By the time I heard Patti Smith’s version of “My Generation” I had heard the groundbreaking original thousands of times.  I was skeptical at first, but having listened to all of Horses first it seemed to make sense.  I was surprised. 

I’ve never been a big fan of covers, but sometimes they are so exceptional, so fascinatingly different, they sound like an original song by the artist covering it.  I love No Doubt’s “It’s My Life” and Marilyn Manson’s “Tainted Love,” and of course when Oasis covered The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” I just about lost my shit!  Foo Fighters’ version of “Darling Nikki” is a superb bit of musicality, and Dave Grohl’s scream is absolutely orgasm-inducing.  It’s a shame that most people these days don’t even know Louis Prima, but Brian Setzer Orchestra’s recording of “Jump Jive An’ Wail” guarantees that the song will live…