3 Cover Songs That Are Better Than The Original

Covering tracks from other artists can be tricky.  Are these artists trying to pay homage to the song creator or are they providing their own cheeky treatment?  Regardless of the intensions of these artists, these performers have provided a musical renovation with their own refined interpretations.

1.  Mad World - Gary Jules
Original Artist: Tears for Fears

Quite a few readers may recognize this cover because it was featured in the movie Donnie Darko.  Jules' take on the Tears for Fears hit, however, functions as a stand alone single.  The eerie musical tone compliments the stirring lyrics much better than the original.




2.  Crazy In Love - Antony and the Johnsons
Original Artist: Beyonce

Although I do recall loving the original 2003 single by Beyonce with its arresting horn section and punchy beats, Antony and the Johnsons' version is both so unsettling and alluring that your ears can't seem to abstain from Antony's maddening weep.




3.  Sea of Love - Cat Power
Original Artist: Phil Philips

Readers may also recognize this particular cover because it was featured in the movie Juno.  Cat Power hits all the right emotional notes by producing very minimal.




Which cover songs do you think are better than the original?


For more cover song entries:

The 4 Greatest Soul Covers of Rock n Roll Songs

Top 6 Beach Boys Cover Songs

Best Tweets Using The Rachel Dolezal Hashtag

While there is nothing inherently funny about the Rachel Dolezal scandal, Twitter is a social circle where every night is open mic night.  Whether Twitter users are either speaking out with tweets peppered with humor or earnest rage, everyone has something to say.  Listed below are just a few of the best tweets concerning this debacle:

Photo Credit: Mashable

Summer Festival Review - Make Music Pasadena 2015

My husband and I decided to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary by sharing the gift of music with one another.  Make Music Pasadena is the largest free music festival that supplies over 35 stages for nearly 150 acts.  

With musical acts spanning from indie rock/pop to jazz to world music, there is most definitely something for everyone....not to mention a children's coloring booth.  Listed below are just a few of the artists that we had the pleasure of seeing live.

Hidden Charms

Generally when I attend this particular concert series, I am familiar with at least 3-4 performers.  Since this year I was mostly just familiar with Nick Waterhouse,  I decided to give a few bands a chance at random.  Enter British band The Hidden Charms.  These young London lads know how to capture the musical finesse of the 1960's yesteryear.

Standout Track: Dreaming of Another Girl - Hidden Charms

Nick Waterhouse

I have been a Nick Waterhouse devotee for a number of years, however I hadn't had the satisfaction of seeing him live until now.  With two LPs refining his classic R&B and rock n roll sound, Waterhouse delivered his indelible resonance to a contented crowd.

Standout Track: I Can Only Give You Everything - Nick Waterhouse

De Lux

I had heard a rumor that electro-funk newcomers De Lux might play a gig at Make Music Pasadena through KCRW.  Unfortunately, De Lux wasn't listed on the MMP lineup online.  Fortunately, we were lucky enough to stumble upon their band rehearsal.  

By the time we made it to their show later that evening, the courtyard reached maximum capacity.  As soon as we were ushered into the show through security, we reached maximum gusto.  Be sure to catch De Lux on tour and be prepared to dance your tush off.

Standout Track: Moments - De Lux

Which summer festivals will you be attending this year?

Top 5 Greatest Music Videos Featuring Puppets

Since approximately 3000 BC, puppets have been used in various ways.  Whether to educate, minister or entertain, puppets have made their mark historically.  Because every culture has adopted some variation of puppetry throughout the centuries, there's no reason why these (rather animated) inanimate objects couldn't make the transition to popular music videos.  Listed below are my top 5 favorite music videos featuring puppets:



5.  Cause I'm a Man - Tame Impala

I suppose this video may be deemed as a more timely selection.  Released just a week ago, I've been hypnotized by Tame Impala's psychedelic DIY approach.  Witnessing the band in the form of puppets makes me want to see if the real life band members instill the same idiosyncrasies.





4.  Pumping On Your Stereo - Supergrass

Like Tame Impala's "Cause I'm a Man," the members of Supergrass are transformed as puppets, although in this particular case, the instruments have come to life as well.  It's a colorful and peculiar video that suits this punchy anthem quite well.





3.  Do It Anyway - Ben Folds Five

This music video meshes my childhood love for Fraggle Rock and my teenage angst accompanied by Ben Folds Five.  Though Fraggle Rock and Ben Folds Five share ultimately nothing in common, they do tend to represent cult status and will always return to the scene anytime their fans holler.




2.  Conceived - Beth Orton

Orton, or her management, haven't provided users with the embedded video, therefore, you will need to click on the link below to view this treasure.  Watch Beth Orton perform her 2005 single "Conceived" with her favorite woodland pals.  Be sure to bookmark this video and return to it whenever you have "a case of the Mondays."

https://youtu.be/0EsRs9kCJB0?list=RD0EsRs9kCJB0


1.  Keep Fishing - Weezer

Like Ben Folds Five, Weezer had also been a teenage favorite of mine.  Unlike Ben Folds Five, this video was released when the band was still relatively relevant amongst their fan base.  Reviewing Weezer's music video discography, it's easy to see how effortless they can incorporate humor in their musical storytelling experience. The Muppet's upbeat and zany disposition works incredibly well against Weezer's deadpan spirit.  I just hope that Kermit still has his Weezer shirt hanging in his closet somewhere.






Honorable Mentions

Champagne On My Shoes - Pigeon John
Alfie - Lily Allen


Photo Credit: Muppet Wiki