Mixtape: Cover songs

Let’s face it – covering songs is usually a make it or break it type thing. There are those who love it and those who believe musicians should just stick to their own tunes. The thing about great covers is that they’re often unexpected but, if done brilliantly, they shed new light on the song and the musician taking on the challenge of covering it. Often enough, it’s through covers that we hear some of our favourite artists’ influences, making this whole experience even sweeter.

This playlist captures covers that are classics of course, and some that are just downright surprising. Side A is for those who appreciate an artist’s courage, while Side B is for those who don’t believe in messing with the original. Some say cover versions might even trump the original, so hear out this playlist and be free to judge.

Side A – Open to change

1. Lykke Li – “Knocked Up”

2. Vampire Weekend – “I’m Going Down” – iTunes Session

3. Fleet Foxes – “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You”

4. Nirvana – “The Man Who Sold the World” – MTV Unplugged in New York

5. Ray LaMontagne – “Crazy”

6. Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah” – Grace

7. Bastille – “Of the Night” – Other People’s Heartache

8. Nouvelle Vague – “Dancing With Myself” – Bande à Part

9. She & Him – “You Really Got a Hold on Me” – Volume One

10. Jerry Douglas featuring Mumford & Sons and Paul Simon – “The Boxer” – Babel (Deluxe Edition)

Side B – Don’t mess with the original

1. Kings of Leon – “Knocked Up” – Because Of The Times

2. Bruce Springsteen – “I’m Going Down” – Born In The U.S.A.

3. Elvis Presley – “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You” – Blue Hawaii

4. David Bowie – “The Man Who Sold the World” – The Man Who Sold the World

5. Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy” – St. Elsewhere

6. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah” – Various Positions

7. Corona – “The Rhythm of the Night” – The Rhythm of the Night

8. Billy Idol – “Dancing With Myself” – Kiss Me Deadly

9. The Miracles –“ You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” – The Fabulous Miracles

10. Simon & Garfunkel –“The Boxer” – Bridge Over Troubled Water

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