by Chris Skebo
As alternative-country hero Ryan Adams sets to embark on his new tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut solo album, Heartbreaker, it seems like an appropriate time to look at a more recent facet of his career – interpreting songs he didn’t write.
His first notable cover was on the 2004 EP Love is Hell on which he did a solemn rendition of the 1995 chartbuster “Wonderwall” by Oasis. His dark take on this bright Britpop anthem drew attention from many corners of the musical universe, and quickly became Adams’s most streamed song. He later featured a cover of Alice In Chains’ “Down in a Hole” on 2007’s Follow the Lights EP.
Fast forward to 2015 when Adams took this interpretive idea to a new level, covering Taylor Swift’s entire 1989 album. This alternative take on her pop masterpiece proved to me that Swift’s songs stand on their own. It also demonstrated Adams’s ability to transform something well known into something different and fresh.
The past several years Adams has taken on several more projects interpreting entire classic albums – Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, and Oasis’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. Every one of these albums demonstrates a keen artist’s ear for interpretation, and you might even begin to believe that Adams wrote them.
The past year Adams has released digital singles of cover songs, often songs by
artists that hail from areas where he’s performing. These releases were recorded live in concert. Upon hearing of another new one, my first thought is often, “He covered what?!?” But I have yet to be disappointed by his adventurous choices. He’s a great songwriter, now developing his estimable interpretive skills. It’s a real gift, and I’m here for all of it.
Following is a list of my favorite Ryan Adams solo acoustic covers (all available digitally):
“When Doves Cry” – Prince
Minneapolis – 2022
This take on a Prince classic, performed solo acoustic in Prince’s backyard, is a solemn tribute to a masterful songwriter.
“Down in a Hole” – Alice in Chains
Eugene, OR – 2023
This is a second version of the song, performed without the Cardinals. This version allows Adams to really pull the emotional weight out of the melody.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
Edmonton, AL – 2023
Whitney Houston?!? Yes please! This one really shocked me as a choice, but Adams delivers the goods. Be prepared for the harmonica solo.
“The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers
Brensalem, PA – 2023
Adams takes this Kenny Rogers staple and delivers a straight-forward crowd pleaser.
“Ace of Spades” – Motorhead
Brensalem, PA – 2023
Adams turns this Motorhead hard rock anthem into a bluesy shuffle you might
hear on a riverboat down the mighty Mississippi.
“War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
Birmingham, UK – 2023
In the hometown of Ozzy Osbourne, and initially almost unrecognizable, Adams transforms this iconic Black Sabbath stomp into a plodding Robert Johnson blues number.
“London Calling” – The Clash
London – 2023
The staccato stabbing chords of the original Clash version are replaced by fingerpicking and lots of liberties taken with the cadence of the melody.
“Panic” – The Smiths
London – 2023
This iconic Smiths tune gets a dark makeover in front of a Smiths-country London crowd.
“Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis
London – 2023
With Oasis out on their highly-anticipated reunion tour, what better way to celebrate the
Gallagher brothers than with this optimistic take on their classic hit.
“I’m Waiting For The Man” – Velvet Underground
Brussels – 2023
The Velvet Underground classic reimagined, with that Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams swagger.
Surprise Taylor Swift bonus appearance!
“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
1989 – 2015
The whole 1989 album is great, but two of the songs standout to me above the rest – “Bad Blood” and this one. Adams morphs “Shake It Off” into synth-laden Don Henley-style ’80s video rock.
Log onto ryanadamsofficial.com for more tunes & tour dates
