Cosmic covers: The five best renditions of ‘Across the Universe’ by the Beatles
There’s a reason that The Beatles are one of the most covered artists of all time. Their songs have resonated with generations of listeners, beginning with the Beatlemaniacs in the 1960s, continuing into the Britpop era, and still finding a place in the hearts of modern listeners today. Some fans have even been so moved by their compositions that they have felt compelled to provide their own takes on the songs, hoping to breathe new life into them or to pay tribute to modern music’s forefathers.
‘Yesterday’ is thought to be the most covered song of all time, while ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘And I Love Her’ aren’t too far behind, sitting in fifth and tenth place respectively. But even outside of the top ten list, The Fab Four’s entire discography has been continually replicated and recreated throughout music history. ‘Across the Universe’, which appeared on their 1970 record, Let It Be, is no exception.
The song was penned by John Lennon, who also took on lead vocals for the otherworldly track. Over a collection of stagnating strums and soaring strings, the Beatle created a collection of cosmic lyrics. “Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,” he sings in the opening moments of the song, “They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.”
The entire song is just as beautiful as its opening moments, so it’s no surprise that a number of artists have been inspired to recreate the song in the studio. From art-rocker Fiona Apple to glam-rocker Davie Bowie, some huge artists have covered the song over the years, and it has also become a staple in movie soundtracks. Below, we’ve collated five of the best covers of ‘Across the Universe’.
The five best covers of The Beatles’ ‘Across the Universe’
Fiona Apple
By far the greatest cover of ‘Across the Universe’ comes from Fiona Apple, who recorded her own take on the song for the Pleasantville soundtrack in the late 1990s. Her version upholds the twangy guitars of the original, the swelling strings of the Let It Be version, retaining the spirit of the track without ever feeling like a direct rip-off. This is perhaps due to the presence of her voice.
Her delivery is dreamy, somehow maintaining a languid quality while showing off her impressive vocal control all at once. It completely changes the feeling of the track from Lennon’s leading vocals, swapping the Beatles’ psychedelic influences for something softer and more soothing. Plus, it was accompanied by a music video directed by Paul Thomas-Anderson, which should count for something.
David Bowie
In the mid-1970s, glam-rocker David Bowie linked up with Lennon to record his own version of ‘Across the Universe’, which would be included on his ninth record, Young Americans. His take on the track seems to have elicited love and hate in equal measure. While some Beatles fans have lauded his distinctive vocals and playful guitars, others have criticised his delivery of the original.
Some even suggested that his decision to record the track was merely an attempt to work with Lennon – an attempt he succeeded in. Bowie addressed this critique during a conversation with New Musical Express following the release of Young Americans. “People say I used John Lennon on the track,” he acknowledged, “but let me tell you… no one uses John Lennon. John just came and played on it.”
Rufus Wainwright
Film music supervisors seem to share a soft spot for ‘Across the Universe’. Just a couple of years after Apple’s entrancing take on the track soundtracked Pleasantville, Rufus Wainwright recorded his own version for the 2002 movie I Am Sam. Although he couldn’t quite rival the beauty of Apple’s cover, Wainwright provided a solid take on ‘Across the Universe’ to the film.
The cover begins with simple, acoustic guitars that allow Wainwright’s quaint vocals to shine. More instruments gradually come to the fore. Strings come in to cushion his charming vocals, slightly harsher guitars provide a little more edge, and, eventually, his voice is accompanied by gorgeous harmonies and backing vocalisations. And at every point in the song, Wainwright honours the spirit of the original.
Jim Sturgess
Five years on from the release of I Am Sam, director Julie Taymor took the cinematic odes to ‘Across the Universe’ one step further and named a film after the song. Across the Universe followed the stories of a series of characters, each named after Beatles songs, with Jim Sturgess taking on the character of Jude. He also delivered a truly gorgeous and original version of the title track as part of the film.
The cover rests on a bed of foreboding strings, deep, long notes that add an eeriness to the track. Sturgess’ vocals have a sincerity to them that only an actor could convey, cutting through the intense instrumentation with their openness. Eventually, his words are accompanied by a chorus of voices and strange new soundscapes. The song feels transcendental, providing a completely new take on the track.
Aurora
In 2019, Norwegian singer Aurora appeared on Triple J’s Like A Version and delivered an awe-inspiringly simple cover of ‘Across the Universe’. She forgoes the choral voices and orchestral swells that permeate so many other covers of the track, instead allowing her vocal talents to take the spotlight. Her voice is sweet but strong at the same time, completely carrying the song.
She accompanied her vocals with bright keys and light but gorgeous harmonies. At times, she ignores the piano completely, allowing the cover to thrive entirely on how well her voice blends with her backing vocalists. It’s completely different from the original, and that’s why it works so well. There’s no point trying to emulate the Beatles, so Aurora focuses on enhancing her own artistry through the lens of ‘Across the Universe’ instead.
