Under the Covers Mixtape: Favorite Cover Songs

Since subscribing to Spotify, I have come to very much enjoy the art of playlist making. Be it themes such as yacht rock, hip hop or even yacht rock Christmas, these playlists or mixtapes have become a fun distraction. This mixtape of all cover versions ranges from the absurd to the excellent, from modern songs to standards. Many of these have become some of my favorite cover songs. I hope you like all the photos of some of my favorite covers (see: blankets).

Side One

Starting off is Peter Gabriel’s take on Arcade Fire’s “My Body is a Cage.” Next is Social Distortion’s version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Here comes the absurd with crooner Pat Boone mixing it up with Dio’s “Holy Diver.” Sonic Youth’s version of the Carpenters’ “Superstar” gained popularity in the movie Juno but is actually from a Carpenters tribute album with many strong covers. The Wood Brothers provide a raucous romp of the Mardi Gras classic, “I Got Loaded.”

A Cars cover twosome is up next with “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” and “All Mixed Up.” Inca Son rocks the pan flute for “El Condor Pasa,” and the Five Chinese Brothers interpret Basom Lamar Lunsford’s “Like a Mole in the Ground.” Eva Cassidy’s haunting “Autumn Leaves” truly embodies the stark feel of the season. Jim James and Calexico’s superb version of “Going to Acapulco” has a south of the border feel and Tom Jones rips up Prince’s “Kiss.”

Richard Thompson’s absurd cover of “Oops! I Did it Again” comes in at track 13. With many cover versions of Tom Waits’s “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up,” I like Hayes Carll’s the best. Pachabel’s Canon is interpreted by George Winston, and Bruce Springsteen heads out west with “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Maxwell’s breathtaking version of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” is spellbinding and UB40, known for many cover versions, slinks along with “Here I Am (Come and Take Me).” Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore work together with “Deportee.”

Side Two

Ane Brun’s fabulous version of “Halo” is much better than Beyonce’s original in my opinion. One of Dr. Dog’s most lauded songs is “Heart It Races,” a cover of Architecture in Helsinki. With two Black Sabbath covers, Charles Bradley’s “Changes” is a thing of beauty. Where Megadeth has a more traditional take on “Paranoid,” Cat Power makes Sinatra’s “New York” sultry sounding. Norah Jones’s version of “Strangers” may be my favorite cover of the song.

G. Love and Special Sauce play a standard version of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” is a heavier version of the MJ track. Chris Isaak covers Neil Diamond while Ted Hawkins covers Webb Pierce. Jeff Buckley’s live version of “Be Your Husband” channels Nina Simone, and Bon Iver scratches Peter Gabriel’s back with “Come Talk to Me.” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit make Candi Staton’s “Heart on a String” their own.

Listen to the yodeling of Don Walser’s “Cowpoke” and grab a glass of punch with John C. Reilly’s “Fathom the Bowl.” Paul Anka jazzes up “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Vampire Weekend sing in Italian. Johnny Cash’s version of Nick Cave’s “The Mercy Seat” paints vivid imagery of a gruesome song and finally, Sarah McLachlan skates us away with “River.”