Claudio Sanchez, frontman of Coheed and Cambria, has swapped prog-rock riffs for pop charm with his cover of Taylor Swift’s Welcome to New York. Known for his sprawling sci-fi epics, Sanchez’s move to reinterpret the Swift anthem is unexpected—but oddly heartwarming.
The track is part of Claudio Covers, a new album where Sanchez reimagines songs from The Smiths, Bastille, and The Cure. But his take on Welcome to New York comes with a personal twist. Back in 2014, Sanchez’s son was born in a Brooklyn hospital, the same year Swift released her album 1989. The Swift song quickly became a family anthem, loved by his wife and newborn alike. “It was on repeat,” Sanchez said. Forget lullabies—this kid had Taylor Swift introducing him to city life.
Sanchez’s connection to the track goes beyond family. Reflecting on New York, he shared that while many fled the city during turbulent times, his family chose to stay. “The city deserves every tribute it gets,” he said, hinting that he might pen his own New York-inspired anthem someday. Until then, this heartfelt cover serves as his love letter to the city.
The reimagined Welcome to New York trades Swift’s upbeat polish for a stripped-down, acoustic approach. Sanchez’s emotional vocals add a layer of depth, transforming the pop anthem into something intimate and reflective. It’s a far cry from Times Square glitz—this version feels more like a quiet rooftop performance at sunset.
This isn’t Sanchez’s first foray into covers. Last month, he dropped a version of The Cure’s Just Like Heaven, blending his signature style with the iconic track. With Claudio Covers, he’s letting fans see a more personal side, choosing songs that resonate deeply with him.
For a guy known for epic concept albums, tackling Swift might seem like an odd move. But this cover proves Sanchez is unafraid to mix things up. Whether you’re a Swiftie or a Coheed and Cambria fans, Sanchez’s take on Welcome to New York might surprise you.
