Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a conundrum: He's an immensely likable actor, though he's also very self-serious. He's hammy, yet pretentious. He's always rousing crowds with spirited acoustic covers, yet he's always pimping that website of his. Bottom line: He's an interesting mix, and because he gave an amazing performance in Mysterious Skin, I grant him extra leeway -- and a tribute to his best moments as a viral singing sensation! Yesterday we watched him strum the bejesus out of R. Kelly's "Ignition (Remix)" and today let's tally up all his fun covers, sort out our favorites, and declare one favorite.
10. "You Can't Hurry Love"
JGL opts for a disturbing falsetto that Robin Thicke might admire with his cover of the Supremes classic. Apparently, you also can't hurry this song, since he sings it at roughly half-speed.
9. "Don't Look Back in Anger"
He interrupts his fine piano work and rollicking vocals before the song can really pick up steam, but JGL's cover of the Oasis tune is perfectly salable.
8. "Who's Loving You"
I prefer JGL's fast-strumming, crowd-energizing moments, but he goes for gusto with this longing Jackson 5 track. I can hear Simon Cowell muttering, "It was loud, screechy, self-indulgent..." but I'd rather he be bombastic than simpering. Thumbs up, I say.
7. "La Valse à Mille Temps"
I won't knock the singing (which is very good), but I will knock JGL's girl-baiting French trilling. Come on. That's level-one pandering in the flirt world.
6. "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon"
I'm sticking mostly to live performances on the list, but his version of the heartbreaking Sesame Street song "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" would do Aaron Neville and Ernie proud.
5. "Lithium"
Singing Nirvana's "Lithium" in Seattle is slightly uninspired, but I appreciate JGL's appropriation of burnout angst. It makes me think he's suited for that dormant Kurt Cobain biopic. I'd like to see him take on a darker Nirvana classic like "Heart Shaped Box."
4. "Express Yourself"
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" accidentally ushered Madonna's fantastic 1989 self-empowerment jam back into the spotlight, and JGL seized the opportunity to really croon it. I wish he'd donned a pinstripe suit, monocole, and a cone bra, but I guess we can't always toast the music video masterwork of David Fincher.
3. "Bad Romance"
Speaking of Sir Gaga's estranged wife, "Bad Romance" provides the perfect intersection for JGL's crowd appeal and grunty, fun stage presence. He may wail a bit here, but that just makes it more entertaining.
2. "Ignition (Remix)"
To date, JGls' most impressive song choice is "Ignition (Remix)," which is both goofy enough and legit enough to wow a bevy of onlookers. He should try more covers in this vein -- bring me Missy Elliott's "Work It" and Kelis's "Milkshake" next!
1. "Natural Woman"
Is it his best sung rendition? No. Is it his most logical song choice? No. But "Natural Woman" is JGL's most oddly affecting rendition, and it doesn't hurt that the utterly ubiquitous standard is just powerful. Hell, he should release an entire Tapestry cover album.
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