Jan 112020
 

In Memoriam pays tribute to those who have left this world, and the songs they left us to remember them by.

Neil Peart, the deep-thinking, world-traveling, book-reading, book-writing, virtuosic drummer and primary lyricist for the Canadian power trio Rush, has died at age 67. Peart died of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, that had first affected him just over three years ago. He joined Rush in 1974, replacing original drummer John Rutsey, who had to leave the band due to health-related issues. Peart was a drummer’s drummer, with dozens of industry and press awards and hundreds of accolades from his peers. While his technical prowess is beyond impeccable, he received nearly as much attention for the lyrical direction in which he steered the band. As we mark his passing here at Cover Me, we’ll look at cover versions of Rush tunes that honor both of these equally important contributions.
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Nov 042010
 

A lot of the most-covered songs of 2010 are predictable: “Tik Tok.” “Teenage Dream.” “Fuck You.” But one dark horse keeps popping its head up: Peter Gabriel’s 1986 “Mercy Street.” Why this song? Why now? Sure, Gabriel’s recent covers album explains a spate of Gabriel covers, but “Mercy Street” is hardly one of his most famous songs. Heck, it isn’t even one of the most famous songs on the eight-tune album from which it originates!

Maybe it was only a matter of time before this song earned its place in the sun, though. Elbow first shined the light on “Mercy Street,” in a harmony-heavy companion to Gabriel’s cover of their “Mirrorball.” Fever Ray followed it up with a far spookier version a couple months ago. Now Los Angeles keyboardist/producer Spotlight, Floodlight bridges the spooky-pretty divide with a jangling synth crawl. Rob Dickinson of the Catherine Wheel assists on vocals. Stream and download it below. Continue reading »