Festival season is almost here, which means you are going to see a lot of bands playing cover songs. Since cover bands often get a bad rap -- and we presented our "cover song setlists from hell" last year -- we decided to present you with a list of our all-time favorite cover versions.

Use the Talkback feature to add yours. And, as always, rock on!

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff writer
This was a difficult list to compile, and I'm sure I am spacing a few favorites, but this is what I came up with after mulling it over.

"Sweet Jane" -- Cowboy Junkies (Velvet Underground): I love the original recording of this song by the mighty Velvet Underground, but Margo Timmons' sultry version takes it to an entirely new, and very sexy, place.

"Personal Jesus" -- Johnny Cash (Depeche Mode): The Man in Black nails this tune that was originally recorded by the dark '80s band. (Martin Gore eat your heart out.) Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is great, too.

"I Will Survive" -- Cake (Gloria Gaynor): Originally a 1978 hit, "I Will Survive" got funkier and way more interesting once Cake got a hold of it. The new bass line is simple but stand out.

"Follow Me" -- Innocence Mission (John Denver): Karen Peris' beautiful, innocent voice perfectly complements -- and adds an eerie edge -- to the simple sentiments of this classic John Denver tune.

"Red, Red Wine" -- UB40 (Neil Diamond): Overplayed, yes, but still a much better version of a run-of-the-mill Neil Diamond song.

Julie Lawrence
Staff Writer
Generally speaking, my feelings surrounding cover songs lingers near underwhelmed at best, but every so often someone just nails it. As far as I can tell, there's no specific formula to getting in right - Copious imitation? Make it your own? Who can say for sure? Whatever it is, the following songs (in no particular preference order) were treated properly by their step-parents.

"Little Red Book" -- Love (Manfred Mann)

"Runnin' Out of Fools" -- Neko Case (Aretha Franklin)

"Thunder Road" -- Bonnie "Prince Billy & Tortoise (Bruce Springsteen)

"Crazy in Love" -- Antony & The Johnsons (Beyonce)

"Oh! Susanna" -- The Be Good Tanyas (Stephen Foster...in 1848!)

Drew Olson
Senior editor
It was hard to narrow my list, but this assignment was pretty much my idea so I can't really complain. I agree with Ms. Lawrence's opinion that covers are totally subjective. Some are so strong that they usurp the original, others head off in different tangents. Others are shamelessly faithful, but still effective. In the end, thinking too much about why you like something can actually make you not like it. Here are my favorites:

"Bertha" -- Los Lobos (Grateful Dead)

"Summertime Blues" -- The Who (Eddie Cochran)

"Lonely Weekend" -- The Remains (Charlie Rich)

"Rhinestone Cowboy" -- Soul Asylum (Glen Campbell)

"Money (That's What I Want)" -- The Beatles (Barrett Strong)
"Quarter to Three" -- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Gary U.S. Bonds)

"Hurt" -- Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)

"Mr Tambourine Man" -- The Byrds (Bob Dylan)

"I'm Tired Joey Boy" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Van Morrison)

Bobby Tanzilo
Managing Editor
Pick: Billy Bragg covers

In the early days of his career, Billy Bragg stripped down tunes making songs like The Smiths' "Jeane," John Cale's "Fear is a Man's Best Friend," The Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears" (which he never recorded, but played at gigs) and Ry Cooder's "The Tatler" his own. And, to me, that's the mark of a great cover song. Note for note versions are completely worthless endeavors, although sometimes attempted note for noters can't help but be affected by the performers' powerful personalities and the results are great. I'm thinking of John Lennon writing his name all over Arthur Alexander's "Anna," for example. Another favorite cover is Elvis Costello's live, solo electric rendition of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" that was released on a 12" promo 45 around the time "King of America" was released in 1987.

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13 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by CoolerKing on May 20, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (report)

I recently heard The Ukranians doing a cover of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" that had I not already knew it as a Smiths song I would've assumed it was an original Russian folk song. Amazing.

Posted by BrewCityAllstar on May 18, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. (report)

The Lemonheads doing Mrs. Robinson.

Posted by Blaine on May 18, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. (report)

If the Sam Llanas versions in questions were at the annual Neil Young birthday gig at Linnemans, Id say credit goes to his backing band that night The Carolinas. and right on for the Ward mention.

Posted by get_rad on May 18, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. (report)

Dubstar - St. Swithin's Day (Billy Bragg) Anything that the Afghan Whigs cover live

Posted by Hainer on May 18, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. (report)

I Am...I Said - Martin Zellar (Neil Diamond) Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Michael Stanley Band (Shirelles) You Are My Sunshine - Spooner (Trad.?) Somewhere Over the Rainbow - The Metro All-Stars (Judy Garland) Hey Jude - The Saw Doctors (The Beatles) Psycho Killer The Vers and/or The Phones. (Talking Heads) Throw Your Arms Around Me - Veddar/Pearl Jam/Crowded House with NYC's PS 22