DarrenBarefoot.com

I love a good cover song. The only podcast I listen to consistently is Coverville. It’s not a fantastic article, but it’s an interesting overview of covers of U2’s music:

Starring in the role as a favorite to be covered by all angles of the musical community is “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Cher who opened both her 1999 “Believe” and recent “Farewell” tours with a more up-tempo version of the U2 classic, performed with the inclusion of an electric guitar solo while Cher sat atop a chandelier. The group Negativland made its mark on the song in 1991 with its kazoo version but an injunction by Island Records prevented further distribution as the record company felt the song’s cover artwork would mislead fans into thinking they were buying a new record by U2 itself.

While they mention the bluegrass compilations (a desperate marketing gesture by the bluegrass enthusiasts, methinks), they ignored the strings. There’s both Strung Out on U2 and Still Strung Out on U2. I’m currently listening to a heartfelt instrumental cover of “The Sweetest Thing”.

U2 actually covers a lot of songs in concert. I only have 62 U2 songs in my collection, but I’ve got live covers of “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “I Shall Be Released”, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, “Unchained Meloday”, “Sweet Caroline” and “Sweet Jane” (I have 13 covers of this last song–it’s a long story).