# Ironic soft covers of harder songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819 "2009-09-04T02:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/1 "2009-09-04T02:47:58Z")
A while back I was greatly amused by Alanis’ Tori Amos-like slow emo piano cover of Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps”. More recently my brother found two new gems - a typical Ben Folds style [cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSJxvi767kQ) of Dr. Dre’s “Bitches Ain’t Shit” and Milow’s popular [cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE9IchvpOPk) of 50 cent’s Ayo Technology. Anyone have some more examples? Ironically softer versions (folk, piano, acapella) of harder songs (rap, R&B, punk) is best but I’ll open it up to any cover whose musical style is in radical opposition to the original including going from soft to hard… Or other covers that are extremely noteworthy or unique. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/2 "2009-09-04T02:53:57Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/w-GJJasTwDY/hqdefault.jpg "Down With The Sickness- Richard Cheese in SF") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-GJJasTwDY) They did this in the remake of _Dawn of the Dead_ ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/3 "2009-09-04T02:55:19Z")
Richard Cheese did a whole album of covers in the “lounge” style. [http://www.richardcheese.com/spop-latm.html](http://www.richardcheese.com/spop-latm.html) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/4 "2009-09-04T02:56:44Z")
The Cardigans include at least one metal cover on every album. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/5 "2009-09-04T03:00:14Z")
James Taylor covering DMX’s “Party Up” (Not really :D) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMlNrXFJVJ0) ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/6 "2009-09-04T03:01:32Z")
The best known example is Dynamite Hack’s pop rock cover of “Boyz in the Hood”. I’ve also heard a very good piano ballad arrangement of Tool’s “Stinkfist”, but that was just something that some random person did, so I can’t point you towards it. The single biggest genre change I’ve ever heard is Arcturus’ remix of their own “Master of Disguise”. The [original](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTQmWHGNGZM) is a dark, carnival-influenced operatic piece. The [remix](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vBWlLSHX4), on the other hand, is a straight up rap track. Both versions feature the same vocalist. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/7 "2009-09-04T03:08:27Z")
How 'bout [Aztec Camera’s cover of “Jump”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bzKzbucdnE)? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/8 "2009-09-04T03:12:24Z")
Jose Feliciano’s cover of _Light my Fire_ by the Doors. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/9 "2009-09-04T03:17:18Z")
It’s not shareable, but I have an mp3 of Lou Barlow (of Sebadoh and the Folk Implosion) singing an acoustic version of Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice” like it was the saddest, most poignant love song in the world. More in the “unique” covers category, I love the Afghan Whigs’ bluesy cover of “If I Only Had a Heart” from the Wizard of Oz. Greg Dulli makes the Tin Man sound like a complete psychopath, and it’s awesome. You can hear a middling-quality live recording [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk-qqSop9fI&feature=PlayList&p=6FF03794770EA48C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28), or find a much better studio recording on their “Honky’s Ladder” EP (and you can hear it [here](http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/The+Afghan+Whigs/_/If+I+Only+Had+A+Heart) on Last.fm). The Afghan Whigs were infamous for their unusual covers (old Motown songs, modern R&B, showtunes, popular rock hits that you’d never think of covering yourself, etc.) – YouTube has a bunch of them. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/10 "2009-09-04T03:26:56Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > It’s not shareable, but I have an mp3 of Lou Barlow (of Sebadoh and the Folk Implosion) singing an acoustic version of Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice” like it was the saddest, most poignant love song in the world. It can be heard [here](http://www.bomb-mp3.com/download.php?mp3_id=2833485&title=Lou+Barlow+-+Cold+as+Ice+%28Foreigner+cover+acoustic%29). ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/11 "2009-09-04T03:39:36Z")
Obadiah Parker did a soft cover of OutKast’s Hey Ya. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8-8nkkOA_AM/hqdefault.jpg "Hey Ya Cover") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA_AM) ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/12 "2009-09-04T03:46:39Z")
Jonathan Coulton did [Baby Got Back](http://www.jonathancoulton.com/songdetails/Baby%20Got%20Back) mellowed out and slow. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/13 "2009-09-04T03:46:55Z")
An ironically softer and downtempo [medley of Santana songs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPNF5PkDGCY) done by the technically “harder”, metal band, Type O Negative- Lounge Metal, I guess. [Phish’s Freebird](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32jEcI6n-Rc&feature=PlayList&p=4BEEAAB9FE360BD1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1) Unfortunately, I could only find that rather untypical version of their Freebird with Naomi Judd which, in itself, might meet your OP’s criteria. The real concert experience usually involves a White Grand Piano, Men in dresses, and a free flowing, 30 minute, blues improv, of Freebird a la The Grateful Dead. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/14 "2009-09-04T03:49:44Z")
Don’t know if this fits as I never actually heard the recordings- [Pat Boone](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Boone#Recent_career) _No More Mr Nice Guy_, an entire album of heavy metal covers. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/15 "2009-09-04T03:56:24Z")
This falls under your “noteworthy” clause… The Beatle’s [Day Tripper](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6WNWiGkJYk&feature=related) covered by Type O Negative. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/16 "2009-09-04T03:57:25Z")
And of course, nobody does Tori-Amos-like like Tori Amos. Not all necessarily ironic, but slow covers of ‘harder’ songs include: Raining Blood (Slayer) Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) Can’t Get You Outta My Head (Kylie Minogue) 97 Bonnie and Clyde (Eminem) ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/17 "2009-09-04T08:30:00Z")
Those are from an album of Tori Amos doing covers: Strange Little Girls. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/18 "2009-09-04T08:42:38Z")
Best one ever: [Nina Gordon covers Straight Outta Compton](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2EGOB9-lc) ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/19 "2009-09-04T10:12:05Z")
[Snoop at the Grand Ole Opry. Willie in Amsterdam.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks3w859ujbU) Not a cover at all, but is a bit of cross genre dressing. ---
**Author:** ![Elyanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5ac83/32.png) [@Elyanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elyanna)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819/20 "2009-09-04T10:22:11Z")
All the Small Things was a British television drama in which pop and rock songs were sung by a choir. Here is [“What’s my Age Again?”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDZxZzNk848) originally by Blink 182 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-soft-covers-of-harder-songs/508819.md?page=2)