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.

In June, over fifty successful covers floated through the space of Add To Wantlist HQ (we have already grabbed Tom Petty’s You Don’t Know How It Feels by Wyldlife, The Beach Boys’ Shut Down by Brad Marino, The Motels’ Total Control by The Hollywood Stars, King Of The Surf (The Trashmen) by The Babalooneys, and traditional Bella Ciao by Jason McNiff), of which we would like to forward the next ten to you as well.

Don’t Look Back || Cover: The Peawees || Original: The Remains
Italian punk rock band The Peawees have just released a wantlist-worthy new 45 on Folc Records. A-side Banana Tree is the lead track from their upcoming album One Ride (out September 6 on Wild Honey Records), but here we share the flipside: an infectious cover of The Remains’ 1966 contribution to the garage rock canon – amazing how they go off the rails after a minute.

Sassafras Roots || Cover: Pete Chadwick || Original: Green Day
Green Day’s 1994 masterpiece Dookie made a huge impression on countless kids. Ucluelet-based handyman Pete Chadwick is one of them. He doesn’t get around to writing original songs at the moment, but his long-cherished wish to cover one of his favorite records of all time has come true. The fourteen tracks of Dookie Unplugged In Ukee are lo-fi and acoustic, but it works.

Your Love || Cover: Melonball || Original The Outfield
Germany’s skate punk five-piece Melonball have released a third vinyl pressing of last year’s debut LP Breathe (half pink/half black vinyl via Thousand Island Records and Lockjaw Records), a good opportunity to record a nice new music video for their cover of The Outfield’s 1986 single Your Love, which closes the album.

The Low Road || Cover: Angry Zeta || Original: Mac Curtis
Bluegrass punk from Buenos Aires in Argentina? Yep, just listen to the exciting Chills And Thrills LP by Angry Zeta, out on Voodoo Rhythm Records. Among the thirteen tracks there are two covers, including this new version of a 1956 song by American rockabilly/country singer Mac Curtis, written by Jim Shell and Joe Price.

Sick of Myself || Cover: Trace Mountains || Original: Matthew Sweet
Sick Of Myself was the gritty opening track of Matthew Sweet’s 1995 album 100% Fun, with lyrics that still resonate: “I’m sick of myself when I look at you // Something is beautiful and true // In a world that’s ugly and a lie // It’s hard to even want to try.” It is as easy to understand why New York-based indie folk band Trace Mountains recorded it (out digitally via Lame-O Records), as it is to be moved by their sensitive version.

Love Will Tear Us Apart || Cover: Los Bluffs || Original: Joy Division
Give Me Time, that’s the title of the new 7″ from Spanish garage punk quartet Los Bluffs on Ghost Higway Recordings, KOTJ Records and SNAP!! Records. It contains three tracks with heavy guitars and potent vocals, including a mean but emotional cover of Joy Division’s 1980 hit.

Que Sera Sera || Cover: Pixies || Original: Doris Day
Legendary alternative rock band Pixies return with new two-track 7″ You’re So Impatient (self-released), in their own words a macabre and cinematic picture of American pop culture. In addition to the title track we get a dark, folky take on the much-covered 50s standard Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) – surprising and compelling.

Slippery People || Cover: Say She She || Original: Talking Heads
New wave/post-punk band Talking Heads are back in the spotlight since their fabulous Stop Making Sense concert film has been restored in 4K to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Slippery People, one of the highlights of that performance, becomes even more groovy in the hands of New York-based discodelic girl group Say She She, recorded live in the BBC Maida Vale Studios (out digitally via Karma Chief/Colemine Records).

Crimson & Clover || Cover: The Shacks || Original: Tommy James and the Shondells
A selection of unreleased work from New York City’s cinematic soul duo The Shacks, one of the first bands signed to Big Crown Records, finally sees the light of day on Big Crown Vaults Vol. 2. It concerns no fewer than twelve tunes, including a cover that sounds even more sultry than the original version of 60s hit Crimson & Clover.

You’ve Got To Earn It || Cover: Fleur De Lys || Original: The Temptations
To conclude, a cover that can’t really be called new, but for which we have a good reason to share it anyway. Acid Jazz launches a special series of Countdown 7” singles that look back at the original mod classics of the 60s (Countdown Records was the mid-80s mod label founded by Eddie Piller, Maxine Conroy and Terry Rawlings). The first release contains covers of Pete Townshend’s Circles and The Temptations’ You’ve Got To Earn It, by British mid-60s rock band Les Fleur De Lys. The B-side is from a lost session from 1966, never before been available on 7” vinyl, but from August 16th it will.

Also worth mentioning:
Holding Out For A Hero (Bonnie Tyler) by The Dollyrots
Invisible People (The Slickee Boys) by The Dwarves
Kathleen (Townes Van Zandt) by Dead Horse One
Save It For Later (The English Beat) by Eddie Vedder
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes) by Aloe Blacc
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes) by Talia Keys
Something in the Way (Nirvana) by Painted Vein
Sub – Mission (Sex Pistols) by Low Hums
Sugar Man (Sixto Rodriguez) by Pit Samprass
TNT (AC/DC) by Hellsongs
When The Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin) by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more cool cover songs.