Jamie Cullum, Can’t Feel My Face | COVERS

In the 7^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jamie Cullum delivers a compelling rendition of “Can’t Feel My Face,” originally performed by The Weeknd.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 7^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jamie Cullum delivers a compelling rendition of “Can’t Feel My Face”, originally performed by The Weeknd.  

Don’t ever underestimate the power of jazz. Jazz/pop musician Jamie Cullum is one talented fella.  He showcases his talents superbly on his 2018 covers album, The Song Society Playlist.  On this project, he tackles pop, including one of the best and most popular pop songs of the 2010s, “Can’t Feel My Face”. “Can’t Feel My Face” was a no. 1 hit for Grammy-winning Canadian R&B superstar, The Weeknd back in 2015.  On paper, it’s tough to envision Cullum, despite top-notch musicianship, covering this one.  However, Jamie ‘leans in’ and ‘puts his foot’ into this rendition, PERIOD!

“Can’t Feel My Face” as a jazz-pop song is legit.  The goodness commences at the onset, with a sick groove established by the drums.  The instrumentation is simple – a jazz trio.  Rather than electric bass, there’s a string bassist, which gives the sound a different flavor.  Of course, Jamie Cullum is locked-in on the keys – piano keys that is! The lightness of this pop hit in Cullum’s hands is one of its selling points. Separating itself from the electronic-infused original, Cullum manages to build his own catchy, infectious take, a testament to his artistry. He transposes the key to fit his voice, which is lower than The Weeknd’s. He sings expressively, flaunting his own terrific tone.  Wanna shock the world with a cover? Be like Jamie Cullum with his epic, unexpected take on “Can’t Feel My Face”. #LIT 🔥!!!

Jamie Cullum // The Song Society Playlist // Island // 2018

Jamie Cullum, Can’t Feel My Face: Covers No. 7 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Island; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]