I’m sure we’ve done this before, including a recent thread about Postmodern Jukebox, but why not do some more?
I just found Iron Horse doing a wonderful bluegrass rendition of Metallica’s Enter Sandman:
And, erm, *Enter Sandman* seems to be a popular choice for this kind of cover. Here's a "smooth jazz" version I found a while back:
The Beatnix’s version of Stairway to Heaven.
Just heard this version of Purple Rain covered by Dwight Yoakam.
Yannick’s C’est soiree la turned an early American rock classic into a French rap song. And I absolutely love it.
Are we including all the hundreds of classical melodies transformed into pop songs?
Like Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh?
There’s a series of CDs called Rockabye Baby that does lullaby renditions of various artists. Their versions of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Def Leppard’s “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” are two of my particular favorites.
I also love Hayseed Dixie, but while their version of Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom” is good, it misses the musical joke of the original by not being performed entirely on bass instruments.
Not a great song, exactly, but I’ve gotten stuck on a bluegrass/western version of the Game of Thrones theme. It translates to the new genre well.
Like these?
Marilyn Manson The Beautiful People POLKA version. NSFW (manson butt)
Rammstein Du Hast POLKA version.
OMG, this is freakin’ awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPclCrqOFic
No, probably more like the Hooked on Classics series that was popular in the Disco era.
For an opposite perspective, here’s a scene from the movie Longtime Companion doing a chamber orchestra version of YMCA.
I’ve always loved the Stranglers’ jammed-out psychedelic-punk rendition of “Walk On By.”
Must agree. Love his take on the lyric and the instrumentation is wonderful. Yoakum is just a great pro. Much respect.
Alanis Morrissette’s version of My Humps (can’t stand the original, but I like this version)
Pretty much everything from Trans-Siberian Orchestra (classical pieces redone in metal style)
Pretty much everything from Richard Cheese (pop songs done in lounge style)
Apocalyptica - Plays Metallica By Four Cellos has been a favorite of mine for years.
Don’t forget Dread Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin songs as reggae)!
“The Cantina Song” from Star Wars in bluegrass, from the movie Paul.
Toots and the Maytals reggae version of Take Me Home Country Roads.
Almost heaven, West Jamaica.
Not a totally different genre, but an excellent cover of the Sam Cooke R&B classic “Bring it on Home to Me” done in a slower, blues/country style by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
Countrifying a rock song seems a good way to go. Here is Steve Earle countrifying the Supersuckers’ punk/hard rock Creepy Jackalope Eye:
