If you missed the first article here’s a quick refresher: Each cover will be judged on its uniqueness (how creatively different they are from the original) and, more subjectively, whether the song is enjoyable. It will then be delicately placed on the spectrum, see the key below.

The Song: Your Song

Original Artist: Elton John - Released in 1970

On March 31st, 1970 an album was released with a song titled “Your Song” on it. It’s a little bit funny, but that album was called It Ain’t Easy and the band that released it was a band called Three Dog Night. At the time, a young Elton John was an opening act for the band and he allowed them to record it and release it with the aforementioned band’s third studio album. Ten days later John’s self titled album was released with “Your Song” as the opening track and, in retrospect, the foundation of his career. The song is one of his most popular (5th right now on his Spotify “Popular” list) and noteworthy (as illustrated by Taron Egerton in Rocketman, #greatscene) as it helped establish and propel him to a bona fide rock idol. And what do people do when you are a rock idol? They cover “Your Song”s...

Cover Artist: Three Dog Night - Released in 1970

Does this count as a cover since technically it was the first version released? For argument’s sake; yes, it most certainly does. However, we will call it a “version” instead of a “cover” just to be safe. This version of “Your Song”, lyrics by the venerable Bernie Taupin, is a little jiveier and carries a sound that was more of the time - organ, phasey guitar, lots of snare rim, and guitar solo interludes. All those instruments working together create a nice rhythm and flow, however; the lyrics are overshadowed by the symphonics. It has a subtext feeling as if the record company informed Three Dog Night they had to record it and told Elton John he had to let them record it. Whether or not it was by directive or choice the band does a nice job with it, technically speaking, but it feels like a one take and move on track. It has good movement and instrumentation though it kind of just ends without holding any of the emotions like the original or some of the other covers. If this were the only adaptation it would be up to standard and listenable, but not Grammy Hall of Fame level which is exactly what Elton’s “Your Song” ended up being when it was inducted in 1998.

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This one was originally “Poor Similar” but it grew on me heavily over the course of constructing the article. Give it a chance.

Cover Artist: The Streets - Released in 2008

This cover of the song is like if you were to ask a random individual to perform it at a local pub (this thought assisted by the youtube cover image). The individual has had a pint and a half so he’s feeling loose but not sloppy. The performance isn’t perfect by any means but with the cockney accent and the given situation, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Things stay true to the original in terms of arrangement until the fourth verse when the unexpected pleasure of the beat kicks in. The recording itself is very raw, which works for The Streets, but I would love to hear this variation re-recorded, mixed, and mastered with a little more high end clarity. All in all, a very solid rendition.

Cover Artist: Ellie Goulding - Released in 2010

Now, if you are a fool such as myself you would have seen Ellie perform this on Saturday Night Live in 2011 and thought it was her original song, but come on, who performs a cover on SNL!? That’s ridiculous. I will state it now: this is my personal favorite of all the songs, including the original. The piano intro is jumpy and engaging and her vocals are right there in your face giving justice to Bernie’s lyrics. F*ck, the cello is good! She sings like she means it with a slow build that is only truly appreciated once it’s over. Her personality subtly shines through as the pace lulls the listener into a state of longing and infatuation. When dealing with exemplary lyrics you want them to be heard and that is exactly what this cover accomplishes. Her “oh ah” moment at 2:06 is her best and the overall arrangement is brilliant. This one gets my heart beating every time I hear it.

Cover Artist: Lady Gaga - Released in 2018

I don’t know how she does it but from the first word it seems like she’s trying too hard. I will say, I do like Lady Gaga, though I prefer Stefani Germanotta, but that’s for a different day. Anyway, I do like her so this in no way is a smear campaign; just really don’t like her “high octane” take on the song. The cover is featured on an album titled Revamp: The Songs Of Elton John & Bernie Taupin which was released in 2018. The album features many different artists covering many different songs. (Check out the Bennie And The Jets cover, it’s pretty ballin’, especially if you like a good distorted 808). The 12th cover on the 13 track collaboration is Lady Gaga’s “Your Song” and it’s almost as if she’s doing a voice or a character but the character isn’t Elton John or anyone who has any type of an emotional connection to the song. It is classic Lady Gaga so points for making it her own. There is a nice harp feature and that, coupled with Gaga’s legitimate pipes at the end, gains her the most points keeping her out of Bad/Different territory.