Losing My Religion by Jacqui Naylor
A beautiful, slow and jazzy version with piano and a great standup bass part. This one by Jacqui Naylor sounds nothing like REM, but it sounds fantastic. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Since this is a site whose main focus is independent artists, it only makes sense to include a little tribute to REM. Of course, there are many reading this who are of the age that they only know REM as a giant, major-label rock band. If you are one of those, then you might be interested to learn that REM basically invented indie rock... way back in the early 1980s. These guys piled into a van and played every single tiny gig that they could find, for years, slowly building up an audience, one person at a time. Eventually, despite being on a tiny independent label, they managed to crack into the mainstream (barely), which is what finally got them into the majors and so forth. But REM was one of the first to travel the indie rock road and was arguably the most successful at doing so.
Along the way they've written a lot of great songs. Following is what we consider the best covers of some of REM's best tunes. If you like this list check out our lists of covers of other great atists such as U2 and our very popular list of covers of The Cure.
A beautiful, slow and jazzy version with piano and a great standup bass part. This one by Jacqui Naylor sounds nothing like REM, but it sounds fantastic. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A dark and whispery version of this classic makes you feel as though you are in on some little secret, and a good little secret at that. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
It's always an interesting change to switch genders on the lead vocals, and this version has beautiful female lead vox, as well as a nice acoustic groove and a very western feel with a haunting harmonica part going along in the background. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
I was floored by this version of Losing My Religion -- not just an electric version of an acoustic classic, but a huge, powerful, gothic and passionate version of an acoustic classic. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A sparse little version with female vocals that really hits the spot. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Rosie has a beautiful and delicate voice that works well just above a whisper. She brings that dreamlike breathiness to this acoustic cover -- plus great harmonies and an indescribably beautiful guitar part. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Honestly, how could anyone not be excited by the thought of Everybody Hurts performed as a Gregorian chant? Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Though this album labels this as a "folk rock cover," the airy synth strings and the almost arabic-style drums turn it into something else. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Very nice female vocals atop a folksy-acoustic backdrop. The flutes are an interesting (and nice) choice. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
I know that she's only a teenager... but damn, this is a great cover. A lot of people with a lot more experience can't get that kind of emotion in their voices. Check out this delicate piano cover with the uniquely beautiful vocals of Youtube sensation Jasmine Thompson. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Anyone who is familiar with Vitamin String Quartet knows that they just kill it on every song that they cover. For those who aren't familiar, these guys do string quartet covers of rock songs... and they just kill it on every song that they cover. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Crisp and crunchy guitars highlight this simply rockin' version of Finest Worksong, which is, of course, a simply rockin' song. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A great live acoustic cover from Dutch singing sensation Anouk. You can really feel the connection she has with the crowd on this one. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A great solo violin cover of this tune, Jenny really pulls the emotions out of it, string by string. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Though a fairly straightforward cover, the addition of Brazilian Danni Carlos' Portuguese accent gives this song a certain very cool flair. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A slow and downright haunting version of this tune with echoey broken chords on the electric guitar, topped off with a highly emotional vocal delivery. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
No offense to Bill Berry, but the shuffling drums on this country-esque cover are really what draw you in. And hey, the accordian is a nice touch too. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Okay, so generally I don't go in for straightforward note-for-note type covers, but this one not only hits the notes, it hits the feel of the original. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A fast and punkyish cover. The guitar drives along and the slight chord changes make for an interesting twist at the end of the verses. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
So, take REM, who defined the alternative sound of the 80s and perform one of their songs in the "adult alternative" style of the 2010s and this is what you get: sparse, haunting and cool. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Let's turn this one into a raucous Irish pub-rock song, complete with fiddle. Right? Right! Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
This tune is a highlight on an album chock full of solo acoustic versions of some great songs. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A beautiful, Italian-accented female voice (I love the way she pronounces "well hang on" as "well 'ang on") atop a soft harp (really, a harp!) give this tune a slow and dreamy feel. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A rolling piano version here. I like. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A cool, jazzy version. Imagine that a 60s jazz lounge band got hold of this song from the future and added it to one of their sets. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
This acoustic guitar cover uses Marie's deep and haunting vocal stylings to great effect. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A haunted organ sound starts off this moving version of the REM classic. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Simple and sparse, this version features mandolins (but not exactly the mandolins of the original) and a stand-up bass, which gives this somber tune an almost bouncy feel. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Smooth vocals atop acoustic guitars and a nice moving beat. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
A great live recording of this REM classic, with the guitars cranked on full. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Great male/female harmonizing on this cover. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Not exactly sure how to describe this one, it's sort of electronic, sort of... I don't know, just give it a listen. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
Barbershop quartet anyone? You haven't heard this song, until you've heard this a capella version. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
With a name like Shiny Happy People, you would assume that this is one band that has REM covers down. You'd be right. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)
At first it seems kind of weird to hear Mario Brothers-style synths on a classic REM song, but once you get used to it, it's kinda cool. Buy it on iTunes (or hear longer preview)