Recommendations of the Editorial team
Chris Cornell Always had a gentle side. But in his later years, the sound garden singer developed into a real wandering rock troubadour that often undertook solo acoustic tours.
His Cover version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” went viral. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. During his entire career, Cornell used this stage to show his extremely wide range of influences. And to reinterpret songs from Metallica to Bob Marley in clever and surprising way. Here are some of our favorite examples.
Led Zeppelin, “Thank you”
Cornell’s affinity for Robert Plant was clear to everyone who heard him smash one of the aggressive classics of Soundgarden. But here he refers to the more reserved side of his vocal ancestor and covered the tearful song “Thank you” by LED Zeppelin II.
Metallica/U2, “One”
At a show in 2013, Cornell was creative and mixed two famous songs with the same title: “One” from U2 and Metallica. He sang the text from Metallica to the music of U2 and created a fascinating acoustic version that combined two very different aestheticics.
The Beatles, “A Day in the Life”
“Black Hole Sun” made it clear what was already clear. In addition to his status as an old metal champion, Cornell was a lifelong supporter of the melodic rock à la Beatles. Here he offers a delicate interpretation of the masterpiece of ‘SGT. Pepper ‘. Completely with a percussive noise breakdown in the middle.
Whitney Houston, “I will always love you”
“I will Always Love You” is a well known to singing song. Especially after Whitney Houston’s cover version of the dolly party classic became the most famous version. Cornell proved that the thrilling ballad lay him. Even if he mitigated them somewhat for a reserved acoustic version.
Pearl Jam, “Better Man”
After both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden came out, the unique collaboration between Cornell and Eddie Vedder became a milestone of the grunge for the only album by Temple of the Dog. Cornell praised his former duet partner with a solo cover version of Pearl Jam’s moving hit “Better Man”.
Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”
In this live version of 2013, Cornell brought the sad undertones of the thriller-Hits to light and turned it into a melancholic folk ballad.
Elvis Costello, “(what’s so funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”
During a performance at the Lollapalooza Festival 2003 in Seattle, Cornell met the tool front man and Lolla-Alumnus Maynard James Keenan again and played a passionate version of the ironic classic from Nick Lowe.
Bob Marley, “Redemption Song”
Apparently every singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar takes Bob Marley’s timeless hymn of hope in his repertoire, and Cornell was no exception. In 2015 he played the song in New York with the support of his daughter Toni.