Friday, August 03, 2018

Your Turn

Stealing from a Twitter thread.

Name a cover that's better than the original, and you're not allowed to mention Jeff Buckley or Sinead O'Connor.

165 comments:

gauloise said...

Tainted Love by Soft Cell, is the best cover better than the original ever

Do Tell said...

Why? I loved Sinead's version way more. But ok.

Run-DMC's Walk This Way was phenomenal. And by far surpassed the original.

The Beatles' Twist and Shout.

tall, dark, and handsome said...

I will always love you by Whitney Houston/ I love Dolly but Whitney did it better

Me Again said...

Run DMC Walk this Way ... it resurrected Aerosmith.

Do Tell said...

The funny part was that Run DNC didn't even really like the song, they had to be talked into doing the remake.

Do Tell said...

*DMC

SarahElizabeth said...

Run DMC Walk this Way is way way wayyy better than the original.

Also, Darren Criss's cover of Teenage Dream on Glee makes Katy Perry sound like really really bad karaoke.

Do Tell said...

Roy Orbison's duet with k.d. lang on "Crying"..I flove it. I like his original but ADORE the duet.

Nathália said...

The Boxer cover by Mumford & Sons. Killer.

sandybrook said...

Waterloo Sunset original by the Kinks redone recently by Def Leppard.
The entire cover album Ryan Adams did to mock TayTay a few years ago.

Tricia13 said...

Aww Buckley’s Hallelujah was stunning(and I am a huge Leonard Cohen fan):)

longtimereader said...

'Only love can break your heart' st etienne's version far superior to the neil young original.

gauloise said...

A lot of 80s ska covers were better than the reggae originals like A Message to You Rudy by the Specials

Do Tell said...

Toss up: George Michael's cover of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." I think it is at least on par with the original. Love them both.

Boy George's version of "The Crying Game".

Jon said...

Ike and Tina's "Proud Mary". Boy George's "The Crying Game". LeAnn Rimes "How Do I Live"

HeatherBee said...

Ice Cream Man by Van Halen

gauloise said...

Sid Vicious' My Way

Virginia Mayer said...

Siouxsie and the Banshees' Dear Prudence.

Adrian Grimples said...

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light

Kelly said...

Sugarland's version of Irreplaceable

Do Tell said...

I like John Lennon's "Stand By Me" a lot. I think it's one of the best covers ever.

nonyabusiness said...

Florence Welch covering Drake and Rihanna's 'Take Care'. So, so much better than the original.

Dena said...

The Clash: I Fought The Law and The Law Won

Farmgirl said...

Indigo Girls - Romeo and Juliet

Stephie said...

Aretha Franklin's version of Otis Redding's song "Respect".

zmbywoof said...

Jimi Hendrix 'All Along The Watchtower'
Aretha Franklin 'Respect'

Mac said...

Judas Priest "Green Manalishi"
10 x better than the original by Fleetwood Mac.

Mac said...

Adrian Grimples said...
"Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light"

Agreed!

filmfanb said...

As a huge NIN...gotta say Cash's version of Hurt hit me really hard.

Sara, Making It Work said...

@Do Tell yesssssssssss

AnitaKnapp said...

Motley Crue's version of "Smokin' in the Boys Room"

Emmanuel Goldstein said...

John Cale's version of "Hallelujah" is the best version. Buckley's is overrated.

Sara, Making It Work said...

So many great songs already mentioned.

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
Al Green's version of Bee Gees is perfect.

Emmanuel Goldstein said...

Chris Cornell's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" is fucking heartbreaking.

Newbomb said...

War Pigs - Faith No More

Sara, Making It Work said...

The B-52's don't do many covers, but they did Petula Clark's "Downtown" and it is fabulous.

Emmanuel Goldstein said...

Joe Cocker "With A Little Help From My Friends"

Darkmyst said...

Guns n Roses - Knockin on Heaven's Door

Sara, Making It Work said...

Honestly, k.d. lang does a lot of covers and almost always blows the original out of the water.

Morninglorri said...

The Promise by Sturgill Simpson

IanPhlegming said...

Some very good songs named here. I won't repeat the two I might've picked and suggest "Dreams I'll Never See" by Molly Hatchet, one-upping the Allman Bros.

Hyzer said...

Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust, original by Joan Baez

RowdyRodimus said...

Ace Frehley's cover of New York Groove.

Do Tell said...

I pick the Eagles' cover of "Ol' 55" over the Tom Waits original. The harmony on it brings it up several levels.

Phelps said...

+1 for Hurt covered by Johnny Cash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc

A close second for me is Hotel California by the Gypsey Kings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8BDebGQJ8

Unknown said...

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Greg Laswell. Makes you realize the lyrics might not be saying what the music made you think.

Andrew Paul Woodworth also has some good ones, but my favorite is probably "What Goes Around."

Phelps said...

Wrong like for Hotel California, this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz_aF9Iy7I8

Kimberley said...

@filmfanb - I agree. I have both versions and Johnny Cash looks like a haunted, broken man on the song video.

Nope McNoperton said...

Sweet Jane-Cowboy Junkies

Kimberley said...

I really wish I could remember the group's name (well, duet I guess) but a husband and wife toured around the Cambridge area (in the U.K) back in the 80s and got a large following. They were so talented - he could play lots of instruments. They played brilliant covers - the only ones I can recall was Led Zep's 'Stairway to Heaven' and Jimi Hendrix's 'Hey Joe' which I've always loved. Their version of 'Hey Joe' was much better than Jimi's.

Dreamnose said...

Mark Lanegan's cover of Carry Home by The Gun Club. Both versions are brilliant.

mhb said...

Amy Winehouse - Valerie (and I loved the Zutons original)

DRK said...

Johnny Cash - Hurt

Dreamnose said...

Agree

just sayin' said...

I liked Trisha Yearwood's "How Do I Live?" better than LeAnne Rimes.

+1 gauloise -- when "Tainted Love" flows into "Where Did Our Love Go", it's magic.

+1 Tricia -- Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" is gorgeous, and considering his mysterious early death, all the more haunting.

shakey said...

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Marilyn Manson. He sings it like it should have been done in the first place.

Gordon Scott said...

Linda Ronstadt: That'll Be the Day

Sd Auntie said...

@sandybrook!! Excellent taste with Ryan Adam choice. Love is Hell and Prisoner are much better.
Favorite cover is Dreams by Whiskeytown(Ryan's band) and Wonderwall!

notthisagain said...

joni mitchell's both sides now is a better cover than the original, which sounds really peppy and odd

DWNTWN's "Im On Fire" better than the springsteen original IMO

notthisagain said...

enty is there any shadiness behind jeff buckley's drowning??? always wondered

Phelps said...

From wikipedia:

"Hurt" was nominated for six VMAs at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. The only VMA the video won was that for Best Cinematography. With the video, Johnny Cash became the oldest artist ever nominated for an MTV Video Music Award. Justin Timberlake, who won Best Male Video that year for "Cry Me a River", a song on his Justified, said in his acceptance speech: "This is a travesty! I demand a recount. My grandfather raised me on Johnny Cash, and I think he deserves this more than any of us in here tonight."

JRS said...

Janis Joplin "To Love Somebody" (Bee Gees)

Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower" (Bob Dylan)

ImmodestyBlaise said...

Chrissie Hynde's cover of Morrissey's "Every Day Is Like Sunday."

Mac said...

"Chrissie Hynde's cover of Morrissey's "Every Day Is Like Sunday."

I was thinking of saying 10,000 maniacs version of that song.
I never heard Chrissie's version. I'll check it out, but it will be hard to beat Natalie.

Motörhead said...

Spider-man theme by The Ramones
I Fought The Law by The Clash
Gloria by The Doors
I can only give you everything by MC5

SistahGirl said...

Lisa Stansfield "All Around the World", original by Barry White (who I LOVED).

Megley said...

It's an instrumental, but Town Without Pity by Ronnie Montrose is one of my favorite covers.
I grew up on Gene Pitney.

Super Comic Fun Time! said...

Camper Van Beethoven Pictures of Matchstick Men

mud said...

disturbed's "the sounds of silence" cover...chills.
i love john prine, but i still like bonnie raitt's cover of his "angel from montgomery" more than his original.
for those who love Johnny Cash's cover of "hurt"? check out his rendition of depeche mode's "personal jesus."
joss stone's "son of a preacher man"! pipes!
nirvana's "where did you sleep last night."
okay. i will stop now.

Unknown said...

Cowboy Junkies cover of Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane.
Sinead O'Connor a cover of Elton John's Sacrifice. (a song I usually can't stand but she finds the sadness in it)
Aretha Franklin RESPECT, as much as I love Otis Redding.

Unknown said...

Awesome pick

TLT said...

Agreed on MM’s Sweet Dreams. I also prefer Stone Sour’s cover of Wicked Game.

JFF said...

The Sundays' cover of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses."

Amartel said...

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Elton's version better than Beatles original.

Mhdz said...

The Dickies' cover of the Banana Splits theme, or any of their cartoon theme songs, for that matter.

HeatherBee said...

+1 on that and also, Heatwave by Linda and basically anything she covered. I used to steal her records from my parents as a kid, so I’m an old fan of hers

trufflepig said...

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world

J2 said...

"Baker Street" Jerry Rafferty v Foo Fighters

Phelps said...

@ mud for those who love Johnny Cash's cover of "hurt"? check out his rendition of depeche mode's "personal jesus."

That whole album is amazing. Remember too that the incredible "I Hung my Head" was originally by Sting, and the cover of "Desperado" is fantastic as well.

ernesto66 said...

"Shining Light", Annie Lennox - "Train in Vain", Annie Lennox - "Sweet Child of Mine", Sheryl Crow.

Mac said...

Oh hell no!
It is one thing for people to be throwing out hacks like Glee, or reality Tv contestants versions of songs, or Ryan Adams cover of ANYTHING (LOL!!!) but when you start messing with seminal, milestone rock songs like "stairway to heaven" or "Sweet child of mine" that is just too effing far!
Some people need to be banned from ever talking about music, PERIOD, though they may be good people and good posters here normally. :)

Unknown said...

Apc - imagine

Unknown said...

Never. Trent gave that song a huge meaning.

B626 said...

Tom Petty & Heartbreakers
‘Change the Locks’
Originally from Lucinda Williams
AKA Jordan Peele’s mother

Mac said...

"‘Change the Locks’
Originally from Lucinda Williams
AKA Jordan Peele’s mother"


Same name, COMPLETELY different woman.

Phelps said...

Never. Trent gave that song a huge meaning.

Trent doesn't agree.

It was the moving video, though, that made it all fall into place for the Nine Inch Nails star: "It really, really made sense and I thought what a powerful piece of art.

"I never got to meet Johnny but I'm happy I contributed the way I did. It felt like a warm hug. For anyone who hasn't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out. I have goose bumps right now thinking about it.

"Having Johnny Cash, one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, want to cover your song, that's something that matters to me. It's not so much what other people think but the fact that this guy felt that it was worthy of interpreting.

"He said afterwards it was a song that sounds like one he would have written in the '60s and that's wonderful".

deadzo said...

Sepultura - Symptom of the Universe. I love the original I love Black Sabbath but I fucking love Sepultura's cover more. So much heavier the way it was meant to be.

Lurky McLurkster said...

You really should of excluded Jimi Hendrix 'All Along The Watchtower' too. Probably the best cover of all time.

White Zombie - I'm Your Boogieman

Lurky McLurkster said...

Ghost - If you Have Ghosts

Lurky McLurkster said...

Pretty much all the covers Metallica has done

Unknown said...

All Along the Watchtower. Jimi did it way better.

I also really like Pantera's cover of Planet Caravan. Even if you don't like Pantera give it a listen. It's really good. Phil isn't yelling in it. It won't hurt your ears if you don't like loud groove metal.

I do like the Black Sabbath version. In fact that's why I bought Paranoid. Because I wanted to listen to the original.

I'm probably in the minority when I saw I actually like Megadeth's covers. It's not that I think they are better. But I don't think they deserve the hate they get either.

Sara, Making It Work said...

+1 for Matchstick Men!!!

Chad Small said...

Johnny Cash - I Hung My Head

So much better than Sting's original and not as well known as Hurt.

Sara, Making It Work said...

+1 @Amartel, I love Elton's version and generally am wary of Beatles covers. It's one of like, five at most, that I can get behind.

Sara, Making It Work said...

I prefer Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Little Wing" to Jimi Hendrix' original.
I know this may not be popular opinion. But I think we can all agree it's better than Sting's.

Krusty Demon said...

+1 to Wonderwall by Ryan Adams

Sagan said...

Bon Jovi had Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" in heavy rotation during 3 consecutive tours - it was always a favorite of the crowd no matter the town they were in. They did it acoustically, and always as the first song for the first encore. Still get chill bumps.

Kikibunny said...

Personal jesus is amazing too

Fred84 said...

Donna Summer´s MacArthur Park, much, much better than the orignal by Richard Harris.

Kno Won said...

+Infinity

Kno Won said...

Agree.

missann said...

A House Is Not A Home by Luther Vandross better than Dionne Warwick's original

Ice Angel said...

Not sure I'd say better as the original is just a beautiful classic, but lovedIsrael "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole version of Over the Rainbow is just stunning. I remember hearing it for the first time on the ER episode where Dr. Greene dies. Ugh.

Freckles said...

Janis! Me & Bobby Mcgee

gauloise said...

@Sara +1 x 1,000 Al Green's version of" how can you mend" is about as close to perfection as you can get in a song

Humor Me said...

Livin' for the Money from the soundtrack New Jack City

Original - for the love of Money - OJays....

Mac said...

Ok, I am about to win the internets for today!

The carpenters "Close to you"
Better than the original by Richard Chamberlain, or the first cover by Dionne Warwick.
/close thread. :)

joshg g said...

Led Zeppelin versions of Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You and Dazed and Confused are way better than the originals, even if they forget to attribute the artists, whoops.

pwal said...

Luther Vandross's Superstar (especially the Live Radio City Music Hall version) is better than The Carpenters' version.

Benz B said...

Whitney Houston-I will always love you

Diana said...

Natalie Maines - Landslide. When she sang it live on The Howard Stern Show, it was breathtaking.

Jim O'Sullivan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jim O'Sullivan said...

Sublime's "Summertime" (released sub nom "Doin' Time").

TownChica said...

Metallica "Turn the Page"

Sd Auntie said...

Swiftie fan =Mr. Neal or is this CL? Different strokes for different folks.

Sd Auntie said...

Ojays are better.no way

splatford said...

Stevie Ray Vaughan~Little Wing

Sd Auntie said...

Sweet child of mine sounds like a frickin cat on acid. Pick better classics Neal like Satisfaction or any annoying Journey song.

Paul Saint John said...

"Like a Rolling Stone" by Robert Zimmerman (Dylan) as played by The Rolling Stones.
Or "All along the Watchtower" by B. Dylan, the Jimmy Hendrix Experience version.
Really, anybody can make better versions of his compositions, Dylan's a lousy performer.

Unknown said...

The White Stripes did an absolutely fantastic live cover version of Jolene by Dolly Parton. It is great. And I love the original.

FA said...

Marvin Gaye's version of the Beatles "Yesterday"
Donnie Hathaway's version of Leon Russell's "A Song for You"
Warren Zevon's cover of Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door"--recorded when he was dying from terminal cancer;
Sturgill Simpson's cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom"
Ryan Adam's version of "Wonderwall"
Talking Head's Version of Take Me to the River (Al Green)l

MDAnderson said...

Aretha Franklin cover of Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell You’re all I need to get by. I also agree with Al Green’s How can You mend a broken heart. Just a beautiful voice.

Unknown said...

A.C. Newman's version of Take On Me.

Dannette said...

The Carpenters Superstar was a cover. Ugh.

Mac said...

SD Auntie - and yet somehow Sweet Child of mine propelled GNR to be the biggest rock band of their era, Sherly Crow's version has compelled cat ladies to pour another glass of wine from a box.

Like I said, some people shouldn't even talk about music, and I put you near the top of that list.

I am everybody, I am a bot and a Russian, whatever you want Auntie

Gator said...

Luther Vandross' version of Superstar was too long and drawn out, otherwise it would beat the Carpenters hand down.
Ike and Tina's Proud Mary, definately

Guesser said...

Mr Tambourine Man,the Byrds, Bob Dylan cover.

Sd Auntie said...

That's funny because I love the Carpenters. Guns n Rose's overrated shit show. Lucinda William's hell yes she is awesome! Ryan Adam's nominated for grammys .never said you were Russian and I happen to be friends with quite a few. CL IS courtney Love . I've seen zeppelin, peter tosh, The stones the pretenders , PIL,and Al Green. Your taste reeks and you need to jam with your GNR cover band at the over the hill bar.

Mac said...

LOL! GNR will still be viewed as a seminal rock band long after Ryan Adams covers have been relegated into the dustbin of forgotten "music". And I am not even a GNR fan, I just know which songs and bands sparked a change in music and will be remembered, jut Like I am not a Nirvana fan, but know the difference between Smells like Teen spirit and some cover on glee.

I do like one of Ryan's originals though - "Lucky now". It isn't in the same realm as Sweet child of mine, but it is a good song.

James Brown said...

I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL -- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts -- is a cover.

The original is by a group you've never heard of: The Arrows. Give it a listen--it's good.

But it's no Joan Jett. :)

Sd Auntie said...

That's fine. Thanks for the lively discussion and as you can tell I am a serious music fan. Have lots of favorites and think Slash is a genius. Have a good night!

Mac said...

You too... It's been fun actually. :)
Should have kept Karen on drums, don't you think? She might still be alive today.
Good night.

James Brown said...

I've also gotta give a shout out to Janis for Me & Bobby McGee.

A lot of people do Kris songs better than Kris. But what Janis did with Me & Bobby McGee is so far above & beyond, it's in a class of its own. I have a hard imagining it ever being topped.

Unknown said...

Aretha, Respect (though Otis's is great)
Johnny Cash, Hurt (though both are great)
Yo La Tengo: Speeding Motorcycle (by D Johnston)

arbfuldodger said...

My 2 all time favorite covers

1. Hurt - Johnny Cash ...Best. Cover. Ever.
2. Little Wing - SRV ...rather listen to SRV's instrumental version than Jimi's or Clapton's ones w/ vocals

MattDaddy said...

Carrie Manalokos — Creep (Radiohead) ... truly beautiful cover. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5ZclZTeTU

Joel Theriot said...

Dreaming My Dreams with You- Cowboy Junkies

Sara, Making It Work said...

@Fred84
ABSOLUTELY

Sara, Making It Work said...

Sorry folks, the best version of "Superstar" is by Sonic Youth.

pkelly491 said...

Sturgill Simpson - "The Promise"

pkelly491 said...

Thank you, Morning Lorri for providing the correct answer!

Also, Sara you are correct. The Sonic Youth version of Superstar is the best version not close.

Mac said...

I agree about Sonic Youth and Superstar, but it is not the best cover - that goes to Tori Amos for "Picture of you/the big picture" to bad it is only a bootleg live recording....

(I know it isn't the best cover, just having some fun, but it is pretty damn good....)

Mac said...

(correction ^^^^ Too bad, instead of to bad...)

Unknown said...

Drops of Jupiter-Taylor Swift (train, originally)

For all the ancient ass holes sure to comment, save it. Her version is better and that’s all there is to it so scram. 😊

Mac said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mac said...

"Drops of Jupiter-Taylor Swift (train, originally)"


That's it - time to quit the internet. I don't want to live in this world anymore...

"For all the ancient ass holes sure to comment, save it. Her version is better and that’s all there is to it so scram. 😊 "


LOL!!! You know you are wrong! Good bait though!!!

Not a Train fan, so no dog in this fight, but Taylor Swift just on general principal... is wrong. :)

a beautiful virago named hope said...

Can't believe none of y'all have mentioned Siouxsie and the Banshees cover of Iggy Pop's The Passenger. Those horns blow me away! ;)
Cher does a decent version of Walking in Memphis.

a beautiful virago named hope said...

Agree with Jimi's version of All Along the Watchtower. And Hurt by Johnny Cash. Both iconic.
I also liked the Sonic Youth version of Superstar.
But I have to say Whitney Houston completely oversang I Will Always Love You. Dolly's version is so plaintive and sweet. There's nothing of that in Whitney's.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

If you wanted to quit so bad, you’d stop running your mouth spouting outdated and unpopular opinions. But here you are!!!! :) I called it! I’d feel bad for “baiting” 😂😂 but, luckily, you seem to get a real kick out of yourself so I’m glad I could inadvertently give you that pleasure. Hahahah “no dog in this fight” 😂🙃 you just HAVE to voice your opinion even when you, self admittedly, don’t even have one!!!!! CLASSIC! I rest my case. Go to bed loser, it’s past your bedtime.

Mac said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mac said...

Wow, you really got triggered didn't you? Over Taylor Swift! BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
Please tell me you are just a 13 year old girl!
Good night snowflake with no sense of humor or taste in music. You won't have my "outdated and unpopular opinions" to deal with anymore for tonight... poor thing.


Who is cuter, Beiber or Harry?

pixiegothy said...

Type O Negative - Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofts)
Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez)

bookworm said...

Easy Like Sunday Morning - Incubus

musesx9 said...

Mad world originally by simple minds...Gary Jules’ version

Ang said...

Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder

The Other jdk said...

John Lefend covering Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.

just sayin' said...

It shouldn't be better, but i like Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff" more than Bob Marley's original.

hiyosilvergirl said...

House of the Rising Sun - Animals (orig. early folk / blues)
With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker (orig. Beatles)
Proud Mary - Tina Turner (orig. CCR)

Unknown said...

It's close competition, but I'll take Talking Heads' version of Take Me To The River over Al Green's.

Sorry, Rev.

Unknown said...

William Shatner's cover of Common People by Pulp. not even joking.

Anonymous said...

Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter's version of "El Cerrito Place"

Unknown said...

Whitney Houston's Will always love you. Phil Collins Groovy kind of love

Allie said...

Misty Mountain Hop performed by Linda Perry at Camp Freddy. She made that song her own.

Hugo Pedersen said...

"Slip inside this house" by Primal Scream.

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