Tame Impala hit Triple J's Like A Version once again, this time with Seal's monumental 1994 song, ‘Kiss From A Rose’. Having just finished up the Australian leg of their recent tour, following the release of their 2025 album, ‘Deadbeat’, now is the perfect time to hear a change of pace from the Aussie giants.

Tame Impala are a veteran band for Like A Version; they debuted back in 2013 with a cover of ‘Prototype’ by Outkast. Since then, they've taken on ‘Confide In Me’ by Kylie Minogue, ‘A Girl Like You’ by Edwyn Collins, and now ‘Kiss From A Rose’. This choice is a little more emotional and whimsical than their usual, but a welcome throwback to this immense track.

‘Kiss From A Rose’ is best known for its spot on the soundtrack of the 1995 film Batman Forever. Its unusual arrangement and powerful vocals from Seal are truly cinematic, making this a top-tier choice for a cover. Being chosen by an Australian band is full circle for the song, since Batman and Australia can never seem to leave each other alone. From iconic Australian actors like Nicole Kidman and Heath Ledger in the films, to the city of Melbourne almost being named “Batmania", Tame Impala are reinforcing ‘Kiss From A Rose’, and Batman in general, within the Australian zeitgeist. Perhaps Tame Impala will find themselves on the soundtrack of the next instalment, scheduled for release in 2028, considering their song ‘Loser’ already had similar superhero success in Spider-Man: Brand New Day this year.

The cover itself hits all the right dynamic shifts from the original, taking listeners on a mystical journey complete with effervescent synths and otherworldly harmonies. Kevin Parker's vocal is a little more subdued than Seal’s; he acknowledges as much in his behind-the-scenes interview with Triple J:

"Once we sort of… Accepted that none of us, like, sound like Seal… It's a bunch of Aussie Blokes doing it… Then I think we were sort of, like, at peace with it."

This doesn't take away from the cover; in fact, it adds a distinct Australian coolness to the song. ‘Kiss From A Rose’ is a great pick by Tame Impala, giving new life to this already transcendental Seal track. You can check out the cover here, alongside the live version of ‘Dracula’, their 2025 single.

Rory Williams

@roryrockett

Image: Shot from Tame Impala Cover Seal’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’ for Like A Version, Triple J YouTube