Republican Senator Gives Opinion On Pearl Jam

Republican Senator Rand Paul took a brief break from politics this week to talk rock and roll, and his praise went to Pearl Jam‘s “Last Kiss” cover.

Rand Paul praises Pearl Jam

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Paul shared his appreciation for standout cover songs, writing:

“There are some covers that can sometimes even surpass the original. Disturbed’s version of The Sound of Silence and Pearl Jam’s version of Last Kiss deserve a listen. Post some other covers that might make the grade.”

Pearl Jam’s 1999 rendition of Last Kiss — originally recorded by Wayne Cochran in 1961 and popularized by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers in 1964 — became one of the band’s biggest commercial hits. The track, initially released as a fan club single, climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a staple of their live shows.

Fans were quick to respond to Paul’s post, suggesting their own favorite cover songs ranging from Johnny Cash’s haunting version of Hurt to Jeff Buckley’s take on Hallelujah.

While Rand Paul is better known for his libertarian politics than his music commentary, this isn’t the first time the Kentucky senator has shown an interest in pop culture. He’s previously referenced classic rock acts in interviews, citing his appreciation for artists from the ’60s and ’70s, including Rush, who weren’t happy with his praise.