Top 5 Jay Brannan Covers

You may not have heard of Jay Brannan but you should have.

He initially found fame on Youtube and from a role in indie film Shortbus. Since then, Jay has gained a huge following online, due to his distinctive singing voice and beautiful acoustic guitar playing. His tendency to post videos with his top off doesn't hurt either.

Everyone knows that Jay is an incredible songwriter but now that his new tour for album 'Rob Me Blind' is coming to an end this year, I thought I'd take a look at the best covers that he's performed and posted online. Jay regularly tackles some of his favourite tracks, often transforming them so completely that they sound like his own original songs, providing new listeners with a great introduction to his style. Enjoy! 

5. All I Want by Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is in many ways the original and best singer-songwriter. Aside from an odd yet incredible scene in The Kids Are All Right, few have been able to successfully tackle one of her songs but Jay's love of her music comes across in his amazing version of this classic track from the Blue album.

4. Someone Like You by Adele

This Adele song has been done to death in the past year or so but Jay breathes new life into the track by simplifying the music, so all the focus is on the lyrics and the vocals. Now all he has to sing next is a cover of Hometown Glory and people will be queuing up to hear an Adele covers album from Mr Brannan.

3. Say It's Possible by Terra Naomi

This song was originally sung by another youtube sensation that many people should hear more of, Terra Naomi, who has collaborated with Jay before in the past. Say It's Possible was included on Jay's cover album 'In Living Cover' and is even better than the original, which was pretty amazing to begin with. How have more people not heard this song?

2. Zombie by The Cranberries

A 90s song from Irish group The Cranberries might not seem like a great match for a male singer/songwriter from New York but Jay effortlessly makes the song his own, imbuing it with his own unique style. Zombie seems to definitely be one of his most heartfelt songs, cover or not, and it's easily one of my favourites of his to date.

1. Super Bass by Nicki Minaj

When Nicki Minaj first released Super Bass, I don't think she had a clue that anyone would do a version quite like this. Jay is best known for his acoustic ballads but there's also a hip-hop loving gangsta somewhere in him too and every now and again he comes out rapping just to take you by surprise. The chorus is sung beautifully but the highlight is definitely the verses. 'My panties coming off, off OFF!'. For me, this is the definitive version of Super Bass. Also check out Jay's cover of NWA's Straight Outta Compton on youtube for more random rapping to an acoustic guitar.

Hopefully, these covers have given you a little taste of what Jay Brannan has to offer and if you like what you hear, then he has a few albums that you can check out, as well as an EP and loads more covers online. If you like my choices or think that I've missed out some of Jay's best songs then please comment below. Be vocal! And please follow, plus, share and all that jazz.