UPDATE 05/03/21: The Wiggles Take On Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’ For Triple J Like A Version.
You may have heard the news that a certain iconic Aussie group, who are celebrating 30! years! this year, will be taking on triple j’s Like A Version this Friday. That iconic Aussie group is of course, The Wiggles!
And though the lineup has changed a little since the OG lineup of the 90’s, the group’s current iteration are leaning on some of their past members for what’s set to be a historic event. The OG Red and Purple Wiggle’s, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt, will be uniting with the current Wiggles cast, and with the lineup confirmed, only one question remains: what exactly will they be covering?
Fans on Twitter have suggested a bunch of very random songs ranging from Tony Fields’ ‘Truck Drivin’ Man’ through to Queen’s iconic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘School’s Out’ by Alice Cooper.
I think in order to even start speculating what they might pick, we need to first look to cover’s that the group have already performed.
What do Ariana Grande, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Iggy Azalea, One Direction and U2 have in common? The Wiggles have covered them all.
Let’s dig.
In 2008, the group performed a cover of U2’s ‘Angel Of Harlem’ on Spicks and Specks. This came about after a U2 cover band that appeared on the show did a cover of a Wiggles song. Clock Captain Feathersword on the backup vocals too.
2014 was a big year of covers for the group. First, they did a cheeky lil switch-up cover of One Direction’s ‘Steal My Girl’.
In the same year, the group did a very wholesome park-side cover of The Rolling Stones’ ‘She’s A Rainbow’ and tbh I’d die for the newest red Wiggle.
Then, they did a very ‘yoghurty’ version of Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea’s ‘Problem’. Rapping and all!!!
Early last year, in tribute to Elton John, the Wiggles covered ‘Your Song’ and oh wow I’m not crying, I just have some dirt in my eye.
Okay, so. This seems to be all of the covers on Youtube that I can find. And in trying to break down the hard data, there doesn’t really seem to be a consistent trend of what genres and eras of music The Wiggles have covered. It seems to be random! So, with lack of sufficient data available to predict exactly what they might cover, here are 5 of my very best (somewhat) educated guesses that will probably be wrong but I’d still like to see them cover these tracks anyway:
Uptown Funk (Feat. Bruno Mars) – Mark Ronson
‘Uptown Funk’ has The Wiggles written all over it. There’s guitars galore, the chance for back up vocals and of course that magnetic pull that basically forces you get up out of your seat and dance. If it’s not this one, I’ll eat my hat.
(Baby I’ve Got You) On My Mind – Powderfinger
I think it’s VERY plausible that The Wiggles would cover another iconic Aussie band, and Powderfinger was one of the first to come to mind.
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again – The Angels
Look, maybe I’m hung up on this Aussie rock train, but I think this one’s pretty plausible. Again with the backing vocals and an opportunity for Murray to let out his inner rock god.
https://youtu.be/xj_QkLrW3qc
New Sensation – INXS
This one feels extremely plausible too. It’s jovial, classic and very Wiggles.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Okay, I saw this one written in a comment on one of the tweets asking what they should cover and tbh this one seems like a bit of a stretch BUT also somehow in the same ballpark still? Can you imagine that lineup covering this song? I definitely can. It has big ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ energy. I can already see Jeff slaying that piano bit at the start.
Whatever the cover may be, I hope they play ‘Fruit Salad’ as their original.
The Wiggles will be making their Like A Version debut this Friday on triple j.
Well! The cat's out of the bag! ? @TheWiggles (plus OG red legend Murray Cook) will be taking on @triplej's Like A Version this Friday!! ?
So, in your perfect world, what song would the fab five be covering come the end of the week? ? pic.twitter.com/DvKdl8gdzf
— ABC Music (@ABCmusic) February 28, 2021
