Good Covers of 2020
I feel like covers are having a little bit of a moment these days (or maybe it's just that all the artists I listen are releasing covers of songs, I don't know...). Regardless, I wanted to hop on the bandwagon and highlight five stand-out covers that have on been on repeat for me. Happy Saturday, everyone.
Madison Cunningham - Age of Worry by John Mayer.
First up, Madison Cunningham, a supremely talented singer and guitarist hailing from Orange County, CA. I seriously love her music. Her music covers an expansive array of genres -- folk (see "To Another Land"), funk ("Pin It Down"), soft rock ("Song In My Head"), etc... On Instagram back in October 23, she introduced her followers to her cover of "Age of Worry" by John Mayer. In her post, she wrote:
I've always loved (and taken note of) the way artists covered artists back in the 50's- 70's. To me, it was a showcase of how deeply communal and inspired the industry of songwriters was at that time, which is in part what sparked the idea to start a cover series last year on every Wednesday of every week, and now this covers EP. But it's dual purpose was to stay agile as a songwriter and performer. Remembering, learning, and feeling under your fingers how the greats do it. I remember right when this song came out. My friend stuffed headphones in my ears while we were on a train to London, watching me the whole time I listened. It knocked me out. Still does. A "how does someone do that?" sort of a moment. It has a theme that grew up with me, and says so simply some of the harder things to articulate. The world is better for it!
Neko Case -- Danny's Song by Loggins & Messina
"Danny's Song" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, as a gift for his brother Danny for the birth of his son, Colin. The song is well remembered for both the Loggins and Messina original, as well as for Anne Murray's 1972 top-ten-charting cover. In 2016, the veteran folk/rock singer, Neko Case, recorded her own version for Vinyl, a show on HBO.
Bedouine, Hurray for the Riff Raif, Waxahatchee -- Thirteen by Big Star
Big Star was an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1971. Although the group only lasted four years, they produced a seminal body of work that inspired succeeding bands such as REM and The Replacements. I think their song, "Thirteen" is a timeless classic that was written by lead singer Alex Chilton six years after he song The Beatles on their debut 1964 tour. On September 9, 2020, a few of my favorite bands -- Bedouins, Hurray for the Riff Raif, and Waxahatchee -- released their cover of the song.
Fanclubwallet -- This Must Be the Place by Talking Heads
Fanclubwallet (or just Hannah) is, as she describes herself, a "former music listener, turned music maker." In an interview with Canadian Beats, she says, "I've got an obsession with cheap keyboards I just can't beat, and I haven't changed my guitar strings since I got the guitar itself in the sixth grade; which makes every music-type boyfriend I've ever had very angry. I live a double life making comics as Hannahisntdead, believe in ghosts, and I really really think there need to be more all-ages venues." A couple months ago, I stumbled upon Fanclubwallet's cover of "This Must Be The Place" from the Talking Heads. With its DIY, synthy vibe, I have to admit that I think I like it more than the original!!
