Cover versions which are better than the original

[Northbloke]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Now listen to George's version, in fact try a live version of it;
https://youtu.be/xJ8DeurBHwo

That's beautiful thanks (I have daughters approaching that age too, so poignant).

I've been listening to my old GM CD and had forgotten what an excellent voice he has, very well suited to the slow songs.

But not heard that one or the TTD original before (have an old CD of his somewhere too).

[singlecoil]

Check out Luka Bloom's version of U2's Bad. Nice video too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjVpLI5c8_U

[irocfan]

who'da thunk it fat boy Corden can actually hold a decent tune. Not necessarily better than the original but surprisingly good non-the-less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dkVbO0SQVw

[Mark-C]

Heard Dolly’s original playing in the pub this evening and thought of the Sisters ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdUHxFKCQBs

[Northbloke]

irocfan said:

who'da thunk it fat boy Corden can actually hold a decent tune. Not necessarily better than the original but surprisingly good non-the-less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dkVbO0SQVw

WTF was that?! Strangely compelling though.

As it happens I bought all the Kansas LPs when they first came out (up in the loft now somewhere) and I'm going to see them in concert for the first time next month. Leftoverture is a great album.

[lazyitus]

Roxy Music - Jealous Guy

[Halmyre]

Northbloke said:

irocfan said:

who'da thunk it fat boy Corden can actually hold a decent tune. Not necessarily better than the original but surprisingly good non-the-less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dkVbO0SQVw

WTF was that?! Strangely compelling though.

As it happens I bought all the Kansas LPs when they first came out (up in the loft now somewhere) and I'm going to see them in concert for the first time next month. Leftoverture is a great album.

I wonder if Corden even knew who they were?

I once saw a girl in Edinburgh wearing a t-shirt that read "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON". Made me chuckle but I wonder how many people would get it?

[vetrof]

Pretty decent version of Hellelujah by Pentatonix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ

and Jolene with Dolly Parton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYCoyUxY2HY

[80sMatchbox]

Mark-C said:

Heard Dolly’s original playing in the pub this evening and thought of the Sisters ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdUHxFKCQBs

I love a bit of Sisters...but I'm not mad about this.

[Pebbles167]

techguyone said:

freddytin said:

Another tribute to a Rock God.

Corey blasting out Rainbow int Dark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az0oBjRnV5c

And Yes, I am from Lancashire

Edited by freddytin on Tuesday 5th July 15:35

Good call, I was pleasantly surprised, not many can do Dio well.

Talking of Dio...

No one's (I think) mentioned this Dio cover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7KTRpmeTdM

Dream On - originally by Aerosmith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bAoq7k3tZ0

No idea Dio did a cover of this, it's great!

Nice find!

Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 13th January 10:24

[primary colours]

This Mortal Coil (The Cocteau Twins) - Song for the Siren. Knocks the Tim Buckley original into orbit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFWKJ2FUiAQ

[edh]

Lordbenny said:

The Chimes - Still Havn't Found What I'm Looking For.

I'm sure I read somewhere the Bono thought it was the best cover of a U2 song.

https://youtu.be/Nr6VMHi-8wU

Good cover - great album

I think this is the best version - with a Harlem Gospel Choir (ok and a bit of U2 so not quite a cover version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Wt3dhF4fU

Still absolutely electric as they swing into action about half way through

[Patch1875]

Baby I Love You - Ramones

[Skii]

if not mentioned already, Gimme Shelter by Thunder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwQshCtPG4

[6th Gear]

The Wait - Killing Joke (Original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f42MLoLbnnQ

The Wait - Metallica (Cover)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8t2dJZRRW0

[marcosgt]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

An interesting one and quite current as I've just been discussing on the George Michael RIP Thread but I thought I'd post it here to see what everyone else thought. I've made no bones about it, I've always rated GM and his talents but I think this, if certainly not his best song (it's a cover after all) shows what the man could bring to the table.

The original is Terrence Trent D'Arby's "Let Her Down Easy", a great song in it's own right but a great vocalist too;
https://youtu.be/LmobsqVKJu8

All well and good. Now listen to George's version, in fact try a live version of it;
https://youtu.be/xJ8DeurBHwo

I'm sure many weren't fans of his, but I think that's a pretty good example of his talents.

I've always admired George Michael's singing (hell, I'll admit to liking the throwaway fun pop that was Wham Rap! ) and he does a good job of covering that, but I hadn't realised it was Trent D'Arby's song and I think the original blows Michael's cover into the weeds...

We've had Harry Nilsson's "Without You", right? (I'll draw a veil over the horror of Mariah Carey's version... I don't care how many experts tell me she can sing, it still sounds like a cat being disembowelled in a tumble dryer...)

M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 31st January 17:17

[JohnStitch]

Simon & Garfunkel's 'Sound of Silence' as performed by Disturbed. Always liked this song, and whilst I'm not a fan of this band, this is something else and has been in my head for weeks - A wonderful version that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg&li...

[vetrof]

JohnStitch said:

Simon & Garfunkel's 'Sound of Silence' as performed by Disturbed. Always liked this song, and whilst I'm not a fan of this band, this is something else and has been in my head for weeks - A wonderful version that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg&li...

Didn't do it for me when it was first posted and stll doesn't I'm afraid. Not a song that needs the 'power' treatment if you know what I mean. It's the harmonies of the original which make it special, one of my favourite tracks of any artist.

[JohnStitch]

Ah didn't realise it had been on here before

[ViperPict]

vetrof said:

Didn't do it for me when it was first posted and stll doesn't I'm afraid. Not a song that needs the 'power' treatment if you know what I mean. It's the harmonies of the original which make it special, one of my favourite tracks of any artist.

A copy of the original is a waste of time as a cover I think. A good cover should present the song differently. The Disturbed version of this song certainly ticks that box.