There are tribute bands and there are bands that earn their gold doing miserable and sloppy versions of popular songs, but countless covers abound that are weird and truly beautiful. You probably didn’t know most of these are actually versions so be prepared for a top 10 of the most underrated and bizarre covers ever. Start the journey!

11. Ken Boothe – Puppet on a String

There are times when a version really out-dates the original, and this is one of the cases. The first album from the Jamaican Ken Boothe features great Jackie Mittoo on the piano (and arrangements), and is a landmark of the Rocksteady genre. Sure, Jamaica was overwhelmed with North-American Soul and most of the hits from the 60s and 70s were covers, done in their perfect sun-kissed way. Sandie Shaw was no hit-wonder but this was her breaktrough, winner of the 1967 Eurovision contest. Weirder? Paul Mariat’s instrumental.

9. Devo – Satisfaction

Are We Not Men? No, they aren’t. Devo stands as the true weird band. Their mythology is as urgent as ever. They’ve done some pretty originals themselves but this version of the classic Rolling Stones tune is too wonderful to be put to words. The groove is tight, hints at some sunkissed reggae and turns the tune into a really desperate and insane scream. The way is should have been, initially.
There are also some other brilliant versions of this, Cat Power, Britney Spears (???) and a really great one by David McCallum.

8. Natacha Atlas – I Put a Spell on You

Really, the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic is one of the most haunting songs written, reportedly recorded over a night of partying and girls at the studio so Hawkings could record his spooky voice just like it sounded live. The Natasha Atlas version is something that words cannot describe, truly bad vocal rendition (la la la la la la….), interesting instrumental part (that has nothing to do with the original), some record scratching (wtf!!!), really overrated. Still it’s the weirdest version of the original, horrible or not.

There are truly bizzare versions of this song, but Atlas version outrates them all for being the stupidiest. The best rock cover is Credence Clearwater Revival’s rendition, from their first album. Arthur Brown’s version is wonderfully haunted as well, Buddy Guy’s Santana produced cover is also great, although a bit too guitar-wanking for my tastes. Speaking of guitar-wanking, David Gilmour also has a weird version of this, as well as The Animals. Other known version is by Marylin Manson, but you knew that.

It’s Nina Simone that tops the charts for making it her own, as well as everything the lady touched. Gold.

7. Jane Rossi – In the Year 2525

You know, I just had to have some italo in this selection. The Zager & Evans 2068, sorry, 1968 song is a truly weird composition, well know but still underrated in its haunting vision of the future. Talk about cyberpunk, man. Anyway, there are some horrible versions of this, Ian Brown has made it kind of cabaret, Fields of Nephilim turned it into a dark metal ensemble, Visage made it even cheesier, Venice Beat just simply fucked it up for the new millennia (don’t listen to it, you’ll regurgitate), Pete Stark does it the same way but even cheesier than Visage, Mystic turned it into a good Disco party, and Kitbuilders… well, fuck, just listen to it. But this Jane Rossi version exhales the sweet cheese that was Italo and Hi-NRG back in the day, making it happier but haunting as well. And bizarre. And with a great instrumental bit that makes 98% of the song. But even weirder is Robin’s 1969 chord-by-chord Finnish version, you just have to listen to it. And if you’re into translations, check up The Sounds rendition. Bliss.

6. Colorado – California Dreamin’

Okay. Disco. When you think of Covers and Disco, it’s Boney M you want. They have versions for almost everything but nothing like the Mamas & the Papas original gospel. Shame that this is only the Top of the Pops short version, on record it sounds more epic and even cheesier, the kind of good cheese. Rocks every dance floor. It’s not Santa Esmeralda, by the way. Heck, they’re British. This is taken from an album of covers that include a disco medley to Rolling Stones songs. Bliss!

Now for even weirder versions. Japan’s Hi-Standard wank this beautiful song into an hardcore bowl of screams. Just plain vomit. Life-time sentence for them. Of course, Beach Boys have a hit version of this, but check out Michael Chapdelaine’s finger-picking wonder, all-instrumental. Gorgeous. Even more perfect is Mr Bobby Womac’s version, that almost nears the original in its beauty. But it’s Jose Feliciano that rocks the bunch; sings it in a desperate tone, backed up by some gorgeous strings. Heaven. Check out the Carpenter’s rendition, just for some Karen caressing.

5. Carlos Bastos – Hey Jude

Pretty sure you haven’t heard this. Beautiful version of the ever-so-popular Beatles classic in glorious Fado. Carlos Bastos sings it in an ironic bad english. Yes, it’s a joke. Bastos has a version of (I can get no) Satisfaction as well. This is pure delight and a great arrangement by António Chainho on the Portuguese guitar. A really underrated classic. The Temptations have a really weird and wonderful vocal rendition to the classic, these guys could do whatever they wanted with their voices.

4. Goldfrapp – Yes, Sir, I can Boogie

Everybody knows that the Eurovision hit by Baccara is a beautiful love boogie, it doesn’t need any versions. But as scarse as they are, each of them is intensely exciting. Goldfrapp’s thing turns the boogie into plain raw sex, has a strong build up and never fails to be as sexy as the original, in it’s own peculiar contemporary way. Forget about Denice French’s eurodance cover or Sophie Elis Baxtor version. Goldfrapp is the true thing.

3. Flying Lizzards – Money (that’s what I want)

More bizzare than this version of the Barret Strong’s 1959 classic is the way this was a new-wave hit. Flying Lizards were a truly weird ensemble dwelling on minimal and experimental music. This version is tasty pop, with a razor sharp experimental edge, perfect for the new wave crowd. Check out their version of Great Balls of Fire, also bizarre. Also, check out Led Zep’s rendition, that doesn’t really sound anything like the original or Zep.

2. Iggy Pop – Family Affair

A hidden gem from the stooge, the original is no less weird and beautiful, in fact, it’s one of the greatest songs ever. Sly Stone recorded this for the 1972 album There’s a Riot Going on and his original is no less muddy and moody. The album sounds like it was picked from an underwater shipwreck, as the tapes he used for the final versions were erased and recorded countless times due to a year of cocain fueled late night sessions. Parties at Sly’s crib were famous, the funk master did hire security to prevent people from bringing outside stash, it was his own stuff, the way he wanted. A landmark album.

1. Grace Jones – She’s Lost Control

Joy Division are (unfortunately) very extensively covered, as if every hip head suddenly started to like one of the most beautiful weird bands ever, and the best of them. Truly bad covers were made of Love Will Tear us Apart, 99% of them suck, specially Nouvelle Vague’s. She’s Lost Control is another brilliant song from their debut, Unknown Pleasures, and in 1995 somebody decided to release A Means to an End, a collection of versions. Girls Against Boys angst-ridden and teenage riot version is the best of the compilation, but it’s Grace Jone’s version that tops them all. Eight Minutes of pure crazy dub.