Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

I was recently in a conversation where some friends remarked "we don't watch musicals", admitting those just aren't their thing. 

I would typically say the same thing. Except, I really liked Les Mis. And man if the hype around "The Greatest Showman" didn't prove to be well founded. 

So this week's cover is more or less an excuse to feature one of the really good songs from that movie. 

Here's This is Me covered by a Chicago youth choir called "Musicality".

Btw, here's an incredible rehearsal performance by movie cast that according to later interviews, was the moment when actress/singer Keala Settle really embraced her role. 

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

Can you get nostalgic when you're 20?

I feel like that's what happened to me when I heard this song for the first time. I vaguely remembered the original from my youth as a "sports jam" type song that went well with highlights of dunks and big hits.

Along came a Christian rock band from Canada who altered the lyrics to "Christian-ize" it a bit and I was hooked. 

This was a musical era that probably doesn't hold up for a lot of people these days. Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park were all the rage. And "rage" is an apt description in some ways given the vocal bent of many of these groups. Tfk's lead singer Trevor McNevan could venture into that territory but the group's larger body of work has still remained a favorite of mine. And this song is right up there as the one that put them on the map for me.

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

For no real reason other than it was an idea that popped into my head, I'll be featuring my favorite cover songs. I can't really define exact criteria but if an artist takes a song and makes it their own, it qualifies.

One of the first that jumps out to me is Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow". You've probably heard it featured in a TV show or movie. I can't remember exactly the first time I heard it (Scrubs maybe?). But it's such a beautiful rendition of the classic Wizard of Oz track. 
The video wasn't what I expected but clearly celebrates the life of the late artist.