None of which are on proper movie/television soundtracks to my knowledge, because that’s a whole other category.
6. “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” Fiona Landers (originally Bob Dylan)
This is just a damn cute song. It’s endearing, it’s cheery enough despite having the word “lonesome” in the title, it’s whimsical but not too whimsical. Bob Dylan is a hard act to follow, but Fiona has this added bonus of extra adorable in hers.
5. “Dance Me to the End of Love,” the Civil Wars (originally by Leonard Cohen)
There’s also a Dresden Dolls cover of this, but the Civil Wars have theirs on an album, not just on YouTube, so I listen to it more. And the Civil Wars cover just rips me open, there’s that too. This song is pretty, no matter what; it has lyrics like “dance me to your beauty with a burning violin” and “dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn,” so those are always bonuses. But I love the way the Civil Wars harmonize on it, because I am a ridiculous sucker for harmony.
4. “Billie Jean,” the Civil Wars (originally by Michael Jackson)
This is a song I wouldn’t otherwise listen to. It honestly took me a couple of listens to even realize it was a Michael Jackson song, considering how they folk it up so pretty.
3. “Your Song,” Ellie Goulding (originally by Elton John)
I mean. I didn’t originally hear this song because of Moulin Rouge like the occasionally uncultured weirdo I am. Nonetheless, I like this version. I think it’s pretty, it’s simple, it’s not trying too hard to be something different or weird (there’s the dubstep version for that). And I just like her voice. She’s all British and whatnot.
2. “St. James Infirmary Blues,” the White Stripes (originally an 18th century folk song)
This has been done so many different times. But this version… I don’t know why I like to so much. It’s just strange and good.
1. “Jolene,” the White Stripes (originally by Dolly Parton)
I kind of love when men sing women songs and don’t change the pronouns (or vice versa) sometimes. I’m also not a Dolly Parton person, but this version of the song is gritty and weird and feels darker somehow, all of which are things I approve of.
–your fangirl heroine.
