STAPLETON DOES "NOTHING" (AND WE FREAK OUT)

We've watched, often through tears, a lot of Prince covers in the past few days. But this version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Mercury Nashville's mega-selling Chris Stapleton just knocked us on our butts.

Stapleton performed it at Berkeley's Greek Theatre; his throaty vocals and rootsy guitar solo are a million miles from Prince's, yet fully honor the spirit of The Purple One. Also, there's some really lovely harmonica at the end by Mickey Raphael. We got goosebumps. You?

While we're on the subject, an elaborate studio rendering of "Nothing" from Chris Cornell (who notes that he performed the song for the first time two months ago) has popped up on YouTube.