10 Greatest Rock Music Cover Songs Of The 1990s
6. Superstar - Sonic Youth
Originally penned and performed by the duo Delaney & Bonnie, Superstar would go on to become a hit for Luther Vandross and, more famously, Carpenters.
Karen and Richard put their usually saccharin touch on the song in 1971, reaching second place in the US charts. 23 years later, one of the biggest cult bands of the day paid tribute to the duo with their own spin on the song.
Sonic Youth covered Superstar on the 1994 album If I Were a Carpenter, which also gave acts like The Cranberries, Sheryl Crow, and 4 Non Blondes the chance to express their love for Carpenters’ back catalogue.
This rendition of Superstar is a much darker affair. A solitary acoustic guitar cuts through a murky, hissing soundscape, as Thurston Moore’s understated vocals get right under your skin. There’s also a cacophony of background noises to further put you on edge, transforming what was once a sweet tune into an audio hellscape.
By shaping Superstar in their own image, Sonic Youth showed why they were regarded as one of the most creative rock outfits of the 90s, even if their music definitely made several children cry.