A CHALLENGE should you choose to accept it:
I was encouraged to join this community and since it's a mix comminity, I feel like mixing it up a bit! Let's get some debating to go along with the sharing, shall we?

Post your TOP FIVE all-time favorite covers, and explain why they're your favorites.


MY LIST:
Got To Get You Into My Life - Earth, Wind & Fire [Original: The Beatles]
I remember listening to this song as I grew up, but it shocked the hell out of me when I discovered it was originally a Beatles song. This is called taking a song and making it your own. Rumor has it that Paul McCartney wrote this in the style of 50s/60s soul tracks from the Stax Record label, but he fell a little short. EWF's vocal harmony and poppy-er funk sound with the instruments really rounded out the song. I think it's better than the original.

Feeling Good - Muse [Original: Gilbert Price]
Ah, yes. A Broadway track from The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd. Nina Simone's arrangement is the one most people cover. I love this band and their cover sounded other-worldly with a little bit of edge. If you've seen my movie Seven Pounds with Will Smith, this song is played at a crucial part in the film and it fits beautifully. I may or may not be responsible for its inclusion. ;)

Stronger - 30 Seconds to Mars [Original: Kanye West/Daft Punk]
Holy shit. Talk about ambition. But if there's anyone who's willing to think outside the box and say "Fuck you" to the impossible, it's my great friend Jared Leto. I was so impressed when I heard this. It's a radio rip, but still sounds amazing. Some creative liberties, but it's got a slow, sexy tempo (I might have given a lapdance to it once) and the vocals are downright seductive. The guitar is used in such a creative way. The synths give it that sexy edge. The drums power through the track. Brilliant musicianship by Shannon, Tomo and Jared all around. Don't act like I never told ya.

Creep - Damien Rice [Original: Radiohead]
Anything Damien Rice does acoustically, automatically has that romantic feel to it. It's his voice that does it, really. But with this particular song, it gives it a little bit of an eerie feel. A good eerie. If that makes any sense. A little dreamy. I think he's got a good voice to cover Thom Yorke's range.

Word Up! - KoRn [Original: Cameo]
My mom LOVED Cameo when I was growing up. She'd partied with a few of them when she was younger since they were all club goers. This song was played in my house a lot. I became a big fan of KoRn after I got into the business and caught a show of theirs in LA. So imagine my surprise and absolute fucking delight when they covered this baby. Very well done, but it just rocks a little harder. I love it. Unexpected and refreshing.


And some HONORABLE MENTIONS (it's my challenge, I can stack the deck if I want to!):
Darling Nikki - Foo Fighters [Original: Prince]
Prince is a friend of mine. Has been for a while now. He wasn't a big fan of FF covering the song, but I am. Dave Grohl's got a great voice. And his screaming an moaning is... umm...amazing. For example, see 1:13-1:23. Ungh. Thanks, Dave. Now I need is a cigarette.

No Ordinary Love - Deftones [Original: Sade]
The original is damn sexy. This version is still lapdance worthy. The bassline on this song is a little richer and a little heavier. Chino Moreno's voice is a COMPLETE departure from Sade's voice, but it still fits well. This is where the dream pop meets the alt-metal styling. Not too much. Just a little bit.

20th Century Boy - Placebo [Original: T-Rex]
Hooray for Glam! This one wound up in the film Velvet Goldmine and appropriately so. The band was featured in the movie and I think Placebo is pretty glam sans glitter. THESE DAYS. Brian Molko grabbed my ass at a party once. He's short, but sexy. So I let it slide. Brandon "Cheats McCheater" Flowers, this T-Rex cover is for you.