The 411 Music Top 5: Week 6

Posted by Brian Berry on 01.30.2007

411 staffers pick their Top 5 Cover Songs of All-Time in the 6th edition of the Music Zone's Top 5. From covers by Nine Inch Nails to Jimi Hendrix, check out what songs made our lists...then watch the BONUS music videos!


Welcome to the 6th edition of 411 Music's Top 5!

In our last column 411 Mania staffers checked in with their Top 5 Music Documentaries Of All-Time.

Seven 411 panelists discussed their favorite concert films, and movies about the bands they love. Woodstock and the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense popped up on a few lists each, but it wasI Am Trying To Break Your Heart-A Film About Wilco (my pick for #1) that landed on the most Top 5's. If you haven't seen the Wilco documentary yet, put it in your Netflix queue or pick up a copy online.Click here to check out the entire group of lists.


Tons of 411 Music writers check in this week for their lists of the...

TOP 5
COVER SONGS

Check out the BONUS MUSIC VIDEOS of bands including Deftones, The Clash, and Run-DMC next to each writer's list!

(Sadly, the Madonna version of "American Pie" didn't make any of our lists)

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Brian Berry
[Music Editor/Columnist, "The 411 Music Top 5"/ Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: I was going to include the Dan Band's rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" from Old School but decided I only liked it because homeboy drops "f bombs" like they're going out of style. Here are the songs that rounded out my list-(25) Elliott Smith "Because"…Beatles cover (24) Talking Heads "Take Me To the River"…Otis Redding cover (23) The Byrds "Mr. Tambourine Man"…Bob Dylan cover (22) Nirvana "Lake of Fire"…Meat Puppets cover (21) Fantomas "Theme From Rosemary's Baby"…Krzystof Komeda cover (20) Pearl Jam "Last Kiss"…J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers cover (19) Big Star "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On"…Jerry Lee Lewis cover (18) Blue Cheer "Summertime Blues"…Eddie Cochran cover (17) Johnny Cash "Hurt"…Nine Inch Nails cover (16) Pavement "The Killing Moon"…Echo & The Bunnymen cover (15) Nirvana "Son of a Gun"…The Vaselines cover (14) The Byrds "My Back Pages"…Bob Dylan cover (13) The Who "Summertime Blues" (12) Otis Redding "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"…Rolling Stones cover (11) Creedence Clearwater Revival "I Put A Spell On You"…Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover (10) The Feelies "Paint It Black"…Rolling Stones cover (9) Ike & Tina Turner "Proud Mary"…Creedence Clearwater Revival cover (8) Cat Power "Sea of Love"…John Phillip Baptiste cover (7) Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower"…Bob Dylan cover (6) Nilsson "Without You"…Badfinger cover


5. Johnny Cash "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" - The Roberta Flack version was one of the best soul songs of the ‘70s and a total heartbreaker. Johnny Cash added his trembling voice to this tune from the amazing American IV: The Man Comes Around album. In the twilight of his life, one gets the impression Cash is singing straight to his love, June Carter Cash.

4. Langley Schools Music Project "God Only Knows" - The Beach Boys original is widely known as Paul McCartney's favorite song ever. These Canadian grade school kids use chimes, percussion, and 60 of their little voices to create a larger than life sound. The recording is totally low budget, taped on a 2-track, but you wouldn't think it. They're far from pitch perfect but their flaws come off as endearing. Check out the whole album Innocence and Despair (recorded in 1976-1977) for Langley Schools covers of David Bowie, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and many others.

3. The Afghan Whigs "Come See About Me" - Greg Dulli & company contort The Supremes' massive hit into something dark and creepy. Check out the video. I wouldn't let these shady cats around my sister. That's for sure. Check out the video right here

2. Aimee Mann "One" - Harry Nilsson is one of my all-time favorite musicians and lyricists, and his 1968 song "One" is one (pardon the pun) of the most covered songs in existence. The Three Dog Night version is a staple of Oldies radio, but the Aimee Mann rendition on the Magnolia soundtrack blows all others out of the water. From the single piano note that opens the track to Aimee Mann's beautiful breathy vocals, this song bests the original in every way imaginable.

1. Nirvana "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" - Many cite blues legend Leadbelly as the writer of this song, but its origins actually date back to the 1870's and the writer is unknown. Nirvana often played this song live but it was on MTV Unplugged In New York that contains the quintessential version of this folk song. Regardless of who performs it, this song is incredibly haunting. Fortunately, Cobain makes himself a character in the song, which peaks in the last chorus so passionately yelled. Amazing.

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Michael Melchor
[Music Editor/Reviewer/Contributor To Most 411 Mania Zones]

Honorable Mention: I love covers - ones done right, anyway - so much that I could list a metric ton of them here. For now I'll stick with a few off the top of my head:
-Disturbed "Shout 2000" - Dave Draiman's voice fits this surprisingly well and the whole thing comes off as the primal scream therapy Tears For Fears had in mind in the first place.
-Gary Jules "Mad World" - Speaking of giving off what Tears For Fears intended in the first place...Christ, this is depressing...
-Disturbed "Land Of Confusion" - a heavy, faithful reading of Genesis's urgent State Of The World Address that still stands relevant today.
-Gary Hoey "Linus And Lucy" - Some people think Charles Schultz may be rolling over in his grave, but I'll bet he's rocking out in it instead.
-Dynamite Hack's "Boys 'N Tha Hood" - How can you not like white boys turning a hardcore "day in the life" gangsta anthem into a laid-back alternative ballad?
-Alanis Morrissette "Crazy" - She does her favorite song rather well, I must say.
-Dimmu Borgir "Burn In Hell" - For anyone who ever thought Twisted Sister was only a joke, Dimmu Borgir offers convincing proof to the contrary.

5. Deftones "Please Please Please (Let Me Get What I Want)"- Chino Moreno is known for popularizing (if not damn near inventing) the "soft-to-loud" dynamic in metal, but here he foregoes that in lieu of doing Morrissey and Marr Proud all while totally re-arranging the tune. Chino's staring-at-the-floor lament and his gorgeous solos are almost a career highlight. Check out the video right here
4. Mushroomhead "Crazy"- Alanis' may have been more faithful in sound, but Mushroomhead, while upping the lunacy factor and adding some tremendous crunch to the chorus, have turned Seal's paean to questioning his sanity into a full-on confession of madness. All this while keeping the initial track intact and simultaneously giving the feelings of doom and hope.

3. Living Colour "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"- Living Colour threw the iconic mid-tempo arrangement out the window and completely re-wrote the music, turning a pondering of doing the right thing into something else entirely. Corey Glover and Vernon Reid go from an urgent plea for love into a frantic life-or-death, spur-of-the-moment decision at the drop of a hat, and it works so well it's sick. And anyone who didn't know about Glover's vocal range before this can walk away educated.

2. Ill Nino with Chino Moreno "Zombie Eaters"- Ill Nino made a smart move here; I'd bet that if Cristian Machado had handled vocals on his own, this wouldn't rank nearly as high. Instead, he adds the occasional scream (when called for) and lets Chino sing the majority of it. The love that he and Ill Nino have for the track is worn on their sleeve as Moreno gives a dynamite singing performance while the band rails through the music in grand form.

1. Cradle of Filth "Hallowed Be Thy Name (Shallow Be Thy Grave)"- The finest example I've ever heard of re-working a song without changing a thing. Dani Filth and company add some keyboards and symphonic touches; the rest is merely Iron Maiden and Bruce Dickinson on steroids. What results is a tale of a man put to death done with more pathos and exhilaration that anyone could have thought. No disrespect to Iron Maiden - and there may well never be from me - but this time they were outdone at their own game.

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James Munson
[Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: Rage Against the Machine "The Ghost of Tom Joad"- I hadn't heard Springsteen's version until after Rage's first came out (in the wake of their dvd/cd combo with the single), but I think it outdoes the original in every sense of the word. Those who worship The Boss might disagree with me, but Tom Morello's chainsaw-like guitar opening riff and Zach De La Rocha's dictator-style delivery make this one of the stand-outs on their covers album, "Renegades"

5. Scissor Sisters "Comfortably Numb" - Amped-up disco version of the famous Pink Floyd cut from The Wall. While not trying to outshine the original, this is certainly an interesting spin on the song and, if nobody knew better, it would fit in perfectly on their debut album as an original.

4. Fiona Apple "Across the Universe" - Her take on this famous Beatles song (from the Pleasantville soundtrack) is brooding and breathtaking. It was no easy feat to pick between her version and a similar one done by Rufus Wainwright (which sounds closer to The Beatles), but it's easily her best cover song.

3. Rufus Wainwright "Hallelujah" - Speaking of Rufus, I really enjoy his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". It seems like everybody has tried to reconfigure, rearrange, and give new meaning to this song. From what I've heard Jeff Buckley comes close, but Wainwright's emoting and ever-recognizable nasal croon give this interpretation one of the best of its kind.

2. Cake "I Will Survive" - Undoubtedly, this is the cover song for which Cake will be remembered. Not in a one-hit wonder kind of way either. Modifying the lyrics from "stupid lock" to "fucking lock", singer John McCrea strips the original from all the "I'm going to prevail from my breakup with this man" catharsis and turns it into a straight-ahead rocking gem complete with trumpet and electric guitar.

1. Run-DMC with Aerosmith "Walk This Way" - What some call the birth of rap-rock. Louder drums? Check. Spot-on rapping of Steven Tyler's original nonsense lyrics? Check. Bad-ass rendition of classic Aerosmith song complete with squealing chorus and turntable scratching? Check. Arguably the best cover song in existence? No doubt. Check out the video right here

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Mikey Migo

[Music Columnist, "The Savage Animal"]

Honorable Mention: Nine Inch Nails "Dead Souls"- From The Crow soundtrack. This is a hidden gem by Nine Inch Nails. Their cover of Joy Division's "Dead Souls" was actually my first taste of the song. It was one of those "hear the cover, then find the original to compare" situations. I lean towards Nine Inch Nails on this one, but then again it's my favorite band of all time so it's a bit obvious for me to go that route.


5. Echo & The Bunnymen "People Are Strange" - It's hard to believe that The Doors version of this song is FORTY YEARS OLD, but even harder to take in that the cover is now TWENTY YEARS OLD. It really dates me because I remember hearing this as part of The Lost Boys soundtrack when I was a small kid.

4. Marilyn Manson "Sweet Dreams" - Any Manson could take a great Annie track and warp it into something so sinister and great. I was in 7th grade when I first saw the video for this on MTV. It was late at night and it haunted my dreams for weeks…in a good way.

3. Mindless Self Indulgence "Bring the Pain" - This is a personal choice obviously. Sure, it's a great cover of Method Man's top hit, but MSI is one of my favorites as well. I've written about my ups and downs with MSI in the past. From not knowing who they were when I saw them live for the first time(my head exploded) to coming in "runner up" in a T-Shirt Design contest(they seriously had to of sold ATLEAST 1000 of my shirt at $20 a pop) and NOT GETTING ANYTHING FOR IT. That being said, I love their music and this song is a staple. Check out the video right here

2. Nirvana "The Man Who Sold the World" - I like Bowie's original just as much, if not just a tiny bit more than Nirvana's take on this classic track. I think it's reasonable enough for me to place Bowie in my Top 5 of All Time, so a Bowie cover gets the take. Nirvana's famous Unplugged version of this song is strong and very good.

1. Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower". - This is obviously the best cover of all time. Moreso because it's one of the best songs of all time, but someso because not many people even realize this is a cover. I don't like Dylan and I don't like the original, but I love Jimi and I love his version.

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Jes Tones
[Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: 7 Seconds –" 99 Red Balloons" (Nena), Pinhead Circus – "Walking On Sunshine" (Katrina & The Waves), Social Distortion – "Ring of Fire" (Johnny Cash), Joey Ramone – "What A Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong), Suicide Machines – "It's the End of the World as We Know It" (R.E.M.)

5. Bright Eyes "Devil Town" - (Originally by Daniel Johnston) This cover popped up on Bright Eyes' October, 2006 release Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005)). Although it clearly made sense coming from someone like Daniel Johnston, somehow it also seems appropriate coming from someone like Conor Oberst and he does it so well. The recording itself is also executed perfectly for the feel of a song of this nature; with an almost haunting air and the relatively simple sound, especially compared to some of the annoying musical detours we all know this guy tends to take.

4. NOFX "Go Your Own Way" - (Originally by Fleetwood Mac) "If I could baby, I'd give you my socks…." I love this band, and this Fleetwood Mac cover is a perfectly crafted testament to NOFX's status as the cleverest humorists in the music industry. Half crooning, half yelling, big guitar solos and a backup group singing the chorus (like the original) – even if you're a fan of the original, this cover goes a long way towards making it look pretty ridiculous.

3. Pennywise "Stand By Me" - (Originally by Ben E. King) This one sneaks up on you because when it first starts, strangely enough, it almost sounds like the original, with singer Jim Lindberg crooning out those familiar lyrics. But when you get past that first minute or so and into the second chorus, the song takes a slight pause and there's the punk rock Pennywise we all know and love, with the remaining minute and a half of the song feeling more like 30 seconds.

2. The Lemonheads "Skulls" - (Originally by The Misfits) I think the ideal inverse of the Dropkick cover is the Lemonheads' cover of everyone's favorite Misfits song -- "Skulls" on the Favorite Spanish Dishes album. Dando slooooowwwws it down and sings like a love song: "the corpses all hang headless and limp, bo-dies with no surprises and, the blood drains down like devil's rain, we'll bathe tonight -- I want your skulls, I need your skulls…" Awesome.

1. Dropkick Murphys "Fortunate Son" - (Originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival) Although, personally, my favorite punk rock cover would have to be my friends' band playing "Grow Old With You" from The Wedding Singer in about 30 seconds, a very close second is The Dropkick Murphys rendition of "Fortunate Son" -- which is the perfect candidate for transformation into a manic, loud, angry and demanding punk rock statement. Perfect. You'll find it on their Singles Collection, Vol. 2.

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Jamie Buttineau
[Music News Columnist, "Sex News & Violins]

Honorable Mention:
-Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower"- (Original by Bob Dylan) Jimi Hendrix took a Dylan song that wasn't considered one of his best and managed to turn it into an iconic masterpiece that is still talked about today as one of his best songs ever. Hell, even Dylan himself prefers Hendrix's version over his. The only reason it doesn't make the top 5 is that I've heard the song a lot since the radio stations around here overplay it tremendously, so it's lost a bit of its effect with me.

-Scissor Sisters "Comfortably Numb"- (Original by Pink Floyd) So a dark, slow, moody classic song about isolation turned into a disco dance hit for the club scene by a super gay glam group? And it's good? Huh, well that's neat.

-Orgy "Blue Monday"- (Original by New Order) Some covers don't have to do much to change the overall song except crank up the volume a little, which is pretty much what Orgy did here. They basically take the old dance hit and turn the angst up to 11 and really make you feel guilty about the way you treat them like you do. Even though you don't know them.

-The Clash (and dozens upon dozens of other bands) "I Fought the Law"- (Original by Sonny Curtis) This song has been covered by almost everyone, from John Cougar Mellencamp to Green Day. It's a punk rock standard now. My personal favourite version of the song is by the Dead Kennedys, who rewrote the song to reflect the 1978 murder case of Dan White, who killed the mayor and the city supervisor of San Francisco, and was only charged with manslaughter by using the eating of Twinkies as a sign of depression. The attorney who tried that case must be a hero to lawyers everywhere.


5. Gary Jules "Mad World" - (original song by Tears for Fears) This almost the reverse of the "Comfortably Numb" situation, taking a pop song and turning it into an introspective, melancholy look at the world. The original Tears For Fears is a decent new wave tune, but Jules stripped down the song to just a piano and cello and made us realize that underneath the drum machines and synthesizers was a cynical and disturbing critique of society. Or maybe a critique of Hlaajian society, not sure. Arguably, this song made Donnie Darko. Can you imagine any other song in the montage scene of all the characters in the movie? Makes you all weepy. Hell, this cover is so haunting and beautiful it makes you care about the soldiers fighting giant locust monsters in Gears Of War. Now that's a re-imagining.

4. Soft Cell "Tainted Love" - (original song by Gloria Jones) 80's pop is some of the best pop there, and this classic right here is one of the best 80's songs ever. Originally sung by Gloria Jones, the song had become a hit in the world of soul and R&B. Then the dudes in Soft Cell decided to cover the song and it became the popular dance tune that it is today. Just try telling me you don't find yourself singing along with this one whenever you hear it on the radio. I dare ya.

3. Sid Vicious "My Way" - (original song by Paul Anka) Punk rock has a tendency of taking old songs and turning them into hard rock anthems. Case in point, "I Fought The Law". This cover, however, I believe is one of the best punk rock covers ever. The original song is a sad tale about a man nearing the end of his days, looking back on his life and reminiscing about the good ol' days. When Vicious sings it however, it becomes a song of rebellious joy. It's hilarious and exhilarating at the same time. And if you don't believe me, go see for yourself. He may have been a sick, crazy bastard, but hot damn was he cool. Check out the video right here

2. Johnny Cash "Hurt" - (original song by Nine Inch Nails) The man in black was suggested this song by producer Rick Rubin, a song originally by Trent Reznor. Yes, country music legend Johnny Cash covering Trent Reznor, even Trent thought that seemed gimmicky. Then you hear the song. Then you see the video, which is basically footage of the last days of Johnny Cash. If you're not nearly in tears by the time the piano really kicks in at the end, then you are a heartless, heartless person.

1. Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah" - (original by Leonard Cohen) The single best cover ever. To even think about this song being performed by anyone but Jeff Buckley is tantamount to sacrilege. Cohen created the song, but Buckley elevated it to greatness. Whenever a TV show or movie needs music to convey just how sad a situation is, this song is usually the go to song for that moment. 6 minutes of greatness, topped off at the end by Buckley's haunting falsetto. Now that's a hell of a cover

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Morgan Marx
[Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: Cat Power, "Crazy." Widely reported on numerous blog postings, Cat Power has recently taken a crack at 2006's most hyped (and overplayed) track. Chan Marshall's slow and sultry vocals stand in stark contrast to Cee-Lo's delivery, but the two singers share a somewhat suspect psychological standing that adds a serious overtone to a fun song.


5. Dinosaur Jr. "Just Like Heaven" J Mascis adds swirling guitars, laconic vocals, and a death-metal breakdown to perfect pop song. The result is an interesting take on an established classic. Striped of its sugar coating, the song takes a more depressing turn, which Robert Smith probably loves. -

4. Dresden Dolls "Port of Amsterdam" - Amanda Palmer has never met a cover she didn't like. In their live sets the Dolls have touched on everything from bubblegum pop (Britney Spears) to sludge metal (Black Sabbath, whom we will see again in a moment). "Port of Amsterdam" is a song by the Belgian poet/songwriter Jacques Brel. Brel has been covered by numerous artists, but is still somewhat obscure by modern pop standards. Palmer attacks Brel's evocative lyrics about sailors and whores with gusto, usually accompanied by Brian Viglione on acoustic guitar. The Doll's make the song their own while paying tribute to an influence. Check out the video right here

3. Faith No More "War Pigs" - This Sabbath classic has been frequently covered (The aforementioned Dolls, The Flaming Lips). Faith No More takes a pretty straightforward approach to the song, leaving the crunching riffs and soaring vocals in tact. It seems that the lyrics (some of Ozzy Osbourne's best) remain topical whenever the song is covered.

2. Tool "No Quarter" - Apparently, I like my classic rock covers. Anyone under the age of, lets say, 60 has probably discovered a song through a cover. I had never actually heard the Led Zeppelin original by the time Tool included their version on the compilation cd Salival. Unsurprisingly, I like the Tool version much better. It's darker and, dare I say, heavier than the original. Sacrilege!

1. Cake "I Will Survive" - Cover songs are basically a more professional version of karaoke. No band has understood this better than Cake. Their take on Gloria Gaynor's girl power anthem is almost impossible not to sing along with. It's got a bit of a bluesy (and boozy) heart. Cake will never be a critic's darling, but finding this song on a jukebox on a Friday night will always be a thrill.

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Matt Clifford
[Reviewer]

Honorable Mention:
-Rage Against the Machine "How I Could Just Kill A Man" - Totally transforming the Cypress Hill original with the addition of some awesome vocals and a tear-inducing riff by Tom Morello.
-Faith No More "Easy" - Interesting choice and FNM made it totally their own.
-Goldfinger "99 Red Balloons"- Deny it all you want. The original is shit and this cover is really good!



5. Deftones "Simple Man" - To cover this song and pull it off as well as this deserves a mention on its own. The Deftones really excel when it comes to cover tracks and this is the best example of them plastering the Deftones name all over a song while never once compromising the original.

4. The Clash "I Fought the Law" - The addition of a punk rock passion, and rock 'n' roll cockiness, made this one of the ultimate anti-establishment songs ever and Joe Strummer's thuggish vocals gives the whole thing a rugged inner city feel that is all too real. Check out the video right here

3. Rage Against the Machine "In My Eyes" - A classic hardcore cover. It would be so easy to choose about any 7 songs off RATM's Renegades album, but I believe choosing a Minor threat song to cover is a stroke of pure genius on the part of the band. They all (notably Zack) prove to do the song more than a bit of justice.

2. Pantera "Planet Caravan" - What a great choice of a Sabbath song to cover. I included this because, for one, it is highly unexpected. Secondly, if someone who didn't know which Black Sabbath song Pantera covered, they could be guessing for a full day and probably still wouldn't get it right. Maintaining the original vibe but adding their own unique stamp to it, and with Phil and Dime especially doing a lot of justice to their counterparts, this is undeniably a quality cover song.

1. Guns ‘N Roses "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - Overplayed? Yes. Predictable choice? Yes. Possibly the best cover ever? Yes. Not really much left to say about this song that hasn't been said already.

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Tim O' Sullivan
[Sports Columnist, "The Round Football Column"/ Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: Boyz II Men- "What You Won't Do For Love", Boyz II Men- "You Make Me Feel Brand New", Corinne Bailey Rae- "Munich", Jamie Cullum- "Frontin", Boy Kill Boy - "Maneater", Natasha Bedingfield - "The Scientist", Mariah Carey - "Without You", Mary J Blige - "Never Too Much", Alicia Keys & Jermaine Paul - "If This World Were Mine", John Legend - "Love Won't Let Me Wait"


5. Arctic Monkeys "Love Machine" - Simply a fun three minutes where they pretty much just rip the piss out of the Girls Aloud track. They even laugh halfway through it, and whack their trademark stamp on it. A trademark stamp folk may get sick of by the time their second album drops.....but for the time being it works covering a track like this.

4. Hil St. Soul "For the Love Of You" - One of my favourite songs of all-time, and as much as I love the Boyz II Men cover, and of course the Isley Brothers version, this re-hash from Hil St. Soul is just lush. Not the sanest of jargon use, I agree, but it really is a beautifully arranged cover.

3. D'Angelo "Cruisin'" - Now, I didn't know this was a Smokey Robinson cover until someone on the 411 forums said it was last month. I thought it was his own. I was wrong. Well, I say its not his own, but after hearing the original its clear D'Angelo has put his own stamp on proceedings to make it completely original. Its just so funky, smooth, soulful, brilliantly arranged, and all in all one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite artists.

2. Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah" - Compiling my contribution to this week's top five has made me realize that covers are some of my favourite songs ever. I mean, my top four here would make my all-time list [of favorite songs] if I ever did one, and this slice of genius from the Grace album is another classic. One of the greatest vocalists to ever grace the mic (excuse the pun, I beg of you), and his take on one of the world's most recognized songs is just an absolute joy.

1. Maxwell "This Woman's Work" - Whether it's the studio version from his Now album or the stunning MTV Unplugged set, Maxwell's rendition of Kate Bush's pop classic is pure genius. How and when he decided to re-hash the quirky Bush version I don't know, but he absolutely nails it. The falsetto throughout would make Justin Timberlake cry with jealously, the production and arrangement enhances the passion of the song, and aside from the fact that his vocals are just stunning on it, Maxwell brings so much emotion to the plate he can't help but own it. Simply beautiful. Check out the video right here

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Leah K.Baker
[Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: The Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter" - I can't even tell you how bad I was hooked on this song as a kid. Back then, I had no idea it was a cover. Years later, I heard the original and thought to myself, "Wow, those rocker chicks really did a superb job on respecting such a stellar song."


5. Sixpence None the Richer "Don't Dream It's Over" - I have always loved this song, and I still do many years later. I think this version is kick ass because Leigh Bingham Nash brings an air of lightness with female vocals. Her voice is so smooth, and it adds a buttery effect to an already awesome song.

4. Stereophonics "Nothing Compares 2 U" - Another song that's awesome in content and left a lasting impression, only to be redone by a band that, of course, has more than one cover in their catalog. However, the raspy vocals still add to the heartache and misery you can feel in this song . . . only from a guy instead of a bald chick.

3. Dave Matthews Band "Long Black Veil" - A song that tells a story of adultery and murder. What more could you want? And to have DMB release their unique creative juices all over it makes it a great cover of an even greater song. Timeless.

2. The Postal Service "Against All Odds" - I don't know anyone who doesn't drop what they're doing and listen to this song whenever they hear it, and the interesting pseudo-techno effect that the Postal Service adds to it makes it one of the best covers I've ever heard. There's something softer about the vocals, but the background music boasts a hell of a lot of power.

1. Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower" - Everyone knows this version, unless they've been under a rock their entire lives. This is an all-out rock version based off Bob Dylan's creation but man, does Hendrix wail on it like no one else can…or has even come close to since he mastered it. Check out the video right here

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Matt Stone
[Music Columnist, "Music For Hypocrites"/Reviewer]

Honorable Mention: Pearl Jam with Neil Young "Rockin' In The Free World"- Ok, it's technically not a cover, but 98% of everybody knows this song, and since only 5% of those people are bonafide Neil Young fans, when you say or sing this song, 100% of the 93% left will remember this live take, and 78% of those will think it's an anthem for how awesome it is to be all USA. This is why I hate math. Rockin' @ You Tube

5. Cake "I Will Survive" - Cake at their finest hour. Seriously, I love this song. Later I came to appreciate the majority of their albums, but this will always be their greatest triumph. Just...that bass line....it's....hot. Cake @ You Tube

4. Lazlo Bane "Overkill" - Years ago, while listening to stream of some Internet radio station, They played this. It was Men At Work's "Overkill", but modernized, and I'll be damned if that didn't sound like Colin Hay at the end of it. After manic searching, I finally found a small band over at MP3.com (when MP3.com was a site to store your band's MP3s) named Lazlo Bane, and they had their version of this song and a couple of others for download. I ran them through Winamp for months. One of the guys in the band was a studio guy, and had done some work with Hay prior to this, so they got along and did the cover. A hard drive crash and the demise of MP3.com later, I stumbled across their CD in the 99 cent rack of a music store in Arkansas while trying to find more CDs for the drive home from Tunica, Mississippi. I again wore it down to the nub. What a great rendition. If the name is familiar to you but you can't quite place it, it was Zach Braff's choice to use their track "Superman" as the introduction for Scrubs. Lazlo Bane @ You Tube

3. Martin Sexton "A Day In the Life" - If you haven't heard of Martin Sexton, well, we'll just be covering that in my column as soon as I can. In the meantime, another piece of his life fare is a great solo, acoustic rendition of A Day In The Life by the Beatles. While I can't find a YouTube link of that song in particular, here's a cover of Woodstock, with a bit of ADITL thrown in for good measure around 3:30 into the clip. Martin Sexton @ You Tube

2. Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah" - There's been a few cover versions of this Leonard Cohen tune out there, but Buckley ties this one to his heart. There's something overly emotional about this perfomance that makes you want to cry, but you don't, because your a man, and you don't want people to see a fat man cry. Wainwright is a pussy. Check out the video right here

1. Fountains of Wayne "Baby One More Time" - My favorite cover song ever. It's difficult to take someone else's song, make it your own, but make it so much your own that it deserves its own spot in your catalog, and not just be known as "That Cover Tune". This song not only does that but it shows you what a fantastically written song "Baby, One More Time" is. This song opened my eyes to the fact that bubblegum pop music for Lolitas can be more solid than rock songs. [Note: Man, that's creepy. They synced the FoW song to the Britney video, back during the time that people might have actually wanted to see her not wearing panties. Um, and be 18. Yeah, I'm done writing now. Fountains of Wayne @ You Tube

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Jesse Coy
[Music Columnist, "Notes From the Padded Cell"/ Reviewer]

[only 5? holy crap, my brain is melting... too many. Uh, mine are also covers converted into a new genre]

Honorable Mention:
-Revolting Cocks "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" - the 70's live again, though much dirtier. Genre twist- disco to industrial.
-Flying Pickets "Space Oddity" - this classic David Bowie staple gets an interesting retooling. Genre twist- classic rock to acapello.
-Celtic Frost "Mexican Radio" - heavier, heavier, heavier. Genre twist- 80's pop to thrash.
-Marilyn Manson "Sweet Dreams" - see above. Genre twist- 80's pop to nu-metal
the Ramones "Spiderman" - what a great cartoon theme song sped up and filled in. Genre twist- theme tune to punk.
-Faith No More "Let's Lynch the Landlord" and "I Started a Joke" - from the Dead Kennedys to the Bee Gees, two great covers by a band Sadly No More. Genre twists- punk/disco to (FNM-Mike) Patton-ese.


5. Mojo Nixon "Girlfriend in a Coma" - A cover of a Morrissey song, with a phenomenal middle song rant. This is the first cover tune where I heard the artist covering the song tell the original artist to "kiss my big, hairy butt." Genre twist- alternative to rockabilly.

4. Slayer "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" - Was I happy or what when I finally got the Less than Zero soundtrack on CD, which is where this appears. Talk about a fun tune condensed (it might've needed just a LITTLE condensing) and made much darker. Perfect for Slayer. Genre twist- 60's acid rock to thrash.

3. Bim Skala Bim "Brain Damage" - Love the original and love the cover done in ska style. Bim Skala Bim were one of the first U.S. ska bands, coming out around the same time as the Toasters. Yes, folks... the lunatic is on grass, and he's dancing ska style. Genre twist- classic rock to ska.

2. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy "California Uber Alles - Anyone ever hear of these guys? Maybe you haven't. They only put one album out. Anyway, this take on the Dead Kennedys' classic tune is wicked. Unlike Ice Cube, who tried to do something like this with the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go," DHofH retains the core of the original song. You can also find this on the Dead Kennedys' tribute album. Genre twist- punk to rap Check out the video right here

1. Johnny Cash "Hurt" - For me, with my added twist of genre switching on a cover, this is a no-brainer. The video of this is what did it for me. I'm getting a few shivers thinking of it right now. After hearing the Man in Black do this one, it's almost hard to think it was ever a Nine Inch Nails song in the first place. Genre twist- industrial to country/rock.

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Think we missed one of the Top Cover Songs of All-Time? Let us know!

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That's it for The Top 5 this week. Check us out this time next week for our TOP 5 WORST COVER SONGS EVER!