Reimagining Songs Through Covers
WRITTEN BY NADYA BARGHOUTYRemember the 2012-era “Skinny Love” discourse that took over YouTube comment sections and Tumblr threads? Birdy’s cover of Bon Iver’s 2007 release “Skinny Love” was my first time experiencing the sheer power of covers. The conversation shouldn’t be about who did it better, but rather celebrating the ability to do one thing in so many different ways. Covers allow artists to reimagine another artist’s work or just have fun with a song they know and love. The Regrettes recently released a passionate and dreamy rendition of Robyn’s powerful break-up classic “Dancing on my Own.” Including “Dancing on my Own,” here are three popular songs that have been covered again and again by artists we love.
Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star’s 1993 release “Fade Into You” is prolific across pop culture. We can actually find a relatively popular cover of the droning alternative ballad for each year starting in 2019. Indie-folk band Imaginary Future released a “Fade Into You” cover in 2019 that really pulls at the heartstrings. Slower than the original, a piano is dominant rather than guitar. Yearning and airy singing with touching female harmonies, Imaginary Future’s “Fade Into You” feels like a hazy fog laying heavy on the heart. In 2020, Irish rock band Inhaler released their version of “Fade Into You.” The instrumentation is true to the original composition, however, a heavy emphasis is put on the bluegrass twang. With gritty male vocals and harmonies, Inhaler’s rendition feels like blowing up a balloon without fastening the end and letting go. In 2021, American Football and Miya Follick came together to release a cinematic 7-minute cover. Ambient and abundant, American Football’s math rock rendition totally flips that track on its head. Exchanging male and female vocals, dreamy guitar, and even a horn section at the end, American Football made “Fade Into You” their own. Finally, just last year in 2022, Mallrat gave us a modern take on “Fade Into You.” With less bluegrass and more isolated sounds, Mallrat is confident and dominating. Her sultry yet strong vocals make the track feel more nostalgic than yearning. Beyond covers, Mazzy Star has influenced a whole generation of artists with this singular track.
Fun Fact: In 2022, Brotherkenzie released the track “MAZZY” which samples the melody from “Fade Into You.” Brotherkenzie repeatedly sings the line, “I want to be just like Mazzy.” While this isn’t a cover, “MAZZY” contains several references to the prized 90’s love song.
Dancing on my Own - Robyn
Robyn’s 2010 release “Dancing on my Own” is a synth-pop banger. However, the lyrics depict a rough encounter at the club after a breakup, starkly contrasting the synth vibe. “Dancing on my Own” is the kind of track you listen to while trying to get hype after a breakup (kind of like that scene in Someone Great). In 2015, a downtempo version of the track was popularized through Calum Scott’s Britain’s Got Talent audition. Scott’s emotional cover was later released in 2016. Trading the synths for a grand piano, Scott leans into the lyrics and belts. Elle Fanning gave us a youthful “Dancing on my Own” cover in 2019 for the film Teen Spirit. While the backing seems lighter, Fanning ultimately stays true to the track. Now to 2023, Tove Lo had their stab at a “Dancing on my Own” rendition. Tove Lo sings a similar downtempo version like Calum Scott. Her airy vocals flutter above the piano and again, show us the true nature and depth of the track. Now to the inspiration of this article: The Regrettes just released their version of “Dancing on my Own.” With a little 80’s flare, the Regrettes pay homage to Robyn. By mimicking some of the electronic instrumentation with guitars and drums, this version of “Dancing on my Own” sticks to the crying in the club theme. In an article with Nylon, lead singer Lydia Night shares, “‘Dancing On My Own’ has always been a really special song to me. The euphoric, painful but powerful, crying-in-the-club type of beat is my favorite kind of song. I connect with it in a whole new and personal way now more than ever. Going through a breakup can feel like literal death (lol), but this song makes me feel like I’m not alone. I hope our version can provide the same feeling to all the breakup baddies out there!” Thanks Lydia. We’re all going through it, and honestly more versions of this track definitely won’t hurt.
Where is my Mind - Pixies
“Where is my Mind” was released in 1988 by Pixies. The track itself is iconic. In my opinion, there are not as many covers as there should be, however, we have a few to highlight. In 2011, Minnesota folk band Trampled by Turtles released a bluegrass rendition of “Where is my Mind.” Delicate fingering melodies and an expansive string section make Trampled by Turtles’ version a true piece of Americana. Speaking of strings, would it be a covers article if we didn’t mention the prolific Vitamin String Quartet? In the early 2010’a classical covers were all the rage, with groups like the Vitamin String Quartet at the center. Shows like Brigerton have brought this type of music back to the public eye. In 2010, the Vitamin String Quartet covered “Where is my Mind.” True masters of covers, the Vitamin String Quartet can replicate the mood of a song with no lyrics needed. Now to the reason why I bring this track up in the first place: Tkay Maidza’s cover of “Where is my Mind” is truly something else. The RnB singer and rapper can truly do it all. She made “Where is my Mind” her own, while still maintaining the deep rooted sorrow crucial to the track. Whiny guitar is swapped out with synths, making the track a little more modern and true to Tkay Maidza’s persona. “Where is my Mind” is over 30 years old, but still feels relevant. Maybe it’s just because we are all still trying to bring our minds back to reality.
