New Cover Video – “I Fought the Law”
For this second video of our acoustic covers series, we decided to take a suggestion by Ray on our website and perform “I Fought the Law,” written in 1959 by Sonny Curtis and made famous by Bobby Fuller in 1965 (pause, as we adjust our glasses). Naturally, our take is more a cover of the Clash’s 1979 version. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. Keep them coming. We read all of them and subject them to a strict decision-making process involving darts and a bottle of whiskey.
90 Comments
Awesome cover guys, can’t wait to see you guys in Belgium! 🙂 Another coversong that would rock is Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth! ^^
What made you decide on “I Fought the Law” over all the other suggestions?
That was pretty awesome and I think you guys should do “Born to be Wild” that would be sweet!!!
story of my life.(that’s a statement)however you guys should do “Dashboard” by Modest Mouse
that was awesome. =)
cant wait to see you guys in Burlington
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police.
or
“The Entertainer” by Billy Joel.
We’re heading over now to see them in Ft. Lauderdale tonight. Small venue, standing only – the perfect way to see TATE!!
NC Jeff
Great story! Can’t wait to see you guys tomorrow night in Orlando. Suggest for a cover maybe: U2’s “With or Without You”? I think Mikel is the only one besides Bono that could reach those notes.
I agree with the person that suggested U2’s “With or Without You”!
You guys should cover :
Boys Don’t Cry- The Cure
The Times They Are Changin’-Bob Dylan
Another Travelin’ Song-Bright Eyes
Any song ever by Wilco
Great cover – and great live in ATL! How about Finally Friday (George Jones)? Not covered too often, and you could get rid of the twang and rock it OUT. I know you have it in you – it’ll get your motor running for a Wild Weekend. Have fun in Orlando tonight – wish I was there.
How about covering “This Is How It Feels” by the Inspiral Carpets, from the glory days of Manchester music scene in the 1990’s?
I reckon an acoustic version would sound fantastic…
Interesting story.
How about:
Creep – Radiohead
Dakota – Stereophonics
Meds – Placebo
Debaser – Pixies
Start to End – Sons and Daugthers
Great cover, looking forward to seeing you guys in the UK again. My suggestions for a cover are Placebo – Kings Of Medicine The Smiths – Everyday Is Like Sunday Silversun Pickups – Lazy Eye
Starsailor – Four To The Floor
Green Day – Macy`s Day Parade
Supposedly you guys read all suggestions; right? How ’bout some buddy fucking holly then. Also, you buys better play Doesn’t Mean a Thing and Strange Girl (acoustic) when in SLC next Wednesday night or I’m gonna jump up on stage a smash a bottle of the cheapest whiskey in the house over your heads!! 😉
Loved you guys performing this @ Variety!!! Thanks for explaining the story!!
Hilarious story! I would have loved to have been there! (Not in the midst of things…kinda just off to the side somewhere.)
Since ya’ll got into trouble over a “political” discussion (why does that NOT surprise me?) how about “Change the World” by Joan Jett.
Or just a duet between Mikel and Anna, perform “Chrysanthemum” by Everclear. Perhaps substituting violin for the accordion part – gorgeous.
Weezer- My Name is Jonas. Suits your perfectly! Great meeting you guys in Boston. See you in Hartford!
After the Storm by Mumford and Sons. You would kill it.
I think you guys should start a Bail Fund, just in case! Set up a paypal account and send out a tweet so we all know its time to ante up and bail out the boys again..
My song suggestion: Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
Would love to hear your version of Across the Universe by the Beatles. 😉
I was surprised when I heard the opening notes to ‘I Fought the Law’ at the Montreal concert ; hearing echoes of what I thought to be a Clash song (!!!) in that cool, near-theatrical venue was pretty epic. Especially endearing was how the band just broke out in huge grins when you guys started playing it. 😀
A song cover I’d love to hear from you would be Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz.”
…though I’m sure *you* would never get kicked off stage because of bottles being used as projectiles.
fantastic cover!
I don’t care what you guys sing, but I want to hear anna more. Like, a lot more. 🙂
Love you guys!
What about a cover for:
Bon Jovi – Livin On a Prayer
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium
“Take on me” – Ah-ha
or
“Faith” – George Michael
I think you guys would be able to capture either of those songs perfectly. Also loved the show at the trocadero on the 9th, You guys gave me an experience to remember for a lifetime. Can’t wait to see you guys again!
Awesome job. How about Ram Jam – Black Betty or way old school with Buddy Holly – That’ll Be the Day.
Keep up the good work, you guys are great!
You guys should do a cover of come as you are by Nirvana!=]
You guys rock. You’ve quickly become my all-time favorite band and I’m so excited to see you guys in Portland, OR on June 9th. Got my tickets already 🙂
Anyway, I would love to see you guys do a cover of The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana – I think you guys would sound amazing.
Billy Bragg and Wilco: California Stars, off of Mermaid Avenue (Volume 1). Lyrics by none other than Woody Guthrie, which would be well in keeping with the folkier vibe present at times on your new album. Plus, time to throw some love to the Golden State!
Enjoyed the cover – speaking of the Clash – I would love to hear you cover Tommy Gun. Daren reminds me of a young Topper Headon but perhaps even more imposing behind the drums than even Topper. Tommy Gun has one of the best drum intros ever and it’d be fantastic to hear Daren’s rendition. Thanks for the tunes.
Your guys GREAT!
COVER Suggestions
U2 – With or with out you.
The Animals – It’s My life
– House of the Rising Sun
Damien Rice – Rootless Tree
Nine inch Nails – Hurt
Staind- So far away
– outside
Gary Jewls – Mad World
MY list continues.
****The Cure- close to me****
Modest Mouse – one chance
Bob Dylan – all over the watchtower
Everclear – white men in black suits
carla bruni – you belong to me.
What ever you choose i’m sure you guys will make it your own.
Great cover guys, loved it!
Would be great to hear a cover of Dire Straits – So Far Away.
BTW, Any thoughts about coming to tour Down Under Australia? Would love to see you live 🙂
Please do a video in this series for “This Magic Moment” although I know its so 2009 of you I can’t find a decent version on YouTube. You played it in Norfolk 2009 and it has very special meaning for us.
additionally:
“You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” -, Brenda Hollaway more widely known Blood Sweat and Tears version
” A Question of Lust” -Depeche Mode
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”- Otis Redding or maybe “Try a Little Tenderness” is better suited for you.
“Only You”- Yaz or Yazoo if you prefer.
As the coolest band with a viola, isn’t it obvious? ‘Come On Eileen’ by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
I think you guys would do a great cover of “All Down the Line” by The Stones! Or another exile on main st classic “Loving Cup” could be fun too.
As much as I’d still love to see Mikel and Anna do “To Sir With Love” or see their take on Frank Turner’s “Love live the queen”, I think we need to recognize that part of the criteria here is that they would have a lot of fun playing an acoustic version, hence the first two choices…
One would also expect that they aren’t going to cover a lesser known song.
This makes me think that Blair’s suggestion of “Come On Eileen” is a pretty damn good one.
Also falling in the category of fun ones to cover:
Orange Crush- REM
Devil went down to Georgia (Incongruous, I know, but wouldn’t that be fun to see Anna crushing the dueling parts?)
Friend of the Devil – Grateful Dead
When I’m 64 – The Beatles (I just think it would be fun to hear Mikel do that)
Your originals are too great for me to even think of cover songs that would do your talents and passion justice. Just keep doing what you do. Although, I DO love your strict selection process for covers! Can’t wait to see you in DEN on Thursday.
Looking forward to seeing you in Vegas June 12th! How about a cover of The Eagles – Hotel California.
The first time I saw the video Numb, I was hooked up and found myself watching it over and over again. I really like how Mikel wrote the lyrics – very timely for me. Well anyways, here are some list of songs that I want you guys to cover.
1. Graceland by The Bible
2. Blister in the sun by The Violent Femmes
3. Come on Eileen by Dixie’s Midnight Runner
4. Blue Highway by Billy Idol
That’s all for now. Have a good day.
My daughter and I can’t wait for the show tonight. She is so excited she sends a text every hour counting down to the start time. How about a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here” for all those Airborne fans that won’t be at one of your shows in the near future?
American Pie – Don McClean
It would be pretty interesting to see what you guys would do with that.
And it would be wonderful if you could post a video of Folsom Prison Blues, it sounded absolutely amazing in Philly! Can’t wait to see what you cover next!
Jumping Someone Else’s Train- The Cure
“American Girl” or “Free Falling” by Tom Petty
I hope the bands perform this song when they come to Grammy Museum, Im having withdrawal from having seen them at their entire LA Origins Tour.
I really enjoyed seeing you guys play that live in chicago! I would love to see a bright eyes cover! Maybe We Are Nowhere and It’s Now, or really anything by them. See ya at Summerfest!
JOAN JETTS – BAD REPUTATION –
— PEDAL BOYS —
Anything you want – Roy Orbison
Nightswimming – REM
Lenders in the Temple – Bright Eyes
Dark End of the Street – Percy Sledge
Loved the cover set at The Varsity in Mpls last month!! Great show! Come back soon.
Saw you in Toronto a couple of weeks ago. When you started playing the opening notes of “Missy” I totally thought you were about to play “A Town Called Malice” by The Jam. I’d love to hear it! 🙂
How about Careless Whispers by Wham…come on…do a “for the hell of it” cover. I’ll arrange the music for you! 🙂
Wasted and Ready-Ben Kweller
Tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheel-BnL
You guys should cover Harvey Danger’s Flagpole Sitta. I think you would make a very interesting version of it!
I would love to hear your spin on Ben Harper – Waiting on an Angel
Great cover!
I think you guys should do a cover of Fade into You by Mazzy Star and let Anna sing…
Just saw you at Shoreline. First time seeing you live. Enjoyed it a lot and for some bizarre reason The Boomtown Rats came to mind. Thinking you could knock the tar off “I Don’t Like Mondays”. And really … who does.
Cheers
Love it! Could you PLEASE consider “I Wanna Be Adored” by the Stone Roses?
Would love to hear you cover John D. Loudermilk’s “Tobacco Road,” which was a hit by the Nashville Teens in 1964.
Or maybe “Heat Treatment” by Graham Parker from 1976.
Love you guys. Very glad I have found you.
This was great. Your story about the cops and misunderstandings reminded me of something similar that I went through years ago… good times! Anyway, how ’bout you guys cover an Aerosmith Song like “Seasons of Wither” or “Adam’s Apple”, “Toys in the Attic” or “You See Me Cryin'” All classics- just like A.T.E.! Thanks for a great show at the HOB in Boston last month! It’s amazing that you take the time with your fans after the show. It is so different and so appreciated!
First off, thank you for your music. Your last album especially is helping me through some extremely tough times in my life at the moment. So thank you thank you thank you.
I would love to see you cover “Crippled Inside” by John Lennon.
I know you have covered Springsteen already but you should cover “trapped” which come to think of it was a cover of Jimmy Cliff. Would love to hear the way anything by Lenard Cohen, would sound in you guys capable hands. Thanks for the great music.
I am eagerly suggesting
“Whiskey Bar” by THE DOORS…
but at this point, I will take anything you guys are willing to cover by the doors. If this wish is granted, I am open to do any kind of crazy stunt you guys want 🙂
violent femmes’ “good feeling”.
if not, i’ll settle for a nice rendition of “livin’ on a prayer” as was previously suggested. make sure you wear your spandex if you do that one, however, because those of you with testicles might need it in order to hit the high notes.
Love at first listen. Whatever you choose, I will enjoy. But here’s a few suggestions anyway. Not particular favorites, but I think you’d do a terrific version:
I Walk the Line — Johnny Cash
Get Back — Beatles
Will It Go Round in Circles — Billy Preston
When Will I Be Loved – take your pick
Soldier of Love — Beatles
Hey, like your not doing enough concerts around the world already — how about a stop in Norfolk, Va.? Take in an East Coast beach. I promise to intervene if you run into any more unruly Southerners.
Hugs,
Deborah
I read all of the above comments to check if someone had already suggested this song and sure enough, someone beat me to it! So I’ll second the above mentioned “Wish you were here” from Pink Floyd. Great song with deep lyrics. I know you guys could pull off an amazing cover of it! You guys rocked the Music Box in Hollywood!! And I was also lucky enough to meet you all at the Fingerprints record store in LB. Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks!!!!
Awesome cover!
I never could make it to one of your shows in Europe, but finally saw you in Ft. Lauderdale during my vacation. Thanks for a wonderful night and for caring so much if your fans are having a great time!
Just a few suggestions:
“Flying on the ground is wrong” Buffalo Springfield
“You can’t steal my love” Mando Diao
“Leave me be” The Zombies
“Bed on fire” Johnossi
Lots of love,
Valerie
Superb cover – here’s a couple of suggestions that I would love to hear from you:-
Buddy Holly – Rave On
Inspiral Carpets – This is how it feels
Or for something that would be very funny (and different)… how about an acoustic rock n roll version of the Black Eyed Peas, Tonights gonna be a good night…
Lets hear Wreckless Eric – Whole Wide World!
‘Come Rain or Come Shine’…Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Jack Kerouac, Ray Charles…The Airborne Toxic Event! A TATE cover would rock my world. Not to mention that it’s my wedding song, and my anniversary is July 8. I would totally win the ‘best anniversary present ever’ contest with my husband.
Great stuff guys! I would love to see you cover Under My Thumb by the Stones. Think you’d pull it off really really well.
I forgot to add Waiting for the Man by Velvet Underground
I think when Michael stipe wrote “at my most beautiful” he was just waiting for you guys to come along and perform it!
Hey! I was at that Atlanta show when you guys did I fought the law! 😀 So I think it would be really cool if you guys did “Head Held High” by The Velvet Underground. Or “Nothing Like You” by Frightened Rabbit. Thats a great song. 🙂
You should do Radar Love by Golden Earring. I’ll continue to ask until it happens. It’s my all time favorite song, and you guys are my all time favorite band. Even if you only do it to make one person happy, you should TOTALLY do it just to make one person happy.
By the way, that one person is me.
The Ghost Inside – Broken Bells
This would sound so nice!
Redefine (Acoustic) – Incubus
I’ve been trying for so long to write an edited and acoustic version of this song, if you guys could do it (which I know you can) That would totally make my summer!
Love you guys! 😀
Oh, also:
Where It’s At – Beck
No idea how you’d pull that one off either, but hey, I bet you could do it if you tried!
Considering your nod to the Cure, Strange Girl, I would love to hear you do A Letter to Elise or Close to Me (got horns?). Another old school suggestion by the Smiths: I Want the One I Can’t Have. Get out the whiskey, my fingers are crossed! Love you guys! Thanks for being so gracious to your fans!
Mad World by Gary jules and Michael Andrews. it would be awesome to see TATE do a cover of that song 🙂
New Order – Temptation
The Killers – A Dustland Fairytale 🙂
BTW loved you guys at Weenie Roast!!!
Got to touch Mikel!!!
i turned gay for about 30 seconds lmao
thats going in my Top 5 moments of all time.
(currently number 1, above losing my virginity hahahaha)
Some great suggestions here.
How about Neal Diamond’s Cherry Cherry or Cracklin Rosie? Both retro tunes that could be awesome with a new twist, and great for summer. Mikel’s voice would be perfect for these, too.
PLEASE do “where do you go to my lovely” by Peter Sarstedt.
You guys should cover “Live Forever” by Oasis or “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who
You guys nailed that song! Ive been listening to your album non-stop since it came out, I adore you Airborne Toxic Event! <3 I agree with 'Toon' I would love to hear you cover For What its Worth by Buffalo Springfield.
OK, so you don’t like “Tobacco Road” or “Heat Treatment.” So, how about “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak?
So when are you guys coming back to LA or OC? Can’t wait to see you live.
In Spite of Me – Morphine
very cool! my request made song of the day! Can’t wait to see you guys at the races in Del Mar.
“Devil Woman” Marty Robbins
You guys rock! When are you going to play in Phoenix? Come On Eileen by Dixie Midnight Runners, anything from the Clash, New Order, Erasure, Ah Ha, Simple Minds or The Outfield. Look forward to catching you in concert soon!