General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 40..........."You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover"

Ok, I think I am a tad bit obsessed with cover songs, seeing how this is the FOURTH "Late Night Music" focusing on songs people sing that other people originally recorded. Maybe it's the originality added to something already original. Maybe it's the comedy (intentional or unintentional). Maybe it's the sheer awesomeness of songs crossing genre lines and in many effects "crossing over". Maybe I'm just a dork- I'll take all of the above. With that being said I am truly fascinated by cover songs, particularly those you have to look hard for, ya know, the ones that are "album fillers" of "concert favorites" by bands that never had the guys to release it as a single just due to the inevitable task of being compared to the original. With that being said, in order to qualify for this list, the cover song had to be RECORDED IN A STUDIO (this would disqualify U2's version of "All Along The Watchtower"). Even though some live performances are used, they are still recorded by the band.

Also receiving votes in this category were "Sailing" by N'Sync, "Gin and Juice" by Hot Rod Circuit, and all of the Weird Al Yankovic polka medleys.

"At Your Best"- Aaliyah. Like alot of other hit songs, I had no idea this was a cover song until I did a little research. Originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1976, Aaliyah included it on her 1994 debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number". The track was produced by R. Kelly and Aaliyah at the time was only 15 years old. Man, I hope her parents were around. Unfortunately, the only video released of this song was a "remix" featuring R. Kelly. For obvious reasons, I chose the original version here not only because it's better, but I have a "No Pedophiles" policy on "Late Night Music".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i0XGs39BrQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVJzPiJufkY

"Fix You"- Secondhand Serenade. If you checked out any of my facebook statuses lately, you would see that I have recently gotten into California acoustic group Secondhand Serenade. While the overwhelming majority of their work is original this Coldplay cover is featured on their most recent album "A Twist In My Story". Like most cover songs, there is no clever video on this one, but simply a still photo of lead singer John Veseley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpo0aZOYETI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ

"My Hero"- Paramore. This Foo Fighters classic originally from the movie "Varsity Blues" is covered here by Franklin, Tennessee's Paramore, and was actually also a soundtrack song as it was featured on the soundtrack album for "Superman Returns". Lead singer Hayley Williams almost sounds like she was meant to sing this song. I am a sucker for rock songs covered and stripped down to acoustic versions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldzl7ijkHac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVKDQgT_b-Y

"Emotion"- Destiny's Child. Yes! We finally get a cool video! This song featured on Destiny's Child 2001 album "Survivor" has always been one of my favorites, and honestly, Beyonce can sing this to me any time she wants! I love how Destiny's Child kept the same musical format as the Bee Gees (both being trios), and Beyonce in a way sounds a little bit like Robin Gibb. Does anyone else notice how skinny Kelly Rowland really is? I remember seeing her in person on "The Tonight Show" and thinking she looked anorexic. I mean don't get me wrong, she's a beautiful woman, but someone please give her some chicken or something. While this video is easily one of the best from 2001, it gets put over the hump by the bonus points it gains with Beyonce's mini skirt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWKdMmH0B-E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBgAj4cNee4

"Love Song"- Four Year Strong. Ok, these guys can't sing, but I love the idea. How cool is it when piano pop is turned into power guitar chords and punk rock? I also love when male bands do female songs. I would like to see Sara Bareilles try to play this song on piano with that drum part- can it be done?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNCgWxKUspI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi7Yh16dA0w

"Don't Turn Around"- Ace of Base. Here's one that I actually knew was a cover (thanks to Casey Kasem). In 1994, Ace of Base was in a state of confusion that they were the next ABBA on the verge (in their own mind) of another "Scandinavian Invasion", but even covering this Tina Turner hit couldn't save them from fading into oblivion. This video is also very confusing- is she singing to the girl or to the guy? I am completely lost. However, Jenny Berggren (the brunette) is smoking hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYo0JpT410
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZu-Nf0yap0

"Africa"- Chris De Burgh. I love when a guy who only has one song ever pops up with something cool. Seriously, how many of you knew a single Chris De Burgh NOT called "Lady In Red"?????? LOL! That's what I thought! Anyway, Chris De Burgh does a rare practice of covering this Toto 1982 hit almost EXACTLY how it sounded, all the way down to the drum part. He's not only doing a cover, he's doing an impression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugfzExMovXA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCca5mPMp9A

"Over My Head (Cable Car)"- A Day To Remember. Another punk rock group turning piano pop into a cover song for them. Great live performance here by this Florida band. I really like this version- I can really see it being on "Guitar Hero". This version was featured on the "Pop Goes Punk" compilation album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfLJQZaIwps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRkpvvop3I

"Stronger"- 30 Seconds to Mars. We all know how I feel about Kanye West. With that being said, we also know how much I love hip hop covers into rock and we all know how much all of us love Jared Leto. Very interesting version here- Jared Leto gets more awesome the more I listen to him. I am very quickly becoming a very big 30 Seconds to Mars fan. Yes, this video is for you Scherer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrlXhpuLfeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO6ZnUZI0g

"I Wanna Love You"- The Maine. Another hip hop cover song covered by a rock group. What is it about Snoop Dogg that makes goofy white guys want to sing his songs? LOL! I wonder if Akon planned on his stripper filled video to be covered by abunch of nerdy white guys from Arizona? Infinite bonus points for lead singer John Cornelius O'Callahan even singing "Konvict...............Mus

ic". I don't think we'll see The Maine sign with Konvict Records anytime soon- don't think they have enough street cred. Also, thank God this is the "clean" version of this song........it's a family show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_pmerpr5qs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzF7H2e3Tw

"Jumper"- Bedlight for Blue Eyes. I almost have to say I like this version better than Third Eye Blind's original. Seriously.........I LOVE this guitar part. Stephan Jenkins is amazing, but he can't sing a song as mellow as it's performed here. Bedlight for Blue Eyes has since broken up but they definitely left a mark with this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERz8QbIkcws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77RT_bSlVXc

"I Want It That Way"- Allister. Honestly, I have no idea whether or not these guys are being serious or if they are poking fun at the Backstreet Boys as this song is featured on the album "Dead Ends And Girlfriends" which also features a cover version of the theme song of the children's show "Fraggle Rock".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtuSpA4hmrk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fndeDfaWCg

"Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" AND "Stairway To Heaven"- Mary J. Blige. Words don't do these justice. However, just to qualify these two live performances, "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", the Elton John classic, was recorded by MJB and featured on the soundtrack of "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason". Her rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" is featured on her newest album "Stronger With Every Tear", but this live version from Oprah is unreal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeCaH-SHBZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2e4NlnLr28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ZJVZ9eHNI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9TGj2jrJk8