Cover songs aren’t just for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes! Most bands have done at least one cover. Since covers are quick and easy to record, bands will often contribute them to projects such as compilations, tribute albums, and soundtracks. Covers get a bad rap, but every once in a while you come across one that is well-done, possibly even better than the original. Here are my top 10 cover songs, in no particular order:

• Nirvana‘s cover of “The Man Who Sold The World” by David Bowie (listen)
• The Blood Brothers‘ cover of “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie (listen)
• At the Drive-In‘s cover of “This Night Has Opened My Eyes” by The Smiths (listen)
• Between The Buried And Me‘s cover of “Colorblind” by Counting Crows (listen)
• Thursday‘s cover of “Ever Fallen In Love” by the Buzzcocks (listen)
• The Number Twelve Looks Like You‘s cover of “My Sharona” by The Knack (listen)
• Taking Back Sunday‘s cover of “Suburban Home/I Like Food” by Descendents (listen)
• Youth Group‘s cover of “Forever Young” by Alphaville (listen)
• Muse‘s cover of “House Of The Rising Sun” (listen)
• Gary Jules‘ cover of “Mad World” by Tears for Fears (listen)

Runner Up: The Postal Service‘s cover of “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins (listen)

Cover songs are also really common at live shows since they’re so much fun and everyone can sing along regardless of whether or not they are familiar with the band playing the cover. These typically aren’t recorded, but we always have YouTube. Here’s one of my favorites; Davey Havok of AFI singing with the band Ceremony to a cover of “Straight Edge Revenge” by Project X:

Many thanks go to Kristi for her post Covers: Do or Don’t? which inspired me to make this list. Her blog is 100% awesomeness and we’re actually affies now!

// EDIT
I just found out 2 seconds ago that “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’conner is a cover of a Prince/The Family song and now I wish I could ammend my post because I fucking love that song! Ugh!

I love this video, but the real winner is the song and that Billie Jean beat that grabs you in the beginning.

Michael Jackson isn’t the only influence on Angles; every track on this album has a different sound. Two Kinds of Happiness is so David Bowie (obvious example @ 1:40) while Gratisfaction is Billy Joel straight up (obvious example @ 1:12). Despite my general disdain for when bands completely change their sound, I love this record! I haven’t stopped spinning it since my preorder arrived from Amazon! It really grows on you, so even if you’re loyal to that garage sound The Strokes used to have, you can’t help but fall in love with these songs.

The Strokes aesthetic has really changed though. If you notice their, umm, interesting fashion choices… all that remains is Julian’s leather jacket, a throwback to that dirty Rock n’ Roll sound they used to have. Oh 2001, how I miss you so…