2021 is turning out to be the year of the cover song. We’re currently awaiting the release of albums from both Mo Kenney and No, It’s Fine. that will be nothing but covers. And we totally get it. This is the time for it and Rose Cousins has just jumped on that train with her version of Whitney Houston’s 1987 Grammy Award-winning single, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
It’s been nearly a year since the release of Rose Cousins’ latest album, Bravado, although it’s felt like much longer. The album took a sombre tone, appropriately addressing issues of isolation and loneliness. While that was all fine and well for 2020, there’s only so much sustained melancholy anyone can take.
So, with the world hunkered down, effectively putting a hold on the standard album release cycle, Rose Cousins, and many more musicians, have changed their approach. That means we’re seeing the release of a lot of fun covers.
“My sister and I made up routines to a fair number of pop songs when we were kids and ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ was at the top of the list,” says Cousins. “I know my catalogue leans melancholy but I have a true love for pop music and a deep sentimentality for the hits of the late ’80s and Queen Whitney. This past year has been like no other in revealing who we are when we are alone, how we take care of each other when we can’t be together. The song feels fitting for the time and for my first collaboration with the amazing pop writer, producer and engineer, Robyn Dell’Unto who I’ve known since 2010. She’s incredible and I loved making this track with her. Let’s dance.”
Of course, we suspect the other side of this is that musicians everywhere are sneakily recording fresh material, saving it up until the right moment, and releasing these extra-polished gems just before they head out on tour. 2021 might be the year of the cover, but 2022 will (hopefully) be the year we all get to catch these sweet dance moves in person.