Singing and producing covers is a form of musical creativity that deserves more attention. Not only is it a way to show appreciation for existing songs, but also to draw inspiration from different artists. Often covers don't do the original song justice. However, in some cases, they bring a totally different perspective, twisting it into something completely new. Here are seven covers that are better than the original song:
James Blake, "Limit to Your Love" (Feist cover)
James Blake’s cover differs from the original in the instrumentals he uses, which include piano and electronic sounds paired with pleading, ghostly vocals. In his typical style, the song is experimental and modern. Feist’s original version doesn’t flow quite as nicely as Blake’s rendition.
Johnny Cash, "Hurt" (Nine Inch Nails cover)
Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” transformed the original song and even garnered acclaim from Nine Inch Nails. It sounds much more sentimental and puts more emphasis on acoustics than the original. Cash’s music video for “Hurt” is also regarded as one of the best music videos of all time.
Daughter, "Get Lucky" (Daft Punk cover)
Daughter puts a completely different, chilled–out spin on Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” Even though it doesn’t make you want to get up and dance in the same way that the original version does, Daughter entrances you with her mesmerizing vocal style. Daft Punk's melodies are still recognizable, but much more mellow and spread out.
Mumford and Sons, "The Boxer" (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
I don’t quite believe that Mumford and Sons’ version of “The Boxer” is superior to Simon & Garfunkel’s, but it’s one of the few covers of Simon & Garfunkel’s songs that do them justice. It feels just as nostalgic and quaint as the original, but moves a bit faster with a few more voices added into the chorus.
Frank Ocean, "Moon River" (Audrey Hepburn cover)
“Moon River” is a song that can be easily transformed into any style. Audrey Hepburn originally recorded it for the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's and since has been covered by Andy Williams and Amy Winehouse. Frank Ocean integrates his own style by layering different versions of his voice on top of one another, making the song much sadder and more bittersweet than the original.
Daniel Caesar, "Streetcar" (Kanye West cover)
Even though Daniel Caesar’s “Streetcar” is more of a take on Kanye West’s “Street Lights” than a cover, he does a beautiful job showcasing his polished voice against a slower piano melody rather than electronic instrumentals as Kanye does. Listening to Daniel Caesar's "Streetcar" has a calming, nostalgic effect.
Bon Iver, "I Can’t Make You Love Me" (Bonnie Raitt cover)
Although Bon Iver’s version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” is much sadder and more desolate, he makes the song an engaging experience by adding electronic layers to Bonnie Raitt’s original song. Bon Iver's style reflects Bonnie Raitt’s dismal lyrics better even than her own rendition does.
These covers are done by artists who are already pretty successful, which goes to show that the art of covering songs isn't just reserved for lesser known singers. The next time you listen to a song, make sure to check out different versions of it—you might surprise yourself!
