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Song covers that are better than the originals
I was listening to Billy Idol's cover of LA Woman, and I thought to myself that his version is way better than the original. So I thought I'd post a few covers that I enjoy more than the originals and see what others can add. My top five in no particular order:
LA Woman - Billy Idol
Just a Gigolo - David Lee Roth
Feelin Alright - Joe Cocker
Roll Over Beethoven - The Beatles
MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
LA Woman - Billy Idol
Just a Gigolo - David Lee Roth
Feelin Alright - Joe Cocker
Roll Over Beethoven - The Beatles
MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
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Rascal Flatts version of Tom Cochrane's Life is a Highway They are very tight and Jim Riley does a great job of giving it a lilt (shuffle feel). |
I've learned that the choice of music preferences is a very personal thing. Having said that I will say that the first song that comes to mind is Fire and Rain as done by Blood Sweat and Tears. I find it so much more interesting musically than the original. I wouldn't argue with someone who said Taylor has the better voice. But all-in it's the version I want to listen to. |
There are several outstanding covered songs on santana's new disc Guitar Classics: Can't You Hear Me Knocking, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Bang a Gong are a couple... Also, Annie Lennox has a disc of covers, Medusa, with some good ones: Take Me To The River, Whiter Shade of Pale And, I stumbled upon a disc of dance club remixes, What Is Hip, The Remix Project that, if ya like techno treatments of old classics is awesome: Dream Weaver, Ventura Hiway, Summer Breeze I would not say all the above are bettr than the original, but they are well recorded, and listenable... |
Great thread, even if a repeat. Two criteria for an inspired cover: 1. Inspired choice: Something not obvious, either regards the cut or the match of band and music. Makes you say -- "wow, I hadn't thought of that cut in a while," or "crazy, *they're* doing *that*?" 2. Proximity of performance: neither too close nor too far. Should invoke the spirit of the original, but not parrot it. Crooked Still, doing the Stone's "You Got the Silver" Cowboy Junkies doing R. Johnson's "Driving Wheel" John |
"A Hillbilly Tribute to Mountain Love" by Hayseed Dixie. Ever think that what was missing from "Walk This Way" was a little jews harp and fiddle? "Fat Bottom Girls" really needed a some hot mandolin licks? Do you like to drink? If you answered yes to any of these questions you might like this cd. Or love their live show. |
Dekay, your 'Smoke On The Water" is truly awesome. I got such a kick out of that! Personally, I am a big fan of The Bad Plus' covers - they've done everyone. I like Iron Man (Black Sabbath), Chariots of Fire (Vangelis), their live version of Tom Sawyer (Rush) is great, and Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) is one of their great songs. Youtubing is actually kind of hit-and-miss - there are some decent ones, but there are some so-so versions of the same songs, so if you don't like the version you see, you can look around for another. And one other... Gretchen Wilson (fantastic pipes) did a cover of Barracuda with Alice in Chains a few years ago which is fantastic. |
The Verve's version of the Stones' Bittersweet Symphony Jimi Hendrix's version of Drivin' South (I don't recall the original's performer) Obviously Hendrix's version of Dylan's All Along The Watchtower The Allman Brothers Band's version of Stormy Monday Grateful Dead's version(s) of Johnny Cash's Big River Manfred Mann's version of Bruce Sprinsteen's Blinded By the Light |
An oddity: Todd Rundgren's "Pretending To Care" has been covered many times (notably by Jennifer Warnes), but always left me with the sense that someone could/should do more with it. Then, I heard an absolutely great version by one Fred Froom (maybe related to Mitchell Froom, I thought). I did an internet search for Fred. It appears that he has recorded one track only: Todd Rundgren's "Pretending To Care". At least it was a good one. Marty |
Any cover songs on the Trinity Sessions album by the Cowboy Junkies- Sweet Jane is just one of them. And fully endorsed by Lou Reed too. Linda Rondstat doing 'Willin' on the Heart Like a Wheel. Eva Cassidy. Pick a song. *ANY* song. Bonnie Raitts version of 'Dimming of the Day'. I have heard the original by Richard/Linda Thompson as well as some other high class acts do this (EmmyLou Harris for example). But BR s version is the one that gets to the soul of this song. Gary Moore and SRV versions of 'The Sky is Crying' Clapton doing JJ Cales 'Cocaine'. Johnny Cash on pretty much any of his 'American Man' albums. And the list goes on, and on, and on |
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"All Along the Watchtower" done by Jimi Hendrix, by a country mile + all the Dylan covers I have heard are much better, especially those done by Manfred Mann´s Earth Band "Come Away Melinda" done by Uriah Heep, a Hellerman/Minkoff song, the best of them all. David Byron reigns supreme. "Theme for an Imaginary Western" by MOUNTAIN is THE best ever. Felix Pappalardi reigns supreme. "Every Little Thing" by Yes - Jon Anderson & Co. made it astral "Everydays" by Yes - Jon Anderson & Co., orig. Steven Stills tune "America" Yes made it stellar. "Black Magic Woman" done by Santana. "Framed", "Delilah", "Runaway" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Alex smokes. "Stormy Monday Blues" & "Robe Ladder to the Moon" on COLOSSEUM LIVE March, 1971. Chris Farlowe is the man. "Rock and Roll Medley" Live January 1973 by Uriah Heep smokes all the other versions of that subject. David Byron rules supreme. "Morning Dew" by Nazareth "Superstition" by Beck, Bogert & Appice "Going Down" Jeff Beck Group doing a Don Dix tune |
K D Lang's version of Leonard Cohen's original "Hallelujah " https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7oZN2eTgvVs Reverse this to original better than the cover version - Glen Campbell's version of "The Highwayman" then performed by Willie Nelson https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iaeGfMeSKX0 |
I am hesitant to comment on Harold’s post, but sheesh! Hendrix not only turns a beautiful, subtle, personal prayer into a crass display of vulgar guitar pyrotechnics (okay, I admit to not caring for Jimi’s playing. I know, a minority opinion), but he also obviously has NO idea what the song is about. Just awful. "Superstition" by Beck, Bogart & Appice better than Stevie’s own?! Wow---I’m speechless. Beck’s worst band, he absolutely butchers a song done magnificently by Mr. Wonder, who plays every instrument on his recording. On this, Harold, I do believe you may be alone in your opinion. Nothing wrong with that (in principle)! |
