Sunday, May 04, 2014

Late Night Music State Tests Edition Part 175......"We're Getting In Free, But There's Still A Cover Charge"

One of these days, you guys are going to realize how much I really love cover songs. It's gonna be a long week, so I decided to go ahead and knock out a list tonight so I can not worry about it tomorrow.

In order to be considered for this list, the song had to be a cover song and could not have been on any previous cover song lists. All songs receiving votes were included on this list.

"Like A Virgin"- Amos Lee (Originally by Madonna). This latest single from Amos Lee made its debut on last week's episode of "Grey's Anatomy" (which seems to be the new way to release never heard before singles) and does a great job of adding an unreal twist of soul to this Madonna mega hit which was the title track to her 1984 sophomore album that literally took the world by storm. Amos Lee adds his Philadelphia roots with his college experience at the University of South Carolina to be a southern soul folk artist with a East Coast twist. His distinct voice and soothing soul makes him a great candidate to cover this 80's teen classic that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. I'm interested to see if this cover will be the lead single for a new Amos Lee album that will be a follow up to Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song. Amos Lee was a regular on the rotation when I worked at Sprint, and he's a great singer to get you through a stressful work shift. This was a great song to start this list off, and I'm really looking forward to this track being on iTunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyaOivxqcdE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHW5RVvg2v4

"You Get What You Give"- Bethany (Originally by New Radicals). Even though New Radicals were a one hit wonder, this mega hit from my high school days is done spectacularly by Filipino band Bethany. This one hit wonder peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is done in a similar but stylish way by Bethany here. This awesome cover is also unfortunately not on iTunes- what's going on here? Bethany is influenced by some of my favorite bands ever and that heavy American influence is definitely present on this song and all of their tracks. The more I discover solid Asian acts, the more I think I need to have "Artists of Asia Part 2". I always am intrigued by foreign artists recording in English especially covering American bands. I love foreign music, but is American music the best? Sure makes it seem that way. I have a feeling I'll be way more into Bethany soon as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS5tsmQtbhk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7-CKirWZE

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World"- Aron Wright (Originally by Tears for Fears). It's always great to see a mellow twist on a Brit Pop 80's classic, especially one was goofy as Tears for Fears. They were an 80's duo that was so bad they were good. This 1985 single from the Tears for Fears album Songs From The Big Chair. This solid cover from Nashville indie artist Aron Wright is spectacular for capturing the soul of Tears for Fears while really capturing the raw emotion that comes from this actually rather sad song. This standalone single was released earlier this year and is currently available on iTunes. The more I listen to this song, the more I think that this song was actually meant for Aron Wright to sing all along. Like a few others from this list, this song also premiered on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy", which seems to be the hangout for cover songs nowadays. I hope the mainstream exposure for Aron Wright will get him a major label album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APnzHoGdRi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST86JM1RPl0

"Ordinary World"- Joy Williams (Originally by Duran Duran). Former Christian solo artist and one half of Nashville folk duo The Civil Wars Joy Williams relased this standalone single and cover of 1993 Duran Duran smash this year and made it available on iTunes. This single went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Duran Duran from their self-titled album more commonly called "The Wedding Album" and has been covered frequently (surprisingly by several Christian bands including christian rock band Red). The Civil Wars probably aren't going anywhere, but it's great to see such a talented artist tackle a huge hit and do it so well. In another "Grey's Anatomy" debut, this previously unreleased single was originally recorded in 2010 but was given a great christening on the hit show. This track has a touch of Tori Amos and Jewel, but also has a touch of Joy Williams signature sound. What a great cover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h09XFa49lM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDLiVwpv89s

"We Built This City"- Biffy Clyro (Originally by Starship). This Bernie Taupin written song is a perfect example of a song that's so bad it's classic. This cheese fest took its hokey catchy tune all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a guilty pleasure for everyone in the world. In the category of "it's so horrible its awesome", Scottish band Biffy Clyro does an awesome version of this song recorded live here on the BBC Show "Radio 1 Live Lounge". I'd love to see them do a whole album there, as it would show off their chemistry and musicianship that's made them one of the biggest acts in Europe. The funny thing is that even though Biffy Clyro is ten times a better band than Starship, this cover still can't be bad enough to be better than the original. How much craziness is that? Also, is it just me or does bassist James Johnston look like a doppelganger of "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson? I'm thinking they should be twins. More on a Biffy Clyro cover in a minute......I smell a bonus video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9LyqtwziA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1b8AhIsSYQ

"Holiday"- Capital Cities (Originally by Madonna). Capital Cities and Madonna are both taking part in "Late Night Music" firsts right here. Madonna is the first artists to be covered twice on the same list, and Capital Cities are the first band to appear as a coverer and a coveree (I think I totally just made those words up right there score!). This smash single from Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album went to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped Madonna become a household name almost immediately. This 2011 standalone single by Capital Cities was not included on their debut album In A Tidal Wave of Mystery, but has been a staple at their live performances ever since. The album, surprisingly DID include the Prince cover "Nothing Compares 2 U"....I smell a bonus video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcruBy7iU_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X7RyGBq2E8

"Fame"- Mree (Originally by Irene Cara). Irene Cara made her living off of movies and themes from those movies including a leading role in the original "Sparkle" and having the super hit from the movie "Flashdance", but in between was this 1980 movie theme from the movie that inspired the TV show of the same name. Irene Cara took this single to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and New Jersey songstress Mree did a solid rendition of this song here (sorry, another "Grey's Anatomy" debut) that completely takes this song in a new direction. This song almost has a Ella Fitzgerald meets Norah Jones feel that you would never guess would ever go with this dance cult classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrQkEviYJ3g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jh7N7Fldk

"Africa"- Howie Day (Originally by Toto). Howie Day is a guy that has immense talent that has to get out of his own way. The guy is just oozing with talent and has got to find a way to keep his personal life out of the media and focus on making great songs like this one here. He's only released 2 albums in the last 13 years, and none since 2009. This super awesome acoustic cover is done flawlessly and gives an interesting twist to the 1982 Toto classic that climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the smash album Toto IV. While I've always thought this song was catchy but stupid, leaving me with no freaking idea of what this song is even about. But Howie Day keeps is that way while still keeping the songs awesomeness with his trademark licks here. He should seriously try this more often.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpxPf4v0LL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQbiNvZqaY

"Private Eyes"- Sleeping At Last (Originally by Hall and Oates). Okay I promise this is the last "Grey's Anatomy" debut. Illinois singer/songwriter Ryan O'Neal is the sole member of this group that has been getting mad airplay on Grey's Anatomy lately. This solid cover of the 1981 Hall and Oates title track captures the power of the stalkerish lyrics that put the single at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This standalone single is available on iTunes and is one of several cover songs that Sleeping At Last has recorded lately. Seems to be something that suits him, and judging from the quality of this track, I'd have to agree.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj1vimmMZEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anLfoy2XsFw

"Sister Christian"- Travis Marsh (Originally by Night Ranger). Up and coming country artist Travis Marsh covers one of our favorite 80's hokey singles by our favorite drummer lead singer group Night Ranger. Night Ranger's 1984 version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Travis Marsh adds a country twist to this song that I never would have guessed, but does it on a stellar level. I'd like to see more country artists tackle power ballads like this. I'm seriously blown away! I'd also like to add that despite the seriously obvious low budget, this video is very well done. I'd like to see this guy get a solid band behind him and he'd really take off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZulOddP0fWM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z92bmlcmyq0

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody"- Bootstraps (Originally by Whitney Houston). Los Angeles rock band Bootstraps put an interesting twist on this Whitney Houston classic that shows her true diversity as a musician that could really reach all genres. The late Whitney Houston I think would more than approve of this solid cover of her #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit from her 1987 album Whitney. Bootstraps are still a relatively new band just releasing their first album this February and its available on iTunes. When you slow down dance hits like this one, you really get to pay attention to the lyrics, and you see that this song was actually quite depressing we just danced to it because that's the way Whitney sang it. It's amazing how many songs are written out of sadness but the actual sadness of the song isn't realized for the simple fact that the song is a fast tempo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Ed2_bfnFo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGygGUfSwrs

"Surrender"- Velvet Revolver (Originally by Cheap Trick). This Cheap Trick 1978 classic was put on the B-Side of supergroup Velvet Revolver's 2004 single "Fall to Pieces" off of their album Contraband. This cover version really shows the blending of Guns N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots that made Velvet Revolver so cool together. This surprisingly never made it to mainstream radio, despite "Fall To Pieces" only peaking at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly enough, the Cheap Trick version only peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it became their first hit in 1978, but I think the Velvet Revolver version could have out done that one.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbCA4CAhiyE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th370QmFtk8

"Safe and Sound"- Kina Grannis, Zedanya, Max and Kurt Schneider (Originally by Capital Cities). I love this song so much! This song stays stuck in my head just from the heavy TV and radio airplay from this Capital Cities signature song that peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011. This cover featuring Youtube extraodinaire Kurt Schneider with the help of up and coming starlet Kina Grannis (along with a very noticeable product placement sponsorship from Coca Cola) really makes this song just as fun as the original. Grannis is on the verge of stardom especially after her appearance during Super Bowl XLIII. Kurt Schneider keeps blowing my mind on how he can find talented artists to blend so well together on the most random of songs. This one isn't any different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG3oBe2ArDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47dtFZ8CFo8

"Video Killed The Radio Star"- Various Artists (Originally by The Buggles). This song was infamously the first song ever played on MTV in 1981. In 1979, this song put the Buggles on the map when it went to #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in support of their album The Age Of Plastic. This cover version is a collaborative effort of several Los Angeles area indie artists and was put together by the Pivot TV Network. The artists in this video are Run River North, Goldspot, London Thor, Far and Away, Musical Mammal, and Rainbow Jackson. Maybe it's just me, but I LOVE this cover! I wish I could find a way to download this. Yet another 80's classic cult classic that can be played awesome in any genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlqzwQkZ-oE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8h5OEivJdA

"Mirrors"- Boyce Avenue and Fifth Harmony (Originally by Justin Timberlake). I love this song! This Miami pop ensemble features a union of Cuban American band Boyce Avenue and Miami girl group and former "X Factor" contestants Fifth Harmony. This spectacular cover of one of my favorite songs of the last year from Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience album last year is knocked out of the park! While the JT original version peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, this became a youtube and iTunes hit and helped solidify Boyce Avenue as one of the premiere cover bands in the United States. Fifth Harmony is also a solid listen and awesome to look at, I just hope the girl group fame window hasn't passed them by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvEZUbzqqyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZE_IRwLNI

BONUS VIDEOS- "November Rain"- Amos Lee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4917jIhqcuI

"Nothing Compares 2 U"- Capital Cities

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_qAtnDKL4M

"Get Lucky"- Biffy Clyro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3n5Ufmu7d0

"Make Love In This Club"- Boyce Avenue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRNceFXQmdQ

"Wagon Wheel"- Darius Rucker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKyBcCDOB4
Amos Lee
Amos Lee
Joy Williams
Joy Williams
Bethany
Bethany
Biffy Clyro featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Biffy Clyro featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Mree
Mree

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