Top Ten: Cover Songs

Cover songs have always been apart of pop culture. Recently, many rock bands have been creating cover songs that were once popular, and makes them popular again. These are my top ten rock cover songs from the 80s till now (listed with their cover artist).
10. “Crazy in Love” by Switchfoot: Switchfoot redid this Beyonce song for the Pepsi/Yahoo Music project. The band has done a great job from turning this from a hip-hop to rock song. This is a surprise coming from Switchfoot, since they are rockers. As a warning to all readers and fans of Beyonce: this version is probably not as great as the original and has a completely different sound to it; it’s nothing like the original.
9. “Take on Me” by MxPx: This A-Ha song was redone by punk-rockers, MxPx. Their version is much more upbeat than the original, and has taken MxPx’s punk flair. The 80s electric pop sound has been lost, but a new, modern hit has been found.
8. “El Scorcho” by Dashboard Confessional. This song, originally by Weezer, hasn’t lost any of its unique flair. It has only gained Chris Carraba’s (Dashboard Confessional) vocal talent. Dashboard hardly changed anything about this carefree song. Weezer’s lyrics in this song promote their carefree attitude and ability to write about most anything.
7. “Hey Jude” by Joe Anderson: This song was redone for the Across the Universe soundtrack. Anderson acted in the movie as the character Max Carrigan. The only difference between this version and the original is that Anderson’s voice has modernized this classic Beatles’ song. The new song also does not have the same harmonies as the Beatles, but has added in other ways to the song.
6. “Shadowplay” by The Killers: The Killers have changed this from a dark, post-punk Joy Division underground hit to a slightly more upbeat, electronic, indie rock song. The Killers added their own twist to this with new beginning instrumentals and lyrics (Oooh/Oooh/Oooh). For those who have never heard of Joy Division, The Killers version of Shadowplay is a good way to experience them.
5. “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm: This metal-rock version of one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits is sure to please most, if not all, rock fans, and those who are not fans of Jackson. The new version of this song has lost its electronic feel, but has added AAF’s garage rock sound. AAF has given this pop song an extremely different approach.
4. “Landslide” by Smashing Pumpkins: Fleetwood Mac’s original does not have a completely new twist when done by the Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins have kept the feel of the song, except for the uniqueness of Billy Corgan’s voice. Keeping the song as the original slow, mellow song has kept the original feel of Fleetwood Mac. The Smashing Pumpkins have done wonders with an already huge hit.
3. “Time After Time” by Quietdrive: Cyndi Lauper produced this song in 1984, and had received a nomination for the Grammy’s Song of the Year Award in 1985. Quietdrive redid this song for their album, When All That's Left Is You, and the John Tucker Must Die soundtrack (2006). The new version is more upbeat, and has more of a rock feel to it.
2. “Let Go” by Boys Like Girls: Frou Frou (Now known as Imogen Heap) originally performed this song for the movie, Garden State, in 2004. Boys Like Girls has taken this progressive, electronic pop song, and turned it into one of their acoustic, pop/rock songs. “Let Go” can be found as a video on the AOL music page, as well as YouTube and other video sites.
1. From the Screen to Your Stereo, Vol. 2 by New Found Glory: This entire album includes songs the band has covered from various movies and artists. Favorites include “Lovefool” (The Cardigans), “Kiss Me” (Sixpence None the Richer), and “Iris” (Goo Goo Dolls). Each song has been given a punk-rock twist that is uniquely New Found Glory’s.