50 Cover Songs in 2026

Let's Make Music this Year!

Jan 16, 2026

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Today, as we proceed with 2026, I am announcing one of my new creative pursuits.

For every issue of WPR in 2026, I will post a video of me performing my own piano version of other people’s songs. There will be a total of fifty by the end of the year with the first one included at the end of this post.

This will be a mix of songs I have performed over the years and new songs I have been itching to try out.

I love creating my own piano versions of songs I wish I'd written. This is a way for me to infuse my own sensibilities into a song’s vibe and have fun with the arrangement.

I have found that I learn a lot by applying a bit of rigor to my creative practices. Whether it was making a short film every week for a year during the COVID lockdown or doggedly over-delivering on every assignment I did in college, I came out of the experience with a lot more skill and knowledge. Learning how to play all kinds of different songs can only do me a world of good.

Since I am the author of a newsletter called “Where Pianos Roam,” the more piano, the better!!

How will I do this?

There will be one new cover song posted every week. This will mainly be in the form of a video. I will film myself playing.
In the subheading of each new issue/post/email for 2026, I will write the name of the song and artist. For example:

Windows To the Inside
”Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot

(Clearly, this is just an example. I would NEVER perform a piano cover of that song. Probably.)
I will also record my vocals and keyboard through my laptop and recording software. The keyboard will be connected via MIDI, and I will use the most gorgeous piano sound I can find. At this point, I do not have the capability to record and film on an actual piano. Hopefully, each audio recording will improve over time, but at the very least, you will be able to hear the vocals and piano clearly.
Each recording, for both film and audio, will be one simultaneous take.

None of this will be perfect. You may hear a dog barking or a door slamming in the background because I live with people and animals and I do not regularly have a quiet place to do this. (A friend of mine is letting me use her peaceful studio apartment, but it may not always be available.)

What I can guarantee is that I will perform with the same level of intensity and emotion that I give when I am on stage in front of a crowd.

My intention is to stay true to the song's spirit and emotions, but I will be adventurous with the vocals and piano arrangements.

I will perform songs by a diverse mix of artists including (but not limited to) Young the Giant, Tori Amos, Bruno Mars, Norah Jones, the Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple, and many more.

Now, without further delay, here is the first of 50 covers of 2026!

Cover Song #1: Raining In Baltimore by Counting Crows

My first offering is a song called “Raining in Baltimore” by a band called Counting Crows off their debut album August and Everything After. It was written by their charismatic lead singer, Adam Duritz, and was originally intended for Bonnie Raitt to sing before it wound up just where it needed to be.

August and Everything After is one of the most influential albums in my musical education. Each song is its own tender microcosm of emotion, storytelling, and skilled musicianship along an angst-ridden, lonesome, and lovelorn journey.

With the recent passing of my beloved cat Steinway, I have been gravitating to this song at my piano, and I suppose it is a pretty good representation of where my head and heart have been lately. The line in the song “What would you change if you could?” slays me.

This is a sad one folks.

Please enjoy this uncovering . . .

If you are curious about what the original sounds like, listen HERE.

Thank you for watching and listening. If there is a song you think I might enjoy playing, reply to this email or leave a comment here.

Only forty-nine(!) more songs to go!

Incidentally, I have a survey question for you. (All responses are anonymous.)