Music Monday -- Favorite Covers II

While sifting through all our music, I came across a ton of songs (over 1000) that I wanted to add to my 101 Favorite Songs list.  I had to narrow it down.  As part of my narrowing, I decide to delete all covers from the list.  But those are some great songs, ones I really love.  So, I decided to give them their own series on Music Monday.  If you like covers, stay tuned for some good ones. Part I.

Ben Folds "Tiny Dancer" -- Ignore the visuals, the sound is great.

Original -- Elton John

Chris Thile "Dead Leaves and a Dirty Ground" -- Love his version, such a different sound than The White Stripes..

Original -- The White Stripes

Glee "Dream On" -- The video versions were all horrible, just listen...

Original -- Aerosmith

Alien Ant Farm "Smooth Criminal"

Original -- Michael Jackson (long version for you...)

Nickel Creek "Tomorrow is a Long Time" -- I love her voice!

Original -- Bob Dylan

Music Monday -- "Landslide"

Another cover themed edition of Music Monday.  I have a little place in my heart for Fleetwood Mac.  I think it has to do with hearing them as a child.  Their songs are instantly recognizable to me.  I hear them and can't help but sing along.  And Stevie Nicks' voice is just too amazing.  While going through our iTunes account in prep for my 101 Fave Songs posts, I found multiple covers this song.  So here we go...

Fleetwood Mac: The Original (live version from 2006)

Tori Amos: How beautiful is her voice?

Smashing Pumpkins: A man singing, interesting swap.

Dixie Chicks: I think this country version is the closest to the original.

Glee: I do love me some Glee.  Not always the best covers, but always different.

Bush: Just found this one on YouTube. I had to add it.

Music Monday -- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

It's been two weeks since I did a Music Monday.  And there was a gap before that one.  I'm slacking.  I admit.  When I first started writing this post, I thought of reasons why I hadn't written: I just moved, it's been nonstop since I got here, I have been job searching.  But then I realized,  those are all excuses, not reasons why.  So, I'm recommitting myself to my blogging.  And exciting news: I have a job interview tomorrow!  Finally!

I feel like this an appropriate song for my mindset of the last year.  I have been in a funk.  It's been hard to have hope.  It's been tough going.  Yet, I keep trying to tell myself that someday things would get better.  And so one of my favorite songs of all time.  Beautiful, haunting, inspiring...

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far Behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon dropsAway above the chimney topsThat's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I?

Versions and ratings:

The Classic: Judy Garland -- Of course I have to include the classic.  She's just so amazing.  I love this scene in the movie. Definitely #1

A more modern version: Israel Kamakawiwo Ole' -- An island feel.  Gorgeous. #3

Eva Cassidy: #8

Katharine McPhee: #7

Glee version: A fun version. I had to add something from Glee! #4

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes: Of course we needed a punk version to add to the mix. #5

Josh Groban: I do love Josh Groban. #6

Jewel: I adore this version. #2

"Glee"ful Adoration!

So I am a Gleek.  I fully admit it.  I love the soap opera-like crazy plot lines.  I love the over the top musical numbers.  I love all the Brittany and Santana one-liners. The one thing that I haven't loved is the lack of really good classic rock songs.  I've been wishing for some Queen and Bowie for forever.  And last week's episode (I know I'm a bit late, but I forgot about watching it and just watched it on Hulu.com) "Silly Love Songs" fulfilled my dream.  Puck sang "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen as his love song to Lauren.  Oh my Goodness!  I love that song and loved loved loved his rendition!  I just had to run over (okay okay click over) to iTunes and buy it.  That's big, I don't do that, but I had to do it.  And strangely it did put me into the Valentine's Day spirit, albeit a little late.  But that's okay, it's the thought that counts. *As a definite second favorite song from the episode, Artie's "PYT" was awesomely silly and sexy at the same time.  I love him! And Blaine's Gap Attack was pretty awesome too.  And I'm pretty sure I liked Rachel's "Fireworks" more than Katy Perry's.  Okay, okay, the entire episode was kinda awesome!