Cover versions which are better than the original

[S100HP]

I've no doubt it's already been mentioned, but as it's just come on my playlist, Hurt by Johnny Cash must be up there as one of the best covers of all time. The emotion in that song

[Clockwork Cupcake]

S100HP said:

I've no doubt it's already been mentioned, but as it's just come on my playlist, Hurt by Johnny Cash must be up there as one of the best covers of all time. The emotion in that song

Mentioned several times, including the very first post of the thread.

But, yes, it is excellent. To the extent that Trent Reznor says that he no longer considers it his own song now.

[andySC]

Released as a single 36 years ago today & it’s the version I prefer.

[Zad]

andySC said:

Released as a single 36 years ago today & it’s the version I prefer.

Similarly, their version of Dear Prudence. Which has probably been done already, but it is worth mentioning here. To me, the Beatles' original just lacks.. something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6rrTROoZIw

[PhilAsia]

Billie Jean - Shinehead
...also resurrected a little used "Take a Lick" riddim from Studio 1.

[FuryV6]

New one for me but Creeper's cover of Pet Sematary by The Ramones is superb and their cover of Hey Hey My My by Neil Young is pretty good too. Will Gould has such a great voice, really versatile.

[S100HP]

Clockwork Cupcake said:

S100HP said:

I've no doubt it's already been mentioned, but as it's just come on my playlist, Hurt by Johnny Cash must be up there as one of the best covers of all time. The emotion in that song

Mentioned several times, including the very first post of the thread.

But, yes, it is excellent. To the extent that Trent Reznor says that he no longer considers it his own song now.

Probably should have read the op then!

I also assume Black Magic Woman by Santana has been mentioned too.

[rdjohn]

Having taken the advice and read the OP, I see that All along the Watchtower was cited.

But then any cover of a Dylan song has generally been better than the Original, Just a few -

Wheels on Fire - Brian Auger Trinity
Make you feel my Love - Adele
Blowin’ in the wind - Peter Paul and Mary
Forever Young - Joan Baez
Times they are a changin’ - The Byrds
If not for you - George Harrison
Knockin’ on heaven’s door - Guns ‘n Roses
Its all over now baby blue - The Byrds, Joan Byez
Don't think twice - Peter, Paul and Mary
I shall be released - The Hollies
A hard rain is Gonna fall - Bryan Ferry
Mr tambourine man- The Byrds
Its alright Ma’ - Roger McGuinn
It ain't me babe - The Turtles

And the must be more - great song-writer, not the greatest singer.

[Halmyre]

rdjohn said:

Having taken the advice and read the OP, I see that All along the Watchtower was cited.

But then any cover of a Dylan song has generally been better than the Original, Just a few -

Make you feel my Love - Adele

Bryan Ferry, if you must.

[bodhi]

Found a new Punk Cover playlist on Spotify the other day which had a few classics on it - Goldfinger 99 Red Balloons, Ataris version of Boys of Summer, however it started with a brilliant one from the Gimmes - far FAR better than the original.



Love how they kept the vocoder bits in it

[andburg]

Well i know being better the Patrick Swayze isnt the greatest claim to fame

[TCEvo]

bodhi said:

Found a new Punk Cover playlist on Spotify the other day which had a few classics on it - Goldfinger 99 Red Balloons, Ataris version of Boys of Summer, however it started with a brilliant one from the Gimmes - far FAR better than the original.



Love how they kept the vocoder bits in it

7 Seconds do a good 99 Red Balloons cover - live version (on Scream Real Loud) and studio (on Walk Together..).

The 'Gimme's cover of Paul Abdul's Straight Up is really good.

[DodgyGeezer]

andburg said:

Well i know being better the Patrick Swayze isnt the greatest claim to fame

H.E.A.T. are normally quite a solid outfit so I didn't have any worries about listening, that said it's actually one of the weaker songs I've heard from them

[rdjohn]

Halmyre said:

rdjohn said:

Having taken the advice and read the OP, I see that All along the Watchtower was cited.

But then any cover of a Dylan song has generally been better than the Original, Just a few -

Make you feel my Love - Adele

Bryan Ferry, if you must.

Please can we have VAR look at that Red card incident?

I listened to all 3-versions yesterday and my scoring is
Bob Dylan - 3
Bryan Ferry - 5
Adele - 8, or 9

Bryan Ferry lacks vocal range like Dylan, and probably he relies too heavily on his warbling to overcome this shortcoming.

I am not a fan of Adele, but she does give this track the emotion that the lyrics deserve. She was not a superstar when she recorded 19 and I think that the album is better because of that.

[paulguitar]

rdjohn said:

Please can we have VAR look at that Red card incident?

I listened to all 3-versions yesterday and my scoring is
Bob Dylan - 3
Bryan Ferry - 5
Adele - 8, or 9

Bryan Ferry lacks vocal range like Dylan, and probably he relies too heavily on his warbling to overcome this shortcoming.

I am not a fan of Adele, but she does give this track the emotion that the lyrics deserve. She was not a superstar when she recorded 19 and I think that the album is better because of that.

Have a listen to the Billy Joel version. Sort of does a 'Dylan' with it but has a much better voice.

Garth Brooks does a very decent country-tinged version.

Adele -

Edited by paulguitar on Friday 24th March 11:11

[andburg]

DodgyGeezer said:

H.E.A.T. are normally quite a solid outfit so I didn't have any worries about listening, that said it's actually one of the weaker songs I've heard from them

Agreed....but its definitely better than the original

[bodhi]

TCEvo said:

bodhi said:

Found a new Punk Cover playlist on Spotify the other day which had a few classics on it - Goldfinger 99 Red Balloons, Ataris version of Boys of Summer, however it started with a brilliant one from the Gimmes - far FAR better than the original.



Love how they kept the vocoder bits in it

7 Seconds do a good 99 Red Balloons cover - live version (on Scream Real Loud) and studio (on Walk Together..).

The 'Gimme's cover of Paul Abdul's Straight Up is really good.

Ah nice will check out the 7 Seconds version.

Always been a huge fan of the Gimme Gimmes, if I'm ever in a foul mood I'll put Take A Break on and get instantly cheered up - I Believe I Can Fly and Nothing Compares 2 U are brilliant.

I also always crack up when their version of O Sole Mio comes on as it just so OTT.

[rdjohn]

paulguitar said:

Have a listen to the Billy Joel version. Sort of does a 'Dylan' with it but has a much better voice.

Garth Brooks does a very decent country-tinged version.

Adele -

Sadly neither of those made it on to Apple Music’s radar - unlike the Cast of Glee, and Michael Bubble.

Edited by paulguitar on Friday 24th March 11:11

[paulguitar]

Billy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQGKY92KI4

Garth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FlSP0wsF5U

[DodgyGeezer]

I do like Saxon (747, Strangers in the Night was the first single I bought) but their cover of Man on the Silver Mountain would have been better left on the editing room floor...

https://youtu.be/V1APHxoCftE