Under the Covers Sunday is back again, bringing with it the space where you can Press Play and have a listen to some of the Greatest Cover Songs of All-Time. We take these Covers and give them Center Stage so that we can learn a little about them, and do a little Compare/Contrast between the Original and the Cover Version, and decide which we Love more. Sometimes we even Love both.

Feel free to weigh in on each Cover Song in the comments below, and please feel free to throw some Cover Song suggestions down below in the comments.

Today’s Under the Covers Sunday installment comes from lyriquediscorde.com Favorite, James Bay covering Alicia Keys.

“If I Ain’t Got You” :: James Bay :: Under the Covers Sunday

We’ve been big Fans of James Bay since his EP was put out, long before “Chaos and the Calm”, and the Hit Songs came to be. James deserves every bit of Accolade and Rave that has been said about him, what with the Songwriting, Songs and that Voice. While perusing that Voice we came across this Spotify Recorded Cover Version of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”, by James Bay. It is Beyond Good, and I knew at First Play that it had to be shared.

It feels so in the pocket with James’ Hit Song “Let It Go”, as well as my Favorite Track of his, “Scars”. I feel like he could have written it himself, really. It just fits him Perfectly. And although I do Love Alicia’s Original Version, this one certainly has gotten my attention.

Here…have a Listen…

“If I Ain’t Got You” (Live, 2015, Spotify Session)

And, here is another Live Version…

 

“If I Ain’t Got You” (Live, Europe 1)

“If I Ain’t Got You” was written, produced, and recorded by Alicia Keys for her 2nd Studio Album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. It was inspired by the 2001 death of fellow R&B Singer, and friend of Alicia’s, Aaliyah, as well as the September 11 events in New York City, and a few undisclosed “other” events in the world, and in Alicia’s life, at that time.

Alicia has said that it is about “how material things don’t feed the soul”.

Released in 2004, as the Album’s 2nd Single, the Song went on to peak at # 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and became Key’s 2nd consecutive R&B chart-topper, remaining atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 6-weeks.

The Song received 2 Grammy nominations, for Song of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Alicia won the latter.

“If I Ain’t Got You” :: Alicia Keys

What do you think of James Bay Cover Version? What do you think of the Original? How do they Compare? Which do you Prefer? Do you know of any other Covers of “If I Ain’t Got You?”

Check back in Next Sunday to see what Song is Covered Next. You won’t want to miss it!