Best New Covers of Great Old Songs

1. “Beggin’” – (Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons) Madcon [1-13-09]. An R&B track by hip-hop group that perfectly blends pop with rap for prime danceability.

2. “Give it to Me Right” – (The Zombies) Melanie Fiona [12-23-08]. Her own soulful groove laid over the infamous “Time of the Season Zombie backbeat.

3. “Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)” – (A.R. Rahman) The Pussycat Dolls feat. Nicole Scheringer [3/2009]. Ditching Bollywood for the Hollywood edition without the Hindi chants and with the cream puff pop lyrics.

4. “Cello Song” – (Nick Drake) -- The Books feat. Jose Gonzalez [2-16-09]. A lovely cover of the soothing original performed by The Books who concoct an original acoustic version featuring Jose Gonzalez’s dreamy vocals for the DARK WAS the NIGHT Red Hot compilation CD which sports an all-star indie line-up of artists and songs.

5. “So Human” – (The Cure) -- Lady Sovereign [2009]. A rip on the cult classic alt-rock tune form the 80’s, done by sassy Brit rapper.

6. “Right Round” – (Dead or Alive) -- Flo-rida [2-1-09]. This hip-hop version is an instant pop R&B smash with its shameless rip on the 80’s dance classic by Dead or Alive.

7. “When I Fall in Love” – Renee Olstead [1-27-09]. A fresh rendition of this classic from The Great American Songbook by Miley-Cyrus-like media megastar teenager.

8. “Veronica Sawyer” – (Edna Goldfish) – Reel Big Fish [1-20-09]. An upbeat ska and modern-rock rendition of the pop original.

9. “Womanizer” – (Britney Spears) – Lily Allen [leaked 12-1-08]. Every bit as poppy as the original but front- loaded with a slower pace and charming cockney Brit accent for which Lily Allen is known.

10. “At Last” (Etta Jones) – Beyonce (from Music From The Motion Picture Cadillac Records) [12-2-08]. The talented R&B diva pays homage to the original by belting out the bluesey classic like a champ.

11. “Turn Your Lights Down Low” (Bob Marley) – Colbie Caillet [11-11-08]. While it’s hard not to love this Bob Markey classic, it’s Malibu and MySpace’s Colbie Caillet (in duet) at her pretty and simple best.

12. “Live Your Life and Flo with Whatever You like [Medley] – Straight No Chaser [1-20-09]. A cleverly strung-together a capella medley of recent hit hip-hop tracks including “Low,” “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life.”

13. “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” (Vampire Weekend) – Peter Gabriel and Hot Chip (12-15-08). More synthy and less islandy atmospheric, Gabriel’s familiar voice rings through on this cover of Vampire Weekend’s relatively new track.

14. “Let’s Take a Walk” - Raphael Saadiq (from Music From The Motion Picture Cadillac Records) [12-2-08]. A contemporary soulful push on original dance hall boogie.

15. “For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield) – Mavis Staples [11-4-08]. Loaded with soul, this live version goes down at “The HideOut,” a small Chicago night club. Put your hands in the air and join in!

16. “I Don’t Wanna Be in Love” Dance Floor Anthem (Good Charlotte) – Metro Station [11-24-08]. An electro-rock rendition of the original classic by Good Charlotte.

17. “Time of Your Life” (Green Day) – Glen Campbell [8-18-08]. Complete with big country strings, Glen Campbell makes a comeback with this rockin’ cover.

18. “People Get Ready” – Seal [11-11-08]. Along with the rest of the 60’s era-covers packed into this album -- entitled SOUL -- this one does soulful justice to the original a la Seal’s brave and beautiful voice.

19. “How Deep is Your Love” (Bee Gees) – The Bird and the Bee [5-27-08] from SEX AND THE CITY SOUNDTRACK. A sweet-as-pie,light and airy female vocal rendering of the disco icon.

20. “Til there was you” – Cassandra Wilson [6-10-08]. With a delicious, smoky alto, this contemporary jazz madam from Jackson, Mississippi, reinvents this classic from the Great American Songbook and gives it new life.

21. “Folsom Prison Blues” (Johnny Cash) – Everlast [9-23-08]. Whitey Ford is the former front-man for House of Pain is the unlikely source for this version of the classic country track.

22. “Look of Love” – (Dusty Springfield) -- Sergio Mendes and Fergie [6-10-08]. The Brazilian Bossa Nova master teams up with Fergie (highlighted by a cameo by Will.I.am) to churn out an original and groovy version of the classic.

23. “Umbrella” (Rihanna) – Marie Digby [4-8-08]. Original and daring acoustic singer-songwriter approach to this R&B smash hit.

24. “Angel Dream”(Tom Petty) – Glen Campbell [8-18-08]. With a strings medley scooping out the background, country crooner Glen Campbell puts his own spin on Tom Petty’s magical classic.

25. “My Favorite Things” (Sound of Music) – Yo Yo Ma featuring Chris Botti [10-14-08]. Interpretive instrumental featuring Ma’s spectacular cello with a jazz-like take on the beloved original.

26. “The Heart of the Matter” (Don Henley) – IndiaArie [5-27-08] from SEX AND THE CITY SOUNDTRACK. A clean and simple rendition of Don Henley’s classic sails brightly from this R&B star’s rich, soulful voice with inspired pockets by background singers.

27. “Slow” (Kylie Mingoue) – Tricky [9-2-08]. A downtempo, punky duet version of the pop diva’s dance track.

28. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (U2) – Ba Cissoko [4-1-08]. An original, African take on this rock classic with fore and background singers, bongos and guitars.

29. “Walkin’ my Baby Back Home” (Dean Martin) – Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole [9-9-08]. An old school classic remade as daughter & daddy duet.