Last post was 3 days ago. Search is your friend Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
That was just good covers, though.
"Blinded by the Light", "(I Came) For You", and "Fire" were all written and performed (barely) by Bruce Springsteen. The first two were done a billion times better by Manfred Mann, and the third was done better by the Pointer Sisters (I think).
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Love Song Tori Amos The Cure
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
"The First Cut is the Deepest" Cover Artist: Sheryl Crow Original Artist: Cat Stevens (later covered by Rod Stewart)
Other covers I love:
Alison Krauss, "When You Say Nothing at All," original artist Keith Whitley Dixie Chicks, "Landslide," original artist Stevie Nicks (well, I guess Fleetwood Mac officially)
The last one was a real surprise to me because I LOVE Stevie Nicks' Landslide. I don't think Dixie Chicks' version is better, but I enjoy it just as well.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by TL: Title: Love Song Cover Artist: 311 Original Artist: The Cure
I'm sorry, but you're out of your freaking mind.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
quote:Originally posted by Uprooted: Dixie Chicks, "Landslide," original artist Stevie Nicks (well, I guess Fleetwood Mac officially)
The last one was a real surprise to me because I LOVE Stevie Nicks' Landslide. I don't think Dixie Chicks' version is better, but I enjoy it just as well.
Personally, I think that the Smashing Pumpkins version of Landslide was a bit better, although the others were still good.
I also preffered the Guns N'Roses version of Live and Let Die over Paul McCartney's version.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Take On Me as done by the Real Big Fish
Originially done by A-Ha
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
The Song: "Spiderman"
The Cover: The Ramones
The Original: Whoever sang the original Spiderman cartoon theme song.
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
Song: "Heart Full of Soul" Cover: Rush Original: The Yardbirds
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
Song: "Last Seskatchewan Pirate" Cover: Unsure, actually Original: Arrogant Worms
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Song: Hungry Like the Wolf Cover: Reel Big Fish Original: Duran Duran
*ducks and runs from thread*
--Mel
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Take On Me as done by the Real Big Fish
>_<
Song: Johnny & Mary Cover: Placebo Original: Robert Palmer
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Ah, Placebo.
I'm sorry, but I think the Cure's version of Love Song is WAY better than 311's. Way, way better.
-pH
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Song: Brick Cover: UPenn Off the Beat Original: Ben Folds Five
Odd but true.
Jen
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Song: "I am the Walrus" Cover: Styx Original: The Beatles
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Song: Brick Cover: UPenn Off the Beat Original: Ben Folds Five
While I agree that UPenn's Off the Beat is one of very few college a capella groups worth listening to, I think their cover of this song takes away from the mood of the original. But that's just me, I suppose.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Song: "Got to Get You Into My Life" Cover: Earth, Wind & Fire Original: The Beatles
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Scott Weiland Dancing Days Led Zepplin.
He'd be so much better if he'd lay off the damn drugs. He has a great voice.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
"Long Tall Sally" cover: The Beatles original: Little Richard
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
"For what its worth" Cover: The Muppets Original: Buffalo Springfield.
Oh, heck,everything the Muppets covered was better than the original.
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
"All Along the Watchtower" Cover: Jimi Hendrix Orig: Bob Dylan
(Jimi's version is amazingly mind-blowing, while Dylan's original was pretty bland. imho...)
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
I find that most covers of Dylan-penned songs are better than the original version.
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" cover: Bryan Ferry
"Simple Twist of Fate" cover: Joan Baez
"Tangled Up in blue" Indigo Girls [although occasionally I prefer Dylan's, I have to admit]
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
Title: Summer Breeze Cover Artist: Jason Mraz Original Artist: Seals & Crofts
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
There's an amazing version of Bobby Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe" by someone I've heard a few times, very dark, have no clue who it's by, another female, but it's fantastic.
Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :
Romeo and Juliet Cover: Indigo Girls (1992) Original: Dire Straits (1980)
I think the Dire Straits version is the original but I may be wrong and someone else wrote it (Icouldn't find writter credits for teh song in the short amount of time I tried to look). I own both albums and the Indigo Girls is far and away the better version. Although while doing a google of the song I saw that Edwin McCain also did a version of it but I haven't heard it so I can't comment.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
"Wounded" by He is Legend (2006) Originally recorded by Third Eye Blind Made available as an iTunes exclusive single
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
What's so interesting about cover songs?
Posted by DevilDreamt (Member # 10242) on :
I don't even hear much difference between 311's version of love song and the cure's. I think it fails as a cover. I like covers to at least put the song into a new light, for the artist to alter something in the song to make it their own. sometimes they can do this just with their voice and the way it's sung, sometimes not. 311 covering love song? bleh.
Patti Smith covering Hey Joe, however, = success.
Posted by DSH (Member # 741) on :
A few of my favorites:
Title: Always On My Mind Cover Artist: Pet Shop Boys Original Artist: Elvis (Google never ceases to amaze me...I thought Willie Nelson was the original artist!)
Title: '97 Bonnie & Clyde Cover Artist: Tori Amos Original Artist: Eminem
Title: Mad World Cover Artist: Michael Andrews/Gary Jules Original Artist: Tears For Fears
Actually I like both versions of "Mad World" equally well.
Title: I Got You Babe Cover Artist: UB40/Chrissie Hynde Original Artist: Sonny & Cher
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Title: All rock songs Cover artist Me on Guitar Hero
Seriously? Does the version of 'All Along the Watchtower' in BSG count?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I'm gonna agree that almost any Dylan cover by a decent artist is better than Dylan doing a Dylan song.
Posted by sylvrdragon (Member # 3332) on :
This may just be a rumor, but I heard somewhere that the makers of either Rock Band or Guitar Hero got sued by a band because the cover version of the song used in the game was better than the original.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I'm gonna agree that almost any Dylan cover by a decent artist is better than Dylan doing a Dylan song.
Agreed. All in favor say aye.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Title: Smooth Criminal Cover: Alien Ant Farm Original: Michael Jackson
EDIT:
Oh, and wasn't Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' a cover? That's gotta go on this list (and so many other lists).
[ May 09, 2008, 02:23 AM: Message edited by: Architraz Warden ]
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
Title: Wichita Lineman Cover: Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 Original: Glen Campbell
I second the motion:
Take On Me as done by the Real Big Fish Originially done by A-Ha
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
quote:Originally posted by sylvrdragon: This may just be a rumor, but I heard somewhere that the makers of either Rock Band or Guitar Hero got sued by a band because the cover version of the song used in the game was better than the original.
Not a rumor. The band that wrote "What I Like About You" complained because the cover sounded exactly like them (not better.)
Oh, and BTW, this thread is making my head explode.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht:
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I'm gonna agree that almost any Dylan cover by a decent artist is better than Dylan doing a Dylan song.
Agreed. All in favor say aye.
This may have something to do with Dylan being a gifted songwriter, but singing rather like his voice is coming out by way of his nasal pasages.
Virtually every song in Weird Al's "Angry White Boy Polka."
"I Don't Like Mondays" Original Boomtown Rats Cover Tori Amos
Posted by aretee (Member # 1743) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: The Song: "Spiderman"
The Cover: The Ramones
The Original: Whoever sang the original Spiderman cartoon theme song.
I like the version by Moxy Fruvous
Posted by happymann (Member # 9559) on :
"Hooked on a Feeling" Jonathan King B.J. Thomas
Although they both are good. I just like the "ooga shaka."
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I stopped reading this thread in horror when it first went up when I got to this:
quote:Title: Hallelujah Cover Artist: Jeff Buckley Original Artist: Leonard Cohen
Just when I thought I could soldier my way through, I saw this:
quote:Title: I will Survive Cover Artist: Cake Original Artist: Gloria Gaynor
Title: Hurt Cover Artist: Johnny Cash Original Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Title: Satellite of Love Cover Artist: U2 Original Artist: Velvet Underground (Although Lou Reed's solo version is more famous)
I'm a little ashamed of the last one, though. Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
Title: Fields of Gold Cover: Eva Cassidy Original: Sting
...Sting is on record as agreeing with me on that one. The next one may be more controversial...
Title: I Only Wanna Be With You Cover: Vonda Shepard Original: Dusty Springfield
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
All my faves already mentioned: Mad world, Hurt, and Smooth Criminal.
OK, I like Metallica's "Turn the page" even though they didn't do anything that original with it. Just like the guitar better than the sax.
Edit: got the title wrong.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Title: Me and Bobby McGee Cover: Janis Joplin Original: Roger Miller (some controversy, Lightfoot may have recorded it first.)
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
That's almost another category - covers that have become the "real" version of the song. I'm sure there are others like that - probably quite a few Dylan songs qualify.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I thought Kris Kristofferson wrote Me and Bobby McGee...
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
He did.
Edit: but he didn't record it until 1970, and that wasn't released for 30 years or so.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I'm not 100% sure that it's really better than the original, but I personally like it much more:
Title: Diamonds and Gold Cover Artist: Firewater Original Artist: Tom Waits
Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :
Song: Hey Joe Original: Billy Roberts Cover: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Song: Black Magic Woman Original: Fleetwood Mac Cover: Santana
Song: Crossroads Original: Robert Johnson Cover: Cream
Song: Have a Cigar Original: Floyd, I think. Cover: Primus
Song: I Wanna be Sedated Original: The Ramones Cover: The Offspring
Song: Live and let Die Original: Wings, I think Cover: G'nR
Posted by Sean Monahan (Member # 9334) on :
Song: Eleanor Rigby Original: The Beatles Cover: The Violet Burning
Posted by Sachiko (Member # 6139) on :
Song: How Soon Is Now? original: Morrissey and Johnny Marr Cover: Love Spit Love
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
At least no one has tried to say that Whitney did "I Will Always Love You" better than Dolly yet.
Posted by Sachiko (Member # 6139) on :
She did do it LONGER, however.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Or it seemed that way, at least. Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
"Or it seemed that way, at least."
OUCH.
I'd have sworn this was a TomD post.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
It was just such a perfect setup...
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: That's almost another category - covers that have become the "real" version of the song. I'm sure there are others like that - probably quite a few Dylan songs qualify.
The thread that this thread initially was a derivative of was on precisely that topic. Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: At least no one has tried to say that Whitney did "I Will Always Love You" better than Dolly yet.
Or that Faith Hill did "Take a Little Piece of My Heart" better than Janis Joplin.
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
People really like 311's version of "Love Song" better than The Cure? Sick. I like 311 and all, but the original song is a classic.''
I think it's kinda funny when they play the Tesla song "Thank you" on the radio, some people think it's Zeppelin. That's not to say Tesla's version is better, being the Zeppelin fan that I am. Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :
Title: Hounds of love Original: Kate Bush New: The Futureheads
Posted by DevilDreamt (Member # 10242) on :
Song: Mony Mony Original: Tommy James and the Shondells Cover: Billy Idol
Song: Crimson and Clover Original: Tommy James and the Shondells (again) Cover: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Song: Desperado Original: Eagles Cover: The Carpenters
Song: Common People Original: Pulp Cover: William Shatner
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
quote:Originally posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick: Song: Have a Cigar Original: Floyd, I think. Cover: Primus
Song: Live and let Die Original: Wings, I think Cover: G'nR
If you're not even sure who did the original versions of these songs, how are you qualified to say that the covers are better?
Posted by DevilDreamt (Member # 10242) on :
and a quick wikipedia search will almost certainly yield the answer... so there's really no excuse for anyone, ever. here, i'll do it for you...
Have a Cigar is indeed Pink Floyd.
Live and let Die is indeed Paul McCartney and Wings.
Wait a second... Speed, he was doubting his memory, and he wasn't even wrong... seriously, how many times have you heard a song, known the name of the song, but later forgot which artist did it? especially if you later find a cover of that song that you prefer? It's like... you weren't even being serious, were you?
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
Song: Hearbeats Original: The Knife Cover: Jose Gonzalez
Song: Dance With Me Original: Lords of the New Church Cover: Nouvelle Vague
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Alanis Morisette's version of "Humps". Originally by... someone. The Black-Eyed Peas, I think.
Of course, saying her version is better than the original isn't really saying much. I haven't had the patience to actually listen to the whole song no matter who's singing it, but Alanis' version was amusing enough that I probably got about halfway through.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Title: Let's Get it On Cover: Jack Black, on High Fidelity Original: Marvin Gaye
Title: You've got to hide your love Away Cover: Eddie Vedder Original: The Beatles
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
For the love of god, stop saying that any covers of Beatles songs are better than the originals. I am starting to hate this thread.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Title: Iron Man Cover: The Cardigans Original: Black Sabbath
OK OK I wouldn't say the cover is better per se, more that this cover is practically a different song and yet it is amazing.
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: I stopped reading this thread in horror when it first went up when I got to this:
quote:Title: Hallelujah Cover Artist: Jeff Buckley Original Artist: Leonard Cohen
Just when I thought I could soldier my way through, I saw this:
quote:Title: I will Survive Cover Artist: Cake Original Artist: Gloria Gaynor
Title: Hurt Cover Artist: Johnny Cash Original Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Title: Satellite of Love Cover Artist: U2 Original Artist: Velvet Underground (Although Lou Reed's solo version is more famous)
I'm a little ashamed of the last one, though.
*fangirl, through and through
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: For the love of god, stop saying that any covers of Beatles songs are better than the originals. I am starting to hate this thread.
Yes. There are a few versions that are maybe AS good-- Maura O'Connell comes to mind, and Aretha's version of "Let it Be" (which was released BEFORE the Beatles' version came out), but not BETTER. (Though I haven't heard a different version of "I am the Walrus", which I have never liked much. That might be better, who knows.)
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: For the love of god, stop saying that any covers of Beatles songs are better than the originals. I am starting to hate this thread.
The 1992 live version of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" by Clapton and Harrison is much better than the original. Of course, both were part of the original recording on the White Album, but Paul, John, and Ringo are of course absent from the live version.
I'm not sure whether that's a cover or not.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
a few points and corrections.
Now that some time has passed, I no longer feel that 311's version of Love Song is better than the original. I love every version of Love Song I've heard -- it's one of my favorite songs. At the time I think I was infatuated with what 311 did, which was, I think, to make it feel kind of sun-on-your-face hopeful. The original is more spacey and detached, at least it feels so to me. But, yes, I prefer the original song.
Claudia took umbrage with my love for Jeff Buckley's cover Halleluljah. In my defense, I would say that I love Leonard Cohen more than anyone I know. I now cause the literary-minded to think I know nothing of poetry when I say Cohen is my favorite poet. (I actually do read poetry -- he displaced Gregory Orr on my list.) But Buckley's version sounds particularly nothing like Cohen's, and it is, to me, vastly, gloriously beautiful.
Of course all credit goes to the originator.... I just can't get over how good and lovely Buckley sounds.
And so.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I don't think there's any argument that Cohen is a gifted lyricist/poet. I also don't think there's any argument that he's anything but a mediocre singer (when he sings). But then, the same can be said for Dylan.
They both seem to be doing alright for themselves.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
A band called The Red Paintings (IIRC) does a great cover of Mad World. I like it about as much as I like the Gary Jules version. I dislike the Tears for Fears original.
I love A Perfect Circle's cover of Imagine. I don't think it's better, but I do think it's a perfect update for the modern era: the optimism of the original is replaced with dripping sarcasm.
I don't think Cash's cover of Hurt is better than the original, but I do think it's great.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes do a great cover of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.
I don't think I've ever heard the Dylan version of Watchtower.
There's a great string version of Schism, by Tool.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by TL: Claudia took umbrage with my love for Jeff Buckley's cover Halleluljah.
Nope.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sachiko: She did do it LONGER, however.
"And, I......... Want my money back." -David Spade
Posted by Godric 2.0 (Member # 11443) on :
quote:Originally posted by twinky: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes do a great cover of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.
Haven't heard that one, but it can't beat Travis' cover of that one.
Posted by Zamphyr (Member # 6213) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: OK OK I wouldn't say the cover is better per se, more that this cover is practically a different song and yet it is amazing.
Title : Number of the Beast Cover Artist : Zwan Original Artist: Iron Maiden
Found myself singing along to it and wondering how I knew the words before I realized what it was.
(warning: drug use in vid link)
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
quote:Nope.
You're right, I stand corrected.
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
Not really a cover but Café del Mar (Three 'N One Remix) originally by Energy 52 is much better than the original Kid Paul mix.
Posted by Rodger Brown (Member # 11476) on :
Ok I may have missed seeing a couple covers but some of my favorites are.
Song: Boys of Summer Original: Don Henley Cover: The Ataris
Song: My Heart Will Go On Original: Celine Dion Cover: The Vandals
Song: I'm Real Original: J-Lo Cover: The Starting Line
More to come as I remember them
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
House of the Rising Sun Cover: Both Muse and Santa Esmeralda made awesome versions, both completely different takes Original: I think it was The Animals
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I Shot the Sheriff Cover: Eric Clapton Original: Bob Marley
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: For the love of god, stop saying that any covers of Beatles songs are better than the originals. I am starting to hate this thread.
*clears throat*
We Can Work It Out Original: The Beatles Cover: Stevie Wonder
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rodger Brown: Ok I may have missed seeing a couple covers but some of my favorites are.
Song: Boys of Summer Original: Don Henley Cover: The Ataris
Song: My Heart Will Go On Original: Celine Dion Cover: The Vandals
Song: I'm Real Original: J-Lo Cover: The Starting Line
More to come as I remember them
Fail.
Actually, I would say that all but the first are technically correct, but still not good.
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: For the love of god, stop saying that any covers of Beatles songs are better than the originals. I am starting to hate this thread.
This.
Should we start another thread for *uncoverable songs? Or just post them here.
*Uncoverable meaning that it unlikely that a cover will ever have the impact of the intial release.
I think Paint It Black is uncoverable.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Actually, The Tea Party did a great cover of Paint it Black.
Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :
quote:Originally posted by twinky: There's a great string version of Schism, by Tool.
That would be Apocalyptica's, I think. They also did some great Metallica/Pantera/Rammstein covers.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
No, I haven't heard Apocalyptica do any Tool. I have a String Quartet Tribute to Tool disc that is definitely not four cellos.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
quote:I Shot the Sheriff Cover: Eric Clapton Original: Bob Marley
I'm sorry, but Clapton doing a song about racism was just plain stupid. It never made any sense until I heard Marley do it.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: House of the Rising Sun Cover: Both Muse and Santa Esmeralda made awesome versions, both completely different takes Original: I think it was The Animals
Excuse me. That is a folk song. It was in a Lomax collection, even. I don't know that you can say they "covered" it if it's been around for ages, can you?
Posted by SoaPiNuReYe (Member # 9144) on :
Nobody said this one: Killing Me Softly With His Song Cover Artist: Lauryn Hill Original Artist: Roberta Flack
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
What about: Seasons in the Sun Cover Artist: Blink182 Original Artist: Terry Jacks (Original-er Artist: Jacques Brell)
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: House of the Rising Sun Cover: Both Muse and Santa Esmeralda made awesome versions, both completely different takes Original: I think it was The Animals
Excuse me. That is a folk song. It was in a Lomax collection, even. I don't know that you can say they "covered" it if it's been around for ages, can you?
It's a folk song, but there are still "covers" in the sense that there have been a number of classic "definitive" recordings in different styles- and those have influenced other recordings, so you could call those "covers" of the recordings themselves.
There are plenty of rock and blues standards today that we receive primarily through covers or influenced recordings, rather than those that inspired them, or the original songs themselves as folk songs.
For instance, Catfish blues and Red House are identified with Jimi Hendrix, but were in his day identified with Muddy Waters. If you "cover" one of those today, you are probably covering Hendrix. Same goes for Bob Dylan's "All along the Watchtower," the definitive recording is definitely Hendrix and not Dylan- so you'd say you were doing a cover of Hendrix, and a Bob Dylan song. It does annoy me though when the original authorship is ignored.
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