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Top 40 Cover Songs of 2013 (40-21)

Hear, hear

I’m going out on all four limbs when I say 2013 has been the best year for cover songs that I can recall. More and more artists are issuing covers; whether it’s to draw publicity to one’s own music, or via some irrepressible artistic impulse, cover songs abound. This is a good thing. Sure, there will be crappy ones, and sure, about 98% of the time, a cover song isn’t as good as the original, but I think that’s missing the point. It’s nice to see musicians pay homage to other musicians/songs. Invariably, an artist gives something of themself when they do a cover, and the best cover songs add not only something new, but something indescribable, something magical.

I’m always searching for and welcoming of cover songs. You could even say my appetite in pursuing this type of music is voracious. I thoroughly enjoyed curating this list, and think it’s one of the most meticulously constructed “Best of 2013” or “Best Cover Songs” lists around. If you’re reading/listening, hopefully there’s something here for you to enjoy, as these covers run the gamut of musical genres. Here are my Top 40 Cover Songs of 2013:

NB: One minor addition to this year’s list: I’ll be including the original artist(s) in parentheses.

40. The xx – Finally (Kings of Tomorrow)

Testament to The xx: this sounds like one of their songs.

39. Eddie Berman & Laura Marling – Dancing In The Dark (Bruce Springsteen)

Striking harmonies.

38. Erasure – Gaudete (Classic Christmas carol)

Erasure have always been, and will always be, pop maestros — even whilst singing in Latin.

37. Phosphorescent – Ya Hey (Vampire Weekend)

A quiet(er), reflective, love-torn cover. Matthew Houck is a magician.

36. Sparrow Sleeps – The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)

Ever wonder what Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” would sound like if it were a lullaby? Someone did, and made this wonderfully unique version.

35. Bastille – We Can’t Stop (Miley Cyrus)

Too. Much. Fun. Adding Papa Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” into the mix is icing on the cake.

34. The Killers – Lovers In A Dangerous Time (Bruce Cockburn)

I feel fortunate to have seen this cover in person. I think this might have been a one-off. If so, what a one-off it was. Flowers’ vocal soars with Cockburn’s lyrics.

33. Prince – Even Flow (Pearl Jam)

Prince is a bad, bad man. This is short and awesome.

32. Sad Clown With The Golden Voice – Royals (Lorde)

Of the 37,589 covers of “Royals” on the internet, this is the best one.

31. Boyce Ave & Fifth Harmony – Mirrors (Justin Timberlake)

Wonderfully sung.

30. Ed Sheeran & Passenger – No Diggity (Blackstreet)

Off-kilter cover that works magnificently. Sheeran and Passenger sound fantastic.

29. Pentatonix – Little Drummer Boy (Belongs to Christmas)

Pristine and perfect.

28. Bastille – Requiem For Blue Jeans (Lana Del Rey)

Sort of a mashup. Sort of a cover. All the way wicked.

27. Folly And The Hunter – Marry The Night (Lady Gaga)

Love that this slow, tempered version plays over Gaga’s actual video for “Marry The Night”.

26. London Grammar – Wicked Game (Chris Isaak)

My God, Hannah Reid’s voice. My God.

25. Walk Off The Earth f. Selah Sue – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli)

WOTE continue to turn everything they touch into gold.

24. Straight No Chaser f. Dolly Parton – Jolene (Dolly Parton)

A cover featuring the original artist? Yessir. A really good one too.

23. Sleeping At Last – The Safety Dance (Men Without Hats)

This is a stunning cover. Brings out a beauty in the melody/lyrics that one could’ve only imagined.

22. Ghosts – If You Have Ghosts (Roky Erickson)

The music seems secondary to this wild, brilliant, image-centred collective, though this cover pushes through; it’s the best piece of music they’ve yet released.

21. Tears For Fears – My Girls (Animal Collective)

This is so bloody good.

Top 40 Remixes of 2013 (40-21)

Love this album artwork. Remix After All.

Love this album artwork. Not of this year, but it is Remix After All.

Transformation can do many things to an object. It can make something louder, quieter, bigger, smaller, heavier, lighter, darker, brighter, and so much more. The process of transformation is of some measure science, art, and parts unknown, and thus, cannot be coerced into formula. Remixes seek to transform, in some manner, the source material into something new, fresh, and vibrant. The best remixes do this, and also pave a bridge of familiarity to the original. Developing something new while maintaining some semblance of the old is an enormously difficult task, and that’s why it rarely happens.

If a remixer is smart, the simple act of picking the right song to treat will come with a certain amount of cache, and will garner a certain level of intrigue (read: there will be a built-in audience). But that doesn’t mean the remix will end up being good. So many are not. There are some though, that are good, and some, even better than that. Not only do they transform, they transcend: the source material, emotions, and every so often, time itself. To be lost in a piece of art where an entire dimension (time) ceases to exist is one of the joys of the artistic process, and indeed, one of the joys of this life.

To remix is to change. The best of the best though, remember to keep something of the original intact, whether it’s on the surface or buried deep beneath it. The great Roman poet Ovid, in his sprawling poem, “The Metamorphoses”, gives us an idea that serves as supreme directive for approaching remixes, “Omnia mutantur, nihil interit (everything changes, nothing perishes).”

Here are my Top 40 Remixes of 2013:

40. Postiljonen – All That We Had Is Lost (Keep Shelly In Athens Remix)

39. Britney Spears – Perfume (Cheiro De Quenga Remix)

This remix is brand-spanking new. If I had more time with it, I’d probably like it even more. As it stands now, it’s already one of my favourites.

38. Lady Gaga – Applause (Liam Keegan Bootleg Remix)

37. Mo – Pilgrim (Ms Mr Remix)

36. The 1975 – The City (No Ceremony Remix)

35. The Knife – Let’s Talk About Gender Baby… (Planningtorock Rework)

Even though this is a remix, it’s far and away the most playful tune associated with The Knife’s super-dense Shaking The Habitual. Planningtorock always bring that fire. This is a sneaky prancer of a remix.

34. Moby – The Perfect Life f. Wayne Coyne (Fuck Buttons Remix)

I prefer this remix to the original. A slow burner.

33. The Neighbourhood – Let It Go (Ghost Loft Remix)

32. Puscifer – Breathe (Drumcell Remix)

Drumcell really Donkey Punches The Night out of this remix.

31. Ms Mr – Hurricane (Chvrches Remix)

It’s not like Chvrches were busy or anything — they only crafted one of the best debut pop records of the past 10 years. Yet they still found time to do a few covers and remixes. Absurd hot streak.