Tame Impala Revive Seal’s ‘Kiss From a Rose’ in Dreamy Cover

Kevin Parker and Tame Impala have once again graced Australia’s Like a Version radio series with a spellbinding cover of Seal’s 1994 hit, Kiss From a Rose. The performance, which aired recently, marks Parker’s fourth appearance on the beloved Triple J segment, where artists reinterpret songs outside their usual repertoire. This time, the band leaned into nostalgia, delivering a rendition that balances reverence for the original with their signature psychedelic flourishes.

The cover arrives as Tame Impala wrap up their Deadbeat Tour, which included sold-out arena shows across Australia. Fans can expect the band to return to the road in May 2027 for a string of UK and European dates, followed by summer festival appearances. For now, the Kiss From a Rose cover offers a tantalizing glimpse of Parker’s ability to transform even the most iconic tracks into something distinctly Tame Impala.

A Childhood Favorite Reimagined

Parker’s connection to Kiss From a Rose runs deep. The song, originally released on Seal’s 1994 self-titled album, became a global phenomenon after its inclusion in the Batman Forever soundtrack the following year. For Parker, the soundtrack was a formative purchase—the first CD he ever bought. He recalled listening to it obsessively, learning every note and lyric. In an interview with Triple J, he described the song as "a childhood favorite" and admitted it was the spark that ignited his love for music.

Despite its sentimental value, covering Kiss From a Rose wasn’t an easy decision. The band initially hesitated, questioning whether they could do justice to Seal’s powerhouse vocals. "We sort of just accepted that none of us sound like Seal," Parker explained. "Once we were content with it being a bunch of Aussie blokes doing it, we were at peace." The result is a performance that honors the original while infusing it with Tame Impala’s dreamy harmonies and textured guitar work. A playful moment even slips in: Parker swaps the lyric "all I know" for "all I want’s a fucking kiss from a rose," a cheeky nod to the band’s irreverent side.

The Legacy of *Kiss From a Rose

Seal’s Kiss From a Rose is one of the most celebrated songs of the 1990s. Written in the late 1980s during Seal’s time in a London squat, the track was initially shelved before producer Trevor Horn helped refine it for Seal’s second album. Its inclusion in Batman Forever catapulted the song to new heights, earning it three Grammy Awards in 1996: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The track’s lush orchestration and Seal’s soaring vocals made it an instant classic, but its unexpected rhythm changes also give it a "proggy" edge, as Parker noted.

Tame Impala’s cover has already earned a nod of approval from Seal himself—or at least his social media team. Seal’s Instagram account reacted to the performance with clapping emoji, a small but significant endorsement from the original artist.

What’s Next for Tame Impala?

After wrapping up their Australian tour with back-to-back shows in Perth, Tame Impala are set to return to the stage in May 2027. The upcoming leg will see the band headline arenas across the UK and Europe, with festival appearances likely to follow. For fans eager to catch them live, tickets for sold-out shows may still be available through resale platforms, though official links should always be prioritized.

In the meantime, the Like a Version performance offers a double treat. Alongside Kiss From a Rose, Tame Impala delivered a fresh take on Dracula, a track from their 2025 album Deadbeat. The pairing of the two songs—one a nostalgic cover, the other a recent original—highlights the band’s versatility and Parker’s knack for bridging generations of music.

For those who grew up with Kiss From a Rose, Tame Impala’s cover is a reminder of the song’s enduring magic. For newer fans, it’s an introduction to a piece of music history, reimagined through the lens of one of today’s most innovative acts. Either way, it’s a performance worth revisiting.