Ten Songs Keeping Me Sane This Week: Bizarre Cover Edition

The internet is weird. It gives you a billion songs at your disposal. Once you get sucked into the YouTube black hole, you find things out that you never knew existed before. I have found out about some amazing and bizarre covers because of just going down that rabbit hole. I was posting one such video the other day to my Facebook and I found out that people thought the cover I posted was the original version. This struck me as weird, but awesome. I had been kicking a list around for awhile of some of my favorite cover songs. I decided to just go with bizarre ones that actually work in their covered genre.

1. “Going to Georgia” by Atom and His Package

This is the song that Liza (yes, one of the awesome P-Mag editors) and I were discussing. She had no idea it was originally a Mountain Goats song. Atom and His Package are probably most famous to outsiders as cursory posters in Adam Brody’s bedroom on the O.C. I’ve had a soft spot for this guy for a long time. It makes sense a one-man band would cover a one-man band. He apparently did three Mountain Goats covers on one album.

2. “Dancing Queen” by Redd Kross

The Brothers McDonald really nail this song. It’s included because I think it captures the fun of the original and adds jangly guitar.

3. “Common People” by William Shatner

No list can be complete without a Shatner appearance. Seriously though, this song is from an album arranged by Ben Folds. One of the originals on the album features Henry Rollins. Go pick up Has Been, you will not be disappointed. I love the original version, but there is something to be said about Shatner crooning about common people.

4. “99 Problems” by Hugo

A freaky, folk version of one of my favorite hip hop songs, yes please.

5. “Here Comes the Sun” by Ghost

A Satanic metal band covers the Beatles and this lovely version was born. It’s spooky and haunting, but fun at the same time.

6. “Stairway to Heaven” by Rolf Harris

This version hit number 7 on the UK Pop charts! One of the most covered songs ever was bound to have produced some weird shit. I adore the wobble board and the didgeridoo solo rocks!

7. “Stairway to Heaven” by Dolly Parton

The guitar shop in Wayne’s World will not deny me. Not one, but two covers of this song tickle my fancy. The Original Queen of Country nails this song.

8. “Panama” by Reggie Watts

Just like Shatner, Watts is a performer that is unmatched in what he does. He is also a Great Falls High School grad. Go Bison! I have a thing for the AV Undercover series, what can I say. You can almost imagine David Lee Roth liking this version.

9. “Psycho Killer” by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

To be fair, any song by this group of musicians is a great cover. It’s mostly because the lyrics plus ukulele makes me laugh. It is a very enjoyable version.  I hope David Byrne has a sense of humour.

10. “The Sign” by The Mountain Goats

Bringing it back full circle, here is a young John Darnielle covering a Swedish Pop masterpiece. This is an earworm. You’re welcome!

Cover songs are just awesome. Did I miss any ones that y’all love? I am always on the search for new music, whether it be original or cover.