10 Songs That Need To Be Covered By These Pop Stars
I love covers. There’s something about a good cover song that releases new perspectives in a familiar way. For example, Anya Marina covered “Whatever You Like” by T.I., Muse did a version of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”, She and Him covered “I Put a Spell on You,” and of course both of Cat Power’s albums The Covers Record and Jukebox break my heart a little bit every time I listen to them. I think it’s super cool when a singer can nail someone else’s song and totally own it in their own way. Taylor Swift covered Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” which is probably the most unexpected cover I’ve ever listened to. You go, Taylor. I’m glad you’re branching out. After listening to this rap rendition I started compiling my own list of singers who should cover other singers because there is no reason why this shouldn’t happen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6UAYGxiRwU?rel=0
1. While she’s at it, Taylor Swift also needs to cover Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain”.
Taylor may only write songs about her ex-boyfriends but Carly did it first. Carly was super facetious and blunt when she sang, “I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you?” Taylor, you can totally embrace your sorrows and let those guys know they wronged you! Isn’t that the beauty of being famous and having a killer voice?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUodwTf8JJw?rel=0
2. Katy Perry should do “Lovefool” by The Cardigans
Like anyone born in the 90s without actually experiencing the 90s because they were too busy mastering the alphabet and misguidedly collecting Beanie Babies, I am deeply obsessed with this era. “Lovefool” is like the epitome of the 90s; it encompasses all things amazing, bright, and fun about the decade. The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band that formed in 1992 that incorporate pop, electro, and rock and I feel like Katy Perry is perfect for the job because she’s so versatile and never aligns herself with just one kind of sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_aYibUx1B8?rel=0
3. Miley Cyrus + “Rhiannon”
Hate on Miley all you want, but it’s undeniable that the girl can sing. Listen to her cover “Jolene,” “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” or Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness”. Her voice is stellar. I can totally picture her covering Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” because Miley also is a free spirit like Stevie Nicks. Also, we all know deep inside that it would be a beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vwNcNOTVzY?rel=0
4. To keep things interesting, Jessie J should totally cover “Gold Digger” by Kanye West
If anyone can pull something like that off, it’s Jessie J. Borrow from Kanye and make it fun and fearless? Jessie J would be on it. And she would also be able to take it when Kanye launches a Twitter war against her because Jessie J a) has undefeatable swagger, and b) is a boss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8mJJJvaes?rel=0
5. Eminem covers Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”
I was listening to Eminem the other day on the radio, reminiscing about the time I totally had a crush on him and listened to nothing but his music (it was jr. high, don’t judge), and realized his new stuff isn’t all that bad. He had some goofy singles after The Eminem Show, but it sounds like he might be getting serious again. Which is good because Macklemore is on the scene too and his lyrics are witty, political and poignant; I think Eminem should cover Macklemore or better yet, record a duet with him. Win-win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6I4KvITlPE?rel=0
6. Beyonce does “What the Water Gave Me” by Florence and the Machine
The vocals in this song are incredible, and Beyonce would definitely work her Beyonce magic and make this song even more powerful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xzU9Qqdqww?rel=0
7. Lana Del Rey can cover “Pursuit of Happiness”
Okay, to be honest, I love Lana Del Rey’s albums, but kind of hate her as a singer. She kind of sucks. But let’s pretend her real voice is just as good as the synthetic version of it and she covers Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness”. The reason why I chose Lana Del Rey as a candidate (my other choice would be Miley because she’s lost in her pursuit of happiness, but I already assigned Miley a song) is because Lana is so good at portraying this vintage, Americana longing. “Pursuit of Happiness” is a personal song. It’s about self-discovery and self-destruction, which Lana Del Rey is kind of all about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHLjqkC1gPg?rel=0
8. Lady Gaga covers Tom Waits’ “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”
Lady Gaga is essentially ageless, so this song is perfect for her. Plus, she would do something totally weird with it and enrage all die-had Tom Waits’ fans which would be interesting because this song has been covered a million times and every single time is such a let down. Let’s hear something ridiculous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUMh8GQnDW8?rel=0
9. Lorde could definitely recreate “How Soon is Now”.
I went through a pretty big Smiths phase in high-school and this song was kind of my broody mantra. Lorde, who is also a teenager except unlike me, is vocally talented and famous, would understand how to carry on Morrissey’s legacy like no one else could.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkumhBVPGdg?rel=0
10. Rihanna covers “Sweet Jane”
I’m dedicating #10 to Lou Reed, may he rest in peace (and by peace I mean an afterlife filled with naked groupies and hallucinogenics). Rihanna kind of integrated Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” in her single “Where Have You Been” which I thought was super clever. Thus, I have total faith that Rihanna is able to cover “Sweet Jane” and totally rock it.
Also, as a bonus, this is Ke$ha covering “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” which is my favorite Bob Dylan song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNCEV7ZSNFo?rel=0
So that’s my list! What are your thoughts? Any singers and songs in mind?
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