Top Ten Best Cover Songs of 2011

December 31st, 2011

Another End of Year list? Yes please. We’ve got the Top 10 Covers of 2011 for you! The best of the best of the best. Here we go.

10. The Low Anthem – “Ghost Woman Blues” (George Carter Cover)
This is an awesome way to start off the list. This is an absolute gem. The folky depth that they bring to the song is pretty special!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/C99gdK37Ykc

9. Tokyo Police Club – “Since U Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson Cover)
You can’t not love these guys. This cover is part of their “Ten Days, Ten Covers, Ten Years” project where they covered a song every day for ten days. Awesome. This crazy party rendition of the Kelly Clarkson classic tickles my dancing bone. Dig it.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/MztFDvKlPdc

8. Wilco – “I Love My Label” (Nick Lowe Cover)
Wilco’s American-rock-ish sound pierces right through this cover. Classic Wilco with a slowed down tempo. There’s nothing not to like about this cover. This song’s got The Whole Love from my heart. Wink wink.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/m6foDASkIlQ

7. JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound – “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” (Wilco Cover)
This is pretty much the best thing ever. They took a rock song and transformed it completely into a Motown-esque masterpiece. It’s sort of got a Cee-Lo touch to it – you know, that spunk. I think I like this better than the original!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZK6VILyHVDE

6. The Black Keys – “Dearest” (Buddy Holly Cover)
As part of a Buddy Holly tribute album, The Black Keys recorded a cover of the rockabilly master’s “Dearest”. The Keys take a step away from their snare-smacking, loud roots and slowed things down to pay tribute to one of the best (and coolest looking) singers ever. Important to note: Patrick Carney looks oddly similar to Buddy Holly. Hmmm…

http://www.youtube.com/embed/DNlw9PqXgZc

5. James Blake – “Limit to Your Love” (Feist Cover)
Just when you thought this Feist classic couldn’t get better, James Blake changed it up with his piano-driver dubstep awesomeness. Sometimes simple is best, as displayed here. Blake uses minimal beats and achieves a take on the song that can only be truly described using Play-doh and butterflies. Yep.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/oOT2-OTebx0

4. Bon Iver – “I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of Time” (Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin Cover)
Justin Vernon is always magic, especially here though. The main guy behind Bon Iver has got some talent. This is the kind of song that will play on a global intercom when the world is about to end in 2012. I swear.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q3VjaCy5gck

3. Mr. Little Jeans – “The Suburbs” (Arcade Fire Cover)
As if I didn’t love The Suburbs enough! Mr. Little Jeans brings so much amazingness to the table with this cover of an Arcade Fire classic. I can’t handle it. This beat-heavy, electronic version of the song is just incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/7MaymsFzWKQ

2. LCD Soundsystem – “Live Alone” (Franz Ferdinand Cover)
This electronic, funky rendition of Franz’s “Live Alone” is spot on. It’s got booms and “oooh”s and “ahhh”s and James Murphy. It has James Murphy. And this is a good thing.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/WPxLv8ZLnJU

1. Trent Reznor & Karen O – “Immigrant Song” (Led Zeppelin Cover)
This was an absolute no brainer. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the dudes who did the soundtrack for The Social Network, teamed up with Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs to create a track to pretty much act as the musical centerpiece of the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It’s brilliantly produced and is quite possibly one of the most epic things I’ve ever listened to.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/E7O-CfJohk8

Want more Holiday Wrap? Check out playlists, photo galleries, best of lists and more here!

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