Music is important to me, and I know I am a complete douche for saying that because it implies that I wear a beret everywhere I go and/or have a meaningful story to tell about how the Dave Matthews Band changed my life. Thankfully, neither is the case, but my point still stands. I’ve never thought of myself as someone who was into music, because I just assumed that everyone listens to Smash Mouth for the simple fact that they’re part of the 90s, or believes that Phil Collins is like, legitimately talented (don’t laugh). I remember my epiphany occurred when I told my boyfriend about Morrissey’s surprisingly large Latino fan base, and he replied with, “Who is Morrissey?”
So anyway, this week I’m highlighting some of my favorite cover songs. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a cover song I didn’t like (aside from a cover of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” to which I say: you can’t make bread out of dog shit), and while it’s hard to only pick a few, I tried my very best to find as many as I could.
Tender Forever-My Love (Originally performed by Justin Timberlake):
I liked Justin Timberlake back when he had those lame frosted tips and was pretending not to bang Britney Spears. I can take or leave Future Sex/Love Sounds as a whole, but maybe I would be more enthusiastic if T.I. had come in to play the Ukulele on a few tracks, like Melanie Valera does in her version of “My Love”. I also suggest watching the video because Melanie has a really hot chap stick lesbian look going for her.
Cocoon-Kung Fu Fighting (Originally performed by Carl Douglas):
Cocoon takes a song that has forever been ruined by Rush Hour 3, and turns it into soft melody that could move you to tears. It will lull you into a calm, dream-like state, and best of all, it won’t remind you of Chris Tucker.
Jens Lekman-Water Runs Dry (Originally performed by Boyz II Men):
Ok, I can’t say that I like this more than the original, because Boyz II Men is my own personal Mecca. However, it did make me think a bit more about this song that I used to reserve as my cool down after I was done belting “On Bended Knee” . The thing about Boyz II Men, is that all of their songs have a template that essentially reads, “Don’t leave me, let’s make love instead.” Jens Lekman turns this into, “I love you, I hate when we fight, let’s have some brie with sun dried tomatoes.”
Daniel Rossen-Too Little Too Late (Originally performed by JoJo):
It turns out I don’t hate JoJo’s music, I just hate when she is singing it. Listening to Daniel Rossen (of Grizzly Bear) sing “Too Little Too Late” is bizzare (especially when he says “players”), but you would never know that it was originally done by a 13 year old with cornrows, which means that it is good.
Yael Naim-Toxic (Originally performed by Britney Spears):
I owe at least part of my body to Britney Spears, because without “Toxic”, I would be left with one uninspiring workout playlist. Yael Naim’s version doesn’t have the energy of the original, but that’s actually a good thing because as it turns out, it is the ideal song to listen to during sex.
Taken By Trees-Sweet Child O’ Mine (Originally performed by Guns N’ Roses):
This is just simply gorgeous. Listen to it, now.
