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

In the insistent-on-pigeonholing media-driven musical world in which we live. I could have used the loathesome word "alternative" instead so count yourself lucky.

Apparently, Beck compared the opening hook to "Cry Me A River" to operatic horror, Phantom Of The Opera-style music. I take this as pisstaking.

Not gonna read this whole thread (look -- indie people are allowed to use songs by black artists just like the stones and zep and dylan amd elvis did; they don't have to be "respectful", they just have to not suck, which not-sucking is of course rare -- "irony" is nothing at all new, and nothing that indie-rockers invented, and nothing bad in and of itself, and nothing black artists for crissakes don't partake in across and amidst the racial spectrum as well). And I noticed that somebody mentioned "Hollywood Swinging" by the Big Boys. But I just wanted to throw Robert Wyatt's version of Chic's "At Last I Am Free" and James Chance's version of "Don't STop Till You GEt Enough," both of which predated either Age of Chance OR the Big Boys, in there. Ok.

I REALLY seriously doubt Beck's cover of Justin is mean spirited at all. Of any "alternative" act I've seen interviewed, he seems to be the one that generally likes mainstream acts the most.

I'd enjoy hearing his too, because the problem with Justin has always been him shoving his dire voice over great beats.

Grace Jones did a pretty good version of She's Lost Control.

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.