Maybe it’s the reconstruction of someone else’s creative genius, or to put it cynically, a musical lack of innovation. Though this negative perception may only apply to 2U, the U2 cover band I heard playing in the parking lot of Stop and Shop a couple years back, The Beatles covers are free from any level of contempt. Everyone knows that The Beatles are the greatest — as the godfathers of musical variation, every band should cover a piece by John, Ringo, George and Paul at least once in their musical career. Perhaps “Beatles Covers” should become its own genre in fact. Here are five of our favorite Beatles cover songs. Old and new, each band infuses their own unique sound with the work of the masters, proving that covering a Beatles song isn’t an action that should earn one the “copycat” title, but rather an interpreter of musical history one instead.
The Breeders — Happiness is a Warm Gun
This early 90s track from The Breeders covers the 1968 classic from The White Album. Though the two songs are literally the same, if your mind’s wandering and dozing then you may not immediately make the connection. The Breeders take the Lennon-McCartney lyrics and mix it with their own alternative style. The percussion is pronounced and the potent guitar extracts the track from the dreamy late 60s to the dusty 90s. The deep and dark vocals arouse a different kind of emotionalism, hitting on the awesome Beatles energy in their own Breeder’s context.
Bobby McFerrin — Blackbird
This solo a capella track from Bobby McFerrin is the model for Beatles inspired originality.
Rubblebucket — Michelle
This rendition of Rubber Soul’s “Michelle” is rather modern. The awesome cover appeared on Rubblebucket’s 2011 album, Triangular Daisies. The band speeds up the ballad and incorporates innovative sounds like a plucky, pronounced bass, a triangle and continuous hand clapping. This modern yet retro track is a great example of Beatles stimulated innovation.
Florence and the Machine — Oh! Darling
This track isn’t too far from original, but Florence Welch totally knocks it out. There’s just something about her voice. She took this heartbreaking classic and effectively recreated the original’s famous passion. I think they would totally approve.
The Libertines — Eight Days a Week
This track from The Libertines will brighten up your afternoon because the cover is just so incredibly charming! Like most things, their positivity is detectable and totally contagious. Their typical 90s garage band style adds to the track’s charm, and is perhaps further improved by their alluring accents.
