In keeping with the theme of my last post and my recent 90s kick, it was only a matter of time that there would be the inevitable Under Cover: Awesomely 90s Edition. This week I feature songs released in the 90s by musicians Kylie Minogue, Alice In Chains, and James that are either super-awesome on their own or have super-awesome covers that surpass the originals. Good thing indie rockers have a hankering for 90s rock, too, since José González, Ryan Adams, and Matt Nathanson have put out some really amazing renditions I couldn’t help but share. Enjoy!
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Kylie Minogue – “Hand On Your Heart” (original, 1989)
Get out your scrunchies and jelly sandals! Okay, so this one technically came out in 1989, but why split hairs? Australian teen singing sensation Kylie Minogue is an interesting case. She first came onto the scene with “The Loco-Motion” remake (don’t act like you don’t remember all the words to this one), put out a string of forgettable teeny-boppery hits that were even more popular abroad, but then later morphed into this full-blown sexpot to be mostly worshiped by Europeans and/or gay men. I’ll excuse Kylie for “Hand On Your Heart” since she matured into a capable dance music songstress with a repertoire of infectious tunes like ”Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” (superhot video), ”Come Into My World,” (neat video) and “Love At First Sight” (great falling-in-love tune) that I still wholeheartedly love to this very day.  So, what’s the deal with this one, Kylie? It’s sugary bubblegum pop that’s not even bad-in-a-good-way or remotely listenable in this day and age. I’ve decided to pardon this musical crime since it did come out 20 years ago and she clearly didn’t know any better. Her lyrical message may even be profound, but I wouldn’t know because I can’t get past the awful music to even decipher it. After ascertaining through lyrical analysis that this song is about the heartbreak associated with ultimatums and a flailing relationship, I’m even more confused since the music is so upbeat. Umm, what? And who, may I ask, is the supposed trackmaster who came up with the beat? The same people who created Rick Astley‘s “Never Gonna Give You Up?” Tsk tsk.
Kylie Minogue – “Hand On Your Heart”
José González cover (2007)
Does anyone know how to say “absolutely breathtaking” in Swedish? If P Diddy invented the remix, then I’d say José González is well on his way to reinventing the cover song. As fellow PopWrecker Jeff said in his review of Mark Kozelek‘s newest LP, “When he covers a song, he doesn’t just pick up a guitar and play, he smashes the source material into dust and then puts the pieces back together in an odd and delicate way until it becomes something often times deeper and more profound than the initial conception.” I think these sentiments hit the nail on the head for González, as well, with this acoustic rendition. It stands on its own beautifully and almost sounds like a completely different, albeit better, song!  I bet some indie kids have no idea he is even playing a cover and are likely to gasp when they find out that Kylie Minogue sings the original (especially after they hear her relatively worse version). And who can’t help but feel like crying when José González sings “You know it’s one thing to say you love me / But another to mean it from the heart / And if you don’t intend to see it through / Why did we ever start?” Not since Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie have I heard such innocent, pure, genuine, plaintive male vocals that really tug at my heartstrings with every lyric uttered. Unlike Minogue’s version, González actually makes the listener aware of the urgent emotional nature of the song and the singer’s final plea to their significant other to save the relationship.  ”I won’t believe you til you put your hand on your heart and tell me that it’s over / Look me in the eye and tell me we are really through.” Oh, man. Someone please give José a hug for me!  He does “Hand On Your Heart” a giant favor since the gentle strumming and softspoken vocals really capture a beautiful sadness that it truly deserves.
José González – “Hand On Your Heart” (Kylie Minogue)
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Alice in Chains – “Down In A Hole” (original, 1992)
Why doesn’t Alice In Chains ever get the respect they deserve in cultivating that inimitable, yet-to-be-replicated, 90s Seattle “grunge” sound I love so much? It wasn’t only about the Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden trifecta, people!  Am I the only person who experienced tingles the first time they heard that genius bassline during the intro of “Would?” or saw lead singer Layne Staley (may he rest) wail into that microphone in its video?  Man, that shit still holds up.  Anyway, “Down In A Hole” off Dirt is one of their best and “prettier” songs that still deals with their usual themes of despair, suicide, and drug addiction. Basically, real and serious personal problems that can’t exactly be fixed with a leisurely trip to the Space Needle. Funnily, not many other bands can write brooding melodies with exceedingly dark overtones in such a poetic way (“Bury me softly in this womb / I give this part of me for you / Sand rains down and here I sit / Holding rare flowers in a tomb”). With Staley’s snarl and guitarist Jerry Cantrell‘s moody yet soft vocals, they create incredible harmony that mesh perfectly with downtrodden guitar riffs and a musical aura of hopelessness and ubiquitous gloom. If you dig this version, check out their MTV Unplugged acoustic rendition as it’s a gorgeous take on an already amazing original piece of music.
Alice In Chains – “Down In A Hole”
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover (2007)
Alt-country’s most prolific and prodigal son, Ryan Adams, just doesn’t know when to stop… and, hey, I’ve got no complaints! In fact, he churns out like fifty albums a year and I’m sure he’s completed a new EP in the time it takes you to finish reading this post. Speaking of EPs, Adams decided to throw in an Alice In Chains cover and put out his own country-fied rendition of “Down In A Hole” for his Follow The Lights EP. In this slower-paced, less intense version, he replaces Layne Staley’s signature snarl-meets-scream with his own fusion of bluesy yelps and croons that perfectly mesh with a capable backing band, complete with electric guitars, pedal steels, pianos, soft percussion, and soulful back-up singers. I’m not surprised he chose to tackle this song since Adams is no stranger to drama, personal issues, and alleged substance abuse, but I hope he’s aware that he looks like Richie Cunningham compared to the once truly troubled Staley, who ultimately lost his life to his battle with heroin. But Adams’ lack of bleakness here does not detract from a unique rendition that sheds an interesting, new light on the original. In fact, his version makes “Down In A Hole” sound more about a song that deals with confusion, feeling low, and not quite knowing what to do or where to go from here. Besides, as any longtime fan of Ryan Adams can attest, these themes are what he himself knows and sings about best.
Ryan Adams -Â “Down In A Hole” (Alice In Chains)
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James – “Laid” (original, 1993)
Oh man, where do I start with this rock gift that just keeps on giving with each listen! This song is hysterical, smart, simply genius, stimulating, risqué, addictive, and absolutely nuts. Basically, all the adjectives I prefer to describe anything I’m usually into!  Quite possibly one of the best songs to hear on the jukebox at your local tavern circa last call, I’ve always been partial to “Laid” because it’s silly listening to intoxicated people trying to hit the high notes during “preeettttyyy.” They never do, but still manage to hit the mark because no one cares since the song kicks ass. One of James‘ few hits to reach American audiences, it’s been rumored to be about a man’s issues with facing transvestite desires (“dress me up in women’s clothes, messed around with gender roles, line my eyes and call me pretty”), but I highly doubt it considering it’s titled “Laid”. I prefer the commonly accepted interpretation of a passionate, sexual relationship with no hope outside the bedroom (“this bed is on fire with passion and love, the neighbors complain about the noises above”), a can’t live with/can’t live without you situation that’s hard to escape (“my therapist said not to see you no more, she said you’re like a disease without any cure”), a relationship with a nymphomaniac, control-freak, quintessentially psycho girlfriend (“but she only comes when she’s on top”) who enjoys emasculating her dude (see above: “women’s clothes” lyric) and all the frustration that accompanies such obsessive passion and perhaps BDSM (“slammed your fingers in the door, fought with kitchen knives and skewers”). The best part is the witty retort “Ah, you think you’re so pretty.” It’s the coolest verbal bitch-slap, stay in your place, deflate-that-ego-now, get over yourself diss to tell a truly irritating [female] love interest. Overall, it’s a simple, quick rock ditty that’s fun to sing along to, but it’s the lyrics and vocal delivery that make this song remarkable. You can totally hear the frustration in lead singer Tim Booth‘s voice and his words perfectly capture the madness and sweet hell that love can sometimes create. My favorite part of the song is the:  ”I bought a new house, so you moved next door / I locked you out, you cut a hole in the wall / I found you sleeping next to me, I thought I was alone / You’re driving me crazy, when are you coming home.” Every time I hear that verse, I smile to myself and seriously wish I’d written it in this life (and not just a past one) because it’s just so effin’ awesome.
Matt Nathanson cover (2003)
This version is so cute!  You may recognize this one from the American Wedding soundtrack back in the day, as well as being the de facto theme song in the trailers for all the dozens of other crappy American Pie presents… movies and subpar spinoffs that followed. Matt Nathanson took a classic 90s rock gem and performed an elegant cover that adds a sunnier tone and some poppiness to perk things up a tad. I believe I even hear some cellos? They are a surprise addition that lace in a little sophistication with the overall upbeat and updated sound.  I must say “nice job,” since it works and I truly dig this cover. With all the additional pep, it could never outshine the perfection of the original but I think he’s aware of that impossibility and isn’t trying to steal James’ thunder at all. I also get the impression he really enjoys this song and merely wants to put his own little fun spin on “Laid”, which results in a longer version with the addition of a pretty musical outro that is not present in the one before. My only complaint, if this even qualifies as one, is that this rendition totally lacks the snarky quality of the original. There’s no sense of cheap shots, low blows, or jabs at an annoying significant other here in Nathanson’s tone. Honestly, he doesn’t even sound annoyed which sort of is what makes the original so brilliant and, well, funny and allows the singer’s frustration to ring true. Either way, I still consider this a successful cover song I could happily hear over and over, due to my love of “Laid”, in general, as well as Nathanson’s fantastic interpretation. And hey, even if you disagree with me here you’ve got to at least give him credit for totally nailing those high notes required for that ”preeeeetttyyyyy” part. Just plain awesome.
Matt Nathanson – “Laid” (James)
