“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
- Bertrand Russell
Yesterday I cited two cover songs that I believe are abominations, ghastly perversions that do injury to the originals. They are outliers, though. Well, there is one other I don't care for. It doesn't make my blood pressure spike, but I don't want to hear it. It's Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly's I Will Always Love You. For me, it's overwrought.
But the fact is, I like almost all cover songs. A few more than the originals, but for the most part, not more or less, just the different take.
When I got to thinking on it, I realized there are dozens of covers that I really love. I'll bet you have a bunch, too. This probably could be a 10-part series, there are so many great ones. I'll list three here and maybe do the same for a couple of days. I look forward to some that you revere. Whatcha got?
- The Ballad of the Opening Band/Jeff Tweedy: Slim Dunlap was a much admired guitar player, primarily known for his work with the incomparable Minneapolis outfit, The Replacements. He died in 2024. This tribute album was released a few years prior to his passing to help raise money for his medical care after he had had a stroke.
- Mystifies Me/Son Volt: Son Volt's first album Trace is on a lot of people's list of greatest…fill in your category. It sure is mine. This cover of the Ronnie Woods tune closes out the record.
- Don't Go Away/Kate Rusby: Rusby is a British singer with a voice that is…what? Alluring? I'll go with that. She makes everything she sings a little more beautiful. I'm fond of the original by Oasis. I don't like this version better, I just like it in a different way.