Here are a few to get things started:
Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer as an 80s synth tune
Bossa nova version of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over
Reggae-ish version of Aretha Franklin’s Respect
A capella men’s ensemble version of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance
EDIT: This has been great, everyone. Thanks to everyone for all the terrific links and for introducing me to a number of artists I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise. Seriously, the online rabbit-holes have been thoroughly enjoyable–even it I stayed up a bit too late a number of times.
Worth it.
Rist slays. Pepperminta is my favorite modern surrealist film.
I actually know almost nothing about her, but I found this song on a music blog (maybe stereogum?) probably at least 15 years ago and I never get tired of it. I will have to look at some of her other work.
She’s primarily a filmmaker.
The bit in a Beyonce video of walking down the street, smashing every car window you pass, was taken from a Rist film.