Sometimes all it takes is a different vocalist or a slightly shifted arrangement to rejuvenate an old favorite song. Although nothing can (usually) beat the original, a new take on a classic can bring a whole new appreciation to the concept or original intentions of a piece of music. Music really is an art form and thus can be interpreted in multiple ways. This list of songs took a slightly different path than the original, for the better.
Covers are a take on the original, but they spin it in a new way, one that could make two people who originally agreed on the interpretation of a song suddenly have harshly opposite opinions. One person may fall in love with an interpretation while another may consider it an abomination. For what it’s worth, these are some covers that I found refreshing and surprising, but a cover song in general is a tricky, touchy subject.
1. “White Blank Page” — Taylor Swift (originally Mumford & Sons) — Having seen Mumford & Sons earlier in the year and declaring it one of the best concerts that I’ve attended, and not being a Taylor Swift admirer at all, I never thought I would add this song to any playlist, let alone my music library. This country-pop radio star strips down a bit and embraces the organic feel of Mumford & Sons’ original sound.
2. “Roses” — The Maine (originally Outkast) — Outkast is a hip-hop group with a lot of individuality pouring out of every inch of its musicality. From its lyrics to its beats and instrumentation, it is always trying something new. “Roses” has an old-timey feel to it that The Maine, a modern pop-rock band, attempts to capture in its cover. It simplifies it, considering this is an acoustic cover, but do so in a way that changes the direction in a refreshing way. Outkast’s version is one that simply can’t be beat, but to see the organic take on this funky song is worth a shot.
3. “Free Fallin’” — The Almost (originally Tom Petty) — The Almost is a Christian rock band, but its vocalist’s strong voice is perfect for ballad’s such as this one. “Free Fallin’” is a hard song to cover considering the fact that everyone has heard the original in this century, but The Almost takes a more modern yet still epic take on the well-known tune. My respect for The Almost as musicians went up after hearing this cover, and it is clear that music such as this is the kind of music that it should be making.
4. “When You Were Young” — The Noisettes (originally The Killers) — The Noisettes’ lead singer’s angelic voice accompanied by the great string arrangement start of the song in the exact right way. Although The Killers’ original version was a fuller rendition, this jazzy and simple version is a completely different yet completely successful take on the idea of the song. This is nothing short of a perfect example of a band taking a song and arranging it in a way to call its own.
5. “Wish You Were Here” — Radiohead (originally Pink Floyd) — The longing and reminiscent feel of this classic Pink Floyd song can only get more eerie with the addition of Radiohead. The masters of conjuring memories and portraying emotions, Radiohead put an interesting spin on Pink Floyd’s already interesting track. For any fans of either band or alternative rock in general, this song is worth the listen.