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Hillbilly AC/DC? “Goth” Tainted Love? Lounge hip-hop? During the course of several conference calls I’ve been on this week … the subject of interesting “cover” or remakes has come up on more than one occasion. I had stumbled across a few of these in my past … but wow, there were a lot more of these out there than I had realized! Some are funny, some are serious. Some are meant as a joke, and others not. And some - um - just defy any type of description whatsoever. I’ve collected the 10 best remakes/covers you’ve probably never seen … and in order, here they are:

#10. The Mike Flowers Pops - “Oasis … Wonderwall”

There’s nothing like big band “pops” covers of music of modern music. It’s not meant to be serious, but you have to appreciate the level of work that folks like Mike Flowers put into their work. Notice the “click” and “pop” sounds in the music - as if it came off of a record album (for those of you old enough to remember).

#9. Marilyn Manson - “Softcell … Tainted Love”

Ok, the guy is just plain weird. I can appreciate a good hate-filled, angst-ridden goth tune just as much as the next guy … but this guy is still, just — wow. Out there. Anyway, “Tainted Love” carries so much 80’s street cred that it had to be included in a list like this.

Warning: video clip could easily be considered Not Safe For Work (NSFW).

#8. Paul Anka - “Nirvanna … Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Starting his singing career in the 1950’s, and still belting out tunes today at age 67, Paul Anka provides his take on Nirvanna’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

#7. Tori Amos - “Nirvanna … Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Double Teen Spirit Bonus for you!! Tori Amos took a spin on this song as well, and it’s equally as intriguing as Paul Anka’s version is!

#6. Johnny Cash - “Nine Inch Nails … Hurt”

Known more for his historic tunes such as “Ring of Fire” and “Boy Named Sue”, it would appear that Johnny had an interest in all types of music - even covering a Nine Inch Nails song which has since been called “his epitaph”. To me, it is quite a haunting and somber rendition … rest in peace, Johnny.

Embedding of this YouTube video has been disabled by request - but you should still check it out here: Johnny Cash - Hurt

#5. Travis - “Britney Spears … Hit Me Baby One More Time”

While not the first group to ever riff on Britney’s career-launching hit … the shocking part is, that it’s actually much better than the original!

#4. Muse “Nina Simone … Feeling Good”

Few things embody Jazz for me more than the soulful voice of Nina Simone and her famous “Feeling Good” track. Well, the band Muse has revisited this tune with a hard rocker edge, and it totally works.

#3. Hayseed Dixie - “Green Day … Holiday”

The group that started this entire list for me … Hayseed Dixie started out as hillbilly/bluegrass covers of AC/DC tunes. You’ve not heard AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” or “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” until you’ve heard a bunch of hillbillies do it with banjos!

But I couldn’t find any videos they had done of those, that had decent sound quality. So here’s them doing their take on Green Day:

#2. Richard Cheese - “Sir Mix A Lot … Baby Got Back”

Rap/hip-hop music with a “lounge” spin? Sign me up! Richard Cheese, and his band Lounge Against the Machine, provide their take on Sir Mix A Lot’s “Baby Got Back” on the Jimmy Kimmel show in this video. I’m so impressed with Richard and his band that I’ve purchased several of his songs now - and am sad that Wikipedia says his voice is going, so we may not ever get anything else from him.

And then they follow it up with a bit of Depeche Mode, as well.

Other notable bands that Richard has covered - Pink Floyd, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Van Halen, Snoop Dogg, the list goes on and on and on…

#1. Alanis Morrisette - “Black Eyed Peas … My Humps”

Undoubtedly one of the most ridiculous songs of all times, Alanis Morrisette jumped on the opportunity to rip on “My Humps” by the Black Eyed Peas during the recording of her latest album. Apparently, as a way to let off some steam and do something completely frivilous for a bit - they recorded this and shot a video of it. Even funnier, apparently Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas sent Alanis a butt-shaped cake and a card - sounds like she approved of the song as well.

Got any others to add? Let us know in the comments!