A few years back, the creators of Adult Swim’s animated series Squidbillies enlisted several acts to cover the show’s theme song for a special run of episodes. Alabama Shakes lent the tune a new sheen of heartache, while Lambchop turned it into a twangy country anthem. With season nine premiering this Sunday (September 21st), the creators have tapped another crop of musicians to head on up to the ol’ Appalachian Mountains.
To kick off the latest chapter of everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic squids, Neko Case delivers an especially mournful rendition of the theme. Like Alabama Shakes and Lambchop before her, Case immediately picks up on the song’s profound emotional potential and runs with it. Fragile and evocative, it’s the kind of forlorn ballad that might make even Linda Ronstadt or Emmylou Harris tear up something fierce. You’ll probably want a shot of whiskey after this lil’ number is over.
Check out Case’s version below.
This season of Squidbillies will also feature covers from King Khan and the Shrines, Dwight Yoakam, Todd Rundgren, Milk Carton Kids, and Centro-Matic.
Below, check out a brief behind-the-scene clip of Case in the studio.