The subject of covers is always fraught with deadend bickering. Who sang it better. Which one is “true”. What is even originality any more? I love all covers of The Beatles’ She’s so heavy, especially IO Echo’s expansive gloom and doom, but I really think it’s a question of taste.

Saying that, I wasn’t aware that The Lemonheads’ Into your arms was a cover. Makes sense since Nic Dalton was in Love Positions, the band that recorded the song first, and then brought it to the fold when he joined The Lemonheads as a bassist.

I can’t think of any other case like this, besides Counting Crows’ Round Here. Originally a song Adam Duritz sang in The Himalayans, the once alt-rock tune became an explosive ballad (and a calling card) for Counting Crows’ debut album.

Back to the Lemonheads. Love Positions’ Into your arms was a The Sundays-esque intimate piece. What I love about The Lemonheads’ version is how while still being peppy, the longing from the original still remains.

A good cover doesn’t need to replicate the original but should keep the original intention. If it doesn’t do that, it’s now a recontextualization, and that’s a whole different can of worms.

-Sam J. Valdés López