Tame Impala has returned to the Australian radio program Like a Version with a new rendition of Seal's "Kiss from a Rose." This performance marks the fourth time Kevin Parker has appeared on the series, continuing his history of reinterpreting classic tracks for the show.
While the cover incorporates many of Parker's signature musical traits, it remains notably faithful to the original composition. The result sounds less like an experimental departure and more like Tame Impala stepping in to perform Seal's hit classic with their own sonic identity intact.
The song originally appeared on Seal's self-titled sophomore album in 1994 before gaining massive popularity the following year through its inclusion in the Batman Forever soundtrack. Produced by Trevor Horn, the ballad reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Parker's history with the triple j series dates back to 2013, when Tame Impala covered OutKast's "Prototype." He returned in 2015 with a reinterpretation of Kylie Minogue's "Confide in Me," followed by his most recent appearance in 2020 featuring Edwyn Collins' "A Girl Like You." A curious pattern emerges from these selections, as all three of Parker's previous covers were originally released in 1994.
This latest performance follows the conclusion of Tame Impala's Australian leg of the Deadbeat Tour. The run included multiple arena dates in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, finishing with two hometown shows in Perth on October 24th and 25th. Parker and his band are scheduled to resume touring in May 2027 with a series of UK and European arena shows, followed by summer festival appearances.
Sources: Consequence.