You Know That They Could "Use Somebody"

Nashville-based Kings Of Leon have been toiling away for ten years, with little success in the US. The UK started embracing them last year and at last they have a few US hits, including the rock ballad "Use Somebody" which has been growing on me for the last few months of it's chartlife.

"Use Somebody" will probably be the band's signature song, but that hasn't stop three artists from place their own stamp on the hit. Below:
The always brilliant Kelly Clarkson has been performing a mash-up of the single with Alanis Morrissette's "That I Would Be Good" on tour.
Emo/punk-poppers Paramore stopped by BBC Radio One's Live Lounge in September and did a fairly faithful acoustic version.
Bat For Lashes also dropped by the Lounge in the beginning of the year and added a spooky organ and tamborine to the haunting melody.
American Idol's Brooke White covered the track for her recent release, High Hopes & Heartbreaks, and did it a sunny, 1970s FM Radio way.
One Tree Hill star and singer Tyler Hilton uses a piano to give the song a little gravitas.
Kings On Leon perform live.

Since I Can't Find The New Bat For Lashes Anywhere In Harrisburg...

Bat For Lashes' newest disc, Two Suns, has been out since last Tuesday. But I've checked the usual shops in the 'burg, (Best Buy, Borders and Target) and nobody has it. Same thing happened with Marianne Faithfull, I had to wait a week before I could find it. I don't know what the deal is with that, if it wasn't for the fact I greatly prefer to have the booklet and all that, I'd just hit the iTunes. They love the Natasha Khan's ethereally spooky chamber pop and have MP3's stocked and ready for download.

While I wait for Two Suns, I stumbled onto a BBC Radio 1 performance by the lovely Ms. Khan. She covers "Use Somebody" (by every Brit's favorite rockers, King Of Leon) with her delicate vocals, an organ and tambourine. It's very pretty, and a great follow up to her Lo Fi mix of my current favorite song, "Daniel." Of course, if I had the album, perhaps I would have a different favorite song. Download both MP3s at Stereogum, and listen to "Use Somebody [Live Lounge Cover]" below.



Ah, what the hell. Enjoy my Favorite Song Of 2009 (So Far) too...