Late Night Music Part 137............."80's Cover Songs"
I love cover songs, and
all I can think about is the upcoming adaption of the Broadway 80's
musical "Rock of Ages" in theaters next Friday. 80's songs never get old
and are always fun to cover, and except for my all time favorite off
genre hip hop covers, are the best kind of cover in my opinion.
In order to receive votes in this category, the original song had to be RELEASED between 1980 and 1989. Any songs by 80's cover bands were automatically disqualified (sorry Molly Ringwalds). Also receiving votes in this category were "Tainted Love" by Shades Apart, "Shattered Dreams" by David Cook, "I Can't Go For That" by Brian McKnight and "You Spin Me Round" by Dope.
"No Easy Way Out"- Bullet For My Valentine. This Robert Tepper one hit (which peaked at #22 in 1985 alongside the classic Rocky IV Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is done quite well by this Welsh metal band from their 2008 album Scream Aim Fire and was included as a bonus track on the Japanese version of the album. Robert Tepper made a career out of this song, but I guess when you get covered by a Welsh heavy metal band 23 years after the fact, you can finally say that you've made it. This original track was awesome, as the Rocky IV soundtrack is widely considered one of the best workout albums ever, with this song being one of the main reasons why. Man just think if Tepper had done this in a heavy metal style originally!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn7pz5hXa28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwPb7g_BlXQ
"Your Love"- Bon Iver. Man I really wish Bon Iver would record this song as an album track! This live version from the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee is the only known cover they did of this 1986 Outfield classic which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 on their debut album Play Deep. This track gives perfect reasoning for Bon Iver being named Best New Artist at this year's Grammy Awards, as I never would have ever imagined this song being covered in this style. Is it just me, or doesn't Bon Iver kinda remind you of Phish?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2sIfwlZ4Yk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs
"Come On Eileen"- Sugarland and Sara Bareilles. Man what a duet! Jennifer Nettles seems to have done a lot of these (as evidenced by her many appearances on here lately), not to mention her current role on ABC's Duets. I think it's freaking awesome that two artists this different in genre can not only come together and do this song awesome, but do a song that's in neither one of their wheelhouses. Sara Bareilles has always been good at 80's covers....and I smell a bonus video. This widely popular song, which would go on to become Dexy and the Midnight Runners one and only trademark song in the United States hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 off their album Too-Rye-Ay. While this performance is unwordly, this tour was recently by the stage collapse deaths at the Oklahoma State Fair. Bonus points for former Better Than Ezra drummer Travis McNabb on the drums in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMDqkBjvdMg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q
"Manic Monday"- Relient K. This 1986 smash went to #2 for the Bangles off of their album A Different Light, and is done here in a very entertaining way by Ohio's Relient K off of the compilation album Punk Goes 80's. While Relient K is one of the better Christian bands, I've always seen them as goofballs, which makes this song perfect for them. I've also said it several times, but Susanna Hoffs is freaking hot. The most cool fact about this song, is that it was actually written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmjAbEtAJ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s48kuKLf0mE
"You Win Again"- Sophie Madeleine. A much forgotten Bee Gees song here from their 1987 album E.S.P. that saw great success in Europe, but lacked the airplay in the United States due to the disco backlash only peaking at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, this unreal acoustic cover by British starlet Sophie Madeleine's 30 Days 30 Covers is I dare say, better than the original. I love this woman's voice! For more on Sophie Madeleine, check out www.sophiemadeleine.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqdiwGlb_o8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kses3SfG-lU
"King Of Pain"- Alanis Morissette. I've ne ver been a huge fan of Alanis, but this is a great arrangement of a classic. This song hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 from The Police's album Synchronicity. This "unplugged" version was included on Alanis's 1999 live album for MTV Alanis Unplugged and was released as a single in 2000. The Unplugged sessions and albums were some of the best things MTV ever did before it turned into teenager TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZd6SxdaZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG5RdTR7_eo
"Against All Odds"- Mariah Carey. Dang Mariah can do some cover songs! I love this solo version tons more than her version with Westlife, despite that version going to #1 in the UK in 2000. Like I said before, it's quite possible that this song trails only Whitney Houston in "song awesomeness to movie suckage" ratio in music history, as the movie who shares the namesake is quite possibly the dumbest movie ever. This Phil Collins version went on to #1 in 1984. However, despite being included on her album Rainbow, the single was never released as a single in the United States for Carey who saw it peak at #2 in Norway, and in the top 20 in several other European nations, with the Westlife version being the more popular. Great live performance here, probably from a European TV appearance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqJSYjRERE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW71En5Pa5s
"Right Here Waiting"- Monica and 112. Man talk about a hidden gem! I love this version. This final single from Monica's 1998 album The Boy Is Mine never had a video to accompany it (unheard of in those days) and still peaked at #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under 100 R&B Chart. I never thought much of 112 other than a sideshow act for Bad Boy, but they do a great job complimenting this song. The Richard Marx version from his 1989 album Repeat Offender went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflsUfONNA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_E2EHVxNAE
"Take On Me"- MxPx. Seattle-based Christian punk band MxPx recorded this former 1985 #1 hit by Norwegian pop band A-Ha on their 1995 EP On The Cover. I like this cover the best out of all the ones made for this song just because it's so different. MxPx is still one of the better Christian bands out there and is still amazingly together after over 20 years. I'm kinda glad MxPx didn't try to make a video to this song, as it's quite possibly one of the best ever made, and I'm not even joking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDmKWVyKXHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
"I Melt With You"- Bowling For Soup. Man I love Texas's very own Bowling For Soup, they are so funny and still sound so cool. Their ode to the 80's "1985" is one of my all time favorite lunch break songs. This single was recorded for the soundtrack to the movie Sky High, after being the one and only hit in 1982 for the British band Modern English. Part of the reason I love Bowling For Soup so much is because I can't figure out if they are joking or trying to be serious with this song. Jaret Reddick is one of the funniest front men in music- he's twice as funny as Mark Hoppus from Blink 182, who everyone just thinks is so funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDOPlf0uAmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuN6gs0AJls
"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"- Miley Cyrus. I never thought I'd say this, but this is fantastic performance from Miley Cyrus doing the 1988 Poison classic in 2010 at the House Of Blues- man this little girl grew up and decided to become a rock star on this song. This song was included on her 2010 album Can't Be Tamed and actually featured former Poison lead singer and song writer Bret Michaels on backing vocals. He admitted that the single was "nailed" and said that while he's reluctant to let the song be covered, he was very pleased with this version. The Poison version from their album Open Up And Say. Ahh! Would be Poison's only #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9dmbfeupRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2r2nDhTzO4
"Nothing But A Good Time"- Reel Big Fish. Speaking of Poison, ska band Reel Big Fish thought they'd give this Poison classic from above mentioned album which peaked at #6 in 1987. I always love hearing trumpets do guitar parts. Reel Big Fish included this song on their 2007 cover album Fame, Fortune, and Fornication.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXKHaUMxNRw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_88L-CU7PD4
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"- Martina McBride. I'm such a fan of Martina McBride and I can't figure out whether or not that's a good thing or a bad thing, but the woman can definitely sing and steals the show here with a great cover of the 1980 Pat Benatar classic from her album Crimes of Passion and one of my favorite songs ever to play on Guitar Hero 3. This was the closing song on her 2008 live concert recording from Moline, Illinois Live In Concert, and what a way to end a show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwN-gx_APzs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JRgHol94Xc
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"- Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers. Sorry I had to do this one again because this version here is just too freaking sweet. This song from the San Francisco band's famous "van sessions" has become a youtube sensation. For more on Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers check out www.nickibluhm.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsST4I2sbEk
"Separate Ways"- Andre Matos. This classic Journey cover was included on the solo debut of Brazillian metal lead singer Andre Matos on his 2007 album Time To Be Free, but was included on the Japanese deluxe edition- why do these bands always do that? Before his solo career, Andre Matos was the lead singer of Brazillian metal bands Viper, Angra, and Shaaman. What is it about foreign metal bands and their symphonic sound? More on that in a minute. This is one of Journey's better songs (peaked at #8 in 1983), but was without a doubt one of the dumbest videos ever, even for the 80's- thank God Matos didn't try to make one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMcreUFaIBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LatorN4P9aA
"Journey Medley"- Glee Cast. I don't care what you say, but this medley of "Faithfully", "Lovin Touchin Squeezin", "Any Way You Want It", and "Don't Stop Believing" is a phenomenal performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XDEAfnLs7A
"We Don't Need Another Hero"- Northern Kings. Remember what I said about foreign metal bands being so symphonic? No one does it more than Scandinavian bands like Finland's Northern Kings, who do exclusively cover songs in their heavy metal style. Actually pretty clever. This single was their first ever off of their 2007 debut album Reborn. I still can't get over the fact that the Tina Turner version of this song from the Mel Gibson blockbuster Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985 not only went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but actually features the lyrics "beyond the thunderdome" in it. I'd be willing to bet that will be a once in a lifetime occurence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKwQKqQ8MMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FPK5-Rm38
BONUS VIDEOS- "Don't Stop Believing"- Glee Cast. The song and video that introduced Glee to the world on the pilot episode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WxPyUzWSPA
"Jetplane"- Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. From her 2011 album Driftwood. Man this woman can sing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJVgZPCcGWw
"The Rhythm You Started"- Sophie Madeleine. Very creative track from Sophie Madeleine that's the title track of her upcoming album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyHgebxHA7I
Bullet For My Valentine
Sophie Madeleine
Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers
In order to receive votes in this category, the original song had to be RELEASED between 1980 and 1989. Any songs by 80's cover bands were automatically disqualified (sorry Molly Ringwalds). Also receiving votes in this category were "Tainted Love" by Shades Apart, "Shattered Dreams" by David Cook, "I Can't Go For That" by Brian McKnight and "You Spin Me Round" by Dope.
"No Easy Way Out"- Bullet For My Valentine. This Robert Tepper one hit (which peaked at #22 in 1985 alongside the classic Rocky IV Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is done quite well by this Welsh metal band from their 2008 album Scream Aim Fire and was included as a bonus track on the Japanese version of the album. Robert Tepper made a career out of this song, but I guess when you get covered by a Welsh heavy metal band 23 years after the fact, you can finally say that you've made it. This original track was awesome, as the Rocky IV soundtrack is widely considered one of the best workout albums ever, with this song being one of the main reasons why. Man just think if Tepper had done this in a heavy metal style originally!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn7pz5hXa28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwPb7g_BlXQ
"Your Love"- Bon Iver. Man I really wish Bon Iver would record this song as an album track! This live version from the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee is the only known cover they did of this 1986 Outfield classic which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 on their debut album Play Deep. This track gives perfect reasoning for Bon Iver being named Best New Artist at this year's Grammy Awards, as I never would have ever imagined this song being covered in this style. Is it just me, or doesn't Bon Iver kinda remind you of Phish?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2sIfwlZ4Yk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs
"Come On Eileen"- Sugarland and Sara Bareilles. Man what a duet! Jennifer Nettles seems to have done a lot of these (as evidenced by her many appearances on here lately), not to mention her current role on ABC's Duets. I think it's freaking awesome that two artists this different in genre can not only come together and do this song awesome, but do a song that's in neither one of their wheelhouses. Sara Bareilles has always been good at 80's covers....and I smell a bonus video. This widely popular song, which would go on to become Dexy and the Midnight Runners one and only trademark song in the United States hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 off their album Too-Rye-Ay. While this performance is unwordly, this tour was recently by the stage collapse deaths at the Oklahoma State Fair. Bonus points for former Better Than Ezra drummer Travis McNabb on the drums in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMDqkBjvdMg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q
"Manic Monday"- Relient K. This 1986 smash went to #2 for the Bangles off of their album A Different Light, and is done here in a very entertaining way by Ohio's Relient K off of the compilation album Punk Goes 80's. While Relient K is one of the better Christian bands, I've always seen them as goofballs, which makes this song perfect for them. I've also said it several times, but Susanna Hoffs is freaking hot. The most cool fact about this song, is that it was actually written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmjAbEtAJ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s48kuKLf0mE
"You Win Again"- Sophie Madeleine. A much forgotten Bee Gees song here from their 1987 album E.S.P. that saw great success in Europe, but lacked the airplay in the United States due to the disco backlash only peaking at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, this unreal acoustic cover by British starlet Sophie Madeleine's 30 Days 30 Covers is I dare say, better than the original. I love this woman's voice! For more on Sophie Madeleine, check out www.sophiemadeleine.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqdiwGlb_o8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kses3SfG-lU
"King Of Pain"- Alanis Morissette. I've ne ver been a huge fan of Alanis, but this is a great arrangement of a classic. This song hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 from The Police's album Synchronicity. This "unplugged" version was included on Alanis's 1999 live album for MTV Alanis Unplugged and was released as a single in 2000. The Unplugged sessions and albums were some of the best things MTV ever did before it turned into teenager TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZd6SxdaZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG5RdTR7_eo
"Against All Odds"- Mariah Carey. Dang Mariah can do some cover songs! I love this solo version tons more than her version with Westlife, despite that version going to #1 in the UK in 2000. Like I said before, it's quite possible that this song trails only Whitney Houston in "song awesomeness to movie suckage" ratio in music history, as the movie who shares the namesake is quite possibly the dumbest movie ever. This Phil Collins version went on to #1 in 1984. However, despite being included on her album Rainbow, the single was never released as a single in the United States for Carey who saw it peak at #2 in Norway, and in the top 20 in several other European nations, with the Westlife version being the more popular. Great live performance here, probably from a European TV appearance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqJSYjRERE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW71En5Pa5s
"Right Here Waiting"- Monica and 112. Man talk about a hidden gem! I love this version. This final single from Monica's 1998 album The Boy Is Mine never had a video to accompany it (unheard of in those days) and still peaked at #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under 100 R&B Chart. I never thought much of 112 other than a sideshow act for Bad Boy, but they do a great job complimenting this song. The Richard Marx version from his 1989 album Repeat Offender went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflsUfONNA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_E2EHVxNAE
"Take On Me"- MxPx. Seattle-based Christian punk band MxPx recorded this former 1985 #1 hit by Norwegian pop band A-Ha on their 1995 EP On The Cover. I like this cover the best out of all the ones made for this song just because it's so different. MxPx is still one of the better Christian bands out there and is still amazingly together after over 20 years. I'm kinda glad MxPx didn't try to make a video to this song, as it's quite possibly one of the best ever made, and I'm not even joking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDmKWVyKXHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
"I Melt With You"- Bowling For Soup. Man I love Texas's very own Bowling For Soup, they are so funny and still sound so cool. Their ode to the 80's "1985" is one of my all time favorite lunch break songs. This single was recorded for the soundtrack to the movie Sky High, after being the one and only hit in 1982 for the British band Modern English. Part of the reason I love Bowling For Soup so much is because I can't figure out if they are joking or trying to be serious with this song. Jaret Reddick is one of the funniest front men in music- he's twice as funny as Mark Hoppus from Blink 182, who everyone just thinks is so funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDOPlf0uAmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuN6gs0AJls
"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"- Miley Cyrus. I never thought I'd say this, but this is fantastic performance from Miley Cyrus doing the 1988 Poison classic in 2010 at the House Of Blues- man this little girl grew up and decided to become a rock star on this song. This song was included on her 2010 album Can't Be Tamed and actually featured former Poison lead singer and song writer Bret Michaels on backing vocals. He admitted that the single was "nailed" and said that while he's reluctant to let the song be covered, he was very pleased with this version. The Poison version from their album Open Up And Say. Ahh! Would be Poison's only #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9dmbfeupRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2r2nDhTzO4
"Nothing But A Good Time"- Reel Big Fish. Speaking of Poison, ska band Reel Big Fish thought they'd give this Poison classic from above mentioned album which peaked at #6 in 1987. I always love hearing trumpets do guitar parts. Reel Big Fish included this song on their 2007 cover album Fame, Fortune, and Fornication.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXKHaUMxNRw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_88L-CU7PD4
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"- Martina McBride. I'm such a fan of Martina McBride and I can't figure out whether or not that's a good thing or a bad thing, but the woman can definitely sing and steals the show here with a great cover of the 1980 Pat Benatar classic from her album Crimes of Passion and one of my favorite songs ever to play on Guitar Hero 3. This was the closing song on her 2008 live concert recording from Moline, Illinois Live In Concert, and what a way to end a show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwN-gx_APzs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JRgHol94Xc
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"- Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers. Sorry I had to do this one again because this version here is just too freaking sweet. This song from the San Francisco band's famous "van sessions" has become a youtube sensation. For more on Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers check out www.nickibluhm.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsST4I2sbEk
"Separate Ways"- Andre Matos. This classic Journey cover was included on the solo debut of Brazillian metal lead singer Andre Matos on his 2007 album Time To Be Free, but was included on the Japanese deluxe edition- why do these bands always do that? Before his solo career, Andre Matos was the lead singer of Brazillian metal bands Viper, Angra, and Shaaman. What is it about foreign metal bands and their symphonic sound? More on that in a minute. This is one of Journey's better songs (peaked at #8 in 1983), but was without a doubt one of the dumbest videos ever, even for the 80's- thank God Matos didn't try to make one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMcreUFaIBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LatorN4P9aA
"Journey Medley"- Glee Cast. I don't care what you say, but this medley of "Faithfully", "Lovin Touchin Squeezin", "Any Way You Want It", and "Don't Stop Believing" is a phenomenal performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XDEAfnLs7A
"We Don't Need Another Hero"- Northern Kings. Remember what I said about foreign metal bands being so symphonic? No one does it more than Scandinavian bands like Finland's Northern Kings, who do exclusively cover songs in their heavy metal style. Actually pretty clever. This single was their first ever off of their 2007 debut album Reborn. I still can't get over the fact that the Tina Turner version of this song from the Mel Gibson blockbuster Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985 not only went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but actually features the lyrics "beyond the thunderdome" in it. I'd be willing to bet that will be a once in a lifetime occurence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKwQKqQ8MMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FPK5-Rm38
BONUS VIDEOS- "Don't Stop Believing"- Glee Cast. The song and video that introduced Glee to the world on the pilot episode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WxPyUzWSPA
"Jetplane"- Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. From her 2011 album Driftwood. Man this woman can sing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJVgZPCcGWw
"The Rhythm You Started"- Sophie Madeleine. Very creative track from Sophie Madeleine that's the title track of her upcoming album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyHgebxHA7I
Bullet For My ValentineSophie MadeleineNicki Bluhm and the Gramblers
posted by General 5A Pigott at 9:08 PM
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