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Tonight let’s take a look back at the Beatles hit “Across the Universe,” first released nearly 40 years ago in late December 1969. With its signature opening guitar hook and stream-of-consciousness lyrics, it’s an irresistible song for other artists to cover. Below, I present you some of the best covers available online, and at the end, two videos showing you how to play the song on guitar. Enjoy!
Rufus Wainwright, Moby, and Sean Lennon
Sean’s the one on the left, in case you were wondering.
Fiona Apple
From the Pleasantville soundtrack.
Wade Johnston and Friends (Ukulele Version)
I’m not entirely sure who these people are, but this is awesome. Stick through the brief false starts for a wonderful performance apparently recorded on a webcam in a hotel room. Note: after the song finishes, they include several minutes of goofing-off, which you can safely skip.
YouTube User “midnightfirefly14″
In the very beginning, it almost sounds like “Imagine.”
YouTube User “jptributer” featuring Mariana Casamayor
As I’m posting this, this version only has 218 views. I think it deserves more. From jptributer’s description: “A little bit of background: Saturday night, 2 AM, a couple of empty bottles lying aroung (beer), Pizza left overs, my niece who we just couldnt get to sleep playing in the back, new guitar, new web cam, new microphone and old friends coming over made the context of this little video that presents drunk voices and an eternal and incredily mesmerizing Beatles song that never gets old and beats every single song of nowadays.”
Kiersten Holine
Another webcam performance, but a good one.
Element of Crime
German rock band Element of Crime covers the song live.
Learn the Intro on Guitar (by Neil Hogan)
Learn the Rest of the Song on Guitar
What Did I Leave Out?
Got any favorite covers — Beatles or otherwise — you want to share? Leave ‘em in the comments.
Comments (11)
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I think a good cover (and i hope i don’t get ridiculed for this) is Nonpoint’s cover of “In the Air Tonight” originally done by Phil Collins.
Another interesting cover is the Fray covering “Heartless” by Kanye West. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgnFKNvmV7o
Finally, a cover on the spot, if you can call it that, of Ryan Leslie playing over “Lollipop” by Lil’ Wayne. What makes it amazing is that he plays piano on the spot, and gives the song a whole new look. After seeing this, it’s hard to say that there is no musical talent in hip hop. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7tjt9aFL4&feature=related
posted by Steven on 8-19-2009 at 10:51 pm
A group of musicians performed “Across the Universe” at the 2005 Grammys. Some of the vocals are questionable, but I love seeing so many different musical backgrounds coming together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXjkbJh6Kc4
posted by kathleenelise on 8-19-2009 at 10:52 pm
The blonde girl in the Wade Johnston video is named Julia Nunes, she herself has become quite famous (well, internet famous) for her covers, and even parlayed into an opening gig on a recent Ben Folds tour. I recommend her “God Only Knows” cover, it’s magnificent.
posted by jake on 8-20-2009 at 12:11 am
I’m surprised you don’t have David Bowie’s cover on here!!!
posted by Amitcdn on 8-20-2009 at 2:29 am
Another \Across the Universe\ cover by the slovenian group Laibach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q5mlb3Bjzs
posted by Karsten on 8-20-2009 at 3:21 am
I’m with Amitcdn re: the Bowie cover. Surprised that wasn’t listed.
posted by kim from hiraeth on 8-20-2009 at 8:24 am
Has anyone ever seen the movie Across the Universe, based on Beatle’s songs? I love love love it, it became an instant classic for me.
posted by Candy on 8-20-2009 at 10:01 am
Feist is notorious for great covers of songs (along with her own great tunes). She has recorded covers of the Bee Gee’s “Inside and Out”, Ron Sexsmith’s “Secret Heart”, and a recent cover of “Islands in the Stream” with the Constantines that is stunning. No Beatles covers I know of yet, though I’d love to hear one.
I think my favourite Beatles cover comes from another Canadian songstress – Sarah MacLachlan’s cover of “Blackbird” from the I Am Sam soundtrack is quite something.
posted by Bert on 8-20-2009 at 10:47 am
I love that you put Rufus Wainwright in the #1 spot. But I really prefer his version from the I Am Sam Soundtrack – without Sean & Moby. He’s one of my favorite artists. Truly sounds better in person.
He also does a great cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” which was on the Shrek ST.
John Lennon’s cover of “Stand By Me”?
And also Rod Stewart’s version of “Downtown Train” by Tom Waits.
recaptcha:harmoni- echoes
posted by Nerak on 8-20-2009 at 12:21 pm
Candy – Yes, I loved that movie as well!
I forgot to mention a great Beatles cover band I saw in concert recently – “The Fab Four”, they really put on a spectacular show!
posted by Nerak on 8-20-2009 at 12:25 pm
Beatles covers from I Am Sam soundtrack:
Two of Us – Aimee Mann & Michael Penn
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away – Eddie Vedder
Blackbird – Sarah McLachlan
posted by Jaime on 8-20-2009 at 3:45 pm