Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Late Night Music Part 144........."Acoustic Covers"

I love cover songs! Sometimes the best covers are the ones that describe a song in a different style. One of my favorite cover is the acoustic cover where a song is stripped down to the bare basics and even if done similarly, can sound completely different.

In order to receive votes in this category, the track had to be a cover song and stripped down from the original format featuring prominent acoustic instruments. In a rare feat, all songs receiving votes were included in this list.

"We Are Young"- Attaloss (originally by Fun). Attaloss out of Los Angeles released their solid self-titled debut album earlier this year, where it peaked at #1 on the Alternative New Artists Albums Chart. Here in this acoustic cover, lead singer Danny Aguiluz gives a very impressive cover of Fun's song, despite this song not really being a song that goes along with Attaloss's sound, which is actually quite impressive. Their debut album is not available on iTunes. Also, check them out at www.attaloss.com. The single from Fun off of their album Some Nights actually went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYzVC5BzHwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

"Firework"- Lawson (originally by Katy Perry). Katy Perry continues to be a guilty pleasure, but this song is such a great song to cover, and is a great song period. British band Lawson gives this song a great whirl here in this video. This is one of those songs that I think was meant to be stripped down from the beginning in my opinion. Lawson has already released their debut single "When She Was Mine" which peaked at #4 on the British Singles Chart, and it will be included on their upcoming debut album. I really hope this version is on that album, because this is seriously a great arrangement of an already great song. This famous original off of Perry's album Teenage Dream went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dhb2Xet6L0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

"Use Somebody"- Paramore (originally by Kings Of Leon). This is a great cover of Kings of Leon done by Paramore for Great Britain's BBC Radio 1 Lounge gives a great alternative arrangement of a song by a kinda similar band that's even based out of the same hometown. Always cool to see songs done in a different perspective even by a similar band. The way Hayley Williams sings this song, I almost want to believe this was originally a Paramore song. This track is actually available for purchase on iTunes.......guess where I'm headed right now? This widely popular song by Kings Of Leon and breakout single for the band off of their album Only By The Night peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGaZyw8UPRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhXHvRoUd0

"The Only Exception"- Naya Marie (originally by Paramore). Speaking of Paramore! I can't believe I've never featured this Naya Marie cover before. This one was kind of a stretch seeing how the song was already acoustic, but this version is seriously too good to leave off. Naya Marie has a voice of an angel and this black and white video made with Australian artist John Vella with Naya in such a casual setting really sets this mood for this track. I hate to compare this one to the original because I love Hayley Williams so much, and she's pretty unduplicatable (if that's a word), but this version here definitely gives me chills. This great song was originally featured on Paramore's album Brand New Eyes and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, and still remains a Paramore fan favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W2m4NYOfPQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7J_IWUhls

"One"- Howie Day (originally by U2). This is a super cool clip of Howie Day before his break out album Stop All The World Now doing a great rendition of U2's "One". I'd really like to see Howie Day become even a bigger star because he's super talented and has some great songs that fly under the radar. The pride of Brewer, Maine may get a bad rap for some legal troubles. I'm impressed that he picked such an awesome song to cover as well. This classic song from U2's 1991 album Achtung Baby peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remains one of their most famous songs, also covered by the always awesome Mary J. Blige with U2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjoBse_0sDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftjEcrrf7r0

"California King Bed"- Priscilla Renea (originally by Rihanna). This one is kinda different, but I'll count it. Priscilla Renea is seen here performing a song she actually co-wrote but was originally recorded by Rihanna (we'll see plenty of Rihanna on this list) at the 2012 ASCAP I Create Music Expo, and excuse me while I say I'd rather listen to Priscilla Renea sing this song than Rihanna. Her debut album Jukebox is easily one of the most underrated albums ever, and most music publications have echoed this sentiment. With that being said, I'm also gonna say this video is also awesome for featuring a left handed guitar player. This "original" was included on Rihanna's Loud album and peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZi_oZkMCs8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhBorPm6JjQ

"Hey Ya!"- Obadiah Parker (originally by Outkast). Now this one took some courage. This Scottsdale, Arizona singer included this acoustic Outkast cover on his debut album Obadiah Parker Live! and earned the praise of many including Andre 3000. It's always interesting to hear a song reinterpreted into a completely different genre while keeping all of the same lyrics. This one was interesting because this song by Outkast was not only a former #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, but was also included on the mega album, 2003's Speakerboxx/The Love Below, which not only won the Grammy for Album Of The Year, but is considered by many one of the best hip-hop albums ever made, and one of the best overall albums of the 2000's. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c745E7T_Wvg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgvGjAhvIw

"Gangsta's Paradise"- James Morrison (originally by Coolio). Another interesting hip-hop cover here from a guy that goes big when he does covers. First Michael Jackson, now this? Wow. This great rendition was given live while he was on the Australian radio show "Fifi and Jules". I'm sure that Coolio will probably find a way to complain about this cover too ala Weird Al. This title track from Coolio's 1996 album and anthem for the Michelle Pfeiffer movie "Dangerous Minds" was one of the biggest and most controversial singles from the 1990's and went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was also nominated for Record Of The Year Grammy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoavvAjTfbw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6voHeEa3ig

"Black"- Aaron Lewis (originally by Pearl Jam). This former Staind front man gives a fantastic rendition of Pearl Jam's widely popular song here live at the 2001 Family Values Tour Live Album. I always liked this song, but isn't it easier to understand Aaron Lewis instead of Eddie Vedder? Despite this song's immense popularity off of Pearl Jam's 1991 critically acclaimed debut album Ten, this song was never released as a single by the band due to its extremely personal nature. Aaron Lewis is not a bad singer at all, and I think it sucks that Staind gets a bad name as being "too mainstream", as Aaron Lewis is a surprisingly versatile performer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC6_WgraOBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfhsRIDh1RQ

"She Will Be Loved"- Boyce Avenue (originally by Maroon 5). The most popular cover band on youtube gives this Maroon 5 classic a whirl with a little help from Tiffany Alvord. This South Florida band also does a great job of breaking racial stereotypes of latinos not being affective rock musicians, with this and all of their other tracks. This single from Maroon 5's smash debut album Songs About Jane went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. This stripped down and slightly slower version I think sounds better. This is just one of those songs that just doesn't need the drums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDm2vMHabE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjVuRTm-dc

"We Found Love"- Jessie J (originally by Rihanna). Rihanna sighting #2. This is a fantastic cover of Rihanna's "We Found Love" by British starlet Jessie J recorded on BBC Live 1 Lounge, and is a very interesting version that I kinda like. The tempo changes add a great touch to this track, which is also available on iTunes. This track was originally on Rihanna's Talk That Talk album and was her record tying 11th #1 Billboard Hot 100 single.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X4pwCs28a0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg00YEETFzg

"Domino"- Queen Of Hearts (originally by Jessie J). Speaking of Jessie J! This track for which she is most known for was done spectacularly by Toronto girl trio Queen of Hearts here in this pretty entertaining and candid video. The way they sing this song, you almost want to think this song was originally a R & B ballad. One of the criticisms of the original track (albeit, pretty unfair) is that the song sounded similar to Katy Perry- there's absolutely no hint of that here with an added vocal harmony that is a phenomenal blend. Every time I listen to Queen Of Hearts I am blown away at how all 3 girls are so different but sound so majestic together. This single by Jessie J off her album Who You Are peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and gave Jessie J her first major American hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMkHoIvSaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJtB55MaoD0

"Hey, Soul Sister"- Angel Taylor (originally by Train). Someone please tell me how Angel Taylor did not win "The Voice"! Talk about another underrate artist flying under the radar, and she gives a very interesting cover here of one of my favorite songs of the last few years. I'd actually like to see this song track included on Angel's follow up to her debut album Love Travels, and if you ever wanna hear any more of Angel Taylor, just come in Sprint, as she's on constant rotation with Priscilla Renea on the store sound system. This track by Train off of their album Save Me, San Francisco  went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and might be the best mandolin song ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab5Rs4z4ZMk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVpv8-5XWOI

"Somebody That I Used To Know"- Tyler Ward (originally by Gotye featuring Kimbra). Sometimes it's funny to see how songs become so catchy- and this one is no exception. This is a very solid effort from youtube cover master Tyler Ward of Gotye's worldwide smash off of his Making Mirrors album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-0UXEE7REo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

"I Won't Give Up"- Taylor Willis (originally by Jason Mraz). This one was done for me! Hi five! This might be the most popular cover song on youtube right now, but this is my favorite version of it. Not only does Taylor keep the song close to the original, she adds her own personal twist pretty effortlessly. This girl is so freaking talented, and I was so glad to see this song covered by such a talented and left handed artist! This widely popular song by Jason Mraz off of his album Love Is A Four Letter Word peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZc53e7ukk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-4u9W-bns

"Ayo Technology"- Milow (originally by 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake). This famous acoustic cover by Belgian singer Milow was his coming out party and this also led to this cover being made into a music video and being #1 in several European countries and was featured on his album Coming Of Age. Milow has since made a few American television appearances and will continue to grow in popularity. This track with Timberlake off of 50 Cent's album Curtis went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo1gNtWs_So
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n93HrRfw4lg

"Umbrella"- Marie Digby (originally by Rhianna featuring Jay-Z). Our last Rihanna siting features the very beautiful Marie Digby doing the song that got her discovered, with her debut album Unfold peaking at #29 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This video remains one of the most famous in youtube history and is a perfect example of current artists using technology to be discovered. The single off of Rihanna's album Good Girl Gone Bad was one of the fastest selling digital download songs ever which helped propel it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=589Mvlz6LWE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvBfHwUxHIk

"Poison and Wine"- Erin Kim and Ben Clement (originally by The Civil Wars). This one here is freaking phenomenal. Erin Kim goes on back to back lists with this unreal cover of this Civil Wars song with Ben Clement. This video gets super bonus points for featuring Asian music, and the previously mentioned Marie Digby song (WOW!), and John Mayer in the background. Erin Kim has an unreal voice, and even though I love her on the Gowe tracks, she is so freaking soulful! This cover was super hard to pull off and I freaking love it! This title track to the Civil Wars first studio EP gained popularity while being included on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy".  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjmfnd07eZ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-6EwdDiopQ

BONUS VIDEOS- "Open Door"- Attaloss. Debut music video from Attaloss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXswKpViPgg

"Amish Paradise"- "Weird Al" Yankovic. The original reason Coolio got so mad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg

"City Love"- Priscilla Renea. Best track off of Priscilla's album Jukebox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MNqd4ehtY

"One"- Mary J. Blige featuring U2. Classic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDQJnI4OhU

Priscilla Renea

Attaloss

Lawson

Naya Marie

Queen Of Hearts

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