Admit It: There’s No Better Musical Valentine Than A Well-Executed Cover Song

noah | February 13, 2009 5:00 am

Between this Monday’s release of the latest covers-stuffed War Child charity album—which includes the Yeah Yeah Yeahstake on “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” and Lily Allen‘s drowsy reworking of “Straight To Hell”—and the “what are your favorite cover songs” meme going around Facebook lately, I figured it would be fun to have us all share some of our favorite reworkings of popular songs. A few of mine after the jump, presented with minimal comment because after a week of scandals and Grammys and people not being dead I am wiped out. Feel free to share yours! The newer the better!

Nick Cave, “Disco 2000” (originally by Pulp)

Afghan Whigs, “Come See About Me” (originally by the Supremes)

(Really, the whole Uptown Avondale EP is fantastic.)

Mother Love Bone, “I’m In Love With My Car” (originally by Queen)

The Raincoats, “Lola” (originally by the Kinks)

Solex’s cover of Pavement’s “Shady Lane” is on her MySpace page. And I can’t find the Fastbacks’ version of the Bee Gees’ “Please Read Me” anywhere, but it is awesome.

Also, I found the Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser doing Chic’s “At Last I Am Free” while looking for the (superior) (not that this isn’t good, but still) Robert Wyatt version: