“Easy” by Faith No More is a smooth, soulful cover of the classic 1977 hit by The Commodores, originally sung by Lionel Richie. Released in December 1992 as part of the European edition of their album Angel Dust, Faith No More’s version took fans and critics by surprise—it was a major shift from the band’s usual hard-edged alternative metal and funk-rock sound.
Their take on “Easy” is faithful to the original in tone and structure, but it’s colored by the band’s unique sensibility. Mike Patton’s vocals are warm and restrained, showing a completely different side of his usual aggressive, genre-bending performance style. The band swaps their usual crunching guitars and chaotic energy for lush instrumentation, mellow keys, and a gentle groove, complete with smooth guitar licks and laid-back rhythm.
At first, the cover seemed like an ironic or unexpected move for such a heavy band, but it ended up being genuinely beloved by fans and casual listeners alike. It reached No. 1 in Australia, No. 3 in the UK and charted across Europe, becoming one of their most commercially successful singles.
Despite its easygoing nature, there’s still a subtle Faith No More edge to it—like they’re having fun by embracing something completely different, but doing it with total sincerity. The song’s mellow vibe and nostalgic feel give it a timeless charm, and it remains one of the most interesting and unexpected left turns in ‘90s rock.