3 Genre-Bending Covers That Turn the Original Upside Down

There is nothing better than when your favorite artist covers another one of your favorite artists’ songs. It shows they have a genuine respect for one another, and you get to experience that first hand. With that in mind, many musicians have taken this respect quite literally and given near-verbatim covers of their favorite tunes.

Although, there are a few exceptions to that level of respect. Contrary to staying true to the original piece, many artists have taken songs, covered them, and in the process reimagined them consequently making an almost entirely new song. That being so, it is through these respectable creative liberties that artists can create something original out of something pre-existing. Paradoxical, yes, but a paradox that most everyone can understand. Here are three covers that turn original songs upside down.

1. Led Zeppelin’s “In My Time of Dyin”

Originally a gospel dirge written by Blind Willie Johnson, “In My Time of Dyin,” is primarily known as Bob Dylan’s 1962 cover. Zeppelin seemingly inspired by Dylan’s cover, turned the lamenting tune into a rock ‘n’ roll blues song that is unrecognizable even to trained ears. Filled with slide guitar, superfluous drum fills, and Robert Plant’s notorious screaming crescendos—the song takes on a version Dylan or Johnson probably never thought it would.

In addition to changing every single musical aspect, Zeppelin also adds numerous verses to the lyrics. Particularly, they add the phases it takes to reach heaven, adding: Oh, Saint Peter, at the gates of heaven / Won’t you let me in? and Oh, oh, Gabriel, oh, let me blow your horn. Neither in Johnson nor Dylan’s rendition, the inclusion sticks to the original subtext and adds a layer of nuance to the song.

2. Sturgill Simpson’s “The Promise“

This one is almost unfathomable. “The Promise,” released by When In Rome in 1988, is a quintessential ’80s tune embodying every musical technique of the time. Nevertheless, Simpson, who has an awfully diverse music taste, took it as an opportunity to refurbish the romanticism of the song.

Transforming it into a slow-stepping alt-rock country tune. The song has a hard time being put into a genre. Though, that is what is so magnificent about it. The piece is a masterclass cover. It exemplifies how if lyrics are powerful enough, they can be put into any musical medium and become just as, if not more impactful, than the original.

3. The Talking Heads’ “Take Me To The River“

Originally written and released by r&b icon, Al Green, “Take Me to The River” has been covered numerous times. However, each cover has stayed within the confines Green implemented. Except, for the talking heads, who completely reimagined the song by implementing their ’70s indie sound.

If you are a Greene purist, this song is not for you. It utterly transforms the song into a contemporary ’70s song and seemingly does not include any of Green’s influences other than the lyrics. Nothing about it is r&b, rather, everything about it is screaming Talking Heads at the height of their career.

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