Australian surf-rockers Skegss are back in the triple j studio, putting their own fuzzed-out spin on Sheryl Crow’s 1996 hit “If It Makes You Happy” for the latest installment of Like A Version.
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The Byron Bay trio reimagined the alt-country classic through their signature laidback lens, dialing up the distortion while keeping the song’s emotional core intact. The cover arrives hot on the heels of their recent Australian headline tour, with the band riding high on fan momentum after wrapping their winter run of shows.
Skegss frontman Ben Reed shared the inspiration behind the cover, pointing to a mix of nostalgia and admiration. “I like her lyrics, she always seems to have fun, comical lyrics,” he said during the studio session. “She’s got that country-esque storytelling, she paints a good picture, but has a lot of fun with it… She’s a real clever lyricist.”
While brainstorming cover options proved tricky — especially following their memorable 2019 Like A Version debut with Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” — Reed recalled his sisters playing “If It Makes You Happy” on repeat in the early 2000s. After jamming the song once in rehearsal, the band knew they had their pick.
In addition to the Sheryl Crow tribute, Skegss also performed their original track “Ain’t for the Faint” live in-studio, bringing their infectious energy to the new cut.
First released in 1996 as the lead single from Crow’s self-titled sophomore album, “If It Makes You Happy” became one of the singer’s signature songs, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards.
Skegss’ cover adds a raw, sun-drenched twist to the song’s alt-rock roots, earning praise from fans who flooded triple j’s YouTube comments calling it “an instant classic” and “exactly what Like A Version was made for.”
Watch both performances via triple j below.
