Music Monday

-- Kelly Lee

The Artist: Artist vs. Poet/ Joe Kirkland

The Song: "Mean" (original artist: Taylor Swift)

Where you heard it first: Back when Joe Kirkland tried out for The Voice, he sang this song in the Knockout Rounds and got booted by Adam Levine.  I still haven't forgiven Adam for that elimination. I was so crushed that he got rid of Joe, even if it meant that Artist vs. Poet got back together.  I would have loved to see Joe Kirkland succeed on that show.  Even now at his concerts, he jokes that Cassadee Pope (formerly of a band called Hey Monday) is just that much better than him.

Why it’s been stuck in your head: I started listening to Artist vs. Poet again the last few weeks and I kind of forgot how awesome this cover is.  I actually like it a lot better than Taylor's original.

Why you recommend it to our listeners: Everyone loves a good cover and Artist vs. Poet does some of the best.  In my humble opinion, covers are the best when they are still true to the original song, but bring something to the song that the cover band is known for.  In this case, Joe and the rest of the boys of Artist vs. Poet bring their own signature sound (and cursing) to Taylor Swift's hit song.  Take a listen for yourself!