Rob’s Top 60+ Cover Songs: Day 2/5

.xX{ Modernized Classics }Xx.

Even great songs can, over time, begin to sound dated. The cover tunes tunes I’ve listed below are what I call “modernized classic” — originally great songs re-recorded in more contemporary musical styles.

13. “Boys of Summer” by The Ataris (original by Don Henley of the Eagles)

Formed in the mid-90s, The Ataris had their greatest chart success with an updated cover of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer”, a song about old flames and past regrets. Not only did The Ataris update the musical style of the original from classic rock to punk-pop, but they also changed Henley’s original reference of a “Deadhead” (Grateful Dead) bumper sticker to a “Black Flag” one.

Don Henley’s version
The Atari’s version

14. “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz (original by Guess Who)

The Guess Who’s rock classic “American Woman” was re-recorded by Lenny Kravitz in 1999 for the Austin Powers movie “The Spy Who Shagged Me”. While many rock critics argued that the song didn’t need to be updated, Kravitz put his own sound on the track and re-introduced a great song to an entirely new generation of kids.

The Guess Who’s version
Lenny Kravitz’s version

15. “Holy Diver” by Killswitch Engage (original by Dio)

There was a time when Ronnie James Dio ruled heavy metal, but music that was considered “heavy” back in the 70s fuels today’s classic rock radio. Dio’s debut album “Holy Diver” (which featured a demon killing a priest on the cover and a logo that when flipped upside down spelled “Devil”) is actually pretty tame by today’s standards. Thirty years later, Killswitch Engage re-recorded the original and raised the brutality bar, making the track once again heavy. If you don’t feel evil right now, you will after listening to Killswitch’s version (wait ’til the 90 second mark).

Dio’s version
Killswitch Engage’s version

16. “Faith” by Limp Bizkit (originally by George Michael)

Shortly after the dissolution of Wham!, George Michael returned to the airwaves with a solo album (“Faith”) and a hit single of the same name. “Faith” (the song) went on to become the best selling single of 1988. George Michael’s video and image was so popular at the time that Dana Carvey regularly impersonated Michael on Saturday Night Live (“Look at my butt!”) Ten years later, then nu-metal new-comers Limp Bizkit garnered attention with a cover version of “Faith”, which surprisingly worked and was in some people’s opinions (mine) the best thing they ever did musically.

George Michael’s version
Limp Bizkit’s version

17. “You Really Got Me” by Van Halen (originally by The Kinks)

I almost didn’t include this one because, at least for my generation, Van Halen’s version is almost as widely known as the original. While The Kinks’ version of “You Really Got Me” gave them international attention back in 1964, the band was no one hit wonder, with charting singles from the 60s all the way through the 90s. In 1978, then unknown rockers Van Halen were routinely covering the song live on stage in LA. Van Halen’s rendition ended up on their debut album, and the rest, as they say, is history. Plus, the video introduced an entire generation to Eddie Van Halen’s licks (and David Lee Roth’s hips).

The Kinks’ version
Van Halen’s version

18. “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Ugly Kid Joe (originally by Harry Chapin)

Ugly Kid Joe (the opposite of “Pretty Boy Floyd”) made their first waves on MTV with their single “I Hate Everything About You”, but had trouble reentering the charts until they released this updated version of Harry Chapin’s depressing ballad, “Cat’s in the Cradle”. For what it’s worth, I thought (until just now) the original was by Jim Croce. Huh.

Harry Chapin’s version
Ugly Kid Joe’s version

19. “Land of Confusion” by Disturbed (originally by Genesis)

“Land of Confusion” was originally recorded by the Phil Collins-fronted Genesis back in 1986. The Cold War song was well known for its video, which consisted of caricature puppets of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, a monkey, Rambo, and several others. Almost 20 years later, nu-metal band Disturbed re-recorded the Genesis classic. Believe it or not, Disturbed’s version hit number one on the charts, while the Genesis version only reached number four. This song’s actually a toss up; I like both versions.

Genesis’ version
Disturbed’s version

20. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Primus (originally by Charlie Daniels)

The Charlie Daniels Band’s 1979 classic “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is a fiddle-rockin’ song that crossed all genre boundaries and is instantly recognizable. Several people have covered and parodied the song, but due to the track’s unique sound few of the imitators are worth mentioning. However, two decades later in 1998, Primus released their own updated version of the classic track on an EP full of cover tunes. What I have always liked about the Primus version is that in the original when the “band of demons join in” it sounds like a hoedown. In the Primus version, it sounds like a band of demons. If you’ve not seen it, the Primus video is definitely worth watching. The stop motion animation is awesome.

Charlie Daniels’ version
Primus’ version
Just for fun: Guitar Hero III version

21. “Tom Sawyer” by Deadsy (originally by Rush)

For those of you without radios, “Tom Sawyer” is a 1981 classic written and performed by Canadian prog-rockers Rush. Those of you with radios have heard it, many many times. It’s generally not a good idea to cover a song so well known and revered, but Deadsy did just that on their 2002 major label debut, “Commencement”. Led by P. Exeter Blue I (aka Elijah Blue Allman, the son of Gregg Allman and Cher), Deadsy concocted a massive sound consisting of layers of guitar, bass, synthesizers and Z-tar (I love that thing). I really thought Deadsy would take off but they only sold 175k copies of their first album (I own one of them) and their label eventually folded. Kick me in the jimmy, but I like Deadsy’s rendition better. Sorry, Canada. When the guitar, bass and Z-tar all kick in at the same time (about 12 seconds in) … make sure your bass is down and your volume is up.

Rush’s version
Deadsy’s version

22. “My Sharona” by Veruca Salt (originally by The Knack)

Who hasn’t played air guitar along with The Knack’s classic track, “My Sharona?” I know I have. In fact, I just did! I can think of few songs have been parodied more than “My Sharona”. Weird Al kicked things off with “My Bologna”, the Dead Kennedys recorded “My Payola”, and Dr. Demento staple John Cougar Mammoser released the comedy classic “Nine Coronas.” In the mid 90s, sultry-rockers Veruca Salt slowed down the track and released their own updated take on the classic song. There’s something haunting about Veruca Salt’s version. It’s been almost 15 years and I still love it. Definitely the sexiest song on today’s list.

The Knack’s version
Veruca Salt’s version