Stealing from a Twitter thread.
Name a cover that's better than the original, and you're not allowed to mention Jeff Buckley or Sinead O'Connor.
Name a cover that's better than the original, and you're not allowed to mention Jeff Buckley or Sinead O'Connor.
Tainted Love by Soft Cell, is the best cover better than the original ever
ReplyDeleteWhy? I loved Sinead's version way more. But ok.
ReplyDeleteRun-DMC's Walk This Way was phenomenal. And by far surpassed the original.
The Beatles' Twist and Shout.
I will always love you by Whitney Houston/ I love Dolly but Whitney did it better
ReplyDeleteRun DMC Walk this Way ... it resurrected Aerosmith.
ReplyDeleteThe funny part was that Run DNC didn't even really like the song, they had to be talked into doing the remake.
ReplyDelete*DMC
ReplyDeleteRun DMC Walk this Way is way way wayyy better than the original.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Darren Criss's cover of Teenage Dream on Glee makes Katy Perry sound like really really bad karaoke.
Roy Orbison's duet with k.d. lang on "Crying"..I flove it. I like his original but ADORE the duet.
ReplyDelete@Do Tell yesssssssssss
DeleteHonestly, k.d. lang does a lot of covers and almost always blows the original out of the water.
DeleteThe Boxer cover by Mumford & Sons. Killer.
ReplyDeleteWaterloo Sunset original by the Kinks redone recently by Def Leppard.
ReplyDeleteThe entire cover album Ryan Adams did to mock TayTay a few years ago.
@sandybrook!! Excellent taste with Ryan Adam choice. Love is Hell and Prisoner are much better.
DeleteFavorite cover is Dreams by Whiskeytown(Ryan's band) and Wonderwall!
+1 to Wonderwall by Ryan Adams
DeleteAww Buckley’s Hallelujah was stunning(and I am a huge Leonard Cohen fan):)
ReplyDelete'Only love can break your heart' st etienne's version far superior to the neil young original.
ReplyDeleteA lot of 80s ska covers were better than the reggae originals like A Message to You Rudy by the Specials
ReplyDeleteToss up: George Michael's cover of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." I think it is at least on par with the original. Love them both.
ReplyDeleteBoy George's version of "The Crying Game".
Ike and Tina's "Proud Mary". Boy George's "The Crying Game". LeAnn Rimes "How Do I Live"
ReplyDeleteIce Cream Man by Van Halen
ReplyDeleteSid Vicious' My Way
ReplyDeleteSiouxsie and the Banshees' Dear Prudence.
ReplyDeleteManfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light
ReplyDeleteSugarland's version of Irreplaceable
ReplyDeleteI like John Lennon's "Stand By Me" a lot. I think it's one of the best covers ever.
ReplyDeleteFlorence Welch covering Drake and Rihanna's 'Take Care'. So, so much better than the original.
ReplyDeleteThe Clash: I Fought The Law and The Law Won
ReplyDeleteIndigo Girls - Romeo and Juliet
ReplyDeleteAretha Franklin's version of Otis Redding's song "Respect".
ReplyDeleteJimi Hendrix 'All Along The Watchtower'
ReplyDeleteAretha Franklin 'Respect'
Agree
DeleteJudas Priest "Green Manalishi"
ReplyDelete10 x better than the original by Fleetwood Mac.
Adrian Grimples said...
ReplyDelete"Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light"
Agreed!
As a huge NIN...gotta say Cash's version of Hurt hit me really hard.
ReplyDeleteNever. Trent gave that song a huge meaning.
DeleteMotley Crue's version of "Smokin' in the Boys Room"
ReplyDeleteJohn Cale's version of "Hallelujah" is the best version. Buckley's is overrated.
ReplyDeleteSo many great songs already mentioned.
ReplyDelete"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
Al Green's version of Bee Gees is perfect.
Awesome pick
DeleteChris Cornell's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" is fucking heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteWar Pigs - Faith No More
ReplyDeleteThe B-52's don't do many covers, but they did Petula Clark's "Downtown" and it is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteJoe Cocker "With A Little Help From My Friends"
ReplyDeleteGuns n Roses - Knockin on Heaven's Door
ReplyDeleteThe Promise by Sturgill Simpson
ReplyDeleteSome very good songs named here. I won't repeat the two I might've picked and suggest "Dreams I'll Never See" by Molly Hatchet, one-upping the Allman Bros.
ReplyDeleteJudas Priest - Diamonds and Rust, original by Joan Baez
ReplyDeleteAce Frehley's cover of New York Groove.
ReplyDeleteI pick the Eagles' cover of "Ol' 55" over the Tom Waits original. The harmony on it brings it up several levels.
ReplyDelete+1 for Hurt covered by Johnny Cash.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc
A close second for me is Hotel California by the Gypsey Kings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8BDebGQJ8
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Greg Laswell. Makes you realize the lyrics might not be saying what the music made you think.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Paul Woodworth also has some good ones, but my favorite is probably "What Goes Around."
Wrong like for Hotel California, this one:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz_aF9Iy7I8
@filmfanb - I agree. I have both versions and Johnny Cash looks like a haunted, broken man on the song video.
ReplyDeleteSweet Jane-Cowboy Junkies
ReplyDeleteI really wish I could remember the group's name (well, duet I guess) but a husband and wife toured around the Cambridge area (in the U.K) back in the 80s and got a large following. They were so talented - he could play lots of instruments. They played brilliant covers - the only ones I can recall was Led Zep's 'Stairway to Heaven' and Jimi Hendrix's 'Hey Joe' which I've always loved. Their version of 'Hey Joe' was much better than Jimi's.
ReplyDeleteMark Lanegan's cover of Carry Home by The Gun Club. Both versions are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAmy Winehouse - Valerie (and I loved the Zutons original)
ReplyDeleteJohnny Cash - Hurt
ReplyDeleteI liked Trisha Yearwood's "How Do I Live?" better than LeAnne Rimes.
ReplyDelete+1 gauloise -- when "Tainted Love" flows into "Where Did Our Love Go", it's magic.
+1 Tricia -- Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" is gorgeous, and considering his mysterious early death, all the more haunting.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Marilyn Manson. He sings it like it should have been done in the first place.
ReplyDeletePersonal jesus is amazing too
DeleteLinda Ronstadt: That'll Be the Day
ReplyDelete+1 on that and also, Heatwave by Linda and basically anything she covered. I used to steal her records from my parents as a kid, so I’m an old fan of hers
Deletejoni mitchell's both sides now is a better cover than the original, which sounds really peppy and odd
ReplyDeleteDWNTWN's "Im On Fire" better than the springsteen original IMO
enty is there any shadiness behind jeff buckley's drowning??? always wondered
ReplyDeleteFrom wikipedia:
ReplyDelete"Hurt" was nominated for six VMAs at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. The only VMA the video won was that for Best Cinematography. With the video, Johnny Cash became the oldest artist ever nominated for an MTV Video Music Award. Justin Timberlake, who won Best Male Video that year for "Cry Me a River", a song on his Justified, said in his acceptance speech: "This is a travesty! I demand a recount. My grandfather raised me on Johnny Cash, and I think he deserves this more than any of us in here tonight."
Janis Joplin "To Love Somebody" (Bee Gees)
ReplyDeleteJimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower" (Bob Dylan)
Chrissie Hynde's cover of Morrissey's "Every Day Is Like Sunday."
ReplyDelete"Chrissie Hynde's cover of Morrissey's "Every Day Is Like Sunday."
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of saying 10,000 maniacs version of that song.
I never heard Chrissie's version. I'll check it out, but it will be hard to beat Natalie.
Spider-man theme by The Ramones
ReplyDeleteI Fought The Law by The Clash
Gloria by The Doors
I can only give you everything by MC5
Lisa Stansfield "All Around the World", original by Barry White (who I LOVED).
ReplyDeleteIt's an instrumental, but Town Without Pity by Ronnie Montrose is one of my favorite covers.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Gene Pitney.
Camper Van Beethoven Pictures of Matchstick Men
ReplyDelete+1 for Matchstick Men!!!
Deletedisturbed's "the sounds of silence" cover...chills.
ReplyDeletei love john prine, but i still like bonnie raitt's cover of his "angel from montgomery" more than his original.
for those who love Johnny Cash's cover of "hurt"? check out his rendition of depeche mode's "personal jesus."
joss stone's "son of a preacher man"! pipes!
nirvana's "where did you sleep last night."
okay. i will stop now.
Cowboy Junkies cover of Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane.
ReplyDeleteSinead O'Connor a cover of Elton John's Sacrifice. (a song I usually can't stand but she finds the sadness in it)
Aretha Franklin RESPECT, as much as I love Otis Redding.
Agreed on MM’s Sweet Dreams. I also prefer Stone Sour’s cover of Wicked Game.
ReplyDeleteThe Sundays' cover of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses."
ReplyDeleteLucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Elton's version better than Beatles original.
ReplyDelete+1 @Amartel, I love Elton's version and generally am wary of Beatles covers. It's one of like, five at most, that I can get behind.
DeleteThe Dickies' cover of the Banana Splits theme, or any of their cartoon theme songs, for that matter.
ReplyDeleteIsrael Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world
ReplyDelete"Baker Street" Jerry Rafferty v Foo Fighters
ReplyDelete@ mud for those who love Johnny Cash's cover of "hurt"? check out his rendition of depeche mode's "personal jesus."
ReplyDeleteThat whole album is amazing. Remember too that the incredible "I Hung my Head" was originally by Sting, and the cover of "Desperado" is fantastic as well.
"Shining Light", Annie Lennox - "Train in Vain", Annie Lennox - "Sweet Child of Mine", Sheryl Crow.
ReplyDeleteOh hell no!
ReplyDeleteIt is one thing for people to be throwing out hacks like Glee, or reality Tv contestants versions of songs, or Ryan Adams cover of ANYTHING (LOL!!!) but when you start messing with seminal, milestone rock songs like "stairway to heaven" or "Sweet child of mine" that is just too effing far!
Some people need to be banned from ever talking about music, PERIOD, though they may be good people and good posters here normally. :)
+Infinity
DeleteSwiftie fan =Mr. Neal or is this CL? Different strokes for different folks.
DeleteSweet child of mine sounds like a frickin cat on acid. Pick better classics Neal like Satisfaction or any annoying Journey song.
DeleteApc - imagine
ReplyDeleteTom Petty & Heartbreakers
ReplyDelete‘Change the Locks’
Originally from Lucinda Williams
AKA Jordan Peele’s mother
"‘Change the Locks’
ReplyDeleteOriginally from Lucinda Williams
AKA Jordan Peele’s mother"
Same name, COMPLETELY different woman.
Never. Trent gave that song a huge meaning.
ReplyDeleteTrent doesn't agree.
It was the moving video, though, that made it all fall into place for the Nine Inch Nails star: "It really, really made sense and I thought what a powerful piece of art.
"I never got to meet Johnny but I'm happy I contributed the way I did. It felt like a warm hug. For anyone who hasn't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out. I have goose bumps right now thinking about it.
"Having Johnny Cash, one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, want to cover your song, that's something that matters to me. It's not so much what other people think but the fact that this guy felt that it was worthy of interpreting.
"He said afterwards it was a song that sounds like one he would have written in the '60s and that's wonderful".
Sepultura - Symptom of the Universe. I love the original I love Black Sabbath but I fucking love Sepultura's cover more. So much heavier the way it was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteYou really should of excluded Jimi Hendrix 'All Along The Watchtower' too. Probably the best cover of all time.
ReplyDeleteWhite Zombie - I'm Your Boogieman
Ghost - If you Have Ghosts
ReplyDeletePretty much all the covers Metallica has done
ReplyDeleteAll Along the Watchtower. Jimi did it way better.
ReplyDeleteI also really like Pantera's cover of Planet Caravan. Even if you don't like Pantera give it a listen. It's really good. Phil isn't yelling in it. It won't hurt your ears if you don't like loud groove metal.
I do like the Black Sabbath version. In fact that's why I bought Paranoid. Because I wanted to listen to the original.
I'm probably in the minority when I saw I actually like Megadeth's covers. It's not that I think they are better. But I don't think they deserve the hate they get either.
Johnny Cash - I Hung My Head
ReplyDeleteSo much better than Sting's original and not as well known as Hurt.
I prefer Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Little Wing" to Jimi Hendrix' original.
ReplyDeleteI know this may not be popular opinion. But I think we can all agree it's better than Sting's.
Bon Jovi had Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" in heavy rotation during 3 consecutive tours - it was always a favorite of the crowd no matter the town they were in. They did it acoustically, and always as the first song for the first encore. Still get chill bumps.
ReplyDeleteDonna Summer´s MacArthur Park, much, much better than the orignal by Richard Harris.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
Delete@Fred84
DeleteABSOLUTELY
A House Is Not A Home by Luther Vandross better than Dionne Warwick's original
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd say better as the original is just a beautiful classic, but lovedIsrael "IZ" KamakawiwoΚ»ole version of Over the Rainbow is just stunning. I remember hearing it for the first time on the ER episode where Dr. Greene dies. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteJanis! Me & Bobby Mcgee
ReplyDelete@Sara +1 x 1,000 Al Green's version of" how can you mend" is about as close to perfection as you can get in a song
ReplyDeleteLivin' for the Money from the soundtrack New Jack City
ReplyDeleteOriginal - for the love of Money - OJays....
Ojays are better.no way
DeleteOk, I am about to win the internets for today!
ReplyDeleteThe carpenters "Close to you"
Better than the original by Richard Chamberlain, or the first cover by Dionne Warwick.
/close thread. :)
Led Zeppelin versions of Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You and Dazed and Confused are way better than the originals, even if they forget to attribute the artists, whoops.
ReplyDeleteLuther Vandross's Superstar (especially the Live Radio City Music Hall version) is better than The Carpenters' version.
ReplyDeleteWhitney Houston-I will always love you
ReplyDeleteNatalie Maines - Landslide. When she sang it live on The Howard Stern Show, it was breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSublime's "Summertime" (released sub nom "Doin' Time").
ReplyDeleteMetallica "Turn the Page"
ReplyDeleteStevie Ray Vaughan~Little Wing
ReplyDelete"Like a Rolling Stone" by Robert Zimmerman (Dylan) as played by The Rolling Stones.
ReplyDeleteOr "All along the Watchtower" by B. Dylan, the Jimmy Hendrix Experience version.
Really, anybody can make better versions of his compositions, Dylan's a lousy performer.
The White Stripes did an absolutely fantastic live cover version of Jolene by Dolly Parton. It is great. And I love the original.
ReplyDeleteMarvin Gaye's version of the Beatles "Yesterday"
ReplyDeleteDonnie Hathaway's version of Leon Russell's "A Song for You"
Warren Zevon's cover of Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door"--recorded when he was dying from terminal cancer;
Sturgill Simpson's cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom"
Ryan Adam's version of "Wonderwall"
Talking Head's Version of Take Me to the River (Al Green)l
Aretha Franklin cover of Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell You’re all I need to get by. I also agree with Al Green’s How can You mend a broken heart. Just a beautiful voice.
ReplyDeleteA.C. Newman's version of Take On Me.
ReplyDeleteThe Carpenters Superstar was a cover. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteSD Auntie - and yet somehow Sweet Child of mine propelled GNR to be the biggest rock band of their era, Sherly Crow's version has compelled cat ladies to pour another glass of wine from a box.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, some people shouldn't even talk about music, and I put you near the top of that list.
I am everybody, I am a bot and a Russian, whatever you want Auntie
That's funny because I love the Carpenters. Guns n Rose's overrated shit show. Lucinda William's hell yes she is awesome! Ryan Adam's nominated for grammys .never said you were Russian and I happen to be friends with quite a few. CL IS courtney Love . I've seen zeppelin, peter tosh, The stones the pretenders , PIL,and Al Green. Your taste reeks and you need to jam with your GNR cover band at the over the hill bar.
DeleteLuther Vandross' version of Superstar was too long and drawn out, otherwise it would beat the Carpenters hand down.
ReplyDeleteIke and Tina's Proud Mary, definately
Mr Tambourine Man,the Byrds, Bob Dylan cover.
ReplyDeleteLOL! GNR will still be viewed as a seminal rock band long after Ryan Adams covers have been relegated into the dustbin of forgotten "music". And I am not even a GNR fan, I just know which songs and bands sparked a change in music and will be remembered, jut Like I am not a Nirvana fan, but know the difference between Smells like Teen spirit and some cover on glee.
ReplyDeleteI do like one of Ryan's originals though - "Lucky now". It isn't in the same realm as Sweet child of mine, but it is a good song.
That's fine. Thanks for the lively discussion and as you can tell I am a serious music fan. Have lots of favorites and think Slash is a genius. Have a good night!
DeleteI LOVE ROCK AND ROLL -- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts -- is a cover.
ReplyDeleteThe original is by a group you've never heard of: The Arrows. Give it a listen--it's good.
But it's no Joan Jett. :)
You too... It's been fun actually. :)
ReplyDeleteShould have kept Karen on drums, don't you think? She might still be alive today.
Good night.
I've also gotta give a shout out to Janis for Me & Bobby McGee.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people do Kris songs better than Kris. But what Janis did with Me & Bobby McGee is so far above & beyond, it's in a class of its own. I have a hard imagining it ever being topped.
Aretha, Respect (though Otis's is great)
ReplyDeleteJohnny Cash, Hurt (though both are great)
Yo La Tengo: Speeding Motorcycle (by D Johnston)
My 2 all time favorite covers
ReplyDelete1. Hurt - Johnny Cash ...Best. Cover. Ever.
2. Little Wing - SRV ...rather listen to SRV's instrumental version than Jimi's or Clapton's ones w/ vocals
Carrie Manalokos — Creep (Radiohead) ... truly beautiful cover. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5ZclZTeTU
ReplyDeleteDreaming My Dreams with You- Cowboy Junkies
ReplyDeleteSorry folks, the best version of "Superstar" is by Sonic Youth.
ReplyDeleteSturgill Simpson - "The Promise"
ReplyDeleteThank you, Morning Lorri for providing the correct answer!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Sara you are correct. The Sonic Youth version of Superstar is the best version not close.
I agree about Sonic Youth and Superstar, but it is not the best cover - that goes to Tori Amos for "Picture of you/the big picture" to bad it is only a bootleg live recording....
ReplyDelete(I know it isn't the best cover, just having some fun, but it is pretty damn good....)
(correction ^^^^ Too bad, instead of to bad...)
ReplyDeleteDrops of Jupiter-Taylor Swift (train, originally)
ReplyDeleteFor all the ancient ass holes sure to comment, save it. Her version is better and that’s all there is to it so scram. π
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ReplyDelete"Drops of Jupiter-Taylor Swift (train, originally)"
ReplyDeleteThat's it - time to quit the internet. I don't want to live in this world anymore...
"For all the ancient ass holes sure to comment, save it. Her version is better and that’s all there is to it so scram. π "
LOL!!! You know you are wrong! Good bait though!!!
Not a Train fan, so no dog in this fight, but Taylor Swift just on general principal... is wrong. :)
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DeleteIf you wanted to quit so bad, you’d stop running your mouth spouting outdated and unpopular opinions. But here you are!!!! :) I called it! I’d feel bad for “baiting” ππ but, luckily, you seem to get a real kick out of yourself so I’m glad I could inadvertently give you that pleasure. Hahahah “no dog in this fight” ππ you just HAVE to voice your opinion even when you, self admittedly, don’t even have one!!!!! CLASSIC! I rest my case. Go to bed loser, it’s past your bedtime.
DeleteCan't believe none of y'all have mentioned Siouxsie and the Banshees cover of Iggy Pop's The Passenger. Those horns blow me away! ;)
ReplyDeleteCher does a decent version of Walking in Memphis.
Agree with Jimi's version of All Along the Watchtower. And Hurt by Johnny Cash. Both iconic.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the Sonic Youth version of Superstar.
But I have to say Whitney Houston completely oversang I Will Always Love You. Dolly's version is so plaintive and sweet. There's nothing of that in Whitney's.
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ReplyDeleteWow, you really got triggered didn't you? Over Taylor Swift! BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
ReplyDeletePlease tell me you are just a 13 year old girl!
Good night snowflake with no sense of humor or taste in music. You won't have my "outdated and unpopular opinions" to deal with anymore for tonight... poor thing.
Who is cuter, Beiber or Harry?
Type O Negative - Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofts)
ReplyDeleteJudas Priest - Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez)
Easy Like Sunday Morning - Incubus
ReplyDeleteMad world originally by simple minds...Gary Jules’ version
ReplyDeleteHard Sun by Eddie Vedder
ReplyDeleteJohn Lefend covering Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't be better, but i like Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff" more than Bob Marley's original.
ReplyDeleteHouse of the Rising Sun - Animals (orig. early folk / blues)
ReplyDeleteWith a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker (orig. Beatles)
Proud Mary - Tina Turner (orig. CCR)
It's close competition, but I'll take Talking Heads' version of Take Me To The River over Al Green's.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Rev.
William Shatner's cover of Common People by Pulp. not even joking.
ReplyDeleteKenny Chesney and Grace Potter's version of "El Cerrito Place"
ReplyDeleteWhitney Houston's Will always love you. Phil Collins Groovy kind of love
ReplyDeleteMisty Mountain Hop performed by Linda Perry at Camp Freddy. She made that song her own.
ReplyDelete"Slip inside this house" by Primal Scream.
ReplyDelete