Forums > Off-Topic Discussion > song covers that surpass original hits

Photographer

Cherrystone

Posts: 37171

Columbus, Ohio, US

K I C K H A M wrote:
I FOUND ONE! big_smile

This was voted the best cover of all time by the Rolling Stone.

All Along the Watchtower. And I wholeheartedly agree. smile

Jimi Hendrix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_L4RtU1iRg

*\

BIG fooken plus one.

Mar 29 13 11:25 pm Link

Photographer

GH-Photography

Posts: 9424

Jacksonville, Florida, US

Tori Amos - I Don't Like Mondays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr3E6mNRxHU


And I know most people prefer the original, but I'm partial to placebo's.

Placebo- Running up that hill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEEXyRL0qE

Mar 29 13 11:29 pm Link

Photographer

Patrick Walberg

Posts: 45192

San Juan Bautista, California, US

Monad Studios wrote:
Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin

Oh yes!   

Mar 29 13 11:34 pm Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

Gary Melton wrote:
I certainly agree with Rolling Stones #6 choice: "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles...the fab four hit the bullseye with their rendition!

Gary Melton wrote:
"Twist and Shout" is one of those songs that if you'd only heard the Isley Brothers version and loved it, you'd just about have to laugh if you heard The Beatles had covered it.  It was one of those odd quirks of fate that it worked so frickin' well!!

K I C K H A M wrote:
I'll check it out!

If you've seen the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - the version that plays during the parade is the version recorded by The Beatles.

Mar 29 13 11:37 pm Link

Photographer

Patrick Walberg

Posts: 45192

San Juan Bautista, California, US

Cherrystone wrote:
Couldn't find the exact clip of this I was looking for.....but she is the Queen of Cover, sold untold millions of albums doing such.

One of my favorites. She has an extraordinary set of pipes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGL__Wn6jgM

Oh absolutely!!!!  I compare Sara Niemietz to Linda, although Sara has some years ahead to grow.  I saw Linda with the Nelson Riddle ... this was her encore.  That last note is "WOW!!!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJN7Zy2PzQI  I love Linda Ronstadt.  She is a great singer!

Mar 29 13 11:39 pm Link

Photographer

JM Studios

Posts: 5962

Kansas City, Missouri, US

Dar Williams and Ani Difranco- Comfortably Numb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqQFWXWVBNA

Mar 29 13 11:40 pm Link

Photographer

Patrick Walberg

Posts: 45192

San Juan Bautista, California, US

Jennifer Hudson sings the hell outa anything ... especially this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiSRSgqE4E   
I attended the premiere of Dreamgirls, and we were on our feet applauding in the movie theater when she was ending this song!  I'm telling you!  wink

I have to believe a song.  The singer has to "sell it" to me!
Jennifer could sell me the whole freaking  Universe with that rendition!

Mar 29 13 11:46 pm Link

Photographer

Top Level Studio

Posts: 3254

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Here's a surprise one:  Heart doing 'Stairway to Heaven'.  Led Zeppelin are watching and loving it, and even Yo-yo Ma is grooving along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2fJfiddx4

It may or may not surpass the original, but to even come close is a real accomplishment.


The Rolling Stones version of 'Like a Rolling Stone' has all the feeling of the original, and the video really trips along:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziRR5h3b4YU

Mar 30 13 12:02 am Link

Photographer

kickfight

Posts: 35054

Portland, Oregon, US

This may be regarded as blasphemy, but Elton John's cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is a masterpiece that challenges the original by actually amping up and updating the blissed-out psychedelia of it all *and* which also bears the seal of approval of its composer, who plays "reggae guitars" and sings backing vocals on this version (using his "Dr. Winston O'Boogie" pseudonym).

It topped the US pop charts in January of 1975 and remained there for 2 weeks. The B-side of the single was also a cover, the Lennon solo composition "One Day (at a Time)".

Mar 30 13 12:15 am Link

Photographer

Tropic Light

Posts: 7595

Kailua, Hawaii, US

The song "As Tears Go By" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.  But, it was first recorded by Marianne Faithfull, which makes the Stones version a cover.

Mar 30 13 12:26 am Link

Photographer

Al Lock Photography

Posts: 17024

Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

I actually prefer the Aerosmith version of "Come Together" over the Beatles' original.

And Cheap Trick just kills "Ain't That A Shame".

Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page".

Mar 30 13 12:55 am Link

Photographer

GK photo

Posts: 31025

Laguna Beach, California, US

i get shit for saying it, but i prefer nina simone's version of strange fruit to billie holiday's.

nina's version is haunting, as in chilling.

Mar 30 13 01:38 am Link

Photographer

37photog

Posts: 710

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

Compass Rose Studios wrote:
Jane's Addiction - Sympathy for the Devil. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6p3GnxBYOQ

And I don't say that lightly.  I revere the Stones version

I agree with you on this.  It may not be better per se, I dunno, but I think it is the best reinterpretation of a cover song.  Both songs equally great, equally different.


Always thought Sheryl Crows "First Cut is the Deepest" was better than Cat Stevens.

Mar 30 13 07:18 am Link

Photographer

37photog

Posts: 710

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

Top Level Studio wrote:
The Rolling Stones version of 'Like a Rolling Stone' has all the feeling of the original, and the video really trips along:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziRR5h3b4YU

Completely forgot about this.. The cover blew me away when I heard it, I also say it's better or close to as good as the original.  Also Wilson Picket did a great R&B version of "Hey Jude" with Duane Allman.  Very good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y8Q2PATVyI

Mar 30 13 07:21 am Link

Model

Retiredmodel

Posts: 7884

Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom

David Bowie said himself this is a great cover:

Ziggy Stardust Bauhaus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n0Fq0jsh08

Then I'd go 'Emma' by Hot Chocolate and this brilliant version by The Sisters of Mercy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCzgOwrHedg

and Eloise by The Damned which is a cover of the Paul and Barry Ryan original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b31L4P7G5j8

and just for the hell of it Something Else by the Sex Pistols by Eddie Cochrane smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvd4PM8cBSA

But if THIS doesn't make you smile nothing will.

A cover of Sonne by Rammestein by some kids. Awesome and a well deserved 3 and a half million hits lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqpRoVxH2jc

Awww...smile

The original with the unforgettably dark Snow White dominatrix theme of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIBeYoP9Wi0

Mar 30 13 07:31 am Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

Top Level Studio wrote:
Here's a surprise one:  Heart doing 'Stairway to Heaven'.  Led Zeppelin are watching and loving it, and even Yo-yo Ma is grooving along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2fJfiddx4

It may or may not surpass the original, but to even come close is a real accomplishment...

I saw this when it was first shown on PBS...LOVE it!!

Mar 30 13 07:31 am Link

Photographer

SPRINGHEEL

Posts: 38224

Detroit, Michigan, US

Everything Wing has ever done

Mar 30 13 07:31 am Link

Photographer

Justin

Posts: 22389

Fort Collins, Colorado, US

This question has been asked before, and the two that always spring to mind for me are "All Along The Watchtower" by Hendrix (Dylan song) and "Hurt" by Cash (Reznor song).

That's because in both cases, the original author has pretty much shrugged and conceded, "It's not my song anymore."

Janis Joplin did wonderful with "Bobby McGee" (not so much with "Summertime"), and the line "I'd trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday" is such a hauntingly beautiful line, particularly the way she sings it.

Vanilla Fudge redid the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On," and while I can't say it was a better version overall, it became a garage band staple for high school and college dances in the 60's and 70's.

Mar 30 13 07:54 am Link

Photographer

SayCheeZ!

Posts: 20613

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Sweet Home Alabama by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Russian Red Army Choir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014

Mar 30 13 07:56 am Link

Model

Retiredmodel

Posts: 7884

Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom

SayCheeZ!  wrote:
Sweet Home Alabama by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Russian Red Army Choir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014

lol Absolutely brilliant totally agree smile

Mar 30 13 08:05 am Link

Photographer

SayCheeZ!

Posts: 20613

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Sarah Brightman
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" (Procol Harum)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeqO3FNU7lk

Mar 30 13 08:08 am Link

Photographer

Lovely Day Media

Posts: 5885

Vineland, New Jersey, US

I can think of a few ... for instance:

Brothers Johnson covering Strawberry Letter 23 (Shuggie Otis)

Marvin Gaye covering I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Gladys Knight)

Santana covering Black Magic Woman (Fleetwood Mac)

Bette Midler covering In My Life (Beatles)

Jon Bon Jovi covering Levon (Elton John)

  There are others, too.

Mar 30 13 09:57 am Link

Photographer

Motordrive Photography

Posts: 7083

Lodi, California, US

so many great ones already mentioned.

CCR did a few great covers, like Proud Mary and Heard it Through the Grapevine.
what covers list would be complete without Richard Cheese's rendition of
Smack my Bitch Up

Mar 30 13 10:14 am Link

Photographer

Managing Light

Posts: 2678

Salem, Virginia, US

Arlo Guthrie's version of "City Of New Orleans" blew away the composer Steve Goodman's version. Then Willie Nelson latched on to it and didn't do it as well as Guthrie IMHO.

Mar 30 13 10:15 am Link

Photographer

Cherrystone

Posts: 37171

Columbus, Ohio, US

Mar 30 13 10:39 am Link

Photographer

MN Photography

Posts: 1432

Chicago, Illinois, US

Teenage Dirtbag by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw8ZDwdyHJQ

Mar 30 13 10:55 am Link

Photographer

Skydancer Photos

Posts: 22195

Santa Cruz, California, US

Instinct Images wrote:
Israel "Izzy" Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I


Social Distortion - Ring of Fire

I love that version. I started traveling to Hawaii the year IZ died. I would have loved to see him live and in person.

Some may not realize this, but the footage at the end of this video is the celebration where they spread his ashes out to sea.

Mar 30 13 10:56 am Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

Justin wrote:
...Vanilla Fudge redid the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On," and while I can't say it was a better version overall, it became a garage band staple for high school and college dances in the 60's and 70's.

Oh...my...God!!!

How could I have forgotten to mention Vanilla Fudge's cover of "You Keep Me Hanging On" - one of my absolutely ALL-TIME favorite songs?!  I loved the Supremes' version, but Vanilla Fudge totally rocked the song!!!

Mar 30 13 11:28 am Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

SayCheeZ!  wrote:
Sarah Brightman
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" (Procol Harum)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeqO3FNU7lk

A very nice cover to be sure.

BUT...there is just something about Sarah Brightman that creeps me out to watch her.  This cover is fine so long as I don't have to view her singing it!

Mar 30 13 11:33 am Link

Photographer

Chicchowmein

Posts: 14585

Palm Beach, Florida, US

I don't know if better but ed Sheerhan's cover of "Be My Husband"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkWYbcezHCo

Eva Cassidy
"Songbird"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqogwneJRSA

Never cared for the original version

Mar 30 13 11:39 am Link

Photographer

37photog

Posts: 710

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

MN Photography wrote:
Teenage Dirtbag by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw8ZDwdyHJQ

SayCheeZ!  wrote:
Sarah Brightman
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" (Procol Harum)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeqO3FNU7lk

Oh come on, these two (among some others) are barely even good?!!  The first is not even that clever an attempt of a cover of an actually pretty darn cool song.  The second an awful rendition of a great song meant to sound like some sort of downer/come down song.

The thread isn't "Wierd/different cover songs", it's covers better than the original, neither of those are even close.

Mar 30 13 11:41 am Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

Lovely Day Media wrote:
...Marvin Gaye covering I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Gladys Knight)...

Now THIS is interesting.  The song was first recorded by Smoky Robinson and the Miracles (August 1966)...but NOT released; then it was recorded by Marvin Gaye (Spring 1967)...but again NOT released.  Next, it was recorded by Gladys Knight and FINALLY released in September 1967 - and it did VERY well, going to #2 on the charts in late 1967.

Meanwhile, the version that had been recorded EARLIER by Marvin Gaye was released on an album of his (1968)...and it gained so much air time play by radio DJ's that it was released as a single in November 1968 - and it did EVEN BETTER than Gladys' version, going to #1 on the charts (for seven weeks from December 1968 through January 1969 - becoming, for some time, the biggest hit single ever on the Motown label).

So, Marvin Gaye's version was NOT a cover of Gladys Knight's version - they were BOTH recorded before Gladys' version was released (and - since Marvin recorded before Gladys - Marvin could NOT have heard Gladys' version prior to recording his version).  Since Marvin's version was done before Gladys', you could conceivably say that Gladys' was a cover of Marvin's.

My take on it would be that, technically, they were more like 2 different versions of the same song.

Mar 30 13 11:54 am Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

Managing Light wrote:
Arlo Guthrie's version of "City Of New Orleans" blew away the composer Steve Goodman's version. Then Willie Nelson latched on to it and didn't do it as well as Guthrie IMHO.

LOVE Arlo Guthrie's version (and this was probably the best thing that Arlo ever did - loved "Alice's Restaurant", but that was almost more of a comedy record than a song).

Mar 30 13 11:55 am Link

Photographer

Looknsee Photography

Posts: 26342

Portland, Oregon, US

You might be surprised to learn that many of the songs you think of as "original" are, in fact, covers.  For example, many of Aretha Franklin's early hits (like "Respect") are covers from people like Otis Redding.

Lately, James Taylor (one of the best song writers of the 60s) has been releasing albums featuring nothing but covers.  Other favorites, like Rickie Lee Jones and Dr. John have released cover albums.

Mar 30 13 12:03 pm Link

Photographer

Al Lock Photography

Posts: 17024

Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

Mar 30 13 12:06 pm Link

Photographer

Managing Light

Posts: 2678

Salem, Virginia, US

Managing Light wrote:
Arlo Guthrie's version of "City Of New Orleans" blew away the composer Steve Goodman's version. Then Willie Nelson latched on to it and didn't do it as well as Guthrie IMHO.

Gary Melton wrote:
LOVE Arlo Guthrie's version (and this was probably the best thing that Arlo ever did)

AMEN!

Mar 30 13 01:06 pm Link

Photographer

StromePhoto

Posts: 922

Kalamazoo, Michigan, US

I really like ELO's version of "Roll Over Beethoven".

Mar 30 13 01:24 pm Link

Photographer

Gary Melton

Posts: 6680

Dallas, Texas, US

StromePhoto wrote:
I really like ELO's version of "Roll Over Beethoven".

Me, too!!

Mar 30 13 01:57 pm Link

Photographer

Let There Be Light

Posts: 7657

Los Angeles, California, US

Gary Melton wrote:
A different sort of "cover" that took me much longer to appreciate: "I shot the sheriff" by Bob Marley and the Wailers.  Eric Clapton had the biggest hit off that song, but once you get used to Bob Marley's version - which is QUITE different than Eric Clapton's - Clapton's version just doesn't quite sound right anymore (not to me anyway).  Of course - since Bob Marley wrote the song, that probably has something to do with that.

Since Marley wrote the song and performed it originally it hardly qualifies as a cover.

Mar 30 13 02:30 pm Link

Photographer

Caveman Creations

Posts: 580

Addison, Texas, US

Metallica's cover, of the Thin Lizzy cover, of "Whiskey in the Jar" which was originally an old Irish Folk song(?).

The most "Original"...
The Dubliners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XWJrT_KIcE

The Thin Lizzy cover......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TehFZ38kt6o

And my favorite.....(Plus, the video is SOOOO much better!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boanuwUMNNQ

Mar 30 13 02:44 pm Link