‘Twas a time when it wasn’t uncommon to have two or three popular artists cover a song right as it was becoming popular (or at the peak…or shortly after the peak…) of its popularity. From the days of Pat Boone covering R&B classics of the day (and having bigger hits with them) to the strike-while-the-iron-is-hot versions of “Hey Jude” (by The Temptations), “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (by Creedence Clearwater Revival) and “Ain’t No Sunshine” (by Michael Jackson), good songs didn’t need a grace period to be covered.

That practice disappeared at the end of the ’70s and only resurfaced recently, as sites like YouTube provide an easy forum for today’s pop heroes to put their spin on recent hits. Mayer Hawthorne covered Rihanna’s “Stay” and Lorde’s “Royals”. Then there’s Ryan Adams’ rootsy re-rub of Taylor Swift’s entire 1989 album.

Drake’s “Hotline Bling” is one of the hottest songs out right now. I thought it was awful when I first heard it, but the catchiness of it has gotten completely under my skin in the month or so since. Last week, Erykah Badu put her own spin on “Bling”, and the result is a song that doesn’t sound out of place coming from the same woman who asked her man to “call Tyrone” nearly two decades ago. Miss Badu adds her own humorous flavor to the updated rendition-I’ve gotta give her props for it. I also must add that it’s been too damn long since Erykah has released a new project. This song certainly whets the appetite, but it’s only a sip of cool water when you really want a jug full.

Those following the musical career of Donald Glover should be aware that he’s no stranger to covers. He’s released solid versions of Usher’s “U Don’t Have To Call” and P.M. Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You”, to name a couple of classics he’s remade. The man they call Childish Gambino recently slapped on a pair of headphones and worked his way through Tamia’s late ’90s R&B smash “So Into You”. While Bino reaches for a coupla notes that aren’t exactly there (hey, this happens during one-take performances), his rendition is certainly worthy of a listen. And as someone who can clearly remember the days when hip-hop associated acts were homophobic as shit, I have to give props for Donald not bothering to change the male pronoun as Tamia sings it in her version.

Also, might it be too much to ask for a full-on pop/R&B album from Donald? Dude could give The Weeknd a run for his money.

I’ve included Tamia’s original version below as well-because if you’re not familiar, it’s an excellent song.