Five Interesting Interpretations of Great Songs

There are plenty of good songs, but very few of those become great songs. They are the ones that go beyond being just music.  They become part of the eclectic soundtrack to our lives. But therein lies a problem. What happens when we need a little more variety and contributions from the likes of Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus just aren't making the cut? Why not just take those familiar tunes you know and love and listen to them performed in unorthodox - sometimes downright bizarre - ways.

"AFRICA" - TOTO

Though the song almost didn't make it onto the album, Toto's "Africa" hit number one in 1983. It was a huge departure for the band, but it's one of their most recognizable songs. So recognizable, in fact, that Slovian choir "Perpetuum Jazzile" decided to tackle it with the grace of a linebacker strapped to a rocket.  They had everything: raindrops, human drum-machine, "spirit fingers", you name it.  As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti, this performance will give you a whole new appreciation for both the song and the continent.

"BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" - QUEEN

From the moment the song hit the radio, Bohemian Rhapsody was a huge hit for Queen. Although close to six minutes in length, it was never edited for commercial radio. The song also enjoys the distinction of hitting the top of the charts again in 1991, shortly after Freddie Mercury's death.  And while having Mike Myers and Dana Carvey pantomiming it seems like a fitting tribute, it does not hold a candle to having Jim Henson's beloved Muppets give it a go. 

"THRILLER" - MICHAEL JACKSON

To describe Thriller to you would be a waste of time. You know it, you've heard, you've danced to it, you love it. Now how about taking that song and translating it to Mario Paint's music editor and see if we can't show that Michael Jackson a thing or two about making music (may he rest in peace).

By the way, I'm aware that this isn't actually the SNES Mario Paint but a recreation of its music editor that was put on the web. No letters, goofy ass!

"SANFORD AND SON THEME" - QUINCY JONES

Great songs don't always come from the radio. Many television shows have memorable ditties that you catch yourself singing at work while working the photocopier, daydreaming about lunch. And few were better than Quincy Jones' classic, upbeat melody for "Sanford and Son". Though the show, and its star, are long gone - the music lives on in this high school's quirky brass band. The only thing that would have topped this? Them doing "What's Happening?"

"BLACK HOLE SUN" - SOUNDGARDEN

When Chris Cornell spent 15 minutes writing this song, he didn't think his bandmates were going to like it, let alone it hitting number one and staying there for seven weeks. Meanwhile, two Moog enthusiasts (collectively known as "The Moog Cookbook") decided to introduce this song to their outer space instruments with wonderfully surreal results.