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Posted: 2014-12-13 11:00:00
Michael Jackson ... it’s not a top 100 music list without him.

Michael Jackson ... it’s not a top 100 music list without him. Source: News Limited

Kylie Minogue...from poppet to pop princess. Kylie Minogue has made the list.

Kylie Minogue...from poppet to pop princess. Kylie Minogue has made the list. Source: News Corp Australia

George Michael writes songs that have stood the test of time.

George Michael writes songs that have stood the test of time. Source: News Corp Australia

Australian singer Sia is one of our most recent breakthrough Australian singing stars.

Australian singer Sia is one of our most recent breakthrough Australian singing stars. Source: Supplied

Jeff Buckley recorded the definitive version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Jeff Buckley recorded the definitive version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Source: Supplied

Another one for lovers of Australian music...Silverchair.

Another one for lovers of Australian music...Silverchair. Source: Supplied

Doug Fieger, Berton Averre and Prescott Niles from the Knack.

Doug Fieger, Berton Averre and Prescott Niles from the Knack. Source: News Limited

IT’S that time of year where you don’t want to be indoors putting together a playlist. So we’ve done it for you, neatly broken up into ten different genres giving you 100 rather diverse songs for summer. Before you get antsy, these aren’t meant to be the best songs ever, just a selection of excellent tunes.

GET THE PARTY STARTED

Make some room on the dancefloor — it’s going down once these kick in.

Deee-Lite — Groove is in the Heart

Released: 1990

This song could make a statue dance. A mix of funky samples, Q-Tip rap and Lady Miss Kier’s fierce vocals, they released three albums but would never better their perfect first impression.

Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop `Til You Get Enough

Released: 1979

We all miss Michael, but we really miss this Michael. This song managed to bottle a timeless disco groove forever and he’s clearly having fun, something he’d sadly lose the ability to do later on.

Diana Ross — Upside Down

Released: 1980

The ‘disco sucks’ campaign once derailed his band Chic, but Nile Rodgers has had the last laugh. He’s the coolest man in music again and his songs, like this, helped invent dance music.

Prince — 1999

Released: 1982

Before there was dancing like no one’s watching there was dancing like someone could drop a nuclear bomb and the world could end any minute. This would have been a great last song though.

Madonna — Into the Groove

Released: 1985

A career-defining classic — she’s made a mint singing about the lure of the dancefloor but has never put it better than “only when I’m dancing can I feel this free.”

Vintage Madonna ... Into the Groove is one of the best songs of the 1980s.

Vintage Madonna ... Into the Groove is one of the best songs of the 1980s. Source: News Corp Australia

Pulp — Common People

Released: 1995

The planets aligned for UK band Pulp here — a literate, wildly infectious song about a rich girl slumming it for kicks became an anthem that still gets the blood gushing to the head.

Beyonce and Jay-Z — Crazy in Love

Released: 2003

Quite simply, one of the best songs created this century. Instantly elevated Beyonce to another level, a pedestal she’s remained on since. Her husband’s not too shabby either.

Salt’n’Pepa — Push It

Released: 1987

A hip hop classic, Push It has endured over the years and generations and can still fill floors from cool clubs to weddings.

Breakthrough ... Whitney’s first big hit remains one of her finest performances.

Breakthrough ... Whitney’s first big hit remains one of her finest performances. Source: News Corp Australia

Whitney Houston — How Will I Know

Released: 1985

Yeah, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, but that’s too easy. Whitney’s first big hit here also showcased that big voice and so much ’80s gold including the then-obligatory sax solo.

Daft Punk — Get Lucky

Released: 2013

The biggest song of 2013 sounded like it could have been made in 1978. Pharrell Williams plus Nile Rodgers plus French disco robots equals an instant future retro classic.

AUSTRALIAN MADE

You never need to go to far to find amazing homegrown voices, stories and melodies, naturally this list could go on forever but here’s a quick cross section.

Russell Morris — The Real Thing

Released: 1969

In an era when pop songs were fast and to the point, this takes you on a scenic route through the psychedelic summer of love, dropping you off at a far more exciting destination thanks to your musical chauffeur Molly Meldrum, who produced this.

The Church — Under the Milky Way

Released: 1988

The most delightfully happy accident of Steve Kilbey’s career, it’s got an other-worldly vibe and in-built mystery that still charms you every time you hear it.

Cold Chisel — Flame Trees

Released: 1984

How do you pick a Chisel song? Randomly. And Flame Trees is the kind of song that could only be written in Australia. Sorry Barnsey, we can all do with some sentimental BS at times.

The Go-Betweens — Streets of Your Town

Released: 1988

Gorgeous pop song from our most accessible alternative band that also has a sinister dark streak. The late Grant McLennan left so many harmonies to remember him by.

INXS — Don’t Change

Released: 1982

The first glimpse of the rock band INXS would become — every member is on fire in this song. Listen to those drums, the duelling guitar and keyboard and of course that voice and that swagger.

Band on fire ... a very young INXS, preparing themselves for world domination.

Band on fire ... a very young INXS, preparing themselves for world domination. Source: News Corp Australia

Icehouse — Hey Little Girl

Released: 1982

Icehouse grew up in an era when Australian bands knew they could take on the world with the right songs — like this one. Iva Davies made electronic music with heart and soul.

John Farnham — Please Don’t Ask Me

Released: 1980

How was this song never a hit? Written by LRB’s Graeham Goble, Farnham’s voice on this song is magic — so clear and direct without resorting to histrionics because, well, he doesn’t have to.

Silverchair — Straight Lines

Released: 2007

Which other grunge band went from something as simple as Tomorrow to something as grandiose yet appealing as this stroke of genius? Daniel Johns has a brain we should be proud of.

Paul Kelly — Sweet Guy

Released: 1989

Like Cold Chisel, there’s no wrong choice with Paul Kelly. But this has a Trojan Horse factor — Paul Kelly singing from a woman’s view about a violent male to his mainstream audience.

Our girl ... amazing singer and dog whisperer Sia Furler.

Our girl ... amazing singer and dog whisperer Sia Furler. Source: Supplied

Sia — Breathe Me

Released: 2004

Adelaide’s Sia Furler has a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Breathe Me lets the music build up to those Chandelier-style highs, with her voice breaking and healing before your ears.

SIZE DOES MATTER

The classic three minute pop song is great, but sometimes you’re in it for the long haul. Buy these songs and you get your money’s worth.

Paolo Nutini — Iron Sky

Released: 2014

The British singer has a voice which gets to your heart as swiftly as a cardiothoracic surgeon. You never want Iron Sky to end as Nutini works himself into a right state over six minutes.

Broken Social Scene — Lover’s Spit

Released: 2002

Namechecked by Lorde in Ribs and loved by Vance Joy and Feist, this is a woozy baroque ballad from the Canadian indie band that is delightfully ramshackle.

Arcade Fire — No Cars Go

Released: 2007

If you had to explain the pure joy inherent in the Arcade Fire’s music, you’d play them this song and watch them chant along before it ends. Hey!

The Blue Nile — The Downtown Lights

Released: 1989

There’s almost a secret society of fans of The Blue Nile in Australia. Paul Buchanan is one of the most underrated British singers and lyricists, and this languid epic would be covered by Annie Lennox and Rod Stewart, but not bettered.

Frank Ocean — Pyramids

Released: 2012

Frank Ocean’s melding of hip hop beats, buzzing electro and soulful falsetto really excels on Pyramids, which morphs into some weird Pink-Floyd-gone-hip-hop-soundscape in its second half.

The Stone Roses — Fools Gold

Released: 1989

The last classic song of the ’80s, who’d have thought a bunch of jangly Mancunians could pull off this extended loose funk workout? A game and mood changer.

Big beard, big heart ... the sensitive Chet Faker.

Big beard, big heart ... the sensitive Chet Faker. Source: Supplied

Chet Faker — Cigarettes and Loneliness

Released: 2014

This is the broken, pulsating heart of Chet Faker’s ARIA winning album Built on Glass. “This is love without love,” he emits from a raw wound in his chest, at his own pace.

Oasis — Whatever

Released: 1994

In which Noel Gallagher writes All You Need Is Love 2, because John Lennon wasn’t around to do it.

Guns N’Roses — November Rain

Released: 1992

They don’t make them like this anymore. Big, overblown power balladry that is also the longest song to ever reach the Top 10 in the US. The last few minutes are exhilarating.

November reign ... Guns N’Roses’ Axl Rose in 1991, long before the dreaded cornrow hairst

November reign ... Guns N’Roses’ Axl Rose in 1991, long before the dreaded cornrow hairstyle. Source: News Corp Australia

Led Zeppelin — Stairway to Heaven

Released: 1971

Every year this monumental song inducts more and more people into a love of rock music or into playing the guitar. We salute you.

SAD SONGS SLAY SO MUCH

Here are some songs that range from glum to downright miserable because music isn’t just there for the good times. These people feel your pain.

Joy Division — Love Will Tear us Apart

Released: 1980

Arguably the saddest song of all time, written just months before singer Ian Curtis took his own life. Listen to those lyrics. Sigh.

The saddest song of all time ... Ian Curtis from Joy Division.

The saddest song of all time ... Ian Curtis from Joy Division. Source: Supplied

Nirvana — Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Released: 1994

It’s no mystery Kurt Cobain could articulate pain, but he could also channel it second hand on this American folk song — he nearly bleeds on this chilling Unplugged version.

Bonnie Raitt — I Can’t Make You Love Me

Released: 1991

We’ve all been there. It’s just this song is better at articulating that moment when you realise you can’t change how someone else feels. George Michael’s version is also breathtaking.

Cyndi Lauper — Time After Time

Released: 1984

The wacky Girls Just Want to Have Fun chick and a dude from ’80s two-hit wonders The Hooters create one of the most enduring ballads of our times.

Passenger — Riding To New York

Released: 2014

Crikey — the Let Her Go singer uses his tender voice to tell the story of a dying father (damn those cigarettes) crossing the country to see his kids and grandkids one last time. Ultimate sad face.

Damien Rice — The Box

Released: 2014

Ed Sheeran was inspired by Irish folkie Damien Rice’s emotionally-charged honesty. After seven years away, this proved that Rice still sulks in a more enjoyable way than most.

Elton John — Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)

Released: 1982

Elton pays tribute to his mate John Lennon with metaphor and melancholy. The title refers to Madison Square Garden, where Lennon made his last live performance.

Articulating pain ... Kurt Cobain’s last major TV performance was for the Unplugged album

Articulating pain ... Kurt Cobain’s last major TV performance was for the Unplugged album. Source: News Corp Australia

Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue — Where the Wild Roses Grow

Released: 1995

From his cheery album Murder Ballads, here a super creepy Nick Cave lures a naive Kylie Minogue to his sinister side then three dates later kills her with a rock. This is how their friendship began.

Sun Kil Moon — Carissa

Released: 2014

Mark Kozelek gets unhappy as he details the grisly death of his second cousin in a fire. It’s actually a beautiful tribute as he heads to her funeral because “I need to give and get some hugs.”

The Smiths — I Know It’s Over

Released: 1986

First line “Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head.” The Sultan of Sorrow Morrissey made being rejected and dejected a work of art in this splendidly sad song.

IT TAKES TWO

We live in an age where duets are more often than not corporate mergers dreamt up in a marketing department, but here are some moments of magic shared by two.

Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush — Don’t Give Up

Released: 1986

Rumour has it Dolly Parton was the first choice for this ode to despair and hope. Rumour also has it Kate was dating Peter Gabriel when they sang it. Regardless, it is perfect.

1980s hit ... singers Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush in happier times.

1980s hit ... singers Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush in happier times. Source: Supplied

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers — Islands in the Stream

Released: 1983

The Bee Gees wrote it, but Dolly`n’Kenny turned it into a karaoke classic. Sail away with them to another world, ah-ha.

Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield — What Have I Done to Deserve This

Released: 1987

Dusty’s career was in the dumper; the Pet Shop Boys were in their imperial period. It was an inspired pairing — that “Since you went away” refrain from Springfield was modern Motown.

Neneh Cherry and Youssou N’Dour — 7 Seconds

Released: 1994

Two cultures collide here on this trilingual hit — N’Dour sings (jaw-droppingly) in French and West African language Wolof, Cherry in English.

Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman — Stumblin’ In

Released: 1978

Was going to include Bryan Adams and Mel C’s When You’re Gone, but that’s effectively this song. Suzi Q and the dude from Smokie (ask your parents) did it first and better.

The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale of New York

Released: 1987.

The best Christmas song of all time — fact. It’s always a treat to hear Kirsty MacColl’s voice when this song justifiably resurfaces at this festive juncture each year.

Karoke classis ... Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were both fond of big hair.

Karoke classis ... Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were both fond of big hair. Source: News Corp Australia

Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks — Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around

Released: 1981

This is how you do a duet people. Petty wrote it for himself, Nicks got on board and it became a conversation as well as a killer rock tune. Listen to those drums!

Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson — Candy

Released: 1990

Mr Pop wrote a song about a teenage girlfriend, 20 years on. She’s then voiced by B-52s singer Pierson who throws herself into the dialogue. It’s like a mini-musical.

Aerosmith and Run DMC — Walk This Way

Released: 1986

This not only broke ground but helped introduce rap — and producer Rick Rubin — to the mainstream and rebooted Aerosmith’s career. Still sounds awesome.

Brandy and Monica — The Boy is Mine

Released: 1998

So smart — pit two rival female R & B singers together in a song about both dating the same gentleman. They keep their battling for the recording studio. Neither has bettered this since.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

You had one job — to write an incredible song. And you did it. Once. Thankyou and goodbye.

MARRS — Pump Up the Volume

Released: 1987

This may be the best official One Hit Wonder of all time. In the early days of UK house and sampling (everything from Eric B and Rakim to Stock Aitken Waterman) this changed music.

4 Non Blondes — What’s Up?

Released: 1993

Singer Linda Perry would go on to write some amazing songs (Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful anyone?) but this is a campfire classic that tests vocal skills with that chorus.

Young MC — Bust a Move

Released: 1989

This here’s a jam for all the fellas and the ladies — Young MC (or Marvin Young to the passport officer) would release other songs, but this is the only one you need.

Lipps Inc — Funkytown

Released: 1980

Whether you know the discotastic original, Pseudo Echo’s rock cover or the versions from Shrek or South Park, this song is highly simple but highly effective.

New Radicals — You Get What You Give

Released: 1998

Like Linda Perry, New Radicals’ Gregg Alexander would write hits for others (including the only good Ronan Keating songs) which all sound like this, but not as incredible. Pop fact: contains unflattering shout outs to Courtney Love, Beck and Marilyn Manson.

They had the knack ... The Knack made a whole career off of one song. Spoiler — it was My

They had the knack ... The Knack made a whole career off of one song. Spoiler — it was My Sharona. Source: News Limited

The Knack — My Sharona

Released: 1979

Knack diehards (there are some) will tell you they actually released several albums. But they only had one My Sharona. Sharona Alperin, who the song was about, is now an LA real estate agent whose website is mysharona.com — seriously.

Modern English — I Melt With You

Released: 1982

What a great year for music. This British band broke America with this new wave song, well, not quite break but slightly dented, after it was used in a love montage in the movie Valley Girl.

Spectrum — I’ll Be Gone

Released: 1971

Mike Rudd would have more hits, but Spectrum are best known for this Australian classic with that unmistakable harmonica. They reformed in 2008 for their first new material in decades.

Unmistakable ... Mike Rudd and Spectrum back in the day.

Unmistakable ... Mike Rudd and Spectrum back in the day. Source: Supplied

The Dream Academy — Life in a Northern Town

Released: 1985

Another band who kept on trying, but never bettered their first impression. What an exquisite song, a partial tribute to the late Nick Drake, that’s later been both sampled by dance acts and covered by country stars.

The Swingers — Counting the Beat

Released: 1981

Kylie Minogue admitted going to CountDown as a teenager and seeing this Kiwi band play this twisted pop treat live made her want to become a singer. More reason to love this song.

SLOW DOWN AND DANCE WITH ME

Sometimes you just need to drop the tempo and dim the lights.

Rolling Stones — Miss You

Released: 1978

Even the Stones fell for disco — it’s all about the bass, no treble, in this song. By the time the sax kicks in it’s already taken on a whole late night dimension. And we all know Mick Jagger does some of his best work nocturnally.

Stones go disco ... The Rolling Stones still play Miss You, due to its brilliance.

Stones go disco ... The Rolling Stones still play Miss You, due to its brilliance. Source: News Corp Australia

Lauryn Hill — Ex Factor

Released: 1998

Things haven’t been so great for Ms Hill since she released this album. The whole record is something special, but there’s something particularly dazzling about this song and her vocals. Bonus points for the use of the word reciprocity.

Shakespears Sister — Stay

Released: 1992

What a brilliantly, bonkers ballad. Starkly minimal for the first half, Siobhan Fahey (ex Bananarama) then arrives like a thunderstorm and musical witchcraft ensues. Magical.

Billy Joel — She’s Always a Woman

Released: 1977

Pink got married to this song. The mind boggles about how many other people have been married — and conceived — to this tender ballad. It’s about Joel’s first wife, then his manager, before their bitter split. Don’t let that ruin it for you.

Paul McCartney — Maybe I’m Amazed

Released: 1970

Written for his wife Linda, Paul McCartney has written a lot of love songs, but the audible passion in this one really hits that sweet spot.

Sweet spot ... Paul McCartney wrote Maybe I’m Amazed about wife Linda — lucky lady.

Sweet spot ... Paul McCartney wrote Maybe I’m Amazed about wife Linda — lucky lady. Source: News Limited

Annie Lennox — Why

Released: 1992

It’s hard to pinpoint the best bit of this ballad. Maybe it’s when Lennox slightly unravels at the end with the strangely soulful rant “this is the fear, this is the dread, these are the contents of my head” which winds down into a whisper. Flawless.

Dire Straits — Romeo & Juliet

Released: 1980

Before they went all stadium, here’s Mark Knopfler’s painful post-mortem of a relationship, using Shakespeare’s characters except these ones have TVs and songs in movies.

Bruce Springsteen — Brilliant Disguise

Released: 1987

The Boss rarely plays this live as it’s reportedly about his first wife and their split. Which would explain the sadness and resignation about a love gone wrong in this song’s DNA, but that’s what makes it so powerful.

Kate Bush — This Woman’s Work

Released: 1989

Instant, prolonged and relentless goosebumps from start to finish.

Glen Campbell — Wichita Lineman

Released: 1968

In 100 years people will still be listening to this song and marvelling at it.

GROOVE IS IN THE HEART

You’ve started the party, but don’t be afraid to get a little deeper.

George Michael — Fastlove

Released: 1996

George Michael takes his sweet time to release songs, but when they’re as sweet as this one, they’re worth the wait. “I ain’t Mr Right but if you’re looking for fastlove ...” he sings before noting “I do believe that we are practising the same religion.”

Taking his time ... George Michael is a stickler for facial grooming and dance floor fill

Taking his time ... George Michael is a stickler for facial grooming and dance floor fillers. Source: News Corp Australia

Good Times — Chic

Released: 1979

As soon as that bassline kicks in you’re at Studio 54 and all is good in the world for three and a half minutes.

Spandau Ballet — Chant No. 1

Released: 1981

White British boys were surprisingly soulful in the early ’80s — particularly with heavy percussion and even heavier brass work. Also contains an early white rap.

Hall & Oates — I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)

Released: 1981

This topped the American R & B chart. Because listen to that groove and those sky-high harmonies. Holy moly.

Sister Sledge — He’s the Greatest Dancer

Released: 1979

You may recognise Nile Rodgers’ riff being used by Will Smith. Rodgers started the craze of mentioning brands by name in song here. But it’s all about the elegant disco inferno contained within.

Drake — Just Hold On We’re Going Home

Released: 2013

If anyone tells you today’s music has no soul, direct them to this example of modern lovers’ rock pronto.

Marvin Gaye — Mercy Mercy Me

Released: 1971

How do you follow up What’s Going On? With this love song to the earth, and sadly the warnings of mercury and radiation poisoning were scarily prescient. If only Mr Gaye had looked out for himself as well and was still around to sing it.

Blackstreet — No Diggity

Released: 1996

Dr Dre operated with precision skill on this New Jack Swing anthem based around a Bill Withers sample. Everyone from Chet Faker to Ed Sheeran’s covered it of late.

Frank Wilson — Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

Released: 1965

Northern Soul remains one of the most timeless and unexplored genres of music. This Motown stormer gets the job done in 150 seconds of pure joy.

The Bee Gees ... just out of picture, a large amount of chest hair.

The Bee Gees ... just out of picture, a large amount of chest hair. Source: News Corp Australia

The Bee Gees — Love Inside and Out

Released: 1979

When you’ve had as many hits as the Bee Gees some slip through the cracks. This went to No. 1 in the US but tanked here. It’s a shame; it’s the least over-played of their disco/funk/soul period. Plus, falsetto.

POP IS NOT A DIRTY WORD

There’s no shame in their game - they just want to make as many people as possible enjoy their music. Pop equals popular.

Kylie Minogue — Love at First Sight

Released: 2001

Little known fact: this may well be Kylie’s best pop song ever. Euphoric, impossibly catchy and dealing with both love and love of music, it is like listening to a warm hug.

Taylor Swift — New Romantics

Released: 2014

Most acts fill the deluxe versions of their albums with offcuts. Smart Swift put arguably her finest pop tune on the fancy edition of 1989 to make sure you get your extra money’s worth. Hopefully she’s putting the lyric “The best people in life are free” on T-shirts for her tour.

Impossibly catchy ... Kylie Minogue knows how to make you feel good.

Impossibly catchy ... Kylie Minogue knows how to make you feel good. Source: News Corp Australia

James — Laid

Released: 1993

If the tune is embraceable enough, you can sing pretty much anything, like this UK band’s ode to stalking, cross-dressing and bedroom positions. A delightful two minutes 36 seconds.

S Club 7 — Don’t Stop Movin’

Released: 2001

If you are going to be, er, inspired by a pop song, it may as well be the perfect Billie Jean. This is the definition of a guilty pleasure.

Fine Young Cannibals — She Drives Me Crazy

Released: 1998

That snare. Taking more than a few lessons from Prince, this strange concoction (soaring guitar, bubbling bass, Roland Gift’s powerhouse vocals) was justifiably a global No.1.

Donna Summer — I Feel Love

Released: 1977

Throw in Kraftwerk and this song (written by Giorgio Moroder) and you’ve got the basis for everything we now listen to that passes for electronic music. It proved that synthesisers could be sexy.

Yes Taylor Swift ... you’ve made the list.

Yes Taylor Swift ... you’ve made the list. Source: Getty Images

Human League — Love Action (I Believe in Love)

Released: 1981

Highlights: that electronic cat meow, the fact there’s not a single ‘real’ instrument involved just all machines and that Phil Oakey refers to himself in the third person.

New Order — Bizarre Love Triangle

Released: 1986

From moody misanthropes in Joy Division, this completed New Order’s transformation into unlikely pop stars. It always sounded liked they’d accidentally stumbled over a killer chorus rather than sat down to clinically design one.

David Bowie — Young Americans

Released: 1975

From outer space to soul man, Bowie was the original reinventer. The Brits take on American soul remains one of his many, many inspired moments. Mighty, flighty sax solo too.

Midnight City — M83

Released: 2011

Speaking of sax solos, this French delight is a dreamy, distorted anthem that takes you away and remains one of the great lost chart hits.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING

“Making a song your own” is now a reality TV karaoke cliche, but here are people who have truly reinvented someone’s else’s work for a second-hand classic.

Johnny Cash — Hurt

Released: 2003

Originally by Nine Inch Nails, this was totally transformed by Johnny Cash and was one of the last things he recorded. Even Trent Reznor has admitted this song no longer belongs to him.

Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah

Released: 1994

Weirdly after Jeff Buckley’s definitive version of this Leonard Cohen song, people are still bothering to cover it. Actually the kd lang version was sublime. Otherwise, please stop.

The Man in Black... he’s sorely missed, but Johnny Cash left behind an enviable catalogue

The Man in Black... he’s sorely missed, but Johnny Cash left behind an enviable catalogue of music. Source: AP

Soft Cell — Tainted Love

Released: 1981

A flop Northern Soul song for Gloria Jones in the ’60s, UK electro duo Soft Cell slowed it down and made a seedy synthesised version that remains one of the most original non-original songs ever.

Pet Shop Boys — Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)

Released: 1991

Long before U2 discovered their humour or irony gland, the Pet Shop Boys punctured the myth around the Irish rockers by dragging them to the dancefloor with Frankie Valli for unlikely company. A prototype mashup.

Feeling Good — Muse

Released: 2001

Many people have tackled this song made famous by Nina Simone, from George Michael to Michael Buble, but maybe it was the fact this was so unexpected — and so incredible — that makes it so beloved.

Roxy Music — Jealous Guy

Released: 1981

The British band began covering this John Lennon song just after his death as a tribute. Factor in raw emotion and strong material they had to work with anyway and still hits the spot. Nice whistling too.

The definitive version ... many believe Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah is the finest cover of

The definitive version ... many believe Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah is the finest cover of all time. Source: Supplied

Gary Jules — Mad World

Released: 2001

The Tears for Fears quirky pop song was turned into a sombre, chilling ballad for Donnie Darko. It’s become the benchmark for sucking the fun out of bouncy ’80s hits to become ballads now, but no one has done as well as this yet.

You + Me — No Ordinary Love

Released: 2014

Here Pink and City and Colour’s Dallas Green turn Sade’s babymaking groove into a striking, stripped-down duet. And when you can out-sing Pink you know your voice is highly impressive, Mr Green.

Bananarama — Venus

Released: 1986

The best cover versions are genre hijacks. Originally a hippy hit for Shocking Blue in 1969, Bananarama and Stock Aitken Waterman gave it a hi-energy makeover that, like all good music, crossed over from sweaty nightclubs to the pop charts.

Adele — Make You Feel My Love

Released: 2008

This latter-era Bob Dylan song had already been covered by Billy Joel and Garth Brooks before Adele sang it. Like Hallelujah, nobody need sing it again since. Cheers.

Hear it ... Adele’s Make You Feel My Love was one of many of her songs ignored by Austral

Hear it ... Adele’s Make You Feel My Love was one of many of her songs ignored by Australian radio. Source: News Limited

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