[Mixtape] Cover ups

I really like hearing cover songs. I think it's fun to be able to hear a different artist's take on a song, and if they change up the song so much that it almost becomes a different song altogether, then that's all the better.

So partially inspired by Jen's posting of a unique version of "Hot in Herre", I thought I would share my list of best cover songs.

PS. I would have thrown in Michael Cera and Ellen Page's version of "Anyone Else But You", but that's already been mentioned :x


Mat Weddle - Hey Ya
I have no idea who Mat Weddle or his band, Obadiah Parker, are, but this is a great cover of OutKast's Hey Ya. It It is a completely different take on the song, and I think it works great. If only only listen to one song on this list, this one would be it.

Kate Nash - Fluorescent Adolescent
I really like Kate Nash. Despite the fact that it is a bunch of girly, lovey-dovey songs, I think she has a great voice and musical style. Her take on The Artctic Monkey's Fluorescent Adolescent sounds good.

Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights
The Postal Service's Such Great Heights is such a great song, it's not surprising that there are tons of covers of it. But do you know how you can tell Iron and Wine's version is so great? People are covering his cover of the song. It seems that taking a fast, highly-produced song and making it acoustic and simple = success.

Seu Jorge - Life on Mars
If you've watched Life Aquatic, then you've heard Seu Jorge do his thing. He was featured in the movie and also provided most of the soundtrack. What is particularly cool is that he took a bunch of David Bowie songs (like Life on Mars), translated it to Portuguese (Seu Jorge is from Brazil, woot!), and played it acoustically. Totally awesome.

Ben Harper - Strawberry Fields Forever
Yet another song featured in a film, this cover of the Beatles's Strawberry Fields Forever was made for the movie I Am Sam because it cost too much money to get the actual song in the film (or something like that). Anyway, this soothing cover is really good, especially if you're a Ben Harper fan.

Lauryn Hill - Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Talk about classic material... Lauryn Hill took this oft-covered song and made it her own. There isn't much to say except that this is a great song, so you should listen to it again.