Best Cover Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

Who really owns a song? Is it the singer? the writer? Or the producer? Well, I believe that it is the singer who owns the song and there is no doubt about it. However, there are songs which have been covered by certain artists and/or groups which have proved to be more successful than even the original. These artists and/or groups better the original composition and come out with their own version or a similar version with better vocals or music. Like this there have been many instances where the original artists and/or groups have been surpassed commercially as well as critically by subsequent artistes and/or groups that covered the song. Therefore, this is a list of the best of such songs which proved to be hits even though they are cover versions. The top 10 artistes and/or groups have bettered the original songs, and it is clear that through their version they can make a claim to the songs, though it may not be ownership, the songs are more popular under the subsequent artiste and/or group.

1. Dolly Parton - Whitney Houston – I will always love you
2. Bee Gees - Boyzone – Words
3. Cat Stevens - Sheryl Crow – The first cut is the deepest
4. Jennifer Rush - Celine Dion – The power of love
5. Fleetwood Mac - The Corrs – Dreams
6. Leonard Cohen - Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah
7. Vicki Sue Robinson - Glora Estefan – Turn the beat around
8. Ritchie Valens - Los Lobos – La Bamba
9. The Jackson 5 - Mariah Carey – I’ll be there
10. Neil Diamond - UB40 – Red red wine
11. Toni Braxton - Il Divo – Unbreak my heart/Regresa a mi
12. Bob Dylan - Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ on heaven’s door
13. Journey - Glee Cast – Don't stop believin'
14. Lee Hazelwood ft. Nancy Sinatra - Ville Valo ft. Natalia Avelon – Summer wine
15. Phil Collins - Mariah Carey ft. Westlife – Against all odds
16. Labelle - Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya & Lil Kim – Lady Marmalade
17. Roberta Flack - The Fugees – Killing me softly
18. Ednaswap - Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
19. Kingston Trio - Westlife – Seasons in the sun
20. Tarkan - Holly Valance – Simarik/Kiss Kiss
21. Frank Sinatra ft. Nancy Sinatra - Robbie Williams ft. Nicole Kidman – Something stupid
22. Talk Talk - No Doubt – It’s my life
23. Phil Collins - Brandy – Another day in paradise
24. The Bangles - Human Nature – Eternal flame
25. Celine Dion – Meatloaf ft. Marion Raven – It’s all coming back to me now
26. Tears for Fears - Adam Lambert – Mad world
27. Creedance Clearwater Revival - Rod Stewart – Have you ever seen the rain
28. The Drifters - Michael Buble – Save the last dance for me
29. Queen - Brittany Murphy – Somebody to love
30. Righteous Brothers - Gareth Gates – Unchained melody
31. Damien Rice - Little Mix – Cannonball
32. Ryan Adams - The Corrs ft. Bono – When the stars go blue
33. The Calling - Charlene Sorai – Wherever you will go
34. Eternal - Monica – Angel of mine
35. Billy Joel - Westlife – Uptown girl
36. Traci Chapman - Boyzone – Baby, can I hold you
37. Sarah Brightman ft. Antonio Banderas - Nightwish – Phantom of the opera
38. Bee Gees - Steps – Tragedy
39. Savage Garden - Cascada – Truly madly deeply
40. Hot Chocolate - Clocks – You sexy thing
41. Bryan Adams - DJ Sammy – Heaven
42. Elvis Presley - A*Teens – Can’t help falling in love
43. USA for Africa - Artists for Haiti – We are the world
44. Crowded House - Six Pence None the Richer – Don’t dream its over
45. Dean Martin – Pussycat Dolls – Sway
46. Foreigner - Mariah Carey – I wanna know what love is
47. Bananarama - Ace of Base – Cruel summer
48. 3^rd Party - Jennifer Lopez – Waiting for tonight
49. ABBA - Westlife – I have a dream
50. John Denver - Olivia Newton John – Take me home country roads
51. Blondie - Atomic Kitten – Tide is high
52. Joni Mitchell - Counting Crows ft. Vanessa Carlton – Big yellow taxi
53. Don Mclean - Madonna – American Pie
54. Gloria Jones - Soft Cell – Tainted love
55. The Left Banke - Vonda Shepard – Walk away Renee
56. Miley Cyrus - Joe McElderry – The climb
57. Madonna - We are the fallen – Like a prayer
58. ABBA - A*Teens – Mamma mia
59. Ben E. King - 4 the Cause – Stand by me
60. The Pretenders - Gina Glockson – I’ll stand by you
61. Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey - Leon Jackson – When you believe
62. The Beatles - Ferry Aid – Let it be
63. A.R. Rahman - Pussycat Dolls – Jai ho
64. Madonna - Kelly Osbourne – Papa don’t preach
65. Shontelle - James Arthur – Impossible
66. The Walkers - Vengaboys – Shalala la
67. Daughtry - Westlife – What about now
68. Redbone - Real McCoy – Come and get your love
69. R.E.M. - Helping Haiti – Everybody hurts
70. U2 - Lee Dewzye – Beautiful day
71. Weather Girls - Geri Halliwell – It’s raining men
72. Jim Henson - Dixie Chicks – Rainbow connection
73. Steve Miller Band – R.I.O. – Serenade
74. Westlife - Will Young – Evergreen
75. Rascal Flatts - Cascada – What hurts the most
76. Fleetwood Mac - Lissie – Go your own way
77. Westlife - Ruben Studdard – Flying without wings
78. Linkin Park - Lori Lee – Numb
79. Metallica - Lissie – Nothing else matters
80. Robert Knight - Cast of Casualty – Everlasting love
81. Journey - Mariah Carey – Open Arms
82. The Moody Blues - Il Divo – Nights in white satin
83. Heidi Montag - Lady Gaga – Fashion
84. Ke$ha - Girls’ Generation – Run devil run
85. Jonathan King - Vonda Shepard – Hooked on a feeling
86. Duran Duran - Aurora – Ordinary world
87. K’Naan - Young Artists for Haiti – Wavin’ flag
88. Heart - Celine Dion – Alone
89. Steve Miller Band - Sugar Ray – Abracadabra
90. Duffy - OneRepublic – Mercy
91. Exile - No Mercy – Kiss you all over
92. Lolly - B*Witched – Mickey
93. Guns N’ Roses - Sheryl Crow – Sweet child of mine
94. Bon Jovi - Blake Lewis – You give love a bad name
95. Madonna - Hilary Duff & Haylie Duff – Material girls  
96. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Anne Hathaway & Jesse McCartney – Don’t go breaking my heart
97. Gypsy Kings - Vitamin C – Volare
98. Belinda Carlisle - Otherview – La luna
99. Christina Aguilera - Speedway – Genie in a bottle
100. Donna Summer  - Pussycat Dolls – Hot stuff

Till the next ensemble…

At Ease!!!

Most Inspirational Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

Inspiration is derived from various things, among which is music. Most of these songs are upbeat and the lyrical content and the beat are also uplifting as well as inspirational speaking to the heart and soul of the listener. Inspirational songs are not a new concept and most often than not they are commercially and critically successful, which goes to show that we as human beings are drawn to positive things. Therefore, this is a list I compiled, which I believe are the most inspirational songs of all time. 

1. 25 for Haiti – We are the world (Original by USA for Africa)
2. John Lennon – Imagine
3. Kelly Clarkson – A moment like this
4. Journey – Don’t stop believing
5. R. Kelly – I believe I can fly
6. Bon Jovi – It’s my life
7. Queen – We are the champions
8. Gloria Estefan – Reach
9. David Guetta ft. Sia – Titanium
10. Michael Jackson – Heal the world
11. Rachel Platten – Fight song 
12. ABBA – I have a dream
13. Michael Bolton – Go the distance
14. Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey – When you believe
15. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Parcel – Ain’t no mountain high enough
16. Miley Cyrus – The climb
17. Kris Allen – No boundaries
18. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What doesn’t kill you)
19. Taylor Swift – Shake it off
20. Eminem ft. Sia – Guts over fear 
21. Creedance Clearwater Revival – Have you ever seen the rain
22. Israel Kimakawiwo – Somewhere over the rainbow (Original by Judy Garland)
23. Josh Groban – You raise me up (Original by Secret Garden)
24. U2 – Beautiful Day
25. Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of sunshine 
26. Idina Menzel – Let it go 
27. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
28. Kevin Rudolf ft. Birdman, Jay Sean & Lil Wayne – I made it
29. Eminem – Til’ I collapse
30. David Cook – The time of my life
31. Spice Girls – Never give up on the good times
32. Script ft. Will.I.Am – Hall of fame
33. Imagine Dragons – On top of the world 
34. Vonda Shepard – Searchin' my soul
35. Avril Lavigne – Keep holding on
36. S Club 7 – Bring it all back
37. Aria Clemente – Climb every mountain (Original from The Sound of Music)
38. Pink – Try
39. Sara Bareilles – Brave 
40. Vangelis – Chariots of fire
41. Il Divo ft. Tony Braxton – Time of our lives
42. Måns Zelmerlöw – Heroes 
43. Sia – Chandelier 
44. Celine Dion – The power of the dream
45. Mariah Carey ft. Westlife – Against all odds (Original by Phil Collins)
46. Glee Cast – Light up the world
47. Westlife – I’ll be there (Original by Jackson 5)
48. The Pretenders – I’ll stand by you
49. Demi Lovato – Skyscraper
50. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Three little birds 
51. Tinie Tempah ft. Eric Turner – Written in the stars
52. Katrina and the Waves – Walking on sunshine 
53. Nelly – Heart of a Champion
54. Jordin Sparks – This is my now
55. OneRepublic – Counting stars
56. Ellie Goulding – Burn  
57. Shawn Colvin – Hold on to the good things
58. Ryan Star – Brand new day
59. Katy Perry – Roar 
60. Ben Haenow – Something I need (Original by OneRepublic) 
61. Cyndi Lauper – True colors 
62. Rachel Platten – Stand by you 
63. Celine Dion – I’m alive
64. Nickelback – If today was your last day
65. Vanessa Williams – Colours of the wind
66. The Script – Superheroes 
67. Fleetwood Mac – Go your own way
68. Peter Cetera – Glory of love
69. Christian Aguilera – Beautiful
70. Michael Bolton – Lean on me (Original by Bill Withers)
71. Avicii ft. Aloe Blocc – Wake me up 
72. Jess Glynne – Hold my hand 
73. Chipmunk ft. Chris Brown – Champion
74. Kendrick Lamar – Alright 
75. Hilary Duff – Someone’s watching over me
76. Miley Cyrus – We can't stop 
77. Michael Jackson – You are not alone
78. Survivor – Eye of the tiger
79. Little Mix – Cannonball (Original by Damien Rice)
80. Il Divo ft. Celine Dion – I believe in you
81. Westlife – Flying without wings
82. Fall Out Boy – Immortals 
83. Take That – Rule the world
84. Mariah Carey – Hero
85. Shayne Ward – That’s my goal
86. Bond – Victory
87. Coldplay – Viva la vida
88. K’Naan – Wavin’ flag
89. Demi Lovato – Confident 
90. Myra – Miracles happen
91. Jessie J – Flashlight 
92. Hanson – I will come to you
93. Whitney Houston – Greatest love of all
94. Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin – Don't you worry child 
95. Katy Perry – Fireworks
96. Louis Armstrong – What a wonderful world
97. Yolanda Adams – I believe
98. Celine Dion – A new day has come
99. Clay Aiken – This is the night
100. S Club 7 – Reach
101. fun. – Carry on 
102. Fantasia – I believe
103. Donna Summer – The power of one
104. Raven – This is my time
105. Ella Henderson – Glow 
106. Rascal Flatts – Unstoppable
107. Carrie Underwood – Jesus take the wheel
108. Eminem – Not afraid
109. Kris Allen – Live like you were dying
110. Glee Cast – Loser like me
111. One Direction – Drag me down 
112. Yves Larock – Rise up
113. Hilary Duff – What dreams are made of
114. Eminem ft. Gwen Stefani – Kings never die 
115. Martin Garrix ft. Usher – Don't look down 
116. New Radicals – You get what you give
117. Chumbawumba – Tubthumping
118. Kelly Clarkson – People like us 
119. Mandy Moore – Only hope
120. Celine Dion – Taking chances
121. Jess Glynne – Don't be so hard on yourself 
122. Foxes – Let go for tonight 
123. Alesso ft. Tove Lo – Heroes (we could be) 
124. Shaggy – Hope
125. Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend – One man can change the world 
126. England United – (How does it feel to be) On top of the world?
127. Mike Candys ft. Sandra Wild – Sunshine (Fly so high)
128. Rascal Flatts – Stand
129. Des’Ree – You gotta be
130. Christina Aguilera – We’re a miracle
131. Havanna Brown – Warrior 
132. Leann Rimes – Life goes on
133. ABBA – Winner takes it all
134. Meghan Trainor – Better when I'm dancin' 
135. Sarah Brightman – Shall be done
136. Imagine Dragons – Warriors 
137. Hailee Steinfeld – Love myself 
138. American Authors – Best day of my life 
139. Jessie J – Masterpiece 
140. Avicii – The days 
141. Jennifer Lopez – Feel the light 
142. Krewella – Live for the night 
143. The Wanted – We own the night 
144. Clean Bandit – Stronger
145. Kelly Clarkson – Invincible 
146. Tinie Tempah ft. Ella Eyre – Someday (a place in the sun)
147. Fall Out Boy – Centuries 
148. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton – Can't hold us
149. Colbie Caillat – Try 
150. Pharrell Williams – Happy 

Til the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Best Breakup Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

Breakups can be hard. They can also be extremely depressing, infuriating and tedious. Therefore, be it rock, pop or hip-hop some artists and bands have come up with some awesome hits to deal with these varying emotions. You have the best of the best like Adele, Boys II Men, Linkin Park and Evanescence singing such songs and you get some not so great artists and bands as well. Some are petty, some are bitter and some express a significant proportion of misery. The queens of breakup such as Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Adele have several entries on the list but however it is the modern rock anthem I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace followed by Puddle of Mudd's She Hates Me. All in all, this list is composed of the 100 of the all time best breakup songs. Hope you enjoy these songs depending on which stage you are in after you're breakup. 

1. Three Days Grace – I hate everything about you
2. Puddle of Mudd – She hates me
3. Kelly Clarkson – Since u been gone
4. Ugly Kid Joe – Everything about you
5. All American Rejects – Gives you hell
6. Taylor Swift – I knew you were trouble
7. Adele – Rolling in the deep
8. Linkin Park – In the end
9. Cee Lo Green – Fuck you
10. Gloria Gaynor – I will survive
11. Lily Allen – Fuck you
12. Fleetwood Mac – Go your own way
13. Anastacia – I'm outta love 
14. Justin Timberlake – Cry me a river
15. Alanis Morissette – You oughta know 
16. Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – Problem 
17. Dolly Parton – I will always love you
18. Gotye ft. Kimbra – Somebody that I used to know
19. Cher – Believe 
20. Shontelle – Impossible
21. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What doesn't kill you)
22. Adele – Someone like you
23. 3 Doors Down – Here without you
24. Evanescence – Going under
25. Hoobastank – The reason
26. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking ball
27. Toni Braxton – Un-break my heart
28. No Doubt – Don’t speak
29. Willie Nelson – Always on my mind
30. Britney Spears – Stronger
31. Bon Jovi – You give love a bad name
32. Lily Allen – Smile
33. Avril Lavigne ft. Chad Kroeger – Let me go
34. Daughtry – Over you
35. Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
36. Boys II Men – End of the road
37. Katy Perry – Part of me
38. Pink – So what
39. Ace of Base – Don’t turn around
40. Paramore – Ignorance
41. The Corrs – I never really loved you anyway
42. Justin Timberlake – What goes around… comes around
43. Nicole Scherzinger – Don’t hold your breath
44. Ariana Grande ft. Zedd – Break free 
45. Soft Cell – Tainted love
46. Fergie – Big girls don’t cry
47. N*SYNC – Bye, bye, bye
48. Evanescence – Call me when you’re sober
49. Taylor Swift – We are never ever getting back together
50. Nick Lachey – What’s left of me
51. JoJo – Too little too late
52. Destiny’s Child – Survivor
53. Sinead O’ Connor – Nothing compares 2 U
54. Michael Bolton – How am I supposed to live without you
55. La Roux – Bulletproof
56. Avril Lavigne – When you’re gone
57. Kelly Clarkson – Never again
58. Human League – Don’t you want me
59. Toby Keith – How do you like me now
60. Carrie Underwood – Before he cheats
61. Cher – Strong Enough
62. Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa – Payphone
63. Everything But The Girl – Missing
64. Bob Dylan – Don’t think twice, it’s all right
65. Enrique Iglesias ft. Ciara – Takin’ back my love
66. Pussycat Dolls – I don’t need a man
67. Alicia Keys – Karma
68. Backstreet Boys – Incomplete
69. Joss Stone – You had me
70. Plain White Ts – Hate (I really don’t like you)
71. Rihanna – Russian roulette
72. Eamon – Fuck it
73. Michelle Branch – Goodbye to you
74. Roy Orbison – In dreams
75. Beyonce – Best thing I never had
76. Christina Aguilera – Fighter
77. Kanye West – Heartless
78. Bon Jovi – Always
79. Ashley Tisdale – It’s alright, It’s OK
80. Blink 182 – Damnit
81. Roxette – It must have been love
82. Jojo – Leave (Get out)
83. September – Cry for you
84. Harry Nilsson – Without you
85. Selena Gomez – The heart wants what it wants
86. Lindsay Lohan – Over
87. Austin Mahone – What about love
88. Carly Rae Jepsen – Tonight I’m getting over you
89. Taylor Swift – Last kiss
90. Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye
91. Avril Lavigne – Everything back but you
92. Gavin de Graw – Not over you
93. Natalie Imbruglia – Big mistake
94. Jazmine Sullivan – Bust your windows
95. Jessie James – I look so good (without you)
96. Bonnie Tyler – Total eclipse of the heart
97. Atomic Kitten – See ya
98. Beyonce – Irreplaceable
99. 2Gether – The hardest part of breaking up
100. Taylor Swift – Picture to burn

Til the next beat…

At Ease!!!

Xposition - October 2013

Attention!!!

October was also not such an eventful month. But still the hype was building up to the much anticipated 2013 YouTube Awards and 2013 American Music Awards. The nominations were announced for the the YouTube Awards and the hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were nominated for 4 while PSY were nominated for 3 and Rihanna and Taylow Swift each nominated for 2. 

The nominees for the American Music Awards 2013 were also announced by Will.I.Am and Kelly Clarkson and once again Macklemore and Ryan Lewis lead the nominations with 6 while Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake each have been nominated for 5. Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, One Direction, Imagine Dragons and Florida Georgia Line are all to perform at the show. 

It was announced that Jonas Brothers the immensely successful US boy band is splitting up. The band cancelled their tour and announced that the members are going their separate ways due to creative differences. The band was to release their fifth studio album this year. 

Lou Reed, the guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter of Velvet Underground and then as a solo artiste known for his hit Walk on the Wild Side died on 27th October 2013 aged 71. Many artists including Lenny Kravitz, Iggy Pop, David Bowie and Patti Smith paid tribute to Reed.

In a surprising turn of events for all Kanye West proposed to Kim Kardashian in San Francisco and an orchestra played while the center field scoreboard of the AT&T Park displayed the proposal "Please Marry Me". American sweetheart and the first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson married music manager Brandon Blackstock at Blackberry Farms in Tennessee. 

The top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 is pretty much unsurprising as Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball was dethroned after the first week as Lorde's Royals climbed to No.1 as predicted and remained there for the rest of the month. The only new song into the top ten was Ylvis's The Fox which entered the top 10 and peaked at No.6. 

In the UK there has been major activity. OneRepublic's Counting Stars finally peaked in the first week of October after many weeks of spending in the top 3. However, Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball smashed its way through as both her single and her album Bangerz debuted at No.1 in the UK, which is no easy feat. Counting Stars did manage to reclaim the top spot but this was short-lived as Lorde's Royals too debuted at No.1 in the last week. Eminem's Berzerk debuted at No.2 but it failed to match up against the giants that kept debuting at No.1. 

In the US Albums chart Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2) and Pearl Jam's Lightning Bolt all peaked while John Newman's Tribute and Haim's Days are Gone peaked in the UK while Katy Perry's Prism and Miley Cyrus' Bangerz peaked both in the US and UK.

Some of the other songs worth checking out which came out in October are:

1. The Vamps - Can we dance
2. The Saturdays - Disco love
3. James Blunt - Bonfire heart
4. John Newman - Cheating
5. Lawson - Juliet
6. Eminem - Rap God
7. Iggy Azalea ft. T.I. - Change your life
8. James Arthur - You're nobody 'til somebody loves you

Till the next chord…

At Ease!!!