni Cornell Honors Brian Wilson with Soft “God Only Knows” Cover

Posted by Ally McAlpine at 9:00 am No Responses »

Jul 212025

Toni Cornell, daughter of the late Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell, has released a heartfelt studio cover of The Beach Boys classic “God Only Knows.” Cornell might not sound much like her father, who is known for rich, deep vocals. But her vocal control is amazing and sounds stunning layered over an acoustic guitar and tambourine. Continue reading »

The 40 Best David Bowie Covers Ever

Posted by Staff at 8:00 am 4 Responses »

Mar 282025

‘The Best Covers Ever’ series counts down our favorite covers of great artists.

If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting. – David Bowie

In March 1975, David Bowie released Young Americans, the album that saw him move from glam rock to Philly soul. It was his first top ten album in America, featuring his first number one song in “Fame.” Fifty years later, that golden anniversary is enough of a hook to hang a Cover Me Best Covers Ever feature on. But the remarkable thing about David Bowie is, this was little more than a blip in his career. He had other personas to invent, other forms to master, other brilliancies to create. And he wouldn’t rest until (long after) he did.

Bowie’s influence on popular culture cannot be overstated, and not just in the music world – I’m convinced that roughly one-third of Tilda Swinton is David Bowie. For millions of misfits worldwide, he himself was the freak flag, the one who made it okay to be other than. I’ll help you with the pain, he sang. You’re not alone. Give me your hands. ‘Cause you’re wonderful. It’s a message that still sings out today, in Bowie’s songs and in the work of those he influenced.

Now, with these forty covers, we have a combination of the two. Bowie recorded the earliest song here at the age of twenty, the most recent at sixty-eight, months away from his death. It’s a true wonder how high the bar of quality stayed for nearly half a century. It’s not a wonder how good the covers are, though – when inspired by the one who inspired them to step up, step out, step on stage, everyone here went a little bit out of their depth and did something exciting.

And now, let’s dance.

– Patrick Robbins, Features Editor