Everyone loves a good cover. There’s something so fascinating about the medium — at once nostalgic and new-seeking, it may be the ultimate hipster form. Or maybe it’s just really fun. Since we can’t get enough, we’ve collected ten awesome covers you may or may not have heard before for all your exploration/nostalgia needs. Of course, there may be some among you who have heard every last one of these, and more power to you. But hopefully even the most storied music warriors will find something new to like on our list. Click through to listen, and let us know your own favorite undiscovered covers in the comments!
My Girl (Temptations cover) — The Jesus and Mary Chain
This sleepy, fuzzy track makes us want to lie out by the pool with a cocktail in our leather jackets, somewhat unlike the original.
I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover) — Man Man
This may be one of the most perfect pairings ever dreamt up. Honus Honus’ mustachioed wail is the future of the Etta James sound.
Fools Rush In (Frank Sinatra cover) — The Morning Benders
We love the playful, friends-jamming-in-the-backyard-at-the-end-of-a-party feel of this cover.
Listen here.
The Beautiful Ones (Prince cover) — Fol Chen
Weird and electro-poppy, this sort of doesn’t sound like it could have ever been sung by Prince. But that’s a good thing, because it was, and now we have this one too.
Listen here.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles cover) — Girl in a Coma
This sexy, raspy girl version makes us realize a whole lot of new things about this song. And we like those things.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (Shirelles cover) — Lykke Li
This one kind of made the rounds a while ago, but it’s too good not to include. It’s like this song was written for her.
I Started a Joke (BeeGees cover) — Kathryn Williams
If only all BeeGees songs could be re-released with this kind of soft, beautiful treatment. It’s much better than the squeaky original.
Take On Me (A-HA cover) — Sara Bareilles
This makes the list for the sheer strangeness of the idea. Sara Bareilles brings her signature easy listening coffehouse vibe, but all we can see is a slowed-down version of the A-HA video.
I Want to Hold Your Hand (Beatles cover) — Al Green
We didn’t know about this. Now we do, and our lives are so, so much better. Try it and you’ll see.
If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough (Roger Allan Wade cover) — Karen O.
She can do no wrong.