I love when bands cover a song of a different genre from their own music, and it actually turns out great. Sometimes bands slaughter a cover, but other times, they do it as well as, or better than, the original. Here are some of my favorite covers that definitely deserve some credit.
1. "Video Games" - Bombay Bicycle Club
No cover of "Video Games" will be the same as the original by Lana Del Rey, but Bombay Bicycle Club did a pretty fantastic job. Bombay Bicycle Club has a unique, indie sound which pairs wonderfully with the somber lyrics to "Video Games."
2. "I Can’t Make You Love Me" - Bon Iver
This song has been covered many times by more famous artists than Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, but his cover has to be my favorite. As if this song wasn't sad enough, Bon Iver had to take it to the next level and make its listeners drown in their tears.
3. "XO" - John Mayer
Although Beyoncé seems like an unlikely choice for John Mayer to cover, his cover of "XO" off of the album "Beyoncé" is amazing. John Mayer turned this pop song into a laid-back love song that I could listen to on repeat all day long. Heck, I could listen to anything by John Mayer all day every day.
4. "Dancing On My Own" - Kings Of Leon
Kings Of Leon did a great slowed down cover of Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. I'm a big fan of Kings Of Leon, and I saw Robyn live a few years ago, so this is a match made in heaven.
5. "Knocked Up" - Lykke Li
"Knocked Up" by Kings of Leon may not be well known, but it's for sure one of my favorites. Lykke Li is an amazing artist on her own, but I especially enjoy her cover of "Knocked Up." It barely sounds like the original, but it's just as good.
6. "I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - Sleeping At Last
Sleeping At Last turned The Proclaimers's "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," the best road trip song, into a slowed-down tear-jerker. Sleeping At Last has a knack for producing songs that break your heart.
7. "Brain Stew" - Weezer
I'm not a big fan of Green Day, but "Brain Stew" is a classic. Weezer is one of my favorite bands, and I think they did Green Day justice by covering "Brain Stew." What's more 90s than a Weezer cover of Green Day?
8. "Pure Imagination" - Maroon 5
"Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" is one of my favorite movies, so, of course, I love the song "Pure Imagination." Maroon made "Pure Imagination" sound kind of jazzy and isolated, which worked out exceptionally well.