Wednesday, November 30, 2022

"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.



Tuesday, November 29, 2022

"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

Monday, November 28, 2022

"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.

Sunday, November 27, 2022

"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.


Saturday, November 26, 2022

"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.


Friday, November 25, 2022

"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.

Thursday, November 24, 2022

"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.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

"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.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

"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.

Monday, November 21, 2022

"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.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

"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.

Saturday, November 19, 2022

"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.

Friday, November 18, 2022

"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.


Thursday, November 17, 2022

"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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

"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.


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

"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."

Monday, November 14, 2022

"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.

Sunday, November 13, 2022

"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.

Saturday, November 12, 2022

"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.

Friday, November 11, 2022

"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.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

"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.


Wednesday, November 9, 2022

"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.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

"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*

Monday, November 7, 2022

"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.

Sunday, November 6, 2022

"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.

Saturday, November 5, 2022

"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."

Friday, November 4, 2022

"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!

Thursday, November 3, 2022

"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."


Wednesday, November 2, 2022

"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....

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

"November Rain" by Prom Queen

 


In the summer of 2012, Seattle, Washington based band Prom Queen released their poodle skirt retro version of the 1992 Guns N' Roses power ballad "November Rain."

It was the final track on a record called "Doom Wop," which is in the running for best album title ever.

In an interview with Felten Ink, band leader Leeni Ramadan describes the genre Doom Wop as "the rotting wall behind the Norman Rockwell painting." 

This gem will have you wanting to leave that shared milkshake behind and slow dance right on the diner floor.  So, come on snake, let's rattle.