Peter’s off in South Carolina for a little summer R&R & BBQ, but luckily we’ve got a full house of eager and awesome interns here at Current Music. They’re filling in this week with a selection of cover songs that all scream summer to them.
Antony & the Johnsons, “Crazy in Love”
Back in 2003, Beyonce blew up the charts with her summer anthem, “Crazy In Love,” launching her into commercial success as a solo artist. Well, things have definitely changed since then. Antony and the Johnsons‘ take on the hit is much more subdued—there’s such a resonant quality to Hegarty’s vocals, which is pretty typical of the singer-songwriter who is known for layering melancholy on top of beautiful orchestral arrangements. In fact, Hegarty and crew are prepping a double A-side single of the bands “Aeon” and a recorded version of “Crazy In Love” for release later this summer. —JD Bray
Gnarls Barkley, “Reckoner”
I actually may be the only one in the world who likes this song as a cover better than the original. And that is saying a lot because we all know Radiohead has got their music stuff down (their version is also Vanguard’s theme music). I think it’s mainly Cee-Lo’s raw voice that cuts to the bone. Thom’s voice is beautiful but Cee-Lo’s is
fresh in the most haunting and unconventional way. It makes me want to jump from tall buildings, or partake in dangerous jungle hunts. All in all, I like the way this cover makes me feel. And watching Cee-Lo in his white tee and gold cross necklace makes the experience just that much better. (Get more Gnarls Barkley at Current.com here.) —Amy Williams
Alan Pownall, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Everybody and their favorite Jonas Brother has either covered, parodied, or tried to do the dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” but I still dig Alan Pownall’s acoustic, folk jaunt a lot anyway. Before this, he performed a cover of Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown” that completely reimagined the instrumentation for the song. He does the same on this track, and then earns extra bonus points for not bothering to change any of the pronouns or imagery. I appreciate the gloss on Alan’s lips and the man on his hips that holds him tighter than his Dereon jeans. —Chanelle Johnson
More summer covers, including Jason Mraz’s “Summer Breeze,” Belle & Sebastian, Ari Hest and Easy Star All Stars after the jump.
Jason Mraz, “Summer Breeze”
Before Jason Mraz wrote number one hits and melted tween hearts, he developed his craft in San Diego, Calif. Listening to Mraz’s cover of Seal & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” I imagine Mraz sitting on a San Diego front porch and thinking, “what is the most summer-y song I could possibly play?” Well, here it is! —Jon Jacobs
Belle & Sebastian, “A Minha Menina”
What better way to start off the summer than with Belle & Sebastian’s cover of awesome Brazilian Psych-Rock band Os Mutantes? It may not be summer in São Paulo, but with ever-growing popularity in the US, the Tropicália rockers will be releasing their first album in 35 years through Anti- Records in September. And be sure to keep an eye on Belle & Sebastian, who will be releasing the soundtrack to their upcoming movie (that’s right) “God Help the Girl” on June 23rd through Matador. —James Risolo
Ari Hest, “I’m On Fire”
Bruce Springsteen’s lyrical stories of blue-collar America evoke the memories of the construction work I’ve never done as well as summer road-trips through the country’s heartland. When I hear New York City based singer/songwriter Ari Hest’s cover of Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire,” I see America’s prairies whipping past my car, and I think about the year past, and all the possibilities for the summer ahead. If you like this cover, check out Hest’s covers of other classics like Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and U2’s “With Or Without You.” —JJ
Easy Star All Stars, “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”
The only thing better than the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is the dub-reggae version by the Easy Star All Stars. When I listen to the Beatles I want to lie in my bed and question the meaning of life. When I listen to Easy Star’s version I want to dance around my house, ideally in the nude. Both are great experiences but completely different. Easy Star has done the entire Sgt. Peppers album, along with albums by Radiohead and Pink Floyd. All well worthy of a listen to escape into the slow bump and grind dub that will melt your soul… —AW
June 19th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
It’s pretty funny to hear a dude sing, “If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it.” haha
June 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Going with the tradition of covering a hip-hop song acoustically, check out this version of “Hey Ya” from an episode of “Scrubs.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXGqfmUsE7M