Covers which are worse than their contents
before plastic surgery or the invention of tweezers with which to pluck the ample eyebrows;
before plastic surgery or the invention of tweezers with which to pluck the ample eyebrows;
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I'm new to this forum, so I've just read this entire thread. I'm surprised at some that have not been mentioned.
One of my all-time favorite covers is Gary "U.S." Bonds's version of Jackson Browne's "The Pretender".
Which reminds me that Joan Baez did great covers of Browne's "Fountain of Sorrow" and Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate". Both are better than the excellent originals.
I also love Fats Domino's cover of "Lovely Rita". It's a little baudy.
And one of the best ever: Elvis Costello's cover of Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" This is the definitive version; much, much better than the Brinsley Schwartz original.
One of my all-time favorite covers is Gary "U.S." Bonds's version of Jackson Browne's "The Pretender".
Which reminds me that Joan Baez did great covers of Browne's "Fountain of Sorrow" and Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate". Both are better than the excellent originals.
I also love Fats Domino's cover of "Lovely Rita". It's a little baudy.
And one of the best ever: Elvis Costello's cover of Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" This is the definitive version; much, much better than the Brinsley Schwartz original.
Ted in NJ said:
Hi Ted and welcome to the forums.
I haven't heard that version. It's funny that you should mention that one because I use it as one of my test songs. There are many not familiar with the song and don't seem to recognize his voice.
I only wonder what the album might have become if it were released after Running On Empty?
Your thoughts?
Bawdy?
How's bout the cover to the Procul Harem album designed by a follower of Aubrey Beardsley? (One of the dirtiest old men of the Edwardian era.)
How's bout the cover to the Procul Harem album designed by a follower of Aubrey Beardsley? (One of the dirtiest old men of the Edwardian era.)
Cal,
Thanks for the welcome. I thought "The Pretender" was very well known by Jackson Browne. I hear it several times a year on the radio. I also thought that was one of his big albums, but I guess not. If you like the song, do try to find the Gary U.S. Bonds version. It's from one of his two albums that was produced by Bruce Springsteen and Miami Steve. It's more soulful, and a little less cynical, than the original.
While we're on the subject of covers, here's one of my favorite topics: songs that are better known now in their original version, but first were hits for others. Such as:
"I Need a Lover (Who Won't Drive Me Crazy)", by John Cougar Mellencamp. Originally a hit by Pat Benatar, but not as good.
"American Girl", by Tom Petty. Originally a (minor) hit for Roger McGuinn. Boy, I'd love to hear that version again.
And don't forget that Tom Rush had a hit album that included "The Circle Game", "Urge for Going", "Something in the Way She Moves", "Sunshine, Sunshine" and "Shadow Dream Song" before anyone had heard of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor or Jackson Browne. It's arguable whether these are better than the original versions. They're all excellent.
Here's another cover that's much better than the original: Otis Redding's version of "Try a Little Tenderness". Frank Sinatra's original hit is dreadful in comparison.
Thanks for the welcome. I thought "The Pretender" was very well known by Jackson Browne. I hear it several times a year on the radio. I also thought that was one of his big albums, but I guess not. If you like the song, do try to find the Gary U.S. Bonds version. It's from one of his two albums that was produced by Bruce Springsteen and Miami Steve. It's more soulful, and a little less cynical, than the original.
While we're on the subject of covers, here's one of my favorite topics: songs that are better known now in their original version, but first were hits for others. Such as:
"I Need a Lover (Who Won't Drive Me Crazy)", by John Cougar Mellencamp. Originally a hit by Pat Benatar, but not as good.
"American Girl", by Tom Petty. Originally a (minor) hit for Roger McGuinn. Boy, I'd love to hear that version again.
And don't forget that Tom Rush had a hit album that included "The Circle Game", "Urge for Going", "Something in the Way She Moves", "Sunshine, Sunshine" and "Shadow Dream Song" before anyone had heard of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor or Jackson Browne. It's arguable whether these are better than the original versions. They're all excellent.
Here's another cover that's much better than the original: Otis Redding's version of "Try a Little Tenderness". Frank Sinatra's original hit is dreadful in comparison.
I also have enjoyed reading this thread from start to finish.
I was gonna mention:
Cocker's "With a little help from my friends"
and
Dred Zeppelin
But since they got the exposure they deserve
Ricky Lee Jones' "Easy Money"
Cocker's "Day Tripper"
Hendrix's "Let the good times roll"
There's a cover version of "Day Tripper" by Ray Charles that I heard once that I thought was groovy.
Dylan liked Hendrix's arrangement of "All along the watchtower" so much,that he adopted it for all his own performances of it.
A cover gets no better recommendation than that.
I was gonna mention:
Cocker's "With a little help from my friends"
and
Dred Zeppelin
But since they got the exposure they deserve
Ricky Lee Jones' "Easy Money"
Cocker's "Day Tripper"
Hendrix's "Let the good times roll"
There's a cover version of "Day Tripper" by Ray Charles that I heard once that I thought was groovy.
Dylan liked Hendrix's arrangement of "All along the watchtower" so much,that he adopted it for all his own performances of it.
A cover gets no better recommendation than that.
I know someone already mentioned Jimi Hendrix covering anything but it occurs to me that the Jimi'ed US National Anthem is the ultimate signature piece that could also be called a cover.
🙂ensen.
🙂ensen.
purplepeople said:
There are two versions: the live style, like at Woodstock, and a rarely heard cut from the out-of-print Rainbow Bridge, which is crystalline layers of overdubs. Both are entirely valid, and completely different.
3 of the Best (imo)
Personally, I love the following:-
Hotel California by Alabama3 - Strip's away the shiny '70's cali veneer to show the cocaine paranoia beneath the song to great effect. Alabama3 (known as A3 in the states, due to a bunch of restranteurs legal threats) provided the theme music to 'The Soprano's', so that gives you an idea of their style. I can recommend any of their albums...
Hell's Bell's by The Dandy Warhols - A semi-acoustic version, showing a brooding darkness which suits the lyrics in some ways better than the original's arrogant defiance. Strangely compelling, if only for the horn section...
Hey Joe (live version) by SEAL. - A great voice, a great arrangement, and (for once) NOT a copy of the Hendrix version. Must dig it out again, as it's been in storage for a while...
Some interesting tunes in this thread, definitely gonna have to check some out...
Cheers... G
Personally, I love the following:-
Hotel California by Alabama3 - Strip's away the shiny '70's cali veneer to show the cocaine paranoia beneath the song to great effect. Alabama3 (known as A3 in the states, due to a bunch of restranteurs legal threats) provided the theme music to 'The Soprano's', so that gives you an idea of their style. I can recommend any of their albums...
Hell's Bell's by The Dandy Warhols - A semi-acoustic version, showing a brooding darkness which suits the lyrics in some ways better than the original's arrogant defiance. Strangely compelling, if only for the horn section...
Hey Joe (live version) by SEAL. - A great voice, a great arrangement, and (for once) NOT a copy of the Hendrix version. Must dig it out again, as it's been in storage for a while...
Some interesting tunes in this thread, definitely gonna have to check some out...
Cheers... G
YES!
NO, other than All Along The Watchtower, JMH and The Changing Of The Guard, Patti Smith.
- and “License To Kill” - Cowboy Junkies”
Absolutely
U2's “One”. Done to perfection by The Cowboy Junkies – but then, what isn't.
“Summertime” by Caroline Hester.
OH! YES!! She also does a far better version of “Don't Let The Tears Rust Your Shining Heart” than Everything But The Girl could imagine.
Heather Nova covers Springsteen's “I'm On Fire to perfection” The Cowboy Junkies do anything by Springsteen better than Springsteen. (e.g. You're Missing)
But even more so, by Björk & PJ Harvey.
-He heard Tim Rose singing it and picked it up from there.
Me too, I do like the TB version but TMC has it.
Bic Runga does a very good cover of The Cars “Drive”
Unfortunately she also has an album with a completely different song of the same name on it.
Heather Nova has a wonderful cover of “Wicked Game”- on the Redbird album IIRC
Ed: - Corrected title error
Rock el Casbah, Rachid Taha
Only Love can Break your Heart, St. Etienne
Hey Joe, Body Count
and
War, a speech by Haile Selassie, musical covers in order of awesomeness: Luciano, Alpha Blondy (La Guerre), Bob Marley.
Only Love can Break your Heart, St. Etienne
Hey Joe, Body Count
and
War, a speech by Haile Selassie, musical covers in order of awesomeness: Luciano, Alpha Blondy (La Guerre), Bob Marley.
A great new cover
Mary Arden Collins, now recording as Arden of Eden, has just released her new CD "Love Street". ALong with her amazing original songs, is the cover Dimming of the Day. Check it out on her myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/maryardencollins
Mary Arden Collins, now recording as Arden of Eden, has just released her new CD "Love Street". ALong with her amazing original songs, is the cover Dimming of the Day. Check it out on her myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/maryardencollins
I like both equally well:
Beat it - Michael Jackson and Fall Out Boy (the only song of theirs I like) feat. John Mayer
Beat it - Michael Jackson and Fall Out Boy (the only song of theirs I like) feat. John Mayer
Re: Good songwriter, crook singer
All along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix or Dave Matthews. I like both versions
Circlotron said:
All along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix or Dave Matthews. I like both versions
boyce avenue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lio0YbTi87g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTMvrpJ7IHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DOasai3_Vo&feature=user
yes they are an internet fad...and you can only get their music on itunes...and yes the originals arent exactly the greatest talents to begin with and that it doesnt take someone with that great of a voice to "cover" better, but still thought I would throw these guys out there in the realm of great cover artists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lio0YbTi87g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTMvrpJ7IHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DOasai3_Vo&feature=user
yes they are an internet fad...and you can only get their music on itunes...and yes the originals arent exactly the greatest talents to begin with and that it doesnt take someone with that great of a voice to "cover" better, but still thought I would throw these guys out there in the realm of great cover artists
excellent thread,
I like Dread Zeppelin so much I had to go see them twice.
On another interesting note, I saw Voi Vod many years ago and the opening acts were mentioned in this thread as well, they were Faith No More and Soundgarden (yes, they really opened for VoiVod).
A few covers of note are:
Ahmet & Dweezil Zappa - Hit Me Baby (one more time)
Dweezil Zappa ft. Ozzy - Staying Alive
Rob Zombie - I'm Your Boogie Man
Type-O Negative -Summer Breeze
Alanis Morissette - My Humps
and Superstition has been more times than I can count. Most notably, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Megadeth,
but I don't know if anyone outdid Stevie Wonder.
I like Dread Zeppelin so much I had to go see them twice.
On another interesting note, I saw Voi Vod many years ago and the opening acts were mentioned in this thread as well, they were Faith No More and Soundgarden (yes, they really opened for VoiVod).
A few covers of note are:
Ahmet & Dweezil Zappa - Hit Me Baby (one more time)
Dweezil Zappa ft. Ozzy - Staying Alive
Rob Zombie - I'm Your Boogie Man
Type-O Negative -Summer Breeze
Alanis Morissette - My Humps
and Superstition has been more times than I can count. Most notably, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Megadeth,
but I don't know if anyone outdid Stevie Wonder.
Just listened to the Summer Breeze you had listed there. Are you sure you read the title correctly? Covers that are better? Jimminy crickets that dude sounds like he just got outta bed, was seriously hungover and contemplating something nasty. Sorry, my friend, that one doesn't do it for me. Really takes away from the original.