Playlist: Cover Songs Are Sometimes Better Than the Original

Posted byJess

on November 10, 2011

Between Glee and American Idol we hear different arrangements of well known songs on a weekly basis. Sometimes artists completely reinvent a hit song like Hugo turning Jay-Z's "99 Problems" into an alt-country jam or Ryan Adams turning Oasis' rockin' "Wonderwall" into an achingly painful acoustic plea. THIS is where the magic lies.

FYI, I intentionally chose rare covers you may not be familiar with already to expand your mind and ears!

Playlist of Amazing Cover Songs

99 Problems - Hugo (original by Jay-Z)
One - Aimee Mann (original by Harry Nillson)
Sealion Woman - Feist (original by Nina Simone)
Baby One More Time - Travis (original by Britney Spears)
Wonderwall - Ryan Adams (original by Oasis)
Sea Of Love - Cat Power (original by Phil Phillips)
The Future - Teddy Thompson (original by Leonard Cohen)
Bad Things (True Blood theme) - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (original by Jace Everett)
Black & Gold - Ellie Goulding (original by Sam Sparro)
Rolling in the Deep - John Legend (original by Adele)
Shelter - Kelly Clarkson (original by Ray LaMontagne)
Crazy - Ray LaMontagne (original by Gnarls Barkley)
Toxic - Stevie Ann (original by Britney Spears)
Jolene - The White Stripes (original by Dolly Parton)
Like I Love You - Bell X1 (original by Justin Timberlake)
King of Pain - Alanis Morissette (original by The Police)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand - Glee / Chris Colfer (original by The Beatles)

Listen to the entire playlist here!

70 responses to “Playlist: Cover Songs Are Sometimes Better Than the Original”

The Captain (member)
November 10, 2011 at 1:14 pm Permalink Reply Report user

aghh, yes Feist’s Sealion woman. Also Annie Clarks Big Black cover blows my ovaries apart every time I listen to it – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhCo7PoVpA

anyways brb listening this this.

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1. Jen (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 8:42 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  yessssssssss.
  annie clark is the queen of amazing covers. dig a pony is heavenly.
  
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scantron (member)
November 10, 2011 at 1:20 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I’m on Fire – Bat for Lashes (original by Bruce Springsteen)

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Daphne
November 10, 2011 at 1:26 pm Permalink Reply

Think you forgot this. Sad there just isn’t a better recording.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGZfe2xFveQ&feature=related

Urg I love Florence and the Machine.

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Amanda (member)
November 10, 2011 at 1:29 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Nope. Wonderwall will always be the best when performed by Oasis.

Also, check out Linkin Park’s cover of Rolling in the Deep – so good!

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Crystal (member)
November 10, 2011 at 1:45 pm Permalink Reply

This is SO GOOD. I hadn’t heard a few of these covers before now.

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1. Jess (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 1:49 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  yes, i specifically chose covers which aren’t totally obvious like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” which has been already heard to death
  
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Maria (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:04 pm Permalink Reply Report user

the “like I love you” cover is THE BEST.

also, no tori amos? because in my book she is allowed to cover almost everything.

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TheBronze
November 10, 2011 at 2:11 pm Permalink Reply

I remember I found Alanis Morissette’s cover of King of Pain on Napster waaaay back in the day. Love the crap out of that one.

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Jules (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:14 pm Permalink Reply Report user

some very fine choices.

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1. Jess (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 5:20 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  thanks jules
  
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Rose (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:18 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower (originally a Bob Dylan song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AuxJH2Mj30

That is all.

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Kate
November 10, 2011 at 2:21 pm Permalink Reply

Ooh, good music gives me shivers! :]

Another better-than-the-original cover:

Give a Little Bit – The Goo Goo Dolls (original by Supertramp)

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Hansen (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:22 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Kelly Clarkson covering Ray LaMontagne? I think I just threw up a little.

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Zach (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:35 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Brian Fallon’s (of Gaslight Anthem) cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “I Do Not Hook Up.” No, seriously.

My favorite cover of all time is Rufio’s version of “Like A Prayer,” because I am perpetually a 15 year-old who loves pop-punk.

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Lina (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:38 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I kinda really like what ‘the postal service’ did to these songs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wrsZog8qXg&ob=av2e

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Lina (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:43 pm Permalink Reply Report user

also the white stripes cover of ‘walking with a ghost’.

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1. Lina (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 2:44 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  No,I want to take that back.I actually don’t like the cover nor the song.
  
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tiger (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:53 pm Permalink Reply Report user

can we talk about Jenny Owen Young’s cover of hot in herre?

i think i’m in love.

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1. Jess (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 5:23 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  love it
  
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Charli (member)
November 10, 2011 at 2:57 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I love the Lori McKenna cover of Fake Plastic Trees. As well as Cloud Control’s cover of Pursuit of Happiness and Dia Frampton’s covers so I can’t choose just one.

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Denbo is my HomeGirl (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:10 pm Permalink Reply Report user

You Drive Me Crazy by Dolly Parton (originall by Fine Young Cannibals)

Toxic by Yael Naim

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1. jstlookinaround (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 8:19 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  had a pleasure of hearing toxic by yael naim live. so so so good!
  
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  1. Denbo is my HomeGirl (member)
    November 11, 2011 at 12:39 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    Did you hear her do Umbrella? Amazeballs. Saw her last wknd in LA, and it was awesome.
    
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Denbo is my HomeGirl (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:11 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Bad Spelling by Denbo is My HomeGirl (original by everyone ever.)

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Lemon (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:33 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Whatever You Like – Anya Marina (original by T.I.)

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Ashley (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:36 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Valerie covered by Amy Winehouse.

I will never get tired of that song.
R.I.P.

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1. mkr (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 4:25 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  yes, Amy hit it with that version.
  
  This morning I heard a newly released track–Amy Winehouse Featuring Nas called Like Smoke. Man, I miss her.
  
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2. Lesbian Mom Today (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 6:06 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Valerie, ohhh, that is such a good cover. Amy nailed it so well with that one….
  
  I love her version of ’round Midnight, I know it has been done many times, but not like she sings it…
  
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Willis (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:45 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I am thoroughly enjoying all of these covers. I love an artist who can completely remake a song and make it even more awesome(or newly awesome if it sucked in its original incarnation).

Also, Alanis Morissette’s cover of “My Humps” is hilarious and amazing. If you haven’t seen that video, go watch it, now.

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bluntspoon (member)
November 10, 2011 at 3:55 pm Permalink Reply Report user

This playlist is immense! Kudos.

To it I think I would add:

Umbrella (Rhianna) – Tegan and Sara. Though I don’t think they’ve properly recorded it. More’s the pity.

Happiness is a Warm Gun (The Beatles) – Tori Amos

Heart it Races (Architecture in Helsinki) – Dr. Dog

Limit to Your Love (Feist) – James Blake

Crystalised (The xx) – Gorillaz

The Mercy Seat (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) – Johnny Cash. I would definitely add this. To everything. Always. It’s spectacular.

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1. Nicole (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 4:25 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Lame or not, I also like Mandy Moore’s cover of Umbrella.
  
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bluntspoon (member)
November 10, 2011 at 4:01 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Oh oh, I should have added this too. Does a cover of Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush in the style of Kate Nash count even though it’s a parody? It’s too hilarious not to count.

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1. Nika (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 4:21 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  That is ridiculous and ridiculously good.
  
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Nicole (member)
November 10, 2011 at 4:22 pm Permalink Reply Report user

HEARTBEATS by Jose Gonzalez (Originally by The Knife) love, love, LOVE the song and the cover. I’m not sure which I love more.

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1. bluntspoon (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 4:27 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  YES. THIS.
  
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Nika (member)
November 10, 2011 at 4:29 pm Permalink Reply Report user

The Onion AV Club has been having bands come into their offices to record covers for the past year or so, and a lot of them are excellent. Here are my two favourites:

Paper Planes by The Clientele (original by M.I.A.)

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-clientele-covers-mia,38870/

Strangers by Wye Oak (original by The Kinks)

http://www.avclub.com/articles/wye-oak-covers-the-kinks,38871/

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1. bluntspoon (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 4:34 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  That Paper Planes cover has made my day. Brilliant. Ta!
  
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min (member)
November 10, 2011 at 6:06 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Brilliant article! May I add …..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwuIIsDjgZg soooooooooooo good!

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Raksha (member)
November 10, 2011 at 6:10 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I love a good cover!

When You Were Mine – Ani DiFranco
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Catch Me – The Bandits
All Along the Watchtower – from the Battlestar Galactica Soundtrack
Gloomy Sunday – Billie Holiday
Fast Car – Christian Kane
Too Fast for Love – The Donnas
My Generation – Green Day
She Hangs Out – The Groovie Ghoulies
The Peace – hAngry & Angry
Pepper Keibu – Morning Musume
Somebody Wants to Love You – The Mr. T Experience
Stand By Me – Pennywise
Big Yellow Taxi – Pinhead Gunpowder
Running Up That Hill – Placebo
20th Century Boy – Placebo
You Don’t Own Me – Rasputina
Shiroi Iro wa Koibito no Iro – W (Double You)

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1. Hilary (member)
  November 11, 2011 at 4:50 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Have you ever heard Bjork’s version of Gloomy Sunday? It’s breathtaking.
  
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Aunnica
November 10, 2011 at 6:24 pm Permalink Reply

Btw, Yael Naim’s cover of “Toxic” is fucking hot. Check it out. Now!

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Marika (member)
November 10, 2011 at 6:40 pm Permalink Reply Report user

any cover by Iron and Wine. You’re welcome.

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1. Emily (member)
  November 11, 2011 at 9:45 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  “such great heights” (originally by the postal service) sooo good.
  
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K (member)
November 10, 2011 at 6:53 pm Permalink Reply Report user

This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMb6A_CIR5U

and This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fOQ8w_DVjw

Allison Weiss is magic

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Cat (member)
November 10, 2011 at 7:00 pm Permalink Reply Report user

It probably won’t mean anything to anyone, but Owl Eyes’ cover of Pumped Up Kicks is the best cover this year.

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1. turtle (member)
  November 11, 2011 at 10:01 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I signed in just to +1 this. Also, great playlist.
  
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Kelly (member)
November 10, 2011 at 7:09 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I have an addiction to covers. Seriously, my friends make fun of me because I love Jenny Owen Young’s Hot in Herre so much.

also
I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (Black Kids) – Kate Nash
It’s sung in a British accent! And has lesbian overtones! What could be better than that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK4ysfwpC4U

Pursuit of Happiness (Kid Cudi) – Lissie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmsbHGEB6UU&ob=av2e

Call Your Girlfriend – Allison Weiss

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1. Intern Grace (member)
  November 10, 2011 at 8:14 pm Permalink Reply
  
  Hello, these are my favorite covers ever. Thank you for posting them so I don’t have to.
  
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Holly (member)
November 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I loved this article, a good cover is such an art form.

The Bird and The Bee seem to do it consistently well…

How Deep Is Your Love (The Bee Gees)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8DAP_zl9Cw

Don’t Stop The Music (Rihanna)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzVpEiWLWTc

The louder and the bassier you can get is the best way to hear how sexy they are.

They also covered enough Hall & Oates to make an entire album, utter dedication.

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Jen (member)
November 10, 2011 at 8:44 pm Permalink Reply Report user

andrew bird has a great cover of oh, sister by bob dylan

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kpee (member)
November 10, 2011 at 8:54 pm Permalink Reply Report user

i’m gonna cover you all in kisses!

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jessie
November 10, 2011 at 9:01 pm Permalink Reply

Everytime (Britney Spears) – Glen Hansard
I Will Survive – Cake

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Sparrow (member)
November 11, 2011 at 2:19 am Permalink Reply Report user

Boy and Bear did a good cover of Fall at your feet.

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Lynne (member)
November 11, 2011 at 4:58 am Permalink Reply Report user

yay for this post! awesome choices. One of my favorite covers has always been Sara Quinn’s version of Dancing in the Dark

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Shira
November 11, 2011 at 6:27 am Permalink Reply

Well done, Jessica. I love Ray Lamontagne, but had never heard that cover of “Crazy.” Awesome! Here’s some more…

- Greg Laswell – Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
- Greg Laswell – Your Ghost (Kristin Hersh)
- Jose Gonzalez – Hand on Your Heart (Kylie Minogue)
- Ingrid Michaelson – Creep (Radiohead)
- Age of Rockets – Boats & Birds (Gregory & The Hawk)
- Andrew Belle – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Gentiles?)
- Eva Cassidy – Fields of Gold (Sting)
- The Doves – Blackbird (The Beatles)
- William Fitzsimmons – King of WIshful Thinking (Go West)
- Daughter Darling – Colorblind (Counting Crows)
- Damian Rice & Lisa Hannigan – Get The Party Started (Pink)
- Imogen Heap – Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
- Dave Matthews Band – Long Black Veil (Lefty Frizzell)
- Glen Hansard – Everytime (Britney Spears)
- Ingrid Michaelson – Parachute (Cheryl Cole)
- John Mayer – Free Falling (Tom Petty)

To be continued…

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Emily (member)
November 11, 2011 at 9:47 am Permalink Reply Report user

i was really impressed with the broken west’s cover of ‘back in your head’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBp5-OLxDHI

also obviously everyone’s probably heard this by now, but still so good. john mayer’s cover of free fallin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Ov0cDPZy8&ob=av2e

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eezeepeezee (member)
November 11, 2011 at 10:23 am Permalink Reply Report user

I <3 Cake's I Will Survive!

I once did a reggae version of Peter Bjorn and John's 'Young Folks'

http://soundcloud.com/wondermilk/young-folks-we-nah-war-widdem

ps. This isn't at all an attempt at shameless self promotion, it's just relevant and i think it sounds kinda cool

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Elizabeth
November 11, 2011 at 12:07 pm Permalink Reply

I don’t know if someone has posted it already, but Laura Marling & Mumford and Sons do a great cover of Jolene

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Kestrel (member)
November 11, 2011 at 12:58 pm Permalink Reply Report user

“Crazy in Love” has been covered by Snow Patrol and it’s AMAZING.

Also The Golden Filter’s cover of “Hardest Button to Button” by The White Stripes.

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Jessica (member)
November 11, 2011 at 7:03 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Also Antony and the Johnsons covering Beyonce ? Anyone ?

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Jenn (member)
November 11, 2011 at 7:03 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Ordinary World by Red is my favorite cover song ever.

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Hil (member)
November 12, 2011 at 3:38 am Permalink Reply Report user

Love a good covers playlist! I have a few additions:

The Real Slim Shady – Kate Miller-Heidke (Eminem)
Crazy – Katie Noonan (Gnarls Barkley)
Fields of Gold – Eva Cassidy (Sting)
Maggie’s Farm – Rage Against the Machine (Bob Dylan)

Triple J radio in Australia has a series of live covers called Like a Version – most of them are pretty awesome.

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Bree (member)
November 12, 2011 at 7:16 am Permalink Reply Report user

Janelle Monae does a wonderful cover of “I Want You Back”,originally by the Jackson 5, duh. And Janelle Monae is always relevant to Autostraddle’s interests.

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Colleen (member)
November 12, 2011 at 10:57 am Permalink Reply Report user

Birdy’s cover of “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver. Listen to it now.

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Smilin Hobbes (member)
November 19, 2011 at 11:04 am Permalink Reply Report user

Girl U Want – Freelance Whales (Devo)

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Creatrix Tiara (member)
November 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Darren Hayes’s version of Your Woman by White Town is HEARTBREAKING:

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1. Creatrix Tiara (member)
  November 30, 2011 at 3:31 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Equally as heartbreaking is Marina and the Diamonds’ Starstrukk cover – yes, who knew that was *possible*: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCRqL5UmN4
  
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UltraViolette
December 14, 2011 at 6:29 am Permalink Reply

Damone’s acoustic cover of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years” is quite lovely.

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Rose (member)
January 13, 2012 at 8:52 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I’m probably not allowed to be a Rolling Stones fan anymore for admitting this,
but I actually prefer Devo’s version of Satisfaction to the original:

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