As is the case in most years, as well as the normal list of songs I enjoyed through the years, there are also a heap of cover songs. The originals can be found here , but here is a much shorter list of the best cover songs of 2024.
With that brief introduction, these are my favourite cover songs from 2024!
Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay
As has become usual, many of these songs are from YouTube artists I follow or from Triple-J’s Like A Version programme. A few have even come from albums I have reviewed or received. My simple rules carry over – one song per artist for this list, released in 2024, no live only tracks. That’s it. And there are 12 songs here, so not much talking from me.
Listed in order of song title. My favourite cover songs of 2024.
’Always On My Mind (new version)’ by Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys’ newest album came with a bonus EP of re-recordings of five of their classic songs. This is actually my favourite song by the band, and the re-recording works surprisingly well. (Original version by Gwen McRae or Brenda Lee, via Pet Shop Boys.)
’Burning Down The House’ by Paramore
I was disappointed in the album of covers of songs by Talking Heads, but a few of the songs still stood out, and this is one of the two better ones from that collection. (Original version by Talking Heads.)
’Cruel Summer’ by G Flip
G Flip is an artist that is growing on me and has been for a while now, but this Like A Version track is one of my favourites by her. (Original version by Taylor Swift.)
’Dreams’ by Jared Halley feat Bailey Rushlow
Regular readers were probably waiting for Jared to appear, as he is my favourite YouTube artist. Bailey’s voice here really complements his so well. And the first of two versions of this song. (Original version by Fleetwood Mac.)
’Dreams’ by NoRadio
Another band I only discovered this year because I found a video essay by the percussionist. And the second version of this song for this list! (Original version by Fleetwood Mac.)
’Love Resurrection (Key Version)’ by Alison Moyet
I was not a huge fan of the redone songs on Moyet’s Key album. They were not bad, but didn’t need re-doing, I felt. However, I really did enjoy this one. (Original by Alison Moyet.)
’Numb’ by Erik Grönwall
I discovered Erik this year through a friend who sent me a link to his YouTube page, and what a singer. Listening through, he has done some amazing versions of songs, and this one just stands out. His voice is so good. (Original version by Linkin Park.)
’Oh Well’ by Slash feat. Chris Stapleton
Slash’s album this year was nearly all cover songs, and this was the best of a magnificent collection. (Original by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac.)
’Take Me To The River’ by Lorde
I was disappointed in the album of covers of songs by Talking Heads, but a few of the songs still stood out, and this is one of the two better ones from that collection. (Original Version by Al Green, via Talking Heads.)
’Von Dutch’ by Yours Truly
Another Like A Version track and one that I thought was one of the best Australian releases of 2024. (Original version by Charli XCX.)
’Wildest Dreams’ by Dragonforce
Dragonforce has started doing cover versions of songs on their albums, and this version just amps the original up to 11. And then some. (Original version by Taylor Swift.)
And I will finish with a comedy song and a medley of recent songs.
’Polkamania!’ by ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic
Yes, ‘Weird Al’ released a new track this year, one of his patented polka-infused medleys of big hits from the past (quite a) few years. Always good value, and a great way to end up this list.
So, that’s 12 cover songs from 2024. Again, I hope there was something here for everyone to enjoy, and along with the first list, gives us 37 great songs from last year!