Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for a good cover song, and a lot of people send me mp3s and youtube videos of covers they like. Today, a good friend sent me what can only be called one of the worst versions of “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon that I’ve ever heard. He insists that it’s a great version because the band covering this sounds good. I disagree. It takes more than a great voice to pull off a memorable cover song. You’ve got to “own” it. Make it different. Change it up.
This conversation along with the most recent Boyce Avenue release of covers sent me on a search for my favorite versions of some guilty pleasures. This list is by no means complete, and I’m probably missing some vital songs, but hey, I am blogging from work so my library is somewhat limited here. Enjoy.
Whip My Hair - James Vincent McMorrow
JVM is a favorite around here. Has been for some time. The first time I heard this Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young-esque cover of “Whip My Hair,” I was beyond hooked. THIS is how you cover a pop song. You make it your own. JVM’s debut is available for $5.99 on iTunes now and it’s a must have.
You’re The One That I Want - Angus and Julia Stone
If you can make me forget that I absolutely hate -a song, a movie, a cult classic- then I am in. I love this version.
Baby – Green River Ordinance
I was really hoping to find GRO’s Beyonce cover, but Bieber works. Unfortunately, you might be singing a Bieber song for the rest of the day.
Faithfully - Clem Snide
Clem Snide is one of my sneaky favorite bands. Eef Barzelay’s voice is one of the most unique in the business and the guys are just quirky as hell. They do a great cover of “Beautiful” (Aguilera) too, but this Journey classic is my favorite by Eef and the boys.
Bleeding Love - Mystery Jets
Jamey Scott’s cover is my favorite, but I can’t seem to find the audio for that one. This cover by the Mystery Jets is pretty badass too though.
Crazy - Ray Lamontagne
If you don’t listen to Ray, then you’ve got to get with it. He’s about as close to perfect as you get in his genre. This song is catchy as hell, and with Ray’s take, it actually made me listen to the original more often too.
Hey Ya – Obadiah Parker
The first time I heard Matt Weddle from Obadiah Parker do this, I was floored. It forced me to actually LISTEN to the song, and I then realized that it’s friggin’ brilliant.
Heartless - William Fitzsimmons
Heartless – The Fray
The original version is great as far as I am concerned, and I wouldn’t exactly call this my “typical genre.” It seemed everyone was covering this at the same time and I was pumped to see The Fray and Fitzsimmons releasing their interpretation of the song. Both versions are amazing, so I didn’t really want to choose between them.
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A few years ago, I was addicted to 
I assume I’m not introducing anyone to William Fitzsimmons, but a close friend told me this morning that he’d never heard of him. Just in case someone else out there is missing the wonderment that is William Fitzsimmons and his beard, this is for you. Fitzsimmons has released three unbelievable albums (and a fourth album of remixes) that serve as an autobiography of sorts. Fitzsimmons’ music career began only after he worked as a mental health therapist. His second album, Goodnight, focuses largely on his personal battles with his parents’ divorce as a child and his 2008 gem, The Sparrow and the Crow (#2 on the ’08 faves list), was written after he experienced his own divorce. They are absolutely gorgeous albums. Simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting, it’s amazing that Fitzsimmons’ can make such heartache sound so serene. Also, imagine if my childhood friend James Taylor (see below) had this guy’s beard. The jealousy would have consumed me, plus it’d be super weird since James was 9. Either way, crisis averted.
