Music: Cover Songs
Why Kate Bush Inspires a New Generation!
This is not the story you’re expecting.
This isn’t about Running Up Hills or Stranger Things. It’s about how she’s inspiring writers on Medium & Cover Songs…
The world is writing about Kate Bush’s newfound success, this is a piece inspired by the great article of Jeremy Helligar, posted below.
In this article, he fears that her new success may not carry through to a full understanding of the talents of ‘the queen of British Art Rock”, to quote his subtitle. He also cites many of her past triumphs, songs that new listeners should discover. In his words…
I want so much more for her.
Reading his article I became aware that I wasn’t as well versed in the catalogue of Kate as I thought. Knowing more than your average “Top of The Pops” viewer, I knew less than a true fan like Jeremy Helligar. In his article, he lists one song, in particular, a cover song, that I was previously unaware of. Her magnificent and truly “Kate” cover version of “Rocket Man”. So inspired, a new article was birthed…. more great cover songs… inspired by Kate Bush.
To paraphrase an old song by The Who from their rock-opera Tommy…
…put in your ear plugs Put on your eye shades You know where to put the cork…
(Actually, the eyeshades & cork are just for passenger Tommy in seat 3B)
Let’s Go…
1. Kate Bush — Rocket Man (1991)
Song: Elton John
Why:
- This great cover song inspired this article.
- In 2007, this cover song won The Observer* readers’ award for the “Greatest Cover Song of All Time”. (A UK Newspaper)
- It’s just another example of her versatility.
2. Placebo — Running Up That Hill (2003)
Song: Kate Bush
Why:
“I met Kate once at a party: it was a record company do and there was an orderly queue to speak to her. When I got to the front the first thing she said to me was: “I like your cover of my song.” That was enough. I’m very, very pleased that it got Kate’s endorsement.” — Placebo‘s Brian Molko (source: NME)
3. Jamie Woon — Wayfaring Stranger (2007)
Song: Traditional
Why:
- After graduating from the BRIT School, a year after Amy Winehouse, he later went on to support her live. (source: Wikipedia)
- He comes from a family with a musical heritage, his mother, uncle and second cousin are all known Scottish musicians.
- It’s just a great interpretation, moody, and atmospheric with a cool video directed by Sophie Clements.
4. Marvin Gaye — Yesterday (1970)
Song: The Beatles
Why:
- Great Song, Great Artist, Great Cover Version. “Nuff Said!”
With more than 2,200 cover versions (source: Wikipedia) you’ll probably disagree with my choice anyway.
5. Leningrad Cowboys and The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble— Sweet Home Alabama (1993)
Song: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Why:
- They are not Russian but a Finnish Rock Band.
- The Hair!
- The fact that they regularly played with The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble, was a good example of “forgiveness” in action. This concert took place after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and Finland has long had a difficult relationship with The Soviet Union/Russia.
(This is not a comment on current Russian politics).
- The Hair!
- I was never a fan of Lynard Skynard, but this cover is brilliant.
- The Hair!
- The Shoes.
- The outrageous concept; A Finnish Rock Band with a Russian-inspired name, covering an American, “Southern Rock” standard, with a Military Choir and Band from the old Soviet Empire.
6. Janet Devlin — Your Song (2021 version)
Song: Elton John
Why:
- Her unique voice.
- A guilty pleasure; I’m not sure I should enjoy it as much as I do. I’m hardly her target audience.
- The appreciation/gratitude she has for her career. This is from the credits, of her 2021 cover version on YouTube, of the song she sang in her audition on BGT in 2011.
I recently passed a big anniversary…. ten years since my life changed. It was the day my audition track aired on national television. I could never anticipate how different my life was going to be from that moment on. I’m grateful for the experience. To get into the industry so young meant I could make mistakes with teenage naivety and the gusto to keep going. Some days were hard. Sometimes I couldn’t walk down the street without someone hurtling a nasty comment my way. Which I won’t lie, was incredibly difficult to process as a child. That being said, it’s turned me into the strong woman I am now and for that I’m thankful. Unfortunately, the show has now ended and though I have mixed feelings about it’s [sic.] demise no one will be quite as sad as my mother — who has now lost her Saturday night show! When I stepped onto that stage 10 years ago, I had only one goal “to find out whether or not I could even sing” how funny, but amazing it is [I am] now still calling it my “job”. My deepest, purest love is what I’m blessed to do every day. Over 50 released songs later — and counting! So for the show, I am grateful for [it] being the catalyst to my confidence and [a] kick up the back side to pursue my dream. ❤️ Thanks so much to everyone who has stuck around over those 10 years, it means more than you’ll ever know! Here’s to another 10!
7. Denzel Washington & Maria Mc Donald — The Mighty Quinn (1989)
Source: The Mighty Quinn Film Best Known by: Manfred Mann Lyrics: Bob Dylan
The scene in the Mighty Quinn movie which takes place in a local club/bar has a medley of two songs. The first song is “Cakewalk Into Town” by Taj Mahal, (1972), and the second, at the 2:25 mark, a transition to “The Mighty Quinn”.
The look of “oh no not again” on Denzel Washington’s face, because his character, police officer Xavier Quinn, is often teased by this song.
Why:
- The transition from exasperation to acceptance at 3:08 and an understanding that “his people” actually respect him.
- Maria McDonald’s engaging smile, and soulful voice.
- Who knew Denzel Washington could sing?
… and another selection from a film….
8. Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman — Elephant Love Medley
Source: Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge
Songs: “All You Need Is Love”-Beatles,
“I Was Made For Lovin’ You”-Kiss,
“One More Night” -Phil Collins,
“Pride (In the Name of Love)” -U2,
“Don’t Leave Me This Way” -Thelma Houston,
“Silly Love Songs” -Paul McCartney,
“Up Where We Belong”- Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warren from “An Officer and a Gentleman”,
“Heroes” -David Bowie,
“I Will Always Love You” -Dolly Parton, and
“Your Song” -Elton John.
Why:
- Call me a teenage girl if you will, but I love this film and song.
- The chemistry between Christian (Ewan McGregor) & Satine (Nicole Kidman) is infectious.
- David Bowie, U2 and Phil Collins
- The incredible blending of the songs by music supervisor Anton Monsted and his team.
- How can you have a list of great cover songs and not include a song that covers 11 songs?
- Who knew that Ewan and Nicole could sing so well?
9. CHOIR, CHOIR, CHOIR — Heroes Song: David Bowie
Why:
- For all of us who like to sing in the shower.
- Because CHOIR, CHOIR, CHOIR are not a traditional choir, they are structured as an open participation group where anybody who wants to attend an event is welcome to perform as part of the choir.
- They have performed with David Byrne, Patti Smith, Rick Astley & Colin Hay (Men At Work).
- Their rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”, performed at the Art Gallery of Ontario six days after Bowie’s death, went viral on the internet and saw the choir invited to perform at two Bowie tribute shows in New York City, at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall.
10. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) — Chris Tomlin (2006) Lyrics: John Newton (1772) Tune: William Walker (1835)
Why:
“If thou improve or provide an alternate version, that equals the most successful hymn aye written, doth i want to say moe”!
5 Honourable Mentions:
- An extraordinary duet with Sinéad O’Connor.
2. An American Country Music group covering a song by a Northern English band described on www.coverermesongs.com as “a baroque-pop song with elements of folk, classical, and African chanting”.
3. Punk Band The Clash did Reggae: Police & Thieves (Junior Marvin)
4. Reggae Band The Reggisters cover Punk: Guns of Brixton (The Clash)
5. Mathew Good (21 Time Juno Award Nominee) & Holly Mc Narland (Popular Canadian artist of the 1990’s & 2000's)
This choice was included because of my discovery of Holly McNarland when I heard an excerpt of her cover of “In The Air Tonight” from the TV show Charmed. [A show I never watched]. Look for my Easter Egg below.
Thank You Kate Bush and thanks Jeremy Helligar
