Song: Wonderwall

pop-rock -> somber indie -> big-band swing

The most satisfying covers are those that transform the song into a completely new setting. Today, you’re getting two unique covers of the Oasis classic ‘Wonderwall’, easily my favorite track from the Gallagher brothers. Ryan Adams (who’s coming out with two more albums this year) presents a slow but deliberate guitar and reverbed vocal track. From the subtle voice crack to fingertip-string treble to his emotional howling, Ryan’s cover emotes a clear and true representation of the song’s meaning. On the complete and opposite side of things, Paul Anka’s take, from Rock Swings, is a glitzy big-band version with spot-on vocals and instrumentation. The arrangements are well done – not sleazy covers like Richard Cheese.
One version subdued and sincere. The other bright and boiling.

Ryan Adams – Wonderwall
Paul Anka – Wonderwall
buy this cd

Posted by Paul Irish on Tuesday, June 14th, 2005 under rock.

10 Responses to “Song: Wonderwall”

  1. Lindsay said on June 14th at 7:10 pm :

    Ryan Adams version of Wonderwall has been on every cd that I’ve burned since February. Definatly a great song.

  2. Alastair said on June 15th at 5:13 am :

    My 4 y.o. and I are very partial to the Mike Flowers Pops version. But that may be just some weird genetic defect.

  3. Grace said on June 15th at 12:06 pm :

    Paul Anka, who’d thunk it? Thanks!

  4. Dave said on June 15th at 8:28 pm :

    not too big on either of these.

    just my two cents.

  5. Maciej said on June 17th at 8:45 pm :

    Cat Power’s version of this song is also really great.

  6. Galen said on June 21st at 2:08 pm :

    Hey! I like Richard Cheese!
    (Haha, good stuff.)

  7. Anonymous said on July 4th at 12:16 pm :

    I am embarrassed to admit, in your presence, that I like Oasis. Perhaps I can find redemption when I say that I enjoy these covers much more than the original.

  8. Anonymous said on July 19th at 1:13 am :

    cat power cover you say?

  9. Paul Irish said on July 19th at 6:30 pm :

    believe you me, i looked at every cover of this song. the cat power take is really nice, but i limited my post to only 2 songs. I bet Liza’s gotten it covered.

  10. Chris said on November 20th at 7:40 am :

    Ha, you’re a legend – I thought the file would be gone by now :-) Thank you!

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