Top 15 Jeff Buckley Songs and Covers

How does one describe Jeff Buckley's music? Jeff's range was so large his music catalogue is something of a genre in itself, with elements of folk, rock, jazz, blues, and middle eastern music flowing through each song. And this is with only one studio album released before his tragic death. Here's the top fifteen Jeff Buckley songs and covers.

15. New Years Prayer.

This track is one of the highlights off of the posthumous album "Sketches for my Sweetheart, the drunk", a record showcasing the incredible range of Buckley's abilities. On this particular track, Buckley's tendency to experiment pays off immensely with an R&B style rhythm blending perfectly with a catchy vocal loop. New Years Prayer is an effortlessly unique song, blending Buckleys soulful touch with the bare bone elements of a hip-hop song.

14. Nightmares By The Sea

Despite being mostly known for his softer tracks, Buckley had a dark edge about him. This song demonstrates his darker influences, with punk style guitars that could be off of a Joy Division record. A tremendous cover.

13. "Mama, You Been On My Mind"

A fan of Bob Dylan, Buckley was no stranger to covering his songs; this stands out amongst the rest. A great rendition that captures Dylan's style while also housing Buckley's uniqueness. Soft and sweet, it details a breakup with sincerity.

12. Lilac Wine

This song deserves its spot amongst Buckley's best covers, showing his ability to keep it simple when it serves the song. With delicate picking and serene singing, Lilac Wine pulls you in with its earnest intimacy and you'll never want to leave.

11. Eternal Life

Perhaps Buckleys most rock and roll track, this song stands out on "Grace" for its ballsy attitude and rebellious lyrics. Inspired by Zeppelin, with a strong rhythm and thundering bass, it houses a political stance not found elsewhere in the singers catalogue.

10. Dream Brother

Dark and moody and immensely captivating, Buckley pleads with his friend Chris Dowd not to leave his pregnant girlfriend on the final track of "Grace". Swirling with ambient guitar tones and vocals, this song has a certain eeriness to it that is hard to put a finger on. A touching look at Buckley's own issues with a haunting melody, "Dream Brother" is both sonically and lyrically a tremendous song.

9. Kanga-Roo

Performed live numerous times, sometimes for over 20 minutes the sheer significance of this track is often underestimated by both fans and critics alike. In many ways this song shows the best of Buckley; a soft, beautiful opening with gorgeous guitar playing and pure vocals that explodes into a psychedelic, thumping rock song. Definitely worth a listen.

8. Forget Her

Buckley's odd relationship with this song doesn't change how powerful it is. The sheer fact he could even opt to leave it out of "Grace", is a great example of how good the album really is; for many, this song would stand out as one of their best. Perhaps a little woe-is-me, but personally it just adds a sense of vulnerability and honesty to the track

7. So Real

Timeless and intricate, many have tried and failed to recreate this tracks ethereal energy. Dream-like yet raw, this song has a shoe-gaze ferocity to it, mimicking that of "My Bloody Valentine" and "Slowdive". Easily one of Buckley's most vibrant and personal.

6. Last Goodbye

One of Buckley's first successes, garnering a decent amount of radio play this is a fan favourite and brilliant song. It's crafting is genuinely one of Buckley's best but falls a little shorter on this list than some might like as its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness; commercialism. Despite this song lacking just a little bit of Buckley's usual flare, it's poetic lyrics and timeless catchy-ness, cement it's necessity on "Grace".

5. Mojo-Pin

The opening to "Grace" is perfect, telling the listener exactly whats to come. With a sweet, rolling guitar melody and emotional lyrics, this song is all about the high-low dynamics. Featuring a tremendous crescendo and honest storytelling throughout, this song definitely makes its mark.

4. Hallelujah

Most peoples number one, this is a cover that people will be trying to recreate for decades to come. The melody pulls on your heartstrings and the chilling subtlety of the reverb makes this easily the best rendition of this song. Written by Leonard Cohen, immortalised by Jeff, this cover is as close to immaculate a track as you can get.

3. I Know It's Over (Live at Sony Studios)

A personal favourite of mine as this was the first track of Buckley's I was introduced to. For me, the studio acoustic recording isn't half as good as this live performance. Performing with his soul to bare for everyone, Buckley's cathartic guitar playing, where he strokes the chords nostalgically, and perfect falsetto makes this his best live performance and arguably one of the best live performances period.

2. Lover, You Should've Come Over

God this is a tough one. The number two pick is for sure a controversial one; this is the perfect candidate for number one with its unique use of chords, beautiful lyrics and unbelievable bridge. I can't even attempt to find a flaw in this song. It's powerful, intimate, personal and all round incredible. The only reason it's not number one is because it's not the middle of the night yet. I've learned the only true way to listen to this song is under the covers at two in the morning. Sadly, it's 4 PM at the moment.

1. Grace

This is one of the best songs ever written, on one of the best albums ever made. It's haunting chords are so... Jeff Buckley, I couldn't place it anywhere else on the list. Energetic and unapologetic, this is another flawless song that builds and builds to an unbelievable climax, with powerful distortion and astounding screams. Lover, You Should've Come Over is arguably the better song, but this is the best Buckley song, with everything that makes him as amazing as he is on full display. There's strength in its vulnerability and its core message of love overcoming our fear of death, is profound, unique and as important as when this song came out.