While I was driving around Florida over Xmas, my sister and I heard some craptastic version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by some screechy lady, and started talking about how annoying cover songs are when they sound exactly like the original version. (And here’s to you, Mr. Lemonheads) If you’re going to cover a song, make it unique, oui? Here are a few good ones that I listen to, quite literally, every day. This might be because my ipod currently only has 250 songs on it, but they are great nonetheless.

1. I Just Came to Tell You That I’m Going- Jarvis Cocker and Kid Loco cover Serge Gainsbourg AND translate the lyrics to English. Best song ever about a man cruelly dumping someone. (Sample lyric: “Yes I loved you once, but, hey.”)

2. In a Manner of Speaking- Nouvelle Vague covering some band called Tuxedo Moon. The fact that I’ve never heard Tuxedo Moon does not take away from this being a very lovely song. It’s one I always listen to when landing while flying Delta, since they have this album in their touch screen CD selection entertainment thing and I find it soothing lest we crash.

3. The Sun Always Shines on TV- Delays covering A-ha. This is not a totally unique version, but this A-ha song rules so we can let that slide.

4. Always on My mind- Pet Shop Boys covering Willie Nelson. Or Elvis? Anyway, PSB are my favorite band so naturally I love this one. Shut up, they rule.

5. Float on- Goldspot covering Modest Mouse. I got this off some free OC mixed CD a few years ago. I instantly get happier when I’m on the subway and it comes on.

Um, I’m wasting time at work.