Cover versions which are better than the original

[havoc]

Possibly been done before, but prompted by a couple of songs today on the music channels:-

Johnny Cash - Hurt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go
(I love NIN - one of my favourite bands - but JC's timbre and depth (and his history) really suit this track...goosebumps territory)

Disturbed - Land of Confusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KXgjLqSTg
(OK, not difficult to beat Phil Collins! Video strangely appropriate given recent events in MidEast...)



Oh - one other which always comes to mind whenever this topic comes up...
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI


What else do people rate as an improvement over the original song?

[stompboxx]

This Deftones Digital Bath cover is pretty awesome :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVA7RbhQkCM

[robsco]

The Chameleons' cover of Tomorrow Never Knows. I know, sacriledge...

[toxicated]

Futureheads version of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love

Lemonheads version of Simon & Garfunkel's Mrs Robinson

[chris watton]

My Way - Sid Vicious

[CunningPlan]

Pendulum's cover of Calvin Harris' I'm not alone

ETA link

Edited by CunningPlan on Thursday 19th May 10:28

[fluffnik]

Devo's version of Satisfaction.

Superb!!!

[Cooky]

Leslie West Band - Dear Prudence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCsGA7mslhA


...and this is simply amazing! Peter Tosh - Johnny b Goode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5jugYuO14

[mp3manager]

The Tourists - I Only Want To Be With You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cXOesI1Aw0

[alfa pint]

Placebo's versions of Running Up That Hill and Where Is My Mind are both brilliant. Much as I love the Pixies, the album version isn't half as good as the re-engineered version they used for Fight Club.

Might as well say it now - someone else will in a mo - Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah blows Leonard Cohen's original away.

[shakotan]

alfa pint said:

Placebo's versions of Running Up That Hill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5wota5vQCU

Goosebumps everytime...

[Pwig]

Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe

[vixen1700]

My personal fave cover is The Stone's The Last Time by the Electric Chairs, when Jayne County was still Wayne County.

7 minutes 44 seconds of raw guitar that builds up to a massive finish. Never ceases to blow me away even after having the 7" for 33 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY2qOFZp0_0

Edited by vixen1700 on Tuesday 17th May 12:18

[neilr]

Im always torn as to whether it's better than the original , but the Faces version of the McCartney tune 'Maybe I'm amazed' is a great cover though, to be found on the Faces album 'Long Player'

[ExChrispy Porker]

Santanas 'She's not there' better than the Zombies/Argent.

[PaulHogan]

Twist And Shout - The Beatles

[Moar]

CunningPlan said:

Pendulum's cover of Calvin Harris' I'm not alone

YES

[maniac0796]

Pendulums cover of Voodoo people on that note. The prodigy version is slow, boring and disjointed (weird for the prodigy). The Pendulum version actually works.

Metallica's version of Stone Cold Crazy destroys the Queen one. Actually, most songs off Garage Inc. are better than the originals.

[Ultuous]

A few of my faves...

Elvis Costello - What Do I Do Now?
Nirvana - Man Who Sold The World
Senor Coconut - Smoke on the Water
China Drum - Wuthering Heights
Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Andy Weatherhall Mix)

[alfa pint]

Foo Fighters did an awesome, completely brilliant version of Baker Street a few years ago for charity.