About the list: In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a previously recorded, commercially released song by someone other than the original artist or composer. This is where the similarity ends. Anyway, here it is.
|
No |
Cover | Song/Album | Artist |
Notes |
|
1 |
 |
Highwayman / Desperation (2013) |
Reverend Elvis |
The good Reverend isn’t exactly known for holding back. However, this cover is just an expression for the love of music. In all its simplicity, this is how it should be done. Compare this authentic version with The Highwaymen's grandiloquent take on it. |
|
2
|
 |
In the Air Tonight / The Death Roots Syndicate Vol 3 (2014) |
Sons of Perdition |
What did Sons of Perdition think when they decided to cover mainstream and filthy rich artist Phil Collins? After all, they have a brand to protect. But rest assure. This is, by far, the darkest and scariest version of the song you will ever hear. Digital only. |
|
3
|
 |
Alone and Forsaken / Folklore (2002) |
16 Horsepower |
Of course, there’s no version surpassing the original by Hank Williams. Still, the song exerts an attractive force to be covered. This version by 16 Horsepower, the mother of almost all gothic country bands, comes the closest. |
|
4
|
 |
Glory, Amen / Fire & Hail (2008) |
.357 String Band |
.357 String Band plays faster than their shadows. Written by Lonesome Wyatt and released on Those Poor Bastards' album Gospel Haunted. “Hallelujah, hallelujah / Hallelujah, worthless fuckers, hallelujah / Hallelujah / Hallelujah, worthless fuckers, hallelujah”. |
|
5
|
 |
Decades / Hilarious Death Blues (2007) |
Antic Clay |
Joy Division only released two albums between 1976-1980. Closer was released two months after lead singer Ian Curtis' suicide. The last song "Decades" made a lasting impression. Antic Clay pays his respect in this version. |
|
6
|
 |
Redemption / Modern Sounds in Country and Gospel Music (2008) |
The Dad Horse Experience |
"And the blood gave life / To the branches of the tree / And the blood was the price / That set the captives free." Johnny Cash lives on through Dad Horse’s take on the song. Dad Horse knows what a hard and sinful life is all about. |
|
7 |
 |
Famous Blue Raincoat / Scattered (2010)
|
The Handsome Family |
On this rare compilation with lost demos, orphaned songs and odd covers there’s a beautiful version of Leonard Cohen’s song “Famous Blue Raincoat”. Brett Sparks sings with deep and heartfelt feeling. |
|
8
|
 |
Waiting Around to Die / Jose Arcadio is Dead (2009) |
American Sinner |
Townes van Zandt's famous and almost over-covered song. It chronicles the life of a drifter as he passes sadly through the hard experiences of an abusive father, the abandonment of his mother, drug and alcohol abuse, unhappy love, and prison. American Sinner's version stand out. |
|
9 |
 |
Ramblin Man / How We Prospered (2009) |
Strawfoot |
Again, there’s no version surpassing the original by Hank Williams. This version with Strawfoot is pretty close including the typical howling. “I love you baby, but you gotta understand / When the Lord made me, He made a Ramblin' Man” |
|
10 |
 |
Strawfoot / Sojourners (2006) |
Briertone |
The title comes from the American Civil War era. The soldiers could not distinguish right from left so the officers bind (hay) on the soldier's left foot and (straw) on the right foot. Then they marched. 16 Horsepower wrote the original song. |