Our Favorite Song Covers
December 9, 2019
Below is a list gathered by the The Pony Express team that includes all of our favorite song covers:
Kass Jones: “Call Me Maybe” covered by JPEGMAFIA
“Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy. But here’s my number, so call me maybe.” If you’re like
me, these lines bring recollection of not being to escape this song during your childhood.
Whether it was on the radio, the endless YouTube recommendations, or someone deciding it was
a good idea to play the song; ‘Call Me Maybe’ was almost completely ruined for me in my
younger years. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled across this cover by
Baltimore rapper and experimentalist, JPEGMAFIA. Peggy covers Carly Rae Jepson’s 2011 pop
anthem in a completely different way than ever expected. His delivery is haunting and grim and
progresses to be a very pretty and emotional take at a song that was once widely recognized as
overplayed and annoying. The cover is soft and slow with a sad yet simple keyboard
instrumental and trembling vocals that make Jepson’s words sound so meaningful and important.
The crazy thing about this cover for me is the song is performed so differently with a completely
different tone and is still so familiar.
Skylar Sicilia: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” covered by Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others
Meredith Harless: “Venus as a Boy” covered by Kali Uchis
Because of Björk’s unique style and voice, it is usually incredibly difficult for anyone to
come close to doing any of her songs justice. Kali Uchis, a Columbian-American artist,
completely channels the essence of Björk in her cover of “Venus as a Boy” with her own twist.
Kali Uchis even hits all of Björk’s iconic ad libs, making this my personal favorite cover song
any artist has released.
Jacob Durbin: “Jungle Love” covered by The Time
After the untimely death of music icon Prince in 2016, a massive vault of unreleased music by
the legendary artist was discovered. Many of these tracks recorded by Prince were ultimately
gifted to other artists; some even becoming hits.
My favorite of these is the hit song Jungle Love, recorded but never released by Prince, but
eventually becoming a hit song by The Time. The song has a unique history, as it’s almost as if
the hit song by The Time is in actuality the cover for Prince’s original creation. It is fascinating to
hear Prince’s original interpretation of the song and compare it to the way we know it today.
Addison Nixon: “Without You” covered by Leslie Odom Jr
While I love this song in the play, the woman who sings it, Daphne Rubin-Vega has a very unique voice that isn’t for everyone. However, Leslie Odom Jr. who sings the cover, takes the song and sings it in a very beautiful way that i think makes you see the song differently. When you hear the song in the musical you relate it to the two people singing it and their story. However when an outsider sings it the meaning becomes more and it resonates more with me personally.
Collin Cardot: “Africa” covered by Weezer
I chose the Africa cover by Weezer. Both a legendary band and an iconic song the
Weezer take on this song is beautiful. My favorite part of it all is the melody of the chorus.