Indie acts doing covers of pop/rap/RnB songs: Classic or Dud?

On an earlier edition of Re:Covered, Liberty X covered High And Dry. They were all sat on stools and were all "Oooh, we're well cred, us - IN YOUR FACE MYLEENE - man, we so skill." It was a bit irritating.

Of course, the big question is 'what makes a good cover', and if you think - as I do - that making the song sound completely different is part of the point of modern cover versions (not going into that trend of 1950s/60s covers which were designed to sound as much like the original as possible so people would buy them thinking they were the original), it's impossible to say that all rock covers of pop songs are dud. Because, you know, at least they're taking the song out of context, and trying something new with it. Even if they are twats who can't like non-credible songs without the disclaimer of irony.

Though I like skatepunk covers* because they've become their own little genre, it's accepted practise so the gimmick factor has faded. Whereas indie-band-covers-pop songs is in that infuriating phase between genuine novelty and time-honoured custom.

*not to listen to, in truth.

Didn't he also get his swarthy loverman spooge all over NIN's "Closer"?

If only for

Hit Me Baby One More Time covered by Gary Jules

OH MY GOD!

What???

A disappointing first port of call. Perhaps it doesn't exist. But maybe, just maybe, if we believe hard enough, it will exist...

One of the worst worst cover is Speedway's Genie In a bottle. Speedway are the most unnecessary band ever?

There are certain such covers that can work. Personally, I think it comes down to whether there's real affection for the song. And yes, I think you can hear the difference.

Agreed, it is ace. Also see The Blankket's cover of 'Hey Ya!' which I still haven't hyped enough.

-- stevem"

Yes, yes it was.

B-but "Baby One More Time" is all about the arrangement....and the melody....and the beat....and the production....and the performance. Oh fuck it, it was perfect and Travis shouldn't have gone near it with their shit stick.

My point: when a country voice sings gangsta-rap lyrics, you realize that the two worlds and attitudes aren't too far apart. That's just truth, without irony. By the way, mega-pop artists should start cherrypicking through the crates of great punk compositions. Just imagine:

Britney Spears covering Bad Brain's "i against i".
Usher singing "Swallow My Pride" by the Ramones.
Gwen Stefani doing "Straight to Hell" by The Clash.

Alright. I'm dreaming again.

The Gourds.

Britney Spears covering Bad Brain's "i against i".

Even after her yawnsome take on "Satisfaction"?

What a twist!

bonnie prince billy's live vers. of "ignition" by r. kelly was pretty great.

had NPR on while taking a shower the other week and this came on. as he started to introduce it i was like "is he really going to?" which turned into "dude, no, i know this is coming from a genuine place but you can still turn back..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ATOTj2xVM

it's definitely worse with video.

this is prob about as bad as pop culture gets

holy shit

omg

The video you posted is private, so I can't see it... What is it?

yeah i can't see it either..

Make that three of us.

it's Chris Thile covering Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" on mandolin, substituting "brother" for the n-word. it is the most cringeworthy thing imaginable.