Cover Versions that transcend the original

[Timberwolf]

So. Cover versions - normally an excuse to limply retread a song that was done right the first time.

Except for a very select few tracks which manage to somehow add something.

My nominations.

• Sonic Youth - I Know There's An Answer (Beach Boys)
• Flamin' Groovies - Blue Turns To Gray (Jagger/Richards)
• 13th Floor Elevators - Baby Blue (Bob Dylan)

And a few more obvious ones, because I was fed up with not being able to find the above on YouTube...

• Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUDVpHxw9c
• The Clash - I Fought The Law (Sonny Curtis and the Crickets) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBeT4ptY9sY

I also prefer Bauhaus' cover of Ziggy Stardust ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_YQXFs7Ts ) to the original, but I suspect this might be just me. It's like Bowie, but turned up to eleven.

Edited by Timberwolf on Wednesday 10th October 22:47

[Yoda954]

Off the top of me head - Tainted Love (Soft Cell) - can't remember the original artist.

Totally agree with Hendrix / Dylan

[Gentleman Geoff]

José González - 'Hand on your heart'...

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

[Gentleman Geoff]

Oh yes, this too! Not necessarily an improvement on the Bowie original, but definitely an amazing cover version.

[Yoda954]

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

You just have to listen to this!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO9dbmJ_2zU

[Forthright MC]

most of the covers on Metallica's Garage Inc double album were are pretty damn good IMO! (particularly the Diamond Head covers and Whisky In the Jar!)

[Timberwolf]

Forthright MC said:

most of the covers on Metallica's Garage Inc double album were are pretty damn good IMO! (particularly the Diamond Head covers and Whisky In the Jar!)

Oh yes, forgot about Whisky, absolutely fantastic cover. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cswkEL1O4Hk - NSFW. By a fair margin.)

Controversial choice - stretching the definition of cover version too - NWA's version of Express Yourself. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df2vkOd2j7Y )

Edited by Timberwolf on Wednesday 10th October 23:31

[andy400]

Yoda954 said:

Off the top of me head - Tainted Love (Soft Cell) - can't remember the original artist.

Gloria Jones '64 then Ruth Swan in '75.

I quite like the Marilyn Manson version. (& the video!!)

[andy_s]

I prefered the original thread....

Cover versions that are better than the original

[Marvindodgers]

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...

[Bunglist]

Faith No More Version of "War Pigs" although the original is pretty damn good.

Faith No More "Easy" far better than the original.

Boo Radleys "Boo Faith" which is a cover of New Orders "True Faith" and is far better than the New Order version.

[JaymzDead]

Sepultura covering Bauhaus - Bela Lugosis Dead. All of Metallica - Garage Inc, Earth Crisis - Paint It Black, also The Black Dahlia Murder's version of said tune (although mostly for comedy value!), Obituary - Circle Of The Tyrants.

[paulmurr]

Disturbed's version of 'Land of Confusion' is great. It has the balls that the Genesis version never had.

[Lurker]

+1 Tainted Love

Susan Cadogan's reggaefied "Hurt so Good" (Millie Jackson did the original I think)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fASRDQ6QQA

Them "Baby Blue" (Dylan original)

I mentioned on another thread recently Eva Cassidy's extraordinary cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCnL8hArW8

Also, Frank Sinatra did the best version of "Ole Man River" I ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnWLpU1le94

[anonymous-user]

I love this version of Light my Fire by Jose Feliciano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtXVZR57X4g not very good quality unfortunately.

[agent006]

Timberwolf said:

* Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan)

Dave Matthews Band - All Along the Watchtower http://youtube.com/watch?v=ypaH1Gj6VIs

[smiller]

Bunglist said:

Faith No More Version of "War Pigs" although the original is pretty damn good.

Faith No More "Easy" far better than the original.

Boo Radleys "Boo Faith" which is a cover of New Orders "True Faith" and is far better than the New Order version.

Have you got a link to the Faith No More version of War Pigs????

[smiller]

Seal and Jeff Beck did a cover of "Manic Depression" that really stands my hair on end!

[S2]

The Damned - Eloise leaves Barry Ryan for dead

What a great 80s song that was..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMFcBpTNEw

[Adam_BGT]

Guns 'n' Roses version of knockin' on heaven's door
The Foo Fighters version of Baker Street .... that sax solo is soo much better on guitar!