Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

Some covers become classics because the second artist(s) offer an original take on a song that is not originally theirs. Many covers become classics because the song and the secondary artist fit perfectly in style and tone. 

This week's selection is one of the latter category. After Rich Mullins' tragic death, a tribute album was produced featuring many other CCM giants recording their versions of many of Mullins' hit songs.

I was a college student at the time and as soon as I heard of the album, I purchased it through my Columbia House CD club (remember those?). I remember being thrilled to see and then hear that Jars of Clay were covering "If I Stand". It was the perfect marriage of the right artist paying homage to the right song. My only disappointment was that I let a friend borrow the CD a couple months later and that friend had it and a bunch of his own CD's stolen out of his car. 

Thankfully we have the internet and Youtube now to revisit those things we once lost:

Music Mondays: Best Covers Ever

There's no other way to describe this cover song other than "haunting". 

Twenty One Pilots employ a musical style that can often be foreboding, brooding, and even dark. Their re-imagining this My Chemical Romance song seems pitch perfect though, considering it's subject matter (i.e. the title).  

It comes with the my profession as a pastor to be with people in uncomfortable circumstances. Hospital visits are usually not super-pleasant, but as much as I can, it is my duty to point people to the hope of Christ.

And yet part of my responsibility in those times is also just to sit with people. Empathize and sympathize with them. I cannot feel their discomfort and I cannot feel the same distress that their family members feel. I can listen, I can give them space to vent and ask impossible questions. God does that with us (google "lament Psalms"). And songs like this one remind me of the importance of compassion and empathy. 

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

Needtobreathe has become one of my favorite bands for a whole bunch of reasons. I love their arrangements, their sound, and the subtle ways their music is honest about the complex journey of faith.

Their cover of "Stand By Me" has been something they've included in sets for awhile but their unique twist on the classic song is just about perfect.

Here's a bonus video of them tying it on the end of one of their mellow original songs:

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

This upcoming Tuesday is Election Day. Participating in our representative democracy through voting is of the great privileges and freedoms we enjoy. 

In honor of this special week, I thought I'd pull out my favorite rendition of our National Anthem. It is one I learned of only through the magic of the internet and video recordings. At the 1983 NBA All-Star game, Marvin Gaye put his own spin on "The Star Spangled Banner" that gives me chills every time and clearly moved many who heard it.

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.