Got it Covered

I am not a fan of imitation flavours.  You won't find me buying packet sauces or powders - way too many chemicals and nasties.  In this case I much prefer to go back to the original recipe. Healthier, yummier. Winner all round really.

But, I am a fan of imitation songs.  Not as in Milli Vanilli lip synching style but as in great modern bands paying homage (wow how often do you get to use that word in a sentence? Just rolls off the tongue.. hommmage) to fellow great bands (or more hilariously really shit bands) by covering one of their well known songs. 

Triple J does it really well with their Like a Version.  One of my son's favourite songs is Philadelphia Grand Jury's version of Jay Z's "99 Problems".  I love Grinspoon's version of The Divinyls' "Boys in Town".  There is just something about hearing an unexpected voice singing familiar lyrics.  And there is the added bonus of being able to sing along to a completely daggy song ("Dancing in the Dark") because it is now performed by a totally non-daggy band (Temper Trap).

The most successful versions / covers / tributes are when the covering artist allows their signature style to shine through without completely overwhelming the essence of the original song.  Not so good when the covering band (whether by attempting to be more "creative" or more likely by sheer force of their own ego) changes the song so much that it is virtually unrecognisable. I am talking to you The Sleepy Jackson! Your cover of "Better Be Home Soon" off the Finn bros tribute album "He will have his way" is dreadful!  No-one wants to go around all day with lyrics tickling the back of their brain with their vague familiarity (why do I know this song??)! We want to know what we are singing along off key to!

If you want to try a new slant on something familiar try these babies on for size:

Covering Artist	Song	Original Artist	Album if applicable
Faith No More	Glory Box	Portishead
Powderfinger	Glory Box	Portishead	No Man's Woman
Grinspoon	Boys in Town	Divinyls	No Man's Woman
Boy & Bear	Fall at your Feet	Crowded House	He Will Have His Way
Art vs Science	I See Red	Split Enz	He Will Have His Way
Temper Trap	Dancing in the Dark	Bruce Springsteen	Like a Version Vol 6
Limp Bizkit	Faith	George Michael	Rock Ya Covers Off
Paint It Black	The Tea Party	Rolling Stones	Rock Ya Covers Off
Bertie Blackman	In The Air Tonight	Phil Collins	Like a Version Vol 5
Holly Throsby	Berlin Chair	You Am I	Like a Version Vol 5
Tiki Taane	Use Somebody	Kings of Leon	Like a Version Vol 5
Angus Stone	River	Sarah McLachlan	No Man's Woman
Whitley	Hyperballad	Bjork	No Man's Woman
Gyroscope	Cannonball	Breeders	No Man's Woman
Little Birdy	Six Months in a Leaky Boat	Split Enz	She Will Have Her Way