With its elegant melodies and undeniable feeling of doomed romance, ‘Summertime Sadness’ by Lana Del Rey is arguably one of the most iconic songs of the 2010s. When singer-songwriter Gigi Perez announced she was going to cover the song, then it’s little surprise that there was some skepticism about how it would turn out.
But when Perez finally dropped the cover as part of her set for the popular YouTube series Like A Version, those skeptics instantly realized they could not have been more wrong. Transforming the song into a dark, atmospheric country tune, Perez put her own inimitable stamp on the song and left viewers all around the world with their jaws on the floor.
“This is one of the best covers I have ever heard,” reads one of the most popular comments on YouTube, having received nearly 1000 likes. “Talk about putting your own flair on it,” reads another YouTube comment that appears to have resonated with many viewers worldwide. “Every note is art. There’s no other way to say it.”
Perez also performed one of her original songs, ‘Sugar Water,’ as part of her set in the Like A Version studio. A raw and impactful alternative rock tune with hints of country and pop, the upbeat guitar part is offset perfectly by the darkly emotive lyrics and Perez’s emotion-filled vocals, particularly on this live version.
By far Perez’s most powerful moment in the Like A Version studio, however, was her cover of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Summertime Sadness’. She really put her own stamp on the song, Music Man readers – and isn’t that what a good cover is all about?
Gigi Perez’s dark, atmospheric country take on “Summertime Sadness” cements her as a bold, singular talent. If this performance left you hooked, discover more via the useful links below — find videos, streams and socials to explore her work and follow what she does next.