Cover Versions that transcend the original

[Bomber Denton]

The Ataris - Boys of summer.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yIfiQePVbqU

[thebluebus]

I'll put my knackers on the block with this one;

Take That's version of Barry Manilow's 'Could it be Magic?'

[RobM77]

thebluebus said:

I'll put my knackers on the block with this one;

Take That's version of Barry Manilow's 'Could it be Magic?'

[Chris71]

Marvindodgers said:

I have to say the version of the Zutons song, "Valerie" that has been covered by Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson is fantastic! First heard Suart Maconie play it earlier in the year and it has now been released as a single. Well worth a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPWlkWsJk5U&mod...

Any of that album I think. Just heard the original of the first single to be released from it ("Stop Me"??) and I now appreciate what an improvment Mark Ronson's is!

[IainT]

Hayseed Dixie do some great covers... more novelty I suppose but certainly worth a listen.

Rodrigo y Gabriel do a few great covers, Metallica's One is not better per se but definately brilliant. http://www.rodgab.com/

[Don1]

Adeggio for strings - Tiesto's remix blew everything else away.

[thebluebus]

RobM77 said:

thebluebus said:

I'll put my knackers on the block with this one;

Take That's version of Barry Manilow's 'Could it be Magic?'

Ow!

[RobM77]

Don1 said:

Adeggio for strings - Tiesto's remix blew everything else away.

Better than the original in your opinion?

[Don1]

Yep. But then again, I am a barbarian in some peoples eyes....

[Tripps]

Yoda954 said:

Johnny Cash - Hurt (original by 9 Inch Nails/Trent Reznor)

You just have to listen to this!

That's always the first one I think of, the NiN version was damn good, but Cash puts so much more soul into it, it's as if he knew it was his final soliloquy, that intensity is even greater when watching the video.

Lady Godiva's Operation by Fatima Mansions (original by Velvet Underground) has to come second, been trying to get a CD copy of that for years, they did some great re-interpretation over the years, including Everything I Do, I Do It For You.

[thebluebus]

Tripps said:

Yoda954 said:

Johnny Cash - Hurt (original by 9 Inch Nails/Trent Reznor)

You just have to listen to this!

That's always the first one I think of, the NiN version was damn good, but Cash puts so much more soul into it, it's as if he knew it was his final soliloquy, that intensity is even greater when watching the video.

Especially seeing his wife there with him, just watching, with her heart breaking in her eyes.

Tripps said:

Lady Godiva's Operation by Fatima Mansions (original by Velvet Underground) has to come second, been trying to get a CD copy of that for years, they did some great re-interpretation over the years, including Everything I Do, I Do It For You.

I've been after a cd with 'Blues For Ceausescu' on it for years

[Negative Creep]

Manic Street Preachers - Suicide is Painless

[Alfachick]

I will survive by Cake - original by Gloria Gaynor
Far superior to the original.

All along the watchtower by Hendirx - original by Bob Dylan

Gold Digger by The Automatic - original done by some R&B dude...

[RobM77]

Alfachick said:

I will survive by Cake - original by Gloria Gaynor

I'd forgotten all about cake! 'The Distance' was a great song.

[RobM77]

ah.. I nearly forgot - Faith by Limp Bizkit. Forget what you've heard by them over the last ten years, and check out this George Michael cover

[ih8thisname]

Nikelback & Kid Rock cover of Elton Johns Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting


Feckin Belter!

[Fane]

I rather like Oasis' version of "Cum on feel the noize" by Slade, but "Hurt" by Johnny Cash is simply amazing. It makes my eyes well up even thinking about it

[Sport Coupe]

I think the later cover version of Edwin Stars - War by the FGTH fits in well to this thread, especially at the time when it was released. Springsteen's version is a little weak though.


Frankie Goes to Hollywood - War video link


The original, which I find a little too up beat for what it's trying to depict. Still respect it hugely though

Edwin Starr - War video link

[FHCNICK]

Negative Creep said:

Manic Street Preachers - Suicide is Painless

good choice sir.

Love of the common people - Stiff Little Fingers (cant remember the original Reggae artist)

Paranoid - The Dickies (Black Sabbath)

Funky Town - World Domination Enterprises ( cant remember original)

Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm (Wacko)

[AL666]

Alfachick said:

I will survive by Cake - original by Gloria Gaynor
Far superior to the original.

That sounds like a great anti-weightwatchers campaign song.

Alfachick said:

All along the watchtower by Hendirx - original by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was a songwriter, but his recordings have never done anything for me. The Jimi Hendrix version was truly superior.

As for adding to the list...

Maggie's Farm by Rage Against the Machine, Feeling Good by Muse, plenty of songs on Nirvana's MTV Unplugged album.

Whoever said Jose Gonsalez, are you having a laugh? I've got absolutely no idea what about him appeals to anybody. All of his songs sound exactly the same; droning, monotonous, rhythmless, crap!