Here are a few to get things started:
Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer as an 80s synth tune
Bossa nova version of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over
Reggae-ish version of Aretha Franklin’s Respect
A capella men’s ensemble version of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance
EDIT: This has been great, everyone. Thanks to everyone for all the terrific links and for introducing me to a number of artists I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise. Seriously, the online rabbit-holes have been thoroughly enjoyable–even it I stayed up a bit too late a number of times.
Worth it.
I do adore a cover version that brings something new to the song;
Orkestra Obsolete play Blue Monday
Gotye - Somebody that I used to know - Dutch choir
Not quite a cover, but more of inspiration taken from Paper Planes - ‘Paper Plates’ by Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer
Brass Against cover Sabotage
Lorde - In The Air Tonight
Umbrella - Manic Street Preachers
Aurora - Life On Mars
Faith No More - Easy
Toy Dolls - Nellie The Elephant
Siouxsie And The Banshees - The Passenger and Dear Prudence
Cornershop perform Norwegian Wood
I could go on for ages. Might add some more later. Hope somebody enjoys at least some of these?
FNM’s cover of Easy is fantastic. It’s a pretty straight cover, but Patton sells it.
The Slits - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
My Generation - Patti Smith
Pure Imagination - Fiona Apple
Wonderwall - Cat Power
Hotel California - The Cat Empire
Dolph Lundgren – A Little Less Conversation
The Gourds - Gin and Juice
William Shatner - Rocket Man
Snuff - I think we’re alone now
China Drum - Wuthering Heights
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Smells Like Teen Spirit
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Sweet Dreams
Hayseed Dixie - Bohemian Rhapsody
Hayseed Dixie - Roses
Richard Cheese - Gin And Juice
The Rock Orchestra - Chop Suey
Prime Orchestra - The Prodigy Medley
The Dmitry Butenko Orchestra - Freestyler
Balanescu Quartet - The Model
The Pogues – Honky Tonk Woman
Lemonheads – Mrs Robinson
Teenage Fanclub – Like a virgin
I was waiting for someone to mention Richard Cheese in this thread!
His version of Rape Me hasn’t aged terribly well, but my word is it great.
I used to regularly play Cheese stuff when driving my elderly mother places
Removed by mod
shameless self-promotion : my band The Three Leonards also do covers that re-imagine the song. Our first album starts with a cover of One Headlight and we got some great response to it.
https://open.spotify.com/album/5RwGC1qOeAQvIENh9X353F
Yeah! Siouxsie’s Dear Prudence!