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.
Ready for an eclectic selection? Here we go.
Just Be Simple || Cover: MJ Lenderman || Original: Songs: Ohia
Next month, Run For Cover Records will release I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina, a 2-LP on which 13 contemporary acts honor the songwriter’s enduring impact. The album couldn’t start off stronger than with this compelling rendition of The Magnolia Electric Co‘s Just Be Simple by acclaimed North Carolina-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist MJ Lenderman. You feel every word he sings cutting through your soul: “It’s always had that ghost who always almost // Tells me the secret /| How there’s really no difference in who he was once // And who he’s become”—tears.
Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken || Cover: Ducks Ltd. featuring Lunar Vacation || Original: Camera Obscura
Among their year-end list-worthy original work, Toronto, Ontario’s jangle pop duo Ducks Ltd. delights in remaking some of their favorite songs, always a righteous choice and a rewarding collaboration. Following The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Head On (feat. Illuminati Hotties) and The Cure’s In Between Days (feat. Jane Inc.), we’re now treated to a captivating version of Lloyd, “I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken (feat. Lunar Vacation), which Camera Obscura wrote in 2006 as a belated response to Lloyd Cole and the Commotions’ 1984 track Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken? (from the Rattlesnakes LP).
Night Train || Cover: Alex Williams || Original: Guns N’ Roses
Indianapolis, Indiana-based singer-songwriter Alex Williams joins the competition for the cover album of the year with Space Brain (out on Lightning Rod Records), a thank you to his father for introducing him to a wealth of great music. He brings the lyrics of beloved 80s hard rock bangers to the forefront, and infuses them with outlaw country grit. I could have chosen Motley Crue’s Wild Side, Motörhead’s Ace of Spades, or Skid Row’s Youth Gone Wild, but the GN’R track from which the album title is borrowed—”Flyin’ like an airplane // Feelin’ like a space brain”—resonates most with me.
War Pigs || Cover: Judas Priest || Original: Black Sabbath
Over the years, I’ve heard War Pigs covers from bands as diverse as Faith No More, Cake, Gov’t Mule, Hayseed Dixie, and even Rockabye Baby!, and The Teskey Brothers, to name a few. But with the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, it feels fitting to feature more kindred spirits of Black Sabbath; Judas Priest always performs the song during their shows, and they’ve now shared this video as their homage to the legendary Prince of Darkness. RIP.
Something I Learned Today || Cover: Big Life || Original: Hüsker Dü
A month before Detroit’s Big Life released their new EP, The Cost of Progress (out now on Setterwind Records), the melodic hardcore outfit shared their interpretation of Hüsker Dü’s Something I Learned Today, the opening track of their 1984 Zen Arcade LP. It turns out exactly as you’d imagine and hope.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised || Cover: Brian Jackson featuring Black Thought || Original: Gil Scott-Heron
This mix of hip-hop, jazz, and soul may be completely different from the rock-oriented music you usually encounter on this blog, but we simply can’t ignore it. American musician, composer, and producer Brian Jackson—who collaborated with Gil Scott-Heron in the 70s—revitalized the iconic 1971 song of protest and black consciousness with new lyrics and arrangement, and vocals from Black Thought. This version, produced by Masters At Work, is released as a digital single, taken from the forthcoming 3-LP Now More Than Ever (BBE).
Baby Blue || Cover: Mark Ward || Original: Badfinger
Alaskan-raised/Washington-based singer-songwriter/guitarist Mark Ward follows up last year’s Let ‘er Rip LP with Translator (self-released), a collection of nine covers of songs important to him, set to his signature blend of power pop, rock, and Americana. Between The Left Banke’s Walk Away Renee from 1966 and The Frames’s The Blood from 2004, you’ll also find this 70s classic.
I’m A Believer || Cover: AJ Lee & Blue Summit || Original: The Monkees
Californian bluegrass outfit AJ Lee & Blue Summit have shared the first three songs from their Cover To Cover project online (via Signature Sounds Recording Inc.), including a subdued, heartfelt take on The Monkees‘ 1966 hit that’s almost unrecognizable.
You Found Me || Cover: Waxahatchee & Kevin Morby || Original: The Fray
You won’t have missed the fact that Lena Dunham is back with a new Netflix series, Too Much. Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and Kevin Morby contribute to its soundtrack with a beautiful cover of The Fray‘s 2008 single You Found Me.
Art School || Cover: Heavenly || Original: The Jam
Skep Wax Records has released a wonderful reissue of Operation Heavenly, the amazing fourth and final album by British indie pop royalty Heavenly. Its original release in 1996 was completely overshadowed by the sudden death of drummer Mathew Fletcher, but time has healed most wounds, and the songs still hold up very well in 2025. The LP has now been expanded with two bonus tracks: cover versions of The Jam’s Art School and The Flamin’ Groovies’ You Tore Me Down, taken from the B-side of the Space Manatee 7″ from the same year as the album. They make the record even more desirable.
Also worth mentioning:
54-46 Was My Number (Toots and the Maytals) by Fat Produce [from No Way 7″]
Do You Wanna Dance (Beach Boys) by TH Da Freak [from Howlin’ Banana Summer Sampler #12]
Everybody’s Song (Low) by Robert Plant & Saving Grace [from upcoming Saving Grace LP]
Gold Soundz (Pavement) by Soccer Mommy [for Like A Version]
I Don’t Know Why (Sleepy Hall and His Collegians) by Magon [from Broke LP]
I Want to Hold Your Hand (The Beatles) by Sara Niemietz
Killin’ Floor (Howling Wolf) by Koos van der Hoeven
Let’s Go Mano! (The Donnas) by Jimmy Vapid [from The Donnas LP]
Magic Words (M.O.T.O.) by Sex Mex
My Heart Is A Drummer (Allo Darlin’) by Martha [from Standing Where It All Began LP]
Night Fever (Bee Gees) by Jonathan Richman [from Only Frozen Sky Anyway LP]
Oh No! (Camper Van Beethoven) by Eddy Current Suppression Ring [from Shapes And Forms 7″]
Polyester Bride (Liz Phair) by my favorite boxer [from Five Pigs EP]
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads) by Cosmic Joke [from Forced Perspective EP]
Tie Your Mother Down (Queen) by Bad Mary [from Live on Long Island LP]
Wingwalker (Shellac) by Rye Coalition [from Paid In Full 7″]
Wizard Of Loneliness (Wild Pink) by Signals Midwest [from Layovers LP]
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more worthy cover songs.
Thanks so much Dennis!!!!!
Honored to be mentioned here.
Mark