The Picador Book Room

In his new book, The Biographical Dictionary of Popular Music, Dylan Jones devotes an entry to “Cover Versions: 75 of the Best,” from Rufus Wainwright’s popular take on the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah,” to Hendrix doing “All Along the Watch Tower.” It’s a very fine and noble list, of which you can listen to the top fifteen on the Huffington Post. (See also two great excerpts at Salon and the Daily Beast.)

In that spirit I’d like to present my own list of “Favorite Covered Songs!” I warn you though, if you can’t make it through this video of Sid Vicious singing Frank Sinatra’s standard “My Way” then this Spotify playlist is not for you!:

Tracks:

1. “Love Goes On” (The Go-Betweens) by Nada Surf

2. “Video Killed the Radio Star” (The Buggles) by Joyce Manor

3. “Black Diamond” (Kiss) by The Replacements

4. “Many Rivers to Cross” (Jimmy Cliff) by Harry Nilsson and John Lennon

5. “What’cha Gonna Do About It” (The Small Faces) by Condof****

6. “My Generation” (The Who) by Patti Smith

7. “Can’t Hardly Wait” (The Replacements) by Justin Townes Earle

8. “Speeding Motorcycle” (Daniel Johnston) by Mary Lou Lord

9. “Thirteen” (Big Star) by Elliott Smith

10. “After Hours” (The Velvet Underground) by Rilo Kiley

11. “Benny and the Jets” (Elton John) by The Beastie Boys featuring Biz Markie

12. “Attitude” (The Misfits) by Guns N’ Roses

13. “Hey Jealously” (Gin Blossoms) by The Ergs

14. “Louie Louie” (The Kingsmen) by Black Flag

15. “Wendy” (The Beach Boys) by Descendents

16. “Mercury Blues” (Douglas/Geddins) by David Lindley

17. “I Gotsta Get Paid” (Fat Pat) by ZZ Top

18. “Strangers” (The Kinks) by Wye Oak

19. “If You Want Blood” (AC/DC) by Mark Kozelek

20. “Sea of Love” (Phil Phillips) by Cat Power