The BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge is one of the best places to see your favourite artists mix things up and have a bit of fun with their favourite songs. When the Live Lounge first started, it proved so popular that compilation albums were released and the segment became one of the most downloaded BBC items on iTunes.
Live Lounge’s popularity has since crossed over to YouTube with uploads regularly receiving millions of views. As a result, the Live Lounge itself has received several makeovers throughout the years and the studio is now a sleek spot for artists to perform.
Essentially, the Live Lounge covers feature is a glorified form of karaoke for those on the current touring circuit that pop in to have a chat with the BBC Radio 1 DJs. Some performers don’t quite hit the mark (we won’t name names) but most of the time artists get creative and the results are positive. Sometimes the covers even manage to outshine the original.
We have compiled a list of some of our favourites over the last few years.
Arctic Monkeys – Hold On We’re Going Home
Kicking off the list with a bang is a cover that is so wrong but so right. Drake’s tune seems to have catapulted the Arctic Monkeys into some sort of alternate universe where they resemble a wedding band. It is worth watching for Turner’s swagger and moves alone. This cover really shouldn’t work but it does.
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Possibly one of the most well-known covers of the last ten years, Amy’s version of The Zuton’s Valerie has surpassed the original becoming the definitive version of the track. This live version is like a breeze on a hot summer’s day. Refreshing, cheeky and light. Top Marks for Ms Winehouse.
Paolo Nutini – Recover
We were lucky enough to hear this Live Lounge cover at Electric Picnic and we haven’t been able to stop listening since. Paolo changes up the Chvrches tune and performs it with a full band. It’s passionate and alluring and we highly recommend checking it out.
Ellie Goulding – Rhythm of the Night
Ellie is no stranger to Live Lounge and over the last few years, we have seen her cover a number of slow tempo tracks from artists such as Temper Trap, José González and Justin Timberlake. This, however, is an upbeat tune featuring a snippet of Storm Queen’s Looks Right Through.
Paloma Faith – Sexy Chick
The original version of this tune is an obnoxious track by David Guetta and Akon but Paloma successfully managed to transform it into a haunting, sultry number that is well worth a listen.
Jamie Cullum – Frontin
This jazz style cover of Pharrell’s Frontin’ is a Live Lounge classic. It was such a success that it made its way on to Jamie’s album Twentysomething and is a regular addition to his tour setlists.
London Grammar – Wrecking Ball
Miley who? In three words; simple, haunting, emotive.
Vampire Weekend – Blurred Lines
It’s amazing what removing Robin Thicke from the equation can do for a song. This is a serious case of go big or go home and Vampire Weekend clearly went full hog and committed to the cause. A special shout out goes to Ezra’s backing vocalists who perform with gusto.
Bombay Bicycle Club – F For You
Bombay Bicycle Club and their extended crew cover Disclosure for this Live Lounge. Frankly, it’s so weird it works. The Indian influences heard on ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’ trickle into this version of F For You with good and slightly odd results.
Hozier – Do I Want to Know
Andrew ‘Hozier’ Byrne and his band flipped this well-known Arctic Monkeys number into a major key and slowed things down a few notches until the ‘AM’ tune resembled a lullaby. It’s a perfect example of a Live Lounge cover that illustrates how a different musician and a little imagination can unearth sides of a song that previously lay dormant. Backing vocals from Wyvern Lingo’s Karen and Caoimhe also add warmth to the tune.