Clash of the Cover Songs: Cold War Kids vs. Florence and the Machine

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Hospital Beds'

The Contestants: Cold War Kids vs. Florence and the Machine

In This Corner -- Cold War Kids: Lead singer Nathan Willett's vocals have been called "dreary," and whether or not you agree, that melancholy state of mind is on perfect display in the Kids' 'Hospital Beds,' the haunting tale of two men who make friends while convalescing in, yes, their hospital beds. No doubt it's depressing subject matter, but thanks to a combination of lilting lyrics, meandering piano and a jaunty drum line, it's easy to find yourself listening to it on repeat -- and even easier to forget that it's all about the "joy and misery" of the ill.

Cold War Kids, 'Hospital Beds'




In This Corner -- Florence and the Machine: You can be forgiven (for now) if you haven't heard of Florence Welch yet. The debut album from this acclaimed British upstart isn't slated for release until July, but as her take on the Cold War Kids song (a B-side to her first single) illustrates, she's certainly not afraid of a challenge. Put in the care of a female vocalist -- with a stripped-down acoustic guitar, without the cheerful piano and drums -- 'Hospital Beds' starts to sound like a creepy story kids tell around the fire at summer camp: haunting, sad and full of pain.

Florence and the Machine, 'Hospital Beds'