Cover to Cover - Foo Fighters

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Sure. It's also bound to polarize the hell out of music fans who don't want the perfection of a song in its original state tarnished by some rando-band's half-ass attempt at recapturing what made it great in the first place. I am such a fan, but I'm also open-minded enough to know that every so often a cover song comes along that can hang with its inspiration.

Whether a cover song works or not is purely subjective, though I hope to God we can all come together and agree that Madonna NEVVVVVVVVVVVER should've covered a classic like Don McLean's "American Pie." Scientific studies have proven that the day Madonna's version was unleashed was the day the music actually did die.

From time to time, I'll pick an artist or topic or theme or whatever feels right and present related cover songs for your judgmental consumption. Let's start with one of the best cover bands on the planet (they've had a few pretty solid original songs too). This one's for you, Shelly!

Most of the Foo Fighters' covers aren't on Spotify, so here are my top five cover songs performed by Dave Grohl and company.

5. Tie Your Mother Down / Queen

The hard-rock leanings of this early Queen classic make perfect sense for the Foos to showcase their own brand of rawk on. Grohl headbangs while drummer Taylor Hawkins handles the vocals. 

4.  Born on the Bayou / CCR

Hurricane Katrina brought the pain in 2005, enough so that "A Concert For Hurricane Relief" was aired nationwide to provide awareness and garner donations for the poor souls impacted by the unnatural response to this natural disaster. I watched the entire concert and no single performance dropped my jaw more than the Foos' covering this Creedence Clearwater Revival swamp-jam. 

3. Down in the Park / Gary Numan

Gary Numan has always been ahead of his time. The popularity that electronic and new wave artists would have with sounds that he, and others of the time (Kraftwerk, etc..) pioneered would elude him after his 'one-hit wonder,' "Cars," but science fiction and a dystopian existence would continue to serve as thematic foundations for his icy, synth-driven creations. The Foos rock the hell out of this Gary Numan and Tubeway Army track from the late 70s.

2. Band on the Run / Paul McCartney and Wings

One of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite artists. If you're going to cover Macca, you better bring your A-game and that's just what Dave and the gang did here. 

1. Baker Street / Gerry Rafferty

Gerry Rafferty's biggest hit is lodged in my all-time top 20. Year after year. Without fail. It's been a favorite since I first heard it on the radio way back in 1978. The original's iconic saxophone solo is replaced here with a guitar lick that works quite well. There is also a slight lyrical tweak and a heavier overall vibe that enables it to stand up against, and stand out from, Rafferty's classic.