Riverdale Rewind: A ranking of season 2’s song covers
6. “Spooky” — 2×07
On Riverdale, “Spooky” is meant to be an original song by Josie. In real life, it’s a 60s slow jam by Chris Montez. However, Murray’s sultry, R&B cover is so much better that it should henceforth be considered the definitive version.
It would’ve been nice to hear more of the cover in the episode before Josie’s dream turned into a nightmare about her being killed by the Black Hood. I am glad that nightmare never turned into a reality, though.
5. “Union of the Snake” — 2×11
When you think Duran Duran, you think 1982’s “Hungry Like the Wolf.” This 1983 Duran Duran song hasn’t stood the test of time quite as well. (I’d honestly never heard it before I watched this episode.) But it’s a great song.
The cover by Mendes, Hayley Law (who plays Valerie) and Asha Bromfield (who plays Melody), is smoother, slower and more reflective, which makes for easy listening. The original is more techno pop-rock, aka solid party music.
R.I.P. to Josie and the Pussycats. Although Veronica and the Pussycats didn’t really become anything after this episode, so maybe there’s hope for a reunion of the OGs in season three.
4. “Out Tonight” — 2×05
Rent is covered very often, but that doesn’t mean the songs are easy to sing. Mimi Marquez’ signature number in the musical is particularly high-energy and features several high notes, which Murray nails. Mendes rounds out the sound with a smooth alto line, when she’s not on the melody.
Law and Bromfield also have fantastic, though brief, solos while playing keyboards and drums, respectively. They absolutely need to be featured more in season three.
CW: Sexual Assault (mentioned below; not in the clip above, which is an extended version of the performance)
The one issue I had with this cover is that it was used to sensationalize Nick’s (Graham Phillips) attempted rape of Cheryl in the episode. In Rent, the highly suggestive song is sung by Mimi while she’s performing at a strip club, so it was quite insensitive and shallow for Riverdale to use it in a context as serious as sexual assault. And the fact that Veronica, Josie, Valerie and Melody beat up Nick and prevented the rape doesn’t change that.