“What I really resent most about people sticking labels on you is that it cuts off all the other elements of what you are because it can only deal with black and white; the cartoon.”
One woman it is impossible to stick a label on is the formidable English singer-songwriter Siouxsie Sioux, best known as the front woman of Siouxsie and the Banshees.
There are many women in music’s history who have exuded power and strength but none quite like Siouxsie Sioux.
Her appearance, vocal talent, and performances are unique and inspiring – her voice is as instantly recognizable and individual as her extravagant hair and make-up.Her distinctive appearance reflects her confident, and inspiring attitude as someone who is fully aware, and fully accepting of who she is ignoring any and all boundaries and limitations that may come her way.
Siouxsie has achieved a long, and successful career that still sees her performing as a solo artist today – she continues to inspire and influence hundreds of artists in the industry because there is no one else that sounds, or looks, quite like her. She is the very definition of an individual.
With her unconventional beauty, inspiring attitude, and unique music that will take your breath away Siouxsie Sioux is someone who we can all learn a lot from whether it’s learning to embrace our true self, or strive to achieve the very best we can be.
10. Kiss Me - New Found Glory Original artist: Sixpence None The Richer
A happy-clappy-feel-good song that makes you feel like it's summer again. The trick of a good cover song is to make it your own - NFG ticked that box.
9. Love Buzz - Nirvana. Original artist: Shocking Blue
Nirvana covered this little beauty back in 1988 and released it as their debut single - they changed it up, and created an intensely brilliant bassline that is so clear throughout the track you can actually hear Novoselic plucking the strings. This song captures the essence of Nirvana: raw, gritty, strach, and unpolished yet beauty incarnate.
8. Police and Thieves - The Clash
Original artist: Junior Murvin
At the time of this release British reggae was dull and lacklaster in it's polite attempt to be original, so this stripped-back garage rock approach from The Clash was a glorious, and refreshing sound. Plus the bass is killer!
7. I Fought The Law - The Clash
Original artist: The Crickets
The original release by The Crickets suggested that this was a song about stealing sweets from the corner shop, skipping the bus without paying your fare, or not returning your library books but twenty years later when The Clash got hold of it, it sounded like a gang of outlaws fleeing their fate. Punk rock meets classic rock n roll. Schwing.
6. Feeling Good - Muse
Original artist: Nina Simone
Remember what we said about making a song sound like you wrote it? Well, here's another great example of just that. Coupled with the video, there's something a little freaky about this cover which is always a winner in my book.
5. Dear Prudence - Siouxsie & The Banshees
Original artist: The Beatles
Dreamy, whiter-than-white, 60's psychedelia turned into dark, edgy, androgynous, no-fucks-given, sex-goth... What's not to love?
4. All Along The Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Original artist: Bob Dylan
This song was transformed from a small, haunting song into an overnight hit the second Jimi Hendrix got his hands on it. A raging, spitfire of a cover - epic doesn't quite cover it.
3. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O' Connor
Original artist: The Family
Prince decided he wasn't interested in touching this song, so Miss O'Connor stepped up to the plate and turned it into one of the most spine-tingling, heart-wrenching classics of all time. Instantly recognisable, and one of the most flawless and hearfelt vocal performances ever recorded.
2. Bad Romance - 30 Seconds To Mars
Original artist: Lady Gaga
Haunting? Check. Spooky? Check. Original? Check. Frontman Leto re-wrote the song (thank godfather's) and delivered of the most eery, and poignant covers heard live on radio in, well, forever. Sometimes, you don't need guitar histrionics, and unrelenting basslines to dish out an instant hit. Beautiful. Simple. Killer.
1. Here Comes The Night - David Bowie
Original artist: Van Morrison ft. Them
Faster tempo than the original, with Bowie's trademark breathy, breathtaking vocals there was no way this was never gonna be number one on this list. Total killer.
