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

[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