Happy Music Monday, everyone. Scott is enjoying a little nap in the soundproof prison that I have constructed for him, which means I get to take over for a week. Pretty cool for me, huh, Scott? What's that? I can't hear you. Hahahahahahaha. That joke gets me every time. Anyway, I've decided to devote this post to one of my favorite things in music: gender bending covers! Guys redoing a girls' songs and girls redoing guys' songs. (DISCLAIMER: this isn't about gender roles or about making a statement. I just like fun covers.)
Cake covering Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (one NSFW lyric)
What we have here is the greatest woman-done-wrong-but-she-ain't-gonna-take-it song ever written, re-rendered in monotone semi-singing and laid over a funky, trumpety beat. Say what you will about Cake, they always know what they're trying to do, and goshnamit, they do it darn well. A word of warning: one swear word has been inserted into this version, so if the quick utterance of an f-bomb is enough to put you on the s-bomb list, move along.
See you after the jump for some more!
Love is All covering Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
If you're not a big fan of manic shrieky female vocals, jangly disjointed guitar and sax riffs, and low production quality, then this one's not for you. After all, the image does say, "Recorded Live in Practice," so it's not likely that they spent a lot of time getting everything just right. Personally, though, I love it. They take an incredibly smooth even song and absolutely drive it into the ground. If you like what you hear, I highly recommend Love is All's first album, Nine Times That Same Song. It's one of my faves.
Stereo Total covering KC and the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
Stereo Total sings songs in English, French, and sometimes German, which makes me feel pretty dumb because I can't even spell "definitely" right without typing it really slow. Also impressive is that they have just two members yet manage to fill out this big big song very nicely. I want this playing while I walk down street in slow motion.
Starf'er covering Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (NSFW band name)
It takes GUTS to be a MAN and sing about how GIRLS want to have FUN! Okay, that's not true. But it is fun to hear. Almost as fun as, say, naming your band something that bloggers for a PG-13 ecommerce site can't type onto their blog without getting in trouble. So, another word of warning: we've got another f-bomb in here, although it's text only. Man, how does Scott do this week after week avoiding all these f-bombs?
Coves covering Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
I figured we'd finish things on a peppy upbeat note! Jk, this one's pretty slow, but don't worry: you'll know if you're in or out as soon as you hear the first long, clangy guitar riff. If you don't like it, that's cool. If you do, let it soak over you!
Well, that's all I got for the week. Now it's your turn. Post your favorite gender bending covers in the comments. Also let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.