What is it about The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” that inspires nearly everyone to cover it? Perhaps it’s that the lyrics are sweet and brilliant, with phrases that run together with the stream of consciousness that only seems to occur when you’re truly in love. For whatever reason, it’s worthwhile to pause and reflect upon:

The Top 5 versions of ‘Such Great Heights’

1. “Such Great Heights,” The Postal Service
The original has a definite electronic bend to it. For a song with such warmth, it leaves you feeling a little cold.

2. “Such Great Heights,” Iron & Wine
Perhaps the best known version (thanks to the Garden State soundtrack) comes from Iron & Wine, which has a more ethereal, gentle feel.

3. “Such Great Heights,” Ben Folds
Folds put together an improvised version of this song at an Australian television studio appearance. And it works, which may be a testament to both the song’s versatility as well as Folds’ musicianship.

4. “Such Great Heights,” The UMass Dynamics
Not even university a cappella groups are immune to the song. I’m a little partial to this version, even if it does bring whiteness to new (dare I say “great”?) heights.

5. “Such Great Heights,” Confide
Confide’s hardcore version starts off relatively faithful, before taking it to unfortunate new places. I won’t say it’s the most awful thing I have ever heard. But it’s up there, being the aural equivalent of testicles in a blender. In a word: Suckcore.

I got the idea for this Top 5 after reading this post on the AV Club blog, and although I disagree with its assessment that Confide’s version “works,” I do like Modell’s method for summoning the devil. Whaddya think, sirs?