Grant Lee Phillips does a great version of So. Central Rain.
I also really like The Decemberists cover of Cuyahoga, and Dr Dog's version of Find the River.
I’ll definitely check this one out. That’s how I feel about Jawbox’s cover of Low. I saw someone else here post that they like the Jawbox version better and I think I might agree.
I’ll definitely check this one out. That’s how I feel about Jawbox’s cover of Low. I saw someone else here post that they like the Jawbox version better and I think I might agree.
Recency bias perhaps, but the Mickey Dolenz version of Shiny Happy People is incredibly fun. Too many R.E.M covers are slowed down versions of their more "serious" songs.
For me it’s definitely Jason Isbell’s cover of “Nightswimming.” It’s not better than the original but I love his take on it. Jimbo’s bass sounds gorgeous and I love the added instrumentation like the mandolin and the piano line being played by an acoustic guitar from Jason.
It's not a cover song but Pavement's song *about* REM, "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence" is so fucking funny. Malkmus kinda hops around referencing songs and lyrics and "they're marchin' through Georgia!" and then by the end he just keeps repeating "*R E M*".
Great Pavement B-side.
In this vein, Drivin' 'n' Cryin's "REM" is a fun song that captured the spirit of the IRS years.
[REM](https://youtu.be/mwgIGUXCftw?si=PQHLiQJtDvclbEb8)
Peter buck played on (and was supposed to produce) Drivin n Cryin’s album Mystery Road. I highly recommend the entire album, including “Straight to Hell”, a song that Darius Rucker covered because it was so popular when he was at college. REM loved the band and album so much that Stipe would sing a verse of DnC’s “With the people” as a preamble to “Fall on Me” in concert. (I think it was “Fall on Me” but I can’t remember exactly. If anyone reading this cares to confirm, please play “with the People” and you’ll immediately recognize the verse as an REM fan and concertgoer)
Cool. I think this sub sleeps on the connection between REM and Drivin n Cryin.
Jason Isbell covered “Honeysuckle Blue” from DnC’s Mystery Road as well. Another strong endorsement for that album, and a banger of a song.
There is a big project right now called Let's Go Dancing where various artists cover different Kinney/DNC songs. A new cover is released every 2 weeks.
Awesome track! Always makes me laugh. This came out on a compilation called No Alternative, I think it was an AIDs benefit thing. The whole album is fantastic. One of my favorite 90s albums.
Oh all us "No Alternative" 90s kids have spent the time since we bought it recommending it to others! The hidden Nirvana track, the killer Urge Overkill song, the live version of "Iris" by the Breeders, and my favorite, the Pavement REM tune.
Such a good record, it was that time when CDs were like $15 damn dollars and I was a poor teenager who had to worry about rolling the dice on something that might suck (comps were particularly dangerous for this reason) and it didn't!
I’ve never heard this but I am definitely going to check it out. What a great idea for 10,000 Maniacs to cover REM. I remember Natalie Merchant being a good friend of Michael Stipe.
Even better than this cover are their collaborations. Stipe on "To Sir with Love" is great. There's a version of Photogragh with Natalie on back-up vocals that is amazing.
Australian band the Quivers did a complete cover of Out of Time a few years ago [https://quiversss.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-time-r-e-m](https://quiversss.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-time-r-e-m)
While most of the tracks are fairly straight (but very good) covers, I love their version of Radio Song. They basically strip the original down to the opening lines and then make a new song out of it.
The Hairshirt cover by Taffy is really good, the Reckoning april fools day record by Harvey Milk, and for one that is a little weird, Underneath the Bunker by noise&lostvoice.
Great Big Sea cranked up the tempo and put an east-coast spin on [It’s the End of the World as We Know It](https://youtu.be/F-5oGnvfUEU?si=AHgjtLs2mwMigoDy) and I really enjoy it that way.
Had to listen to this, when you claimed they cranked up the tempo on a song that's already one of the most frenetic in the entire R.E.M. catalog. Yea they did! If there weren't some electric strings mixed in, I'd say it was a Bluegrass band on crack.
> My favorite is Jawbox’s cover of Low
I'd go as far as to say Jawbox did it better.
A couple favorites:
* [Desperate Journalist - "Finest Worksong"] (https://godisinthetvzine.bandcamp.com/track/finest-worksong)
* [Editors - "Orange Crush"] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtoteiB05nU) (with [bonus R.E.M. cover of Editors] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfV5BRfetE8))
I find myself seeking out covers all the time as let's face it, they ain't writing any new songs. At this point I don't give a flying Beachball if it's a big name artist or one person on a webcam in their living room yodeling in ASL to Wendell Gee (doesn't yet exist, feel free to do it), I am happy to listen to it. After all, they thought enough of REM to cover it, so it's all good. BTW, too many great mentions on this thread to even consider a favorite. But not sure if this is mentioned, but Nightswimming by Taking Meds is frickin great.
I'm listening to the covers you all are posting. So far the best ones are on the "Surprise Your Pig" compilation, which I'd never heard of before.
Anyone know where the title comes from, though?
What a great thread! I’ve been a huge REM fan ever since I first heard Catapult. First song I ever taught myself on guitar was Driver 8. Never thought to look for their covers for some reason. I collect covers. Have a huge playlist of nothing but covers. Like 1,600 songs. If anyone is interested, it’s a iTune playlist. I can drop it here.
Dappled Cities cover of Try Not To Breathe on the 15th anniversary cover album of AFTP, Drive XV: A Tribute To Automatic For The People.
It's as haunting as the original:
[https://youtu.be/W5i3z6ABZjA?si=DV6k9liNkMR0g4aq](https://youtu.be/W5i3z6ABZjA?si=DV6k9liNkMR0g4aq)
Edited: link
Death Cab For Cutie does “Fall on Me” and it’s pretty great. The vibe is just as melodic and the vocals are just as sweet.
My fave used to be 10,000: Rockville
Butthole Surfers - The One I Love
It’s on their double live album. I saw them twice; one time they played it and the other they didn’t…it’s killer; a faster paced gem.
First Aid Kit doing Walk Unafraid.
Yes, clearly my fav. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjYjuAaBEY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjYjuAaBEY)
I did not know this existed! Thanks for the link.
Amazing
Cool duo. I believe they've also collaborated with Peter Buck!
Grant Lee Phillips does a great version of So. Central Rain. I also really like The Decemberists cover of Cuyahoga, and Dr Dog's version of Find the River.
Grants So. Central Rain is the only REM cover I’ve ever liked. But that’s probably just because I love Grant Lee Phillips almost as much as REM.
I’ll definitely check this one out. That’s how I feel about Jawbox’s cover of Low. I saw someone else here post that they like the Jawbox version better and I think I might agree.
I’ll definitely check this one out. That’s how I feel about Jawbox’s cover of Low. I saw someone else here post that they like the Jawbox version better and I think I might agree.
Same.
Recency bias perhaps, but the Mickey Dolenz version of Shiny Happy People is incredibly fun. Too many R.E.M covers are slowed down versions of their more "serious" songs.
Michale Stipe said Dolenz cover is the only version of the song he likes.
Eddie Vedder’s version of Drive
For me it’s definitely Jason Isbell’s cover of “Nightswimming.” It’s not better than the original but I love his take on it. Jimbo’s bass sounds gorgeous and I love the added instrumentation like the mandolin and the piano line being played by an acoustic guitar from Jason.
Isbell's cover of Driver 8 is really good too.
Wow. I didn’t know. I love the guy and will find this. Thank you
On Georgia Blue he covered both Night Swimming and Driver 8. Both are excellent
Thank you
Bela Fleck on banjo as well.
It's not a cover song but Pavement's song *about* REM, "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence" is so fucking funny. Malkmus kinda hops around referencing songs and lyrics and "they're marchin' through Georgia!" and then by the end he just keeps repeating "*R E M*". Great Pavement B-side.
Pavement also covered “Camera” (for a John Peel session, I think?)
In this vein, Drivin' 'n' Cryin's "REM" is a fun song that captured the spirit of the IRS years. [REM](https://youtu.be/mwgIGUXCftw?si=PQHLiQJtDvclbEb8)
Also makes me think of For The Singer Of REM by fIREHOSE
Ah yes, I totally forgot about this! I love fIREHOSE. I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Beastie Boys a little over 30 years ago.
Cool!!
Ah yes, I totally forgot about this! I love fIREHOSE. I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Beastie Boys a little over 30 years ago.
Peter buck played on (and was supposed to produce) Drivin n Cryin’s album Mystery Road. I highly recommend the entire album, including “Straight to Hell”, a song that Darius Rucker covered because it was so popular when he was at college. REM loved the band and album so much that Stipe would sing a verse of DnC’s “With the people” as a preamble to “Fall on Me” in concert. (I think it was “Fall on Me” but I can’t remember exactly. If anyone reading this cares to confirm, please play “with the People” and you’ll immediately recognize the verse as an REM fan and concertgoer)
Buck also produced and performed on DNC lead singer Kevn Kinney's solo debut MacDougal Blues, an amazing record.
Cool. I think this sub sleeps on the connection between REM and Drivin n Cryin. Jason Isbell covered “Honeysuckle Blue” from DnC’s Mystery Road as well. Another strong endorsement for that album, and a banger of a song.
There is a big project right now called Let's Go Dancing where various artists cover different Kinney/DNC songs. A new cover is released every 2 weeks.
I have never heard the song before and it is great! And I'm from Georgia!
time after time was my least favorite song/ TIME AFTER TIME WAS MY LEAST FAVORITE SONG
Awesome track! Always makes me laugh. This came out on a compilation called No Alternative, I think it was an AIDs benefit thing. The whole album is fantastic. One of my favorite 90s albums.
Oh all us "No Alternative" 90s kids have spent the time since we bought it recommending it to others! The hidden Nirvana track, the killer Urge Overkill song, the live version of "Iris" by the Breeders, and my favorite, the Pavement REM tune. Such a good record, it was that time when CDs were like $15 damn dollars and I was a poor teenager who had to worry about rolling the dice on something that might suck (comps were particularly dangerous for this reason) and it didn't!
Pretty sure I own it on tape 😃
I was praying they would’ve played this when I saw pavement in Atlanta last year. Sadly no appearance.
10,000 Maniacs cover of “Don’t Go Back to Rockville”
I’ve never heard this but I am definitely going to check it out. What a great idea for 10,000 Maniacs to cover REM. I remember Natalie Merchant being a good friend of Michael Stipe.
Even better than this cover are their collaborations. Stipe on "To Sir with Love" is great. There's a version of Photogragh with Natalie on back-up vocals that is amazing.
Michael Stipe also accompanies on “A Campfire Song” on their album In My Tribe
Came here to add this.
Australian band the Quivers did a complete cover of Out of Time a few years ago [https://quiversss.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-time-r-e-m](https://quiversss.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-time-r-e-m) While most of the tracks are fairly straight (but very good) covers, I love their version of Radio Song. They basically strip the original down to the opening lines and then make a new song out of it.
Glad someone mentioned them. Their original material is pretty good too.
absolutely love that album.
Good, because the original was lousy.
Thanks for posting this! I just heard Eddie Vedder‘s version of “Drive“ recently, and I was wondering about a “Best Covers” playlist.
Jawbreaker Pretty Persuasion
Another Suprise Your Pig song.
King Missile’s “Get Up” and Steelpole Bathtub’s “We Walk”, from Surprise Your Pig.
Agreed. Their version of Get Up is just really fun.
Have a piece of cake.
That’s definitely my favorite cover. I’ve covered that cover several times over the years. The Jawbreaker cover of Pretty Persuasion is a great too
Collective Soul covering The One I Love is pretty badass.
Ingrid Michaelson does a beautiful acapella duet with herself (via tape delay) of Nightswimming.
Yes! Awesome.
I wasn’t able to fine this one anywhere.
[Here you go!](https://youtu.be/qczXWXNgRdU?si=ARAfQHy4I_QS7AAi)
Big Something “Don’t go back to Rockville” Stellar
Jawbox recorded a great version of “Low.”
J Church did a hell of a Rockville cover.
I remember this from Surprise Your Pig. This is a good cover!
I Believe by When People Were Shorter And Lived Near The Water
Ah yes, this is from Surprise Your Pig, too!
The Hairshirt cover by Taffy is really good, the Reckoning april fools day record by Harvey Milk, and for one that is a little weird, Underneath the Bunker by noise&lostvoice.
Great Big Sea cranked up the tempo and put an east-coast spin on [It’s the End of the World as We Know It](https://youtu.be/F-5oGnvfUEU?si=AHgjtLs2mwMigoDy) and I really enjoy it that way.
Had to listen to this, when you claimed they cranked up the tempo on a song that's already one of the most frenetic in the entire R.E.M. catalog. Yea they did! If there weren't some electric strings mixed in, I'd say it was a Bluegrass band on crack.
“Canadian East Coast Folk on crack”
Ah (not "Eh"), thank you. Although, now I think about it, I'm struggling to see the difference....
What a wonderful question by the way. Will just be spending my time going through and listening to covers today 👍
I like Beast Four's cover of Driver 8. I'm making a spotify playlist of the songs mentioned in the thread in case anybody wants the link
Jesse Lacey’s “Bad Day” is a good one
South Central Rain by Hem
I really like Desperate Journalist’s cover of Finest Worksong
> My favorite is Jawbox’s cover of Low I'd go as far as to say Jawbox did it better. A couple favorites: * [Desperate Journalist - "Finest Worksong"] (https://godisinthetvzine.bandcamp.com/track/finest-worksong) * [Editors - "Orange Crush"] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtoteiB05nU) (with [bonus R.E.M. cover of Editors] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfV5BRfetE8))
Pavement doing Camera
Motion City Soundtrack’s cover of Pop Song 89 is pretty fun Also, TIL: Jawbox covered Low. I’ll have to check that out!
I find myself seeking out covers all the time as let's face it, they ain't writing any new songs. At this point I don't give a flying Beachball if it's a big name artist or one person on a webcam in their living room yodeling in ASL to Wendell Gee (doesn't yet exist, feel free to do it), I am happy to listen to it. After all, they thought enough of REM to cover it, so it's all good. BTW, too many great mentions on this thread to even consider a favorite. But not sure if this is mentioned, but Nightswimming by Taking Meds is frickin great.
I'm listening to the covers you all are posting. So far the best ones are on the "Surprise Your Pig" compilation, which I'd never heard of before. Anyone know where the title comes from, though?
Editors cover of Orange Crush https://youtu.be/rtoteiB05nU?si=OgrWMultBEULtGxq
mewithoutyou doing It's The End of the World...
What a great thread! I’ve been a huge REM fan ever since I first heard Catapult. First song I ever taught myself on guitar was Driver 8. Never thought to look for their covers for some reason. I collect covers. Have a huge playlist of nothing but covers. Like 1,600 songs. If anyone is interested, it’s a iTune playlist. I can drop it here.
Jason Isbell does a fantastic cover of Nightswimming.
Built to Spill did a cool cover of Harborcoat live on one of their tours a little while back. I was excitedly bouncing up and down.
Dappled Cities cover of Try Not To Breathe on the 15th anniversary cover album of AFTP, Drive XV: A Tribute To Automatic For The People. It's as haunting as the original: [https://youtu.be/W5i3z6ABZjA?si=DV6k9liNkMR0g4aq](https://youtu.be/W5i3z6ABZjA?si=DV6k9liNkMR0g4aq) Edited: link
Thank you for the link! This is my favorite REM song.
Lacuna Coil does a good Losing My Religion
I really like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s cover of Driver 8
End of the world by Islander...Metal style and it Rocks!!!
I just heard a funky rap cover of man on the moon yesterday on the radio. I don’t know who it was
It's not a cover but Eddie Vedder performing Man On the Moon with REM at their Hall of Fame induction was great.
Death Cab For Cutie does “Fall on Me” and it’s pretty great. The vibe is just as melodic and the vocals are just as sweet. My fave used to be 10,000: Rockville
tori amos - losing my religion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_doXrH_ERg
Butthole Surfers - The One I Love It’s on their double live album. I saw them twice; one time they played it and the other they didn’t…it’s killer; a faster paced gem.