Let’s just end this already.
As I mentioned prior in my other lists, “I have to inform you that the songs on this list are covers that were recorded for a compilation, an album, or as a single. There will be no live covers on this list.” Who knows if I’ll ever do a list for strange live covers.
This is part two. Click here for part one.
1. Jonah Ray – Amish Paradise (Originally by “Weird Al” Yankovic)
Who covers a parody? Jonah Ray, that’s who. The current host of Mystery Science Theater 3000 announced that he was gonna release an EP called You Can’t Call Me Al that’s filled with covers of “Weird Al” Yankovic songs, including parodies. One of them is “Amish Paradise”, a parody of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”. As Asian Man Records puts it, “Jonah recorded original music using Weird Al lyrics. The result is a crazy mish mash of Atom And His Package meets Jeff Rosenstock meets Weezer meets warm smiles.” You Can’t Call Me Al comes out August 16 on Asian Man Records (The Bruce Lee Band, Dowsing, Ogikubo Station)
2. Hawthorne Heights – Butterflies (Originally by Kacey Musgraves)
Emo legends Hawthorne Heights dropped a two-song single called Dads Of Sad. It features the band doing renditions of songs by Billie Eilish (“8”) and Kacey Musgraves (“Butterflies”). Their version of “Butterflies” sounds like nothing the band has ever done, and it’s completely different from the upbeat country pop song by Musgraves. It’s slow, dramatic, and somehow eerie. Oh, and it got Musgraves excited, making her cry at the airport.
3. Ki:Theory – Stand By Me (Originally by Ben E. King)
Many know this cover because it was featured on the TV series Fear The Walking Dead. The electronic alt-rock artist Ki:Theory flips the Ben E. King classic on its head, making it feel perfect for the zombie apocalypse. How he turned this beloved 60s soul track into this slow, distorted song is beyond me. Once again, thank you Midwest Emoposting for showing me this.
4. The Aquabats! – Knowledge (Originally by Operation Ivy)
I could’ve chose Green Day’s version, but this one’s stranger. On the tribute album Take Warning: Songs Of Operation Ivy, bands like The Hippos, Reel Big Fish, Home Grown, Long Beach Dub All-Stars, and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies covering songs by the short-lived band Operation Ivy. Superheroes The Aquabats! turn the punk classic into a campfire sing-a-long filled with kids. And no, they don’t say “fuck”. Sing along, kids.
5. Tegan And Sara – Suffer (Originally by Bad Religion)
Nearly a decade ago, MySpace and SPIN magazine teamed up to release Germs Of Perfection: A Tribute To Bad Religion. Bands and artists like Frank Turner, New Politics, Switchfoot, Polar Bear Club, and Riverboat Gamblers paid tribute to the Californian punk group whose career spans almost 40 years. The Canadian twin duo Tegan And Sara strip down the punk song into an acoustic indie song with the occasional synth. Even with it being stripped down, it still rocks.
6. The Cardigans – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Originally by Black Sabbath)
The Cardigans sure do love Black Sabbath. The Swedish rock band have covered the legendary metal group numerous times, doing strange versions of “Iron Man”, “Changes”, and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. On “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, the band go into a groovy, lounge vibe with a hint of pop. This interpretation is dreamy and makes you wonder who did “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” better.
7. Cake – I Will Survive (Originally by Gloria Gaynor)
How did this become a successful single? Bizarre rock group Cake covered this classic disco song by Gloria Gaynor on their sophomore album Fashion Nugget, and it was a hit for the band. John McCrea’s odd vocals are barely on the beat while the rest of the band jam out. Simply put, this cover is either hit or miss depending on the person. Oh, and Gaynor hates it due to the profanity.
8. Mariachi El Bronx – I Would Die 4 U (Originally by Prince)
Finally a Prince song you can play at your quinceañera. Ten years ago, SPIN released Purplish Rain, a tribute to Prince’s 1984 album Purple Rain. Artists like Fol Chen, Riverboat Gamblers, of Montreal, The Twilight Sisters, and Chairlift appeared on it. So when Mariachi El Bronx appeared on the track list, you know what they’d do. It’s straight up a mariachi version of this pop track, and it’s still amazing.
9. Trampled By Turtles – Disappear (Originally by Motion City Soundtrack)
Wanted to hear a bluegrass version of a pop-punk song? In 2011, Minnesota based bands Motion City Soundtrack and Trampled By Turtles covered each other on their split EP. MCS put an alt-rock spin on TBT’s “Wait So Long” and TBT went full-blown bluegrass on our emo asses. Their take on “Disappear” is a feast for the ears, showing us that TBT can never go wrong. Fun fact: this was how I first found out about TBT.
10. Taco – Puttin’ On The Ritz (Originally by Fred Astaire)
I’ve done two lists and yet I forgot about this one. The only hit by Indonesian-born Dutch singer Taco was a cover of a song from the 1920s. Associated with Fred Astaire, this song got an 80s makeover, fueled by synths, drum machines, and Taco’s (yes, that’s his actual first name) fascinating vocals. The cover reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It was also Taco’s only hit in the states.
There were a ton of covers that I contemplated on putting on this list, but had to choose which were the best odd ones for it. An honorable mentions list will be out soon.
Punk Goes Prenatt 