"The Final Countdown" by Farrah

 

We're just eighteen hours, 59 minutes, and 50 seconds away from the giant silver ball dropping over Times Square and Jenny McCarthy engaged in a tongue wrestling bout with a rando in a navy uniform.  

And, as far as 2022 is concerned, the ten second period that follows will be the final countdown.

In 2011, London, UK power pop quartet Farrah covered the song that Blender magazine ranked as the sixteenth most awesomely bad song.... ever -- Swedish metal band Europe's "The Final Countdown."

My resolution for 2022 was to post each day throughout the year.  So, mission accomplished!  

As the year draws to a close, I'd like to thank everyone who took some time to visit Daily Cover Song.  Hope that you found your stay here entertaining and/or enlightening (or, if you listened to Eilert Pilarm's cover of Elvis, deeply and profoundly disturbing).

Though originally intended as a yearlong project, I'm having a blast, and will look to continue bringing you a new cover song each day for the foreseeable future! 

I hope that you all have a happy and prosperous new year!

"A Long December" by Little Hurricane

 

San Diego, California blues duo Little Hurricane recorded a stripped-down version of Counting Crows' 1996 reflective ballad "A Long December."

According to their Twitter feed, it was released in 2019... the year before the pandemic.

Y'all thought December 2019 was long?  Oh, boy.... you have no idea.

For another Counting Crows cover, Waterflow's version of "Anna Begins" can be found here.

"Where Is My Mind?" by Tkay Maidza

 Harare, Zimbabwe electronic dance pop artist Tkay Maidza kept the dreamlike backbone of the 1988 alternative single "Where Is My Mind?" by influential Boston, Massachusetts indie band Pixies, and changed, quite literally, everything else.

"Happier" by Juke Ross

 

Juke Ross covered the Marshmello/Bastille collaboration "Happier" for a 2019 compilation album.

The Spotify platform pays artists between three and five dollars per thousand streams.

Going low end, with 815,993 monthly listeners, it stands to reason that Juke is pulling in roughly $2,447.97 each month.  

But, he's from Georgetown, Guyana.  

With the current conversion rate of US dollars to Guyanese dollars, he's raking in $512,090.84.

Cha-ching!

For another Marshmello collaboration cover, TeraBrite's version of "Wolves" can be found here.

For a cover of Bastille, Hallasen's version of "Pompeii" can be found here.

"Astronaut in the Ocean" by Tasneem Elaidy

 

Tasneem Elaidy is a Cairo, Egypt denizen and star of Instagram and TikTok through her cover songs that have gone past simply viral into epidemic mode.

One such reimagining is this tarabuka heavy version of Australian rock rapper Masked Wolf's 2019 breakout hit "Astronaut in the Ocean."

"How Bizarre" by Water From Your Eyes

 

In 2021, Brooklyn, New York experimental indietronica band Water From Your Eyes released a cover of Auckland, New Zealand one hit wonder OMC's 1995 radio friendly pop hit "How Bizarre."

"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" by Wretched Graverobber

 

I'm ashamed to admit that I spent nearly 30 Christmas seasons without hearing the song "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" by Birmingham, England glam rock band Wizzard.  It's super catchy and has a ridiculously awesome video.

According to Secondhand Songs, the holiday classic has been revisited by 54 artists.  Among them is Fort Wayne, Indiana contemporary Christian horror punk artist Wretched Graverobber.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I'm sure this will help.

"The Wellerman" by Leo

 

There are sleeper hits, and then there are Rip Van Winkle sleeper hits.

"The Wellerman," a shanty believed to originate with whalers in 19th century New Zealand, is roughly the Kiwi CliffsNotes version of "Moby Dick."

The song spent almost two centuries wallowing in relative obscurity before Airdrie, Scotland folk singer Nathan Evans became a viral sensation via the TikTok platform with his version in 2020.

Norwegian metal musician Leo Moracchioli (under the name Leo, which is much easier to spell than his full name) blasts through his adaptation with the power of a thousand harpoon guns.

While musically on point, Leo obviously doesn't take himself too seriously, as evidenced by his simulated lovemaking with a floor tom less than a minute into this video.

And, I won't spoil it, but the 1:19 mark of the video is comedy gold.  Gold.

"Hazy Shade of Winter" by The Bangles

 

Leading off a 2015 Maxim magazine article about 20 cover songs that outshined the original version is "Hazy Shade of Winter," a Simon and Garfunkel folk composition that was reimagined as a jangle pop masterpiece by Los Angeles, California Paisley Underground artists The Bangles.

The VMA nominated music video, which shows concert footage interspliced with scenes from the teen drama "Less Than Zero," looks like a 3 minute long commercial for Revlon hairspray and cocaine.

For another Simon and Garfunkel cover, Vandaveer's version of "Homeward Bound" can be found here.

For a cover by The Bangles front woman Susanna Hoffs, her version of Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You" can be found here.

"Come Talk to Me" by Bon Iver

 Bon Iver, All!

"Bon Iver" is French for "Good Winter," and also the name of an Eau Claire, Wisconsin indie folk band who covered Peter Gabriel's 1992 release "Come Talk to Me."

It's decent, despite the noticeable lack of bagpipes and Sinead O'Connor.  

"White Winter Hymnal" by The Hound and The Fox

 

Portland, Oregon husband and wife team The Hound and The Fox laid down this version of "White Winter Hymnal," Seattle, Washington baroque pop band Fleet Foxes' introductory song from their 2008 self-titled debut album.

Two things.

First, is it possible that The Fox from The Hound and The Fox was once a member of Fleet Foxes, but got the boot because they weren't fleet enough?

Second, is their band name drawing the ire of Disney executives?  I mean, why not just call themselves Stitch and Lilo?

"The Gambler" by Busy Signal

 

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

When I was a little guy, there was a cabinet in our family's dining room that was packed... PACKED.... with 33 RPM vinyl records.  There must have been a couple hundred in there.  I'm pretty sure that they all belonged to my Mom.

Yet, with literal days' worth of music at her disposal, I never saw her play an album.  

She had a small radio with a tape deck that she used to play a single cassette with Houston, Texas country artist Kenny Rogers' greatest hits non-stop for.... decades, really.  

Here's St Ann Parish, Jamaica reggae artist Busy Signal with his 2011 cover of "The Gambler."

"I Think We're Alone Now" by As December Falls

 

I was trying hard to enjoy the video of Nottingham, UK indie rockers As December Falls covering the 1967 bubblegum pop hit "I Think We're Alone Now," originally released by Tommy James, and revived for Tiffany's late 80's whirlwind tour of shopping malls.

But I kept getting distracted by whatever is on their singer's forehead.

What the hell is that?  It looks sort of like the symbol for Adidas.  But, nobody likes sneakers THAT much, do they?  To have the logo stamped into their cranium like Little Uzi Vert's diamond?  

I mean... I do have the Skechers logo tattooed inside of my upper lip, but... the forehead?  That's some extreme brand loyalty.

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" by Mr Lawrence

 

The song "Everyday Is Like Sunday" was used in NFL ads during the 2008-2009 season, mainly because it's difficult to imagine football being played without the musical backdrop of ultra mopey Manchester, UK crooner Morrissey.  

The original song was recorded by the former Smiths front man in 1988, and was remade by Mr. Lawrence, a band that rocked out in their homeland of Estonia during the mid 1990s.  

"Edge of Seventeen" by Lilith Czar

 An article on the website Concert Crap likens Clearwater, Florida solo artist Lilith Czar to Nine Inch Nails.

Not sure that I agree.  If Nine Inch Nails performs industrial music, Lilith Czar is light industrial, like manufacturing rubber gaskets in a St Paul, Minnesota factory.

There were a few places throughout her version of Fleetwood Mac alum Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" where a pulsing, driving bass could have dropped and warranted the comparison.

Instead, it was safely played by closely mirroring the original, down to the four packs of Marlboro Lights per day rasp.  

"Save it for Later" by Harvey Danger

 

1982 ska song "Save it for Later" by Birmingham, UK fusion band The (English) Beat was covered in 1999 by Seattle, Washington indie group Harvey Danger for the soundtrack of romance drama "200 Cigarettes."

Though other videos of the song were available on YouTube, I went with the one that briefly features a 30 something Paul Rudd getting himself into a bar fight.

Because there are very few things that my wife would rather watch than a brief video of a 30 something Paul Rudd getting himself into a bar fight.

Very few.

"Psycho Killer" by Wet Leg

 

Absurdist Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg exploded onto the indie scene in 2019, when a pair of viral earworms catapulted them to an unprecedented overnight success. 

Their song titles range from moderately crass to wholly offensive.... so, chances are great that I'd love them.

Here, they add their disco-tinged trademark sound to the 1977 art pop single "Psycho Killer," originally released on the debut album from iconic New York City avant-garde band Talking Heads.

"The Old Apartment" by Cornbread Red

 

Killen, Alabama trio Cornbread Red pick on Toronto, Canada quirky jangle pop quintet Barenaked Ladies with their bluegrass cover of 1997 breakthrough hit "The Old Apartment," which was prominently featured in an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.  

Cornbread Red derive their name from a color and a Southern US food staple -- a cakey quick bread comprised of sugar, flour, water, eggs, milk, and, of course, CORN!!

"Top of the World" by Shonen Knife

 In 1994, Osaka, Japan pop punk band Shonen Knife covered Downey, California siblings The Carpenters' 1973 hit "Top of the World" for a now out of print tribute album entitled "If I Were a Carpenter."

"Tutti Frutti" by Buckwheat Zydeco

 

In 1955, flamboyant Macon, Georgia legend Little Richard released "Tutti Frutti," a song that Mojo magazine ranked first among the 100 records that changed the world, hailing it as the model for all rock and roll songs to come.

In 1987, it was covered by Lafayette, Louisiana native and accordion virtuoso Buckwheat Zydeco for his album "Buckwheat's Zydeco Party."

In 2013, the cover version was revived through its inclusion on the soundtrack of Neil Patrick Harris hot mess "The Smurfs 2."

With the exception of the repeated chorus, Buckwheat managed to get every last verse wrong.  Some of the lyrics weren't even close.  Not in the same ballpark... or even the same city.

Maybe he should have gone whole hog and screwed up the chorus, too.

Wombats at a luau, they want bamboo.

"True Faith" by The Flux

 

"True Faith," a 1987 dance pop hit from Salford, UK new wave band New Order, was covered by The Flux for the soundtrack of Amazon Prime television series "Paradise City."

So, who is behind that heavily auto-tuned voice?

The actor portraying lead singer Simon Ostergaard is the late Cameron Boyce.

Though he has sang in previous roles (perhaps most notably in Disney's 2015 teen musical "The Descendants"), this recording doesn't sound like him, even with the heavy distortion potentially disguising his voice.

The description of the uploaded YouTube video on Sumerian Records' official channel includes a hashtag for Bad Omens. It's possible that Richmond, Virginia metalcore artist Noah Sebastian is supplying the lead vocals.

Whoever the mystery singer is, they did a mighty fine job.

If New Order covers are your thing, check out Orgy's version of "Blue Monday" here.

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Fall Out Boy

 

Wilmette, Illinois hardcore emo band Fall Out Boy derived their name from a lesser-known Simpsons character.  And, unlike some other bands that took their moniker from the iconic animated sitcom, they don't utterly and unequivocally suck.

Here, they tackle a tune that Billboard magazine dubbed one of the ten most pristinely perfect pop songs ever, the 1987 Grammy award winner for Best Female Vocal Performance "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," a megahit for Newark, New Jersey singer Whitney Houston.

For a cover of Fall Out Boy, check out Halocene's version of "Sugar, We're Going Down" here.

"Ex's and Oh's" by Julien Kelland

 

When you're cooking something that sticks to the pan and burns and crusts on, what's the first thing you reach for?

The steel wool, right?

Because you need something abrasive, and a sponge just won't do.

Toronto, Ontario singer Julien Kelland has a gorgeous voice, no doubt.

But, a song about churning through boyfriends faster than Twitter churns through their low-level employees really needs the raw, raspy, brazen voice of originator Elle King.

"Toy Soldiers" by Silversun Pickups

 

Los Angeles, California indie rock band Silversun Pickups add a modern twist to "Toy Soldiers," the 1988 downer about uppers from Cuban-American singer Martika.

"It's Oh So Quiet" by Bjork

 

Battle Creek, Michigan actress and singer Betty Hutton first released the English version of "It's Oh So Quiet" in 1951. (German bandleader Horst Winter is given credit for the original composition "Und Jetzt Ist Es Still" in 1948.)

Swan-dressed weirdo Bjork kept the big band flair and added her own brand of Icelandic shrieking on this 1995 reboot.

For a cover of Bjork, check out The Decemberists' take on "Human Behavior" here.

"It Wasn't Me" by The Holophonics

 

Denton, Texas ska punk band The Holophonics upgrade (in my opinion) Kingston, Jamaica reggae dancehall fusion artist Shaggy's 2000 single "It Wasn't Me," a catchy little ditty about post-infidelity gaslighting. 

"Wannabe" by Sandflower

 Brooklyn, New York self-proclaimed digital hippie Sandflower adds a dose of electronica to the 1996 dance pop single "Wannabe" from London, UK ladyband Spice Girls.

I had to look up the lyrics to see if "Zig-a-zig" is a noun or a verb.  Like, do they want TO zig-a-zig?  Or do they want A zig-a-zig?  If it's the latter, is that kind of like a Zagnut? Peanut butter and coconut sounds like a weird combination, but I can see why the Spice Girls would want one so badly.  

Now I want, I want, I want, I want, what I really, really want is a Zag-a-Zagnut.

"My Girl" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

 East Kilbride, Scotland shoegaze band The Jesus and Mary Chain recorded their version of the archetypal 1964 R&B classic "My Girl," originally by Motown vocal group The Temptations, in 1989.

The movie "My Girl," starring Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky, was released in 1991.

So, there's really no reason this was kept off of the soundtrack, because this gloomy version more closely mirrors the uber-depressing climax of the film.

Never thought about it before, but the song's lyric "I have so much honey, the bees envy me" seems like a cruel joke when considering the fate of Culkin's character.  

"Roar" by Bonefield

 

French producer and dark folk songwriter Bonefield reinvented Santa Barbara, California native Katy Perry's 2013 Best Solo Pop Song winner "Roar" into a harrowing motif that would have fit really well on the soundtrack to the original "Halloween" film.

"Only Wanna Be With You" by Post Malone

 

Grapevine, Texas rapper Post Malone was one of a handful of artists who contributed a song for a compilation album celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pokemon.

Malone's entry was a cover of Columbia, South Carolina soft rockers Hootie and The Blowfish's 1995 international hit "Only Wanna Be With You."

The lyrics are the same, except for a single line.

In the original, Hootie... or maybe one of the blowfish.... sang "I'm such a baby, 'cause the dolphins make me cry."

Post Malone changes it to "the Cowboys make me cry."

Perhaps it's a nod to the Dallas football team.

Or, maybe not.  I've also seen "Brokeback Mountain."

For a cover of a Post Malone song, Of Monsters and Men's version of "Circles" can be found here.

"Get Lucky" by Halestorm

 Mad respect for Red Lion, Pennsylvania hard rock band Halestorm.

They have a headlining tour coming up that spans across nine countries on four continents, yet they didn't refuse a gig just a couple of hours from their hometown, kicking it for the bumpkins at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.

Here, they have some fun with "Get Lucky," the 2013 release from Paris, France electronic dance duo Daft Punk.

"American Pie" by The Brady Bunch

 

From the Merriam Webster website: 

Travesty (noun) : 

1. A debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation

2. A burlesque translation or literary or artistic imitation usually grotesquely incongruous in style, treatment, or subject matter

3. Don McLean’s standout 1971 epic “American Pie” mutilated by the youngsters from ABC television series “The Brady Bunch” 

In all honesty, the backdrop is pretty funktastic.

And, their voices are... well, the backdrop is pretty funktastic.

Still better than Madonna's version.

"Only Happy When It Rains" by Amazonics

 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil musicians Amazonics bring the bossa on their rendition of 1995 hit "Only Happy When It Rains," originally by Madison, Wisconsin alternative pop band Garbage.

They're in luck being from Rio, though.... it looks like they're happy a full third of the year. 

"Dance Monkey" by Joey Stamper

 

Mount Martha, Australia "entertainer" Tones and I released "Dance Monkey" in 2019.  It was apparently pretty popular, being nominated for the ARIA song of the year.  I could offer a different perspective on the cringy tune, but the fine folks at Reddit are wordsmiths, and this thread sums up my opinion pretty thoroughly.

Dayton, Ohio singer Joey Stamper takes the mound of elephant dung and transforms it into something that isn't merely listenable, but palatable as well.

"Jesus, Etc" by Puss N Boots

 

Last week, a friend indicated that she couldn't get enough of the 2014 release of "Jesus, Etc.", Chicago, Illinois indie folk band Wilco's 2001 standout track from critically acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, as redone by Manhattan, New York alternative country band Puss N Boots.

Some quick observations:

1) Norah Jones sings for Puss N Boots.  Had no idea.

2) As Puss N Boots hail from New York City, Norah Jones also hails from New York City.  I had always pegged her as a Southerner.

3) Alternative country bands are usually from places like San Antonio, not New York City.

4) As someone who’s not really a Wilco fan or a country music fan, this is really well done.

"Float On" by Ben Lee

 Sydney, Australia alternative artist Ben Lee remade the 2004 feel good indie pop hit "Float On" mere months after its initial release by Issaquah, Washington band Modest Mouse.

A decent laid-back interpretation, but he noticeably flubs a three count at about the 3:00 mark.

Reminds me of this movie scene about the unmitigated importance of being on the same page regarding a three count.

"Karla with a K" by Kilkenny Band

 

Maybe it's a Philadelphia thing, but I love The Hooters. 

 Their 1985 song "Karla with a K" used to play between innings of Phillies games that were broadcast on channel 17 on Sunday afternoons... not sure exactly when, but Juan Samuel and Milt Thompson were in the lineup.  And Von Hayes.  

Plus, with their accordion and mandolin and saxophone and hooter, the group were, and remain, a completely unique blend of new wave, folk, and roots rock.

Kilkenny Band gave this tune a Celt rock twist on their 2015 album "We'll Find it Someday."

Strange but true: Kilkenny Band, named after a medieval town in Southeastern Ireland and sounding more Irish than a shamrock soaked in Bailey's... are actually from Osnabruck, Germany.

"Kind and Generous" by Todd Almond

 

Broadway writer and performer Todd Almond covers Jamestown, New York singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant's 1998 pop folk single "Kind and Generous."

This is the perfect Thanksgiving cover, as Todd says "Thank You" 52 times over the course of the song (by my count), averaging once every 4.4 seconds.

The back up singers also say "Thank You" quite a bit, but they don't sing throughout, so it's much tougher to determine their gratitude density.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

And, for a cover by Natalie Merchant (well, 10,000 Maniacs, but she counts for at least 6,432 of those Maniacs), check out their version of Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" here.

"Unwell" by Taylor Acorn

 

Named by Pandora and CMT as a country music artist to watch, Nashville, Tennessee native Taylor Acorn throws a heaping teaspoon of melancholy into her version of Orlando, Florida mopey post-grungers Matchbox Twenty's 2003 single "Unwell."

Based on this article, it's a strong possibility that the source of Taylor Acorn's unwellness is Lyme Disease.

"Sabotage" by Steve 'N' Seagulls

 

You'd think that with my affinity for outlandish Finnish cover bands I'd have heard of Steve 'N' Seagulls prior to last month.

Nah. (Thanks, Adam, for the introduction.)

But, better late than never in discovering these goofy hillbillies and their bluegrass versions of mainstream hits, including "Sabotage," the rap rock crossover initially released by Beastie Boys in 1994.

"You Sexy Thing" by Deee-Lite

 My younger sister and I had a love/hate relationship with Columbia House in the mid '90s.

We loved the ability to select almost any album conceivable and have it delivered to our house for roughly the price of a cassingle.  

We hated the staggering frequency of getting CDs that we hadn't requested due to an overabundance of teenage negligence.

In 1997, after forgetting to call the number on the mailer yet AGAIN, Jessica was sent a copy of "The Full Monty" soundtrack.

She figured she'd give it a listen, seeing as though she'd already paid the going rate for youthful irresponsibility.

And, she LOVED it.

Her favorite song in the collection was "You Sexy Thing," a 1975 disco number from London, UK soul band Hot Chocolate.

Over time through repeated listenings, she perfected this party trick of duplicating lead vocalist Errol Brown's pitch and cadence.

"I believe in MIRACLES," she'd belt out in a gruff voice, which would drive anyone nearby into fits of uncontrollable laughter.  When the cackling subsided a bit, she'd sing "Where're you from?," and we'd start laughing again, clutching our sides.

This song encapsulates so many fond memories of pure hilarity courtesy of my sister, the goofball.

Here's a version by New York, New York house band Deee-Lite, that appeared on the soundtrack of 1994 Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels buddy comedy "Dumb and Dumber."

Happy Birthday, Jess!

For a cover of Deee-Lite, check out "Groove is in the Heart" by The Lost Fingers here.

"Personal Jesus" by Def Leppard

 Sheffield, UK hard rock band Def Leppard has been performing together since 1977.

Spotify introduced their Singles collections in 2016.

So, bare minimum, 39 years elapsed between the band forming and their release of the cover version of synth pop pioneers Depeche Mode's 1989 electro dance smash "Personal Jesus."

In that wide span of time, you'd think that lead singer Joe Elliott would master the art of circular breathing.

But, no.

Each trip to the microphone, he sounds like Michael Phelps in the middle of the 200m Butterfly.

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by J2 + Sizzy Rocket

Versatile British/Indian music producer J2 teamed up with Las Vegas, Nevada singer Sizzy Rocket on a reimagination of the title track from Elton John's 1973 magnum opus "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

And, MAN, is it extra.

This isn't to say that it's awful.  

It's just the musical equivalent of watching a steady stream of the explosions in Michael Bay films.

For another Elton John cover, check out this one by Mystic Prophecy.

"Our Lips are Sealed" by Everclear

 In 1998, Portland, Oregon power pop band Everclear redid "Our Lips are Sealed," a Go-Go's gem that was designated one of the top 100 pop songs of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine.

The swirling guitars give it that mid '90s aesthetic.  I dig 'em.

A pretty masterful job by this trio.  In fact, the only way I could think of to improve their version is to get Belinda Carlisle to sing on it.

For a cover of Belinda's solo stuff, check out this one by Elvenking.

For a post tangentially related to the Go-Go's and Belinda Carlisle, American Hi-Fi's cover of Joe Jackson can be found here.

"Cotton Eye Joe" by The Sweeplings

 

At the risk of sounding vulgar, "Cotton Eyed Joe" was a pre-Civil War era tune, more or less about an indentured cockblocker.

The traditional folk song was recorded by over 100 artists before Swedish electro-dance-country artists Rednex dropped the "D" (no, not a euphemism), and recorded "Cotton Eye Joe."

The whereabouts of Cotton Eye Joe remain a mystery (and gave rise to one of my favorite memes).

Spokane, Washington pop folk duo The Sweeplings reimagined the barnburner as a haunting down-tempo dirge.

There has been some speculation about what made Joe "Cotton Eyed."  Two very plausible theories are glaucoma or syphilis.

Because of song lines like "He came into town like a raging storm," I would think the latter is probably dead on.

"Rhythm of the Night" by The Grey Chapters

 

The Grey Chapters have no online biography that I could find.  Because the album that included their cover of Grand Rapids, Michigan R & B quintet DeBarge was released by Marathon Media in 2014, and Marathon is a subsidiary of Zodiak Media, I'm going to guess that they are a French band.

I remember loving this song as a kid, which shows that even at the tender age of eight, I was completely lame.  Like, what current eight year old is rocking out to Adele?  Bopping along to the adult contemporary charts?

As an adult, though, I can confirm that the song held up, and is now not only a jam, but gets nostalgia points as well.

"Criminal" by Sarah Paulson

 

Tampa, Florida actress and director Sarah Paulson joined Tampa, Florida actress and director Sarah Paulson for a soloduet covering Brooklyn, New York avant-pop artist Fiona Apple's 1996 Grammy nominated single "Criminal." The remake was featured during an episode from the fourth season of FX network's anthology television series "American Horror Story."

"Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)" by Head Automatica

 

Brooklyn, New York pop punk band Head Automatica cover the 1980 hit "Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)" by English new wave band Squeeze.

It's listed on Spotify and their official YouTube channel as "Pulling Muscles (from a Shell)," which isn't quite right.

Perhaps they're conflating the title with "Pulling Muscles (at the Shell)," which is a ditty that I wrote about hurting myself when trying to lift the gas pump too fast or while in an awkward position.

I'm so out of shape.  Send help.  And doughnuts.  But, mostly doughnuts.  Chocolate frosted.

"A Reason to Believe" by Wilson Phillips

 

Members of the supergroup the Mamas and the Papas' offspring (but not, you know, The Offspring)  Wilson Phillips bring their tight harmonies and completely unnecessary key changes to "A Reason to Believe," a Tim Hardin original that became a hit song for Rod Stewart in 1971.

For another Rod Stewart cover, check out this one from Blur.

"Fireflies" by Make Way for Man

 

In a first for Daily Cover Song, here's a compare and contrast of two versions of the same song!

The above link is for Owatonna, Minnesota multi-instrumentalist Owl City's 2009 viral internet hit "Fireflies" being covered by Perth, Australia band Make Way for Man with their screamo bullshit.

Below is the same song covered by some presumably relatively untrained 8 year olds in a school concert.

So, which of these two makes for the more enjoyable listening experience?

The eight year olds, Dude.

"Breakfast in America" by 48th St. Collective

 

48th St. Collective are a band from.... Argentina, maybe?  They cover songs in a jazzy, vintage style, like the title track from the 1979 progressive rock album "Breakfast in America" by London, UK group Supertramp.

The line "Can we have kippers for breakfast, Mommy dear, Mommy dear?" was uttered by no American, ever.

On this side of the pond, it's all about the Honey Smacks.

The only thing that we'd use kippers for here is to attempt cutting down the mightiest tree in the forest.

"The Thunder Rolls" by Overscene

 

Dallas, Texas post grunge band Overscene supplemented 1991 Garth Brooks tale of rain clouds and infidelity "The Thunder Rolls" with some heavier yet melodic riffs.

Musically, I prefer the updated version.

Lyrically, I prefer the Tulsa, Oklahoma country star's release from the album "No Fences" that cuts off after the second verse with that sweet, sweet ambiguity.  

Does the scorned wife kill him?  Leave him for his more well-endowed cousin?  Drain the joint account and 401K?  Pull a Lorena Bobbitt?  Forgive his triflin' ass?

The Overscene version kills the mystery... along with the philanderer.

"Right Here, Right Now" by Regina Costa

 

On this day in 1989, citizens from East Germany and West Germany broke out chisels and sledgehammers to crumble the Berlin Wall, a barrier that had separated the state for a generation.

Inexorably tied to the collapse of the concrete divider -- in my mind, anyhow-- was the news footage-filled music video for "Right Here, Right Now" by British alternative dance band Jesus Jones.

Here, their song is low-key covered by coffee house artist Regina Costa.  

All in all a decent version, though it's obvious that Regina attended the Dash of Honey School of Rhythmic Timing.

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Right Said Fred

 

Here's how I imagine a 2008 interview with Randy Bachman of Winnipeg, Canada classic rock titans Bachman-Turner Overdrive might have gone:

Interviewer : Mr. Bachman, how does it feel to have recorded a song that is still relevant over three decades after its initial release?

Randy Bachman : People are still listening to "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet?"

Interviewer : Yes!  Matter of fact, a cover version was released earlier this year!

Randy Bachman : No kidding?  Who covered it?

Interviewer : Right Said Fred.

Randy Bachman : *Drinks hemlock*

"Loser" by The Gravel Spreaders

 

San Francisco, California hee haw metal outfit The Gravel Spreaders add a healthy dose of twang to "Loser," the 1993 international smash hit from lo-fi hip hop alt folker Beck.

Though there's no video to confirm, it sounds like The Gravel Spreaders had a brief guest vocal from Dr. Teeth of Electric Mayhem fame.

"Inside Out" by Shaylee Simeone

 

Nashville, Tennessee worship leader and songwriter Shaylee Simeone takes a quick break from songs about faith in Jesus to bring you a cover of "Inside Out," a song about faith in nothing, originally a modern rock hit for La Crescenta, California high schoolers Eve 6 in 1998.

"Kiss Me Deadly" by Nerf Herder

 

Parry Gripp, the front man for Santa Barbara, California geek rockers Nerf Herder, approached his bandmates.

"Hey, guys!  I have a great idea for our cover of Lita Ford's 'Kiss Me Deadly.' We should get some kazoos for the breakdown!"

"I don't know, dude.  That's just not in the budget right now," they responded.

"C'mon, guys!  We can get, like, twelve of them at Party City.  For under five bucks!  It'll sound rad if we..."

"Not. In. The. Budget."

"You're probably right.  Guess we'll figure something else out."

"Satellite of Love" by Milla Jovovich

 

I was sitting in my dorm room studying for finals when I received a call.

"I GOT TICKETS TO SEE MILLA!," my sister shouted into the phone, referring to Kyiv, Ukraine born singer and actress Milla Jovovich.

"That's great, Jamie!," I said, trying to match her enthusiasm, though all I knew of Milla was her starring role in "The Fifth Element," a movie that's a literal rucksack of sweaty armpits.

"She's opening for toad the wet sprocket.  You like them, don't you?"

"I do!," came my reply.

"Be right there!"  And the line went dead.

The story was that one of Jamie's college friends had planned to go to the show, but wound up sick or in prison or something, and had to surrender their ticket.

Knowing my sister, this was likely a little fib, and she knew that I was a humungoid ttws fan, and she planned on taking me all along.

"Be right there" entailed driving from East Falls to Temple's campus in North Philly and then down to Center City, fighting traffic like a salmon swimming upstream the entire way.

By the time we parked near Drexel and entered the venue, Milla was finishing up her last two songs.

This is textbook Jamie.  Sacrificing seeing a show she had been eagerly anticipating in order to show her little bro a good time.

In the near three decades since, I've attended hundreds more concerts, but toad the wet sprocket at The Armory remains one of my absolute favorites.

The cover of the day is Milla's version of Lou Reed's 1972 glam rock single "Satellite of Love," for Jamie on her birthday.

Hope it's the best one yet, girl.  You deserve it!

"Down with the Sickness" by Melodicka Bros

 The cover of 2000 nu-metal hit "Down with the Sickness" by Italian siblings Melodicka Brothers is what Disturbed's original would have sounded like if the band members had been raised eating funnel cakes exclusively.

For a cover by Disturbed, check out their version of "Land of Confusion."

"Possession" by Evans Blue

 

When Sarah McLachlan sings the line "And I would be the one to hold you down/Kiss you so hard/I'll take your breath away" from her 1993 alternative folk song "Possession" -- Hawt.  Here's a Grammy for best female vocal performance.

When Toronto, Canada rock band Evans Blue deliver the same exact line -- Pepper spray.

Double standards, I tell ya....