Cover versions that are better than the original?

[Kermit power]

As we all know, there are a host of utterly crap cover versions kicking around (Walk this way for Comic Relief anyone?) but what cover versions to the PH collective think are better by far than the original?

I'll start the ball rolling with...

"Live and let die" - Guns 'n' Roses blow Paul Macartney out of the water.

"Ruby Tuesday" - Melanie Safka's version over the Rolling Stones original any day.

"All along the watchtower" - OK, a bit of a cliché this one, but apparently even Bob Dylan himself credits Jimi Hendrix as having the better version!

So... what other cracking covers are out there?

[fido]

Little Wing - Derek & The Dominoes, cover of Jimi Hendrix classic.
so different, yet so brilliant; apparently recorded when they were as high as a kite.

I'll Stand by You - Girls Aloud, cover of The Pretenders.
great studio production, albeit with a talentless bunch of pop idles.

heck, i'm too p1ssed to think properly.

[anonymous-user]

I always thought the Alien Ant Farm version of 'Smooth Criminal' was better than Micheal Jacksons one

ETA: Same goes for the Beach Boys cover of 'California Dreamin', fantastic.

Edited by Symbolica on Friday 4th May 22:38

[lazyitus]

Brian Ferry (Roxy Music) - Jealous Guy.

Better than Lennon.

[cazzer]

Anything covered by "Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies"
With special mention of "Stand by Your Man"

[Mrs Trackside]

Symbolica said:

I always thought the Alien Ant Farm version of 'Smooth Criminal' was better than Micheal Jacksons one

I like Mike Flowers "Wonderwall" better than the Oasis version. Go on flame away, I don't care.

[fido]

Kermit power said:

"Ruby Tuesday" - Melanie Safka's version over the Rolling Stones original any day.

Now you mention it, Franco Battiato's version (used in Children Of Men) is quite moving ...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKFCLd6mZE

[alcad]

Johnny Cash - Hurt, Way better than the Nine Inch Nails version. i think they agree too.

[Kermit power]

Symbolica said:

Same goes for the Beach Boys cover of 'California Dreamin', fantastic.

Ooh! That reminds me! I'll see you your Beach Boys cover of California Dreamin' and raise you David Lee Roth's cover of the Beach Boys' California Girls.

[nightfever]

Not sure about better, but Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's love reign over me is ace!

Don't think i'll bother seeing the film though.

[ZOIDBERG]

nightfever said:

Not sure about better, but Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's love reign over me is ace!

Don't think i'll bother seeing the film though.

Pearl Jam's version of Masters of War is stunning, better than the original I think.

[DocJock]

Springsteen's version of 'Because the night' beats Patti Smith's.
(OK, he wrote it, but he wrote it for her)

Malmsteen's version of Abba's 'Gimme gimme gimme'

[chrispy porker]

She's not there- Santana, rather than Argent

[tank slapper]

fido said:

I'll Stand by You - Girls Aloud, cover of The Pretenders.
great studio production, albeit with a talentless bunch of pop idles.

heck, i'm too p1ssed to think properly.

Surely you jest! You must be pissed.

[mackie1]

Disturbed's version of Land of Confusion is pretty good.

Metallica's Whiskey in the Jar is very good also, better than original? Couldn't say.

Girls Aloud's Jump

[Mad_Morris]

Knocking on Heaven's Door, Guns and Roses cover is best for me. Tired, trying to think of some more as I know there are ones that I really love, but my brain has shut down for the weekend. Need more beer. Will rejoin thread when normal functions resume.

And as for Walk This Way, I love the original Aerosmith version better than the Run DMC cover, which still ain't bad. I'm still trying to forget the Comic relief cover *shudders*

[fido]

tank slapper said:

fido said:

I'll Stand by You - Girls Aloud, cover of The Pretenders.
great studio production, albeit with a talentless bunch of pop idles.

heck, i'm too p1ssed to think properly.

Surely you jest! You must be pissed.

Nah seriously, sometimes i hear it on the radio and think it's actually quite good - but then realise it's Them! And that cover of Bryan Adam's 'Heaven' - DJ Sammy with someone(?).

[Gadaffi Duck]

A couple-

Nirvana's cover of Bowie's "The man who sold the world" on MTV unplugged.

Biffy Clyro did a belting version of (the awful) Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" on a Radio 1 session which blew the original away.

There's more............thinking.............

[benyeats]

Kermit power said:

"Live and let die" - Guns 'n' Roses blow Paul Macartney out of the water.

Also Guns 'n' Roses version of "Sympathy for the Devil" is at least as good as the original if not better.

Quite a few songs on the Radio One 'live lounge' cd are better than the original but then that is because it is mainly credible bands doing covers of uncredible artists tracks

Ben

[Kermit power]

Gadaffi Duck said:

Nirvana's cover of Bowie's "The man who sold the world" on MTV unplugged....

Oh yes! That was the one I'd forgotten. Superb cover.