How did it already get to be June?  While I seem to be moving in slow motion, time seems to be flying by even faster than ever.  I really need to find that ‘pause’ button soon. 

Today is Princess Nagger’s last day of school – she goes for a whole whopping two hours, then she’s done for the summer.  So when you hear lots of revelry from our neck of the woods, you’ll know why.

This being Monday and all, it’s time for some great music yet again.  Our previous Spotlight Dancer Stevebethere came up with a great idea for this week’s theme of “Cover Tunes” – any bands or people who redid a song.  I had fun with this one, as you’ll see. 

Let’s start with one of my favorite female Country Artists who’s definitely an icon by her own right.  She took on a song originally done by Beyonce and added it to her 2010 album. 

She has said that she originally wanted to only cover her own hits, but her husband and manager encouraged her to do a cover song.  He was the one who also suggested she do the cover of this particular song, and when she got the song and lyrics she thought it was an incredible song. 

She had people ask why in the world she’d cover a pop song, and I love her response:  “I just think music is music. You’ve got good and you’ve got bad, and I try to stay on the good side.”

RebaMcEntire

Here’s the gorgeous Reba McEntire covering Beyonce‘s “If I Were A Boy”:

Next up is one of my favorite country boys who had some big dancing shoes to fill when he recorded his own version of a Kenny Loggins song.  He actually had to campaign (and whine) hard to be able to record the song, because the producers of the movie it was to part of had originally wanted a female artist to record that particular song. 

He went ahead and cut his version, and the producers loved it and decided to go with it.

Turns out the whole soundtrack ended up having quite a few of his country colleagues, including Zac Brown, Jana Kramer, Whitney Duncan, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, Hunter Hayes and Lissie, among others. 

BlakeShelton

Here’s Blake Shelton with his amazing version of “Footloose”:

Next up is a big time favorite duo who enlisted the help of their tour mates Little Big Town and Jake Owen to remake the 80s top 10 hit from British band The Dream Academy.  It sure is nice to hear a contemporary country version of the song and it fits right in with every artist vocally. 

It’s also nice to see them all work together on a classic hit and show off not only their own talents, but their respect for each other and their abilities to team up and put a respectable and effective spin on a classic.

What I love most is not only the effective use of instruments, but how all the singers split the lyrics between them all, with each individual getting their own solo part, and the combination of them all with their unique styles teaming up for the chorus.

Here’s Sugarland, featuring Jake Owen and Little Big Town, covering The Dream Academy‘s “Life in a Northern Town”:

Next up is a country group that many people either love or hate.  I happen to love them. 

Back in 2002 (the year Princess Nagger was born) they did a cover of one of Fleetwood Mac’s songs – I love this version, because it really shows off their two and three-part harmonies beautifully, and to date has been their only number 1 single on the adult contemporary chart. 

The lead singer has mentioned in the past that she was attracted to the song because she was the same age that Stevie Nicks was when she originally performed it.

DixieChicks

Give a listen to the Dixie Chicks cover of Fleetwood Mac‘s “Landslide”:

Last, but definitely not least, are real life sisters (who are only 13 and 8!) who shot to internet stardom when their a cappella cover of Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” went viral last May. 

To date that video has been viewed over 18 million times,  and their YouTube channel has garnered over 39 million as a whole.  Pretty crazy, right?  They totally deserve all the accolades they can get, because they are quite simply, amazing.

They came to the attention of ABC months before their first video was posted on YouTube, when the younger sister came in to audition for the role of the main character’s oldest daughter on one of my new favorite shows, Nashville. 

The original pilot was filmed with daughters the ages of 6 and 8, but the creators were blown away by her audition, and when she told them she had a 13 year old sister that sang with her often, they invited them to come in and audition together.

They decided on the spot to change the role to fit these real-life sisters’ ages – which was obviously the right decision.

LennonMaisy

Aren’t they cuties?  I can’t wait to see what original songs they’ll be coming up with – they’ll definitely be a force to be reckoned with.  Along with having the opportunity to wow us with their cover of this song on Nashville, they also had the opportunity to perform it live at the Grand Ole Opry.  Here’s Lennon and Maisy Stella covering The Lumineers song “Ho Hey”:

And because I think they’re so awesome, here’s Lennon and Maisy performing as the daughters of Rayna James (played by Connie Britton) doing a sound check for their mom on stage before her show on ABC’s Nashville:


Have a great Monday!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

Photobucket

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and for the month of May, our Honorary Co-Conductor, Becca at Everyday Life.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

Spotlight Dancers
INTRODUCING OUR “SPOTLIGHT DANCER”:

 

 

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!




NewDivider

 

The awesome Run DMT also hosts Music Monday (who graciously helps out with our hostessing every time we need it, and who I had the privilege of meeting in person at BlogHer – she’s even more adorable than I imagined):

NewDivider

 

More Monday Hops – hop along, won’t you?

Let's Get Social Sunday

 

40 Comments

  4. Footloose lends itself to a country cover. I liked it and I don’t even like country music, but it worked!

    The Dixie Chicks cover of Landslide is one of my favorites. I like it better than Fleetwood Mac’s original. But shhhhhhh..don’t tell anyone. 😉

    I prefer the original version of Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy, because it of how haunting the original was. It sounded like voices chanting off the moors in England. It really depicted the sound and feel of the English countryside.

    The cover of Hey Ho was wonderful. Perfect and so well done! I love The Lumineers too!
    Run DMT would like you to read ..Music Monday: Best Day of Your LifeMy Profile

    1. That Footloose version really did work didn’t it, Denise? 🙂 No worries, your secret is safe with me (and I absolutely agree). 😉 I also agree about the original version of Life in a Northern Town being so hauntingly beautiful. I adore the Lumineers – and I thought the girls did such a great job singing that song, too! 🙂
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..4th Grade Beginning and EndMy Profile

    1. LOL! No problem, Joyce – and actually, I was just like you in the non-Country mode until my best friend forced me to listen to some of her favorites. I did discover it was old country I don’t like so much (too much whining) New or Contemporary Country I do love, now. And that’s too funny your son bought you a pair of cowboy boots – that’s the first step! 😀
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..4th Grade Beginning and EndMy Profile

  9. As usual I loved your picks!!! Several are going on my iPod. I agree with you about the Dixie Chicks, I really like them and love that Cover. Oh, and so glad you introduced me to that Reba song, LOVED IT!!
    Enjoy your Monday, I know your daughter will 🙂
    Lucy would like you to read ..Covers Calm My TIRADEMy Profile

  10. Reba is always FANTASTIC. Blake is a new favorite since I’ve been watching THE VOICE! hehehe Sugarland? Love em’! Dixie Chicks – Love em! They did a great job with this one. I’ve seen the two sisters once before, and yes they’re fantastic for such a young age. WOW. Thanks for sharing your great finds! YOU ROCK GIRL!
    xmasdolly would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves MeMy Profile

  15. Ooh so many of my favorites and a few I need to check out. Years ago I was lucky enough to listen Reba in a tiny texas honkey tonk. Good times.

    1. Glad you enjoyed them, Kelly Louise! 🙂 Isn’t Reba great in person? I got to go to one of her shows in Washington State – my friends surprised me with concert tickets for a concert that happened to be on my birthday. She sure puts on a great show – and I bet she was amazing in that tiny Texas honkey tonk! 😀
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..4th Grade Beginning and EndMy Profile

  20. Still love the Footloose original, but the country edge definitely gives it a new feel. And Life in A Northern Town — one of my Canadian faves — it’s so iconic up here, so it almost untouchable; but gotta admit – they really did a fantastic job. awesome.
    And I love love Dixie Chicks version of Landslide and that’s sayin a lot because Fleetwood Mac was one of my first vinyl records back in the day.
    great pics overall.
    Rorybore would like you to read ..Monday Listicles: Notice Me NotMy Profile

Comments are closed.