Etheridge to Release Tom Petty Cover; Breaks Hearts of the Heartbreakers in Process

Melissa Etheridge is set to release her rendition of 'Refugee' as the first single off her soon available greatest hits collection. Frankly, I haven't heard the recording yet, but I am willing to bet it sucks horribly (or is it horribly sucks?). I can actually dig some of Missy's stuff from time to time, but judging from the following description, this cover seems only to serve as a springboard back onto top 40 AC and pop rotation:

Melissa Etheridge takes on Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' "Refugee" as the first single from her forthcoming greatest-hits album, "The Road Less Traveled." While the Petty original had an uncluttered, solid groove and a fairly uptempo beat, Etheridge goes the slow-burn, jangle-rock route. She and producer John Shanks throw in a mess of guitars and turn the song into a semi-personal anthem for Etheridge. While the singer's radio fortunes have faded over time, her stellar Grammy Awards performance earlier this year might make programers take a second listen.

Jangle-rock??? Going the way of REM with one of Tom Petty's sweetest songs sounds WAY......uh....awesome. Yeah right. Great job Melissa.