(The Vaselines, looking rather like The Velvets here, I think)

As Andrew said, Beatles covers are always welcome.

What function, if any do covers serve?

For some acts, it’s the chance to revive a flagging career. For others, the chance to show versatility or to raise funds for anyone whose career they are indebted to.

And what about the listeners? Do they have anything to gain?

Well, I don’t know how many Nirvana fans were led to investigate Shocking Blue, whose track ‘Love Buzz’ was covered for Nirvana’s first ever release. I do know that Nirvana covering ‘Molly’s Lips’ ‘Jesus Wants Me for A Sunbeam’ (though Nirvana changed it to ‘doesn’t’) and ‘Son Of a Gun’ led to me checking out The Vaselines and the Raincoats, who definitely made more of an impression on me than The Meat Puppets.

As for the other tracks, well, I already knew the Beatles and Bowie, but hey…they kinda fitted with the post. And Siouxsie and the Banshees led me to Iggy Pop, The Sparks, Roxy Music, even Billie Holliday…

Nirvana -‘Molly’s Lips (Vaselines cover).’ mp3

Nirvana -‘Son Of A Gun (Vaselines cover).’ mp3

Nirvana -‘The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie cover).’ mp3

Nirvana -‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (leadbelly cover).’ mp3

Siouxsie and the Banshees -‘Helter Skelter (The Beatles cover).’ mp3

Siouxsie and the Bandshees -‘Dear Prudence.’ mp3

As always, if you like what you hear, SUPPORT THE ARTISTS!