11 Cover Songs from 2020
What was the best cover version of a song you heard in 2020? Here are 11 we enjoyed over the year.
An overwhelming number of musicians covered other artists’ songs in 2020. Many were performed in pandemic lockdowns, from musicians seeking to keep themselves busy, entertain us in our homes, and respond to the madness of the world through a comforting classic they love.
Heartfelt covers, joyful covers – far too many to feature in this selection, but it’s a start.
Dinosour Pile Up – It’s Tricky
Fuzzy guitars and hefty micro breakdowns soundtrack the daft, delightfully zany music video, channelling Beastie Boys.
Original: RUN DMC
Sharon Von Etten feat Josh Homme – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
There’s no messing about with arrangements for this duet, a slow and steady country ballad that lets the vocals and emotion shine through.
Original: Nick Lowe, but made famous by Elvis Costello
James Blake – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
The electronic artist has released a Covers EP. The power of his voice, unobscured by vocal effects, really comes through in this peaceful track.
Original: First written for Peggy Seeger, and made famous by Roberta Flack.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – ‘Like a Prayer’
Throughout the UK lockdown, the “Murder on the Dancefloor” singer kept thousands entertained with her Kitchen Discos on Instagram Live – karaoke in complete chaos, surrounded by children, voice still flawless.
Original: Madonna
Mattiel – Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun
A great high-energy cover full of attitude. It matches the style of the original and twists it to contain just a chopping drumbeat, chanting and yowling vocals, and growling guitar.
Original: Beastie Boys
Bombay Bicycle Club – Lose You to Love Me
From the Radio 1 Live Lounge at the very beginning of 2020. A restrained, beautifully layered arrangement.
Original: Selena Gomez
Miley Cyrus – Zombie
In aid of Save Our Stages Fest at Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles, Miley went full rock chick, stalking around the band. Featuring throaty vocals and an absolute shred of a solo.
Original: The Cranberries
Jorja Smith – Rose Rouge
Taken from the Blue Note:Reimagined album, a fascinatingly inventive album of covers of classic jazz tracks reborn for modern ears.
Original: Rose Rouge
Kelly Clarkson – It’s My Life
A bit of cheesy pop rock joy for you here from the American Idol winner turned chat show host. You cannot deny the force of those pipes.
Original: Bon Jovi
INTER ARMA – Southern Man
Still have no idea what’s going on here but I kind of love it.
Original: Neil Young, who would almost certainly hate this
Christine and the Queens – Heart of Gold
Neil Young might find this cover of another of his classics more palatable. An electronic arrangement that’s both beautiful and haunting, with backing vocals that swoop around the raw emotion of the lead.
Original: Neil Young