Reading the Stuff.co.nz website this morning, I found an article about enjoying listening to cover versions. It’s time I came out and admitted it - I also like a good cover thought I would share some of my favourites.

I have found lots of cover versions I like, far too to mention here, but have a listen to some of the covers below and hopefully you’ll see where I’m coming from….

I’ll start off gently, here’s a cover of Oasis’s Wonderwall by Mike Flowers Pops. Yes, it’s been covered a thousand times and is every busker’s favourite, but you have to agree nobody does it quite like the lounge-tastic Mr Pops.
Factiod: DJ Chris Evans told his listeners that this version was the original and the Oasis version was a cover. They believed him too, but that’s Chris Evans listeners for you.

In a similar vein, Richard Cheese covers Radiohead’s Creep.
Factoid: This track contains a surprise swearword!

Let’s move on to rap - Sir Mix-a-lot’s Baby Got Back (yes, you do know it - check this out) covered by the wonderful Johnny C aka Jonathan Coulton.
Factiod: Jonathan Coulton did the fantastic ending song for the recent smash-hit game, Portal.

If you are a Pink Floyd fan, chances are you’ve heard covers of their songs before. But if you haven’t heard the Easy Allstars Feat. Sluggy Ranks do Speak To Me / Breathe, you should check it out. I promise, it’s worth it.
Factoid: Some of the profits from Dark Side Of The Moon were invested in the making of Monty Python And The Holy Grail.

Staying with rap for now, here’s one of my all-time favourite cover versions - NWA’s Straight Outta Compton flipped and given the easy listening treatment by Nina Gordon.
Factiod: Nina used to be in Veruca Salt.

Some folks don’t like Beatles covers. If you’re one of those folks, you’d best skip over this next one - Yellow Submarine by Roots Manuva. Quite a departure from the original, but that’s what makes it so great.
Factoid: Roots’ real name is Rodney Smith

I know you’re probably longing for a swing cover of a rock classic, luckily I have one for you. Paul Anka gives the big band treatment to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Changing the mood a little, here’s a bleepy electro cover of The Smiths’ There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by Schneider TM. Worth a listen just for the bassline. Factiod: There are a lot of bleepy electro covers. Most of them are rubbish.

How about a movie theme to finish on? Here’s the theme from Shaft, given a distinctly Oriental feel by Malik Adouane.
Factoid: Isaac Hayes has a cameo in the Shaft movie.

I hope you enjoyed some or all of the above. Let me know in the comments, there might even be a part 2 coming up…