Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, eg as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are – in random order – ten of our favorite covers from last month – links to the pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.
June brought us some worthy cover albums—Rewind by The Feelies, Déjà vu (We Have All Been Here Before) by The Wandering Hearts, and Key Eat Mune – A Tribute To Guided By Voices And Bee Thousand by various artists—but here we highlight the songs that stood out to us the most.
Le Freak || Cover: Neo-Magics || Original: Chic
Neo-Magics’ origins date back some 40 years, but prolific singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Nic Dalton (also from Plunderers, Ratcat, Sneeze, Godstar, The Lemonheads, Love Positions, The Sticker Club, etc.) has breathed new life into Sydney’s rock band. He transforms Chic’s 1978 disco hit Le Freak—written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers—into an unrecognizable garage rock stomper with irresistible riffs. Completely different, but very catchy, and still danceable. Out digitally via Nic’s Half A Cow Records.
Tattooed Love Boys || Cover: Plantoid feat. White Denim || Original: Pretenders
White Denim and Plantoid toured together, which led to this split single on which they express their shared admiration for the Pretenders. White Denim’s cover of Time The Avenger features the vocals of Chloe Spence of Plantoid, while Plantoid’s cover of Tattooed Love Boys features the vocals of James Petralli of White Denim. The latter version in particular is restless brilliance. Out digitally via Bella Union.
Poor Boy || Cover: North Mississippi Allstars feat. Duwayne Burnside || Original: R.L. Burnside
On their delicious 12th full-length Still Shakin’, the North Mississippi Allstars celebrate their first album Shake Hands with Shorty, released 25 years ago—not to re-create its sound, but to recapture the spirit of invention and excitement of that time. They recorded Mississippi classics with today’s skills and experience, together with a new generation of local musicians. And so you hear the son of R.L. Burnside in an inspired version of his father’s Poor Boy. Out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through New West Records.
I Started a Joke || Cover: Paul Weller || Original: Bee Gees
In a few weeks, Paul Weller will release Find El Dorado, according to the press release a deeply personal new album of reinterpretations—with fresh meaning and a sense of reverence—of songs that have long lived in the back of his mind: “Less a covers album and more a map of his emotional and musical DNA.” In that context, his heartfelt recording of The Bee Gees 1968 single I Started A Joke is telling. Out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Warner Records/Parlophone Records on July 25th.
Sloop John B || Cover: The Successful Failures || Original: The Beach Boys
The passing of Brian Wilson prompted several bands and artists to share Beach Boys covers. Here we have Trenton, New Jersey-based The Successful Failures, who have been playing Sloop John B live for years—”Always a crowd pleaser”—but have finally recorded a proper studio version in a gritty Americana style. Out digitally (self-released). Read the song’s miraculous genesis at the Financial Times.
Summer Follows Spring || Cover: Nah… || Original: Terry Hall
To ease the wait for new original material, Amsterdam-based twee pop duo Nah…—Estella Rosa and Seb Voss—have compiled 12 of their cover songs for the compilation Koffers (The Ultimate Cover Collection). Jangly and charming sophistication, with this dreamy version of Terry Hall’s 1997 album track Summer Follows Spring standing out (and most fitting for these sun-drenched days). Out digitally via Bureau Platiruma!!!.
You’re The One That I Want || Cover: Satan Takes A Holiday || Original: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
You’re the One That I Want, from the 1978 Grease soundtrack, is probably one of the most uplifting songs in pop history, but leave it to Swedish rock outfit Satan Takes A Holiday to change that feel. “I got chills, they’re multiplying”—it’s never sounded so ominous. It’s a first taste of their upcoming covers album Covering Our Tracks, due out later this year through Icons Creating Evil Art.
Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime || Cover: Mark Stewart || Original: The Korgis
Mark Stewart, frontman of iconic post-punk band The Pop Group, posthumously releases his eighth solo album The Fateful Symmetry, completed shortly before his untimely passing in April 2023. Its nine songs are as experimental and idiosyncratic as you’d expect, with the hypnotic folk-meets-dub ‘Bébe Durmiendo Cumbia Bootleg’ version of The Korgis’ 1980 synth-pop hit Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime as a prime example. Out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Mute Records, on July 11.
Comin’ Home Baby || Cover: The Kevin Fingier Collective || Original: The Dave Bailey Quintet
Hot on the heels of The Boogaloo EP, Kevin Fingier returns with an amazingly funky instrumental take on Comin’ Home Baby, first released by The Dave Bailey Quintet in May 1962, but it’s Mel Tormé’s October 1962 version that everyone knows as a mod classic. Leaving Samsara, the original B-side track, is also worth a listen. Out digitally and on 7” vinyl through Acid Jazz imprint Fingier Records.
Zydeco Sont Pas Sales || Cover: The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley || Original: Clifton Chenier
You’ve seen the living legends in these columns before, albeit covers of their work, but this is them themselves, at their best. Some 60 years after Clifton Chenier first recorded Zydeco et Pas Salés, The Rolling Stones turn it into a swinging rhythm & blues anthem, with French vocals by Mick Jagger, and irresistible accordion playing by Steve Riley. It is the third single—also out on limited 7″ vinyl—from A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, out on Valcour Records, To celebrate Clifton Chenier’s 100th birthday, the expansive box set King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco, featuring music from throughout his career, will be released at the end of this year.
Also worth mentioning:
Bonzo Goes To Bitburg (Ramones) by Dirty Girl Music [from NEWS LP]
Coffy Is The Color (Roy Ayers) by Calibro 35 [from Exploration LP]
Falling Out Of Love (With You) (The 6ths) by The Interpretation Cultures [from The Interpretation of Indiepop Cultures EP]
Float On (Modest Mouse) by Community Swimming Pool
For You (Anti-Nowhere League) by The Cheats [from Old Rats On A New Ship LP]
Fortnight (Taylor Swift) by Still Wave
Glad All Over (The Dave Clark Five) by Robert Ellis Orrall
He’s A Whore (Cheap Trick) by Woolworthy [from Fall With You EP]
Hey It’s Your Funeral, Mama (Alexisonfire) by Ocæn [from Shield Maiden single]
If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot) by Mark Ward [from Translator LP]
I Get Around (The Beach Boys) by Billie Joe Armstrong
I’m A Believer (The Monkees) by AJ Lee & Blue Summit
I’ve Just Seen The Rock Of Ages (Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers) by Drunken Prayer [from Thy Burdens LP]
I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges) by The Midnight Papers
Loaded Painted Red (764-Hero) by Chastity Belt
No Ordinary Love (Sade) by deary [from I Still Think About You 7″]
She’s Gonna Two Time (The Kaisers) by Jay Millar
Someone Who Cares (The Only Ones) by Heavenly
The Winner Takes It All (ABBA) by Carla Wehbe [for Like A Version]
Whole Wide World (Wreckless Eric) by Saint Small [from Thank You Friends – The Album]
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more worthy cover songs.
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