Watching American Idol‘s Motown-themed show last week, I was surprised that songs by The Temptations had three turns on the stage (no, we won’t beg you to stay, Michael Sarver), while The Supremes were nearly ignored, given just a single showcase.

So credit to contestant Scott “Piano Man” MacIntyre for choosing to do “You Can’t Hurry Love.” But prior to his limp performance he’d already lost points for saying the song was gonna be tough to sing because he’s a fella. If such a challenge ever existed, Mr. MacIntyre, it’s already been met. Phil Collins took his version of The Supremes’ #1 hit to #10 in February 1983.

A decade later, grunge-soul band The Afghan Whigs released Uptown Avondale, a 5-track EP with four ’60s-era soul/R&B covers. Two of the tunes chosen by the all-male Whigs (led by guitarist/vocalist Greg Dulli) were originally recorded by female artists: Freda Payne’s “Band Of Gold” and The Supremes’ “Come See About Me.”

While the former takes a brilliant melody and tarnishes it (boo), the latter ranks among my all-time favorite covers. With “Come See About Me,” The Afghan Whigs provide a textbook example of how to pay proper homage to a classic song. Put your unique stamp on it, sure, but remain respectful of the original. Hear here:

Two years later, The Afghan Whigs consulted The Supremes’ songbook once again, this time for a double dip. A live medley of “My World Is Empty Without You/I Hear A Symphony” closed out 1994’s What Jail Is Like EP.

Purchase The Afghan Whigs – “Come See About Me” via iTunes, Amazon.