Top five acoustic covers that recreate with a new spin

If you want to hear mainstream music re-imagined, then you should look no further than acoustic covers. They allow you to appreciate the songs you already know and love. In a world of electronic instruments, acoustic covers help you get back to your music roots.  Here are some of my top five acoustic covers.

1. “Blackbird” – Hozier

After attending his concert at the Microsoft Theater and hearing this cover live, I knew that I had to include it here. Hozier takes the original music and molds it to fit his own style by tearing the song down to its roots and building it back up again. Even though it seems vastly different from how the Beatles imagined it, Hozier’s interpretation of it is unbelievable.  

2. “Everlasting Love” – Jamie Cullum

This song, which was released in 1967, has undergone many remakes, but none as unique as Jamie Cullum’s version. He changes the mood of the song dramatically through his acoustic interpretation. Cullum’s version is more laid-back and takes on a jazz motif as opposed to the 60’s pop original. He does this only with three instruments — piano, drums and stand-up bass.

3. “Free Fallin’” – John Mayer

While John Mayer’s acoustic re-interpretation is not too far from the original, he is still able to put his own twist on Tom Petty’s world renowned song.  Mayer only uses three acoustic guitars as opposed to the Petty rock configuration, which makes the song more intimate and less mainstream sounding. Because Mayer’s voice is completely different than Petty’s, you can almost characterize the original and cover as individual songs.

4. “Just Like Heaven” – Katie Melua

Katie Melua’s take on the Cure’s hit track provides yet another acoustic interpretation that strips a song down to its original form. The Cure’s track is heavy rock, while Melua’s interpretation is slowed down and light. Melua uses a classic acoustic guitar to get the same melody as the synth used by the Cure. These two takes are very different, but each in their own are great.

5. “Wrecking Ball” – Two Worlds

I had to include this one because of the complete contrast with the original I found in this cover.  Most of the other songs that I have talked about were covers of relatively old tracks. This cover is unique because it is a recent, well-known song that has been completely stripped down to its roots. It features two voices harmonizing and an acoustic guitar as opposed to the heavy electronic instruments of the original.