Mar 012024
 
best cover songs february 2024
Annie Lennox — Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince/Sinéad O’Connor cover)

The emotional highpoint of the Grammys—well, other than Tracy Chapman’s return (covers-adjacent!)–was Annie Lennox’s tribute to Sinéad O’Connor during the In Memoriam. Bonus points because she was backed by two longtime bandmembers of Prince (who, of course, wrote the song), Wendy and Lisa. The teardrop on Lennox’s eye was very Prince, and the political statement at the end was very Sinéad. Continue reading »

Feb 072024
 
paramore talking heads

Last week, Paramore released their version of “Burning Down the House,” the first glimpse of an all-star Talking Heads tribute album that will feature Lorde, Miley Cyrus, the National and more. The sonic result is a satisfying amalgamation of 80’s nostalgia with a fresh vocal delivery. Continue reading »

Oct 112022
 
first to eleven paramore

First to Eleven is an alternative-rock cover band based out of Erie, Pennsylvania. They are known for putting interesting twists on popular tunes, from “Call Me Maybe” to “Dreams.” Their latest tackles Paramore’s new single “This Is Why,” and the funky, sassy song is in good hands with First to Eleven. Continue reading »

Jul 272021
 
blackpink rose paramore

As if K-Pop superstars BLACKPINK don’t have enough going on at the moment, following their first album and upcoming film, one of their most popular members Rose, has started releasing solo material. As a part of the Korean reality show Sea of Hope, Rose performed a softer and more subtle version of the Paramore classic “The Only Exception.” Continue reading »

Aug 312020
 
best cover songs august 2020
Alex Kapranos & Clara Luciani – Summer Wine (Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra cover)

Clara Luciani is Nancy Sinatra and Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos is Lee Hazlewood on this charming cover. Kapranos wrote, “When the lockdown started, we decided to record [‘Summer Wine’] — more for ourselves than anything else. We wanted to create the atmosphere of an imaginary world away from the confinement we were experiencing. Not that we were unhappy, but the imagination is the greatest medium for escape and adventure… After the lockdown eased off, we got together to film the video with our friends Adrien, Leo, Fiona and Hugo. I love the ideas they had, which suit the mood of the song and reflect our… well, our love of karaoke!” Continue reading »

Apr 142020
 
live-from-home covers

It’s a strange circumstance: What has been awful for humanity at large has been pretty good for the world of cover songs. Even we would say that’s a terrible trade-off!

Nevertheless, we’ve been grateful that so many musicians have taken to Facebook, Instagram, etc to share their music and, in many cases, cover favorite songs that are helping get them through. So, for the fourth time and certainly not the last, we’re rounding up some of the best we’ve seen recently and encouraging you to add your own below.

One note: There are some obvious names you won’t see here. John Prine. Bill Withers. Adam Schlesinger. Kenny Rogers. So many wonderful covers are emerging to pay tribute to artists no longer with them that we’ll be rounding them up separately. We did the first set for Prine here. Continue reading »