Sometimes, it's enough to see a singer or band recording their own songs. Other times, it's even more fun to watch other singers and bands cover their songs. In the past few weeks, I've scoured Youtube and found what I think are the best covers out there. The following is a list of artists who have taken popular songs across a variety of genres and created a rendition that is entirely their own. In adding their unique influence, they have defied genres and made old songs new again. The only downside: none of the covers are available on streaming services. But hey, at least they exist!
Chvrches, "LOVE."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmRpsc6H0ga/
In this four-minute masterpiece, the band Chvrches turn Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE.," one of the softer records off his award-winning album "DAMN.," into a magical synth-pop power ballad. Similar to the original two-singer rendition, lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry and bandmate Martin Doherty exchange lyrics throughout the song, with Mayberry taking over the chorus while Doherty chimes in with Lamar's lines. Though a few lyrics are omitted here and there, Chvrches still manages to capture the essence of the song while adding a sweeter, more serious tone to the work. It's clear that this cover took considerable effort, as the band uses synths to make the rap song into their own. Given how difficult it is to cover hip-hop, especially from Kendrick Lamar, Chvrches deserve an award for their flawless version of "LOVE." I'll be playing it on repeat from now on.
Haim and Lorde, "Strong Enough"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi5LVrwFYL6/
I'll admit that I might have a bit of a bias here, as these two are some of my favorite artists. But as it happens, the alt-ish band Haim and pop singer Lorde make a pretty good duo when covering Sheryl Crow's country hit "Strong Enough." The prominence of the drums, combined with the use of electric versus acoustic guitar (displayed in the original), adds an edgier, more dramatic feel to the song. Lorde, who at the time of the video's recording had just released her debut album two months before, takes over the cover in the third verse. Her unique vocals make the song her own, and Danielle Haim's epic pre-bridge guitar solo provide the finishing touch on this cover that will increase your appreciation of Sheryl Crow and country music exponentially.
Bastille, "No Scrubs"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsEAFh0lG8X/
Like Chvrches, British alt-band Bastille take TLC's 1992 hit and put their own signature style on it. This stripped-down version of the song relies on a single haunting guitar riff and synths to bring contemporary R&B into the alternative genre. It's a pretty big departure from the original, but refreshingly so. Lead singer Dan Smith's raspy vocals give the record a much edgier tone as well. The bridge is the best part of the cover, as well as the most mysterious. The music slows down while Smith repeats the lyric, "Being as in love with you as I am," a lyric notably missing from the original "No Scrubs" and one that I can't find the origin of. Despite its mystery, the line fits perfectly within the cover, and lends the song a darker meaning beyond the surface. Even if Bastille isn't your thing, you can appreciate their careful rendition of TLC.
A$AP Rocky, "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbJuOtBivs/
Yes, you read it right: rap icon A$AP Rocky covers Otis Reddings' classic soul hit. "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" was released in 1968, twenty years before the rapper was born, but A$AP Rocky makes it seem like he recorded the song yesterday. I'd be remiss if I didn't first mention his outfit in the video, which looks like it was pulled from a fifth grade girl's closet in the early 2000s but nonetheless fits him well. A$AP Rocky's cover of the record is pretty true to the original, but he does manage to personalize it by replacing Georgia ("Left my home in Georgia / Headed for the frisco bay") with Harlem. Following the last verse, he whistles the tune just as Redding did in the original. The cover's greatness stems from its ironic genre shift; it's hard to imagine the "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2" rapper singing a peaceful soul song, and yet, A$AP Rocky masters it.
Maggie Rogers, "Say Something Loving"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boph-biHJs4/
Maggie Rogers, an up-and-coming indie pop singer from Maryland, takes on The xx's "Say Something Loving" and simplifies the beat to make it her own. While the original song depends on a heavy synth background, Rogers strays slightly from the electronics, putting central focus on the bass and keyboard. In fact, for the first few lines of the opening verse, the only instrument accompanying Rogers is the bass. She also subtracts a singer from the original, single-handedly replacing both The xx's Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft on vocals. I just wish that she had kept the second verse instead of elongating the chorus, as the central message of the song (a really good message) is lost without it. Nonetheless, Rogers stays true to her indie roots and offers a more subdued take on the record in her cover.
