The Top 5 Indie Rock Cover Songs

A List of Popular Cover Versions by Indie Music Artists

Feb 20, 2009 Sarah Chapnick

Here is a list of five extremely popular and successful songs that have been recreated by indie rock artists.

The cover song is a popular way for musicians to show off their creativity and talent by transforming previously created works into their own unique sound. A successfully executed cover song can increase a band’s popularity and add to their credibility; however, if a cover version is deemed unsuccessful, the potential for negative consequences are endless. Fortunately, a large amount of indie rock artists seem to have mastered this peculiar art; leading to the creation of some of the most successfully implemented cover songs ever to be released. Here are the top five cover songs created by indie rock artists.

The Kooks -“Crazy”

The song was originally created by Gnarls Barkley on their 2006 debut album,”St. Elsewhere”.

The English indie-rock band first performed the acoustic cover, while guests on the BBC Radio 1 show, Live Lounge. The intoxicating blend of lead singer, Luke Pritchard’s exotic voice and the creative acoustic adaptation of the song’s melody, successfully re-creates the R&B hit into a mellow indie tune.

The Guillemots – “Take Me Out”

The song was originally created by the band, Franz Ferdinand on their self titled debut album, released in 2004.

The cover version of “Take Me Out, is yet another inventive cover song , courtesy of the BBC Radio 1 show, Live Lounge. The Guillemots first performed their marching band version of Franz Ferdinand’s break out hit in September of 2006.

Marie Digby - “Love Hurts”

The song was originally created by the band, Incubus; on their sixth album, “Light Grenades”, released in 2008.

Marie Digby first found fame as an indie artist, by posting her cover of the popular Rihanna song, “Umbrella”, on YouTube. The American Singer/Songwriter has since achieved a huge fan-base through her unique and talented cover songs that she posts on YouTube. The online indie artist’s cover of the hit song, “Love Hurts”, is a prime example of her great musical talent. Digby’s cover consists of nothing more than the sound of her brilliant voice and a clever piano interpretation of the song’s melody, recreating the popular rock ballad into a soulful piano track.

Elliott Smith - “Jealous guy”

The song was originally created by ex-Beatle, John Lennon; on his album, “Imagine”, released in 1971.

Elliott Smith’s cover version of, “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon, was one of the best indie cover songs ever to be created. The indie Singer/Songwriter flawlessly captures the song’s captivating whimsical melody and sincere tone. Smith frequently performed his inspiring cover version live in concert and the song quickly became a popular request for his fans.

Johnny Hollow - “People are Strange”

The song was originally created by the band The Doors; on their album, “Strange Days”, released in 1967.

The Canadian band recreates the classic song with their distinctive electronic and orchestral sound. Johnny Hollow completely transformed The Doors song, with their dark theatrical melody and artistic female vocals. The Ontario based rockers, first released their dramatic cover version on their self entitled album that was released in 2008.

This list encompasses only five of the great cover songs that have been created by indie rock artists over the years.

The copyright of the article The Top 5 Indie Rock Cover Songs in Indie Music is owned by Sarah Chapnick. Permission to republish The Top 5 Indie Rock Cover Songs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Elliott Smith memorial wall in Los Angeles, CA	The Guillemots in Concert	The Kooks Lead Singer Luke Pritchard
Canadian Indie Rock band Johnny Hallow in concert	Painting of ex- Beatle John Lennon