Cover Versions

[natalie_1982]

Leading on from my previous question.  Are there any cover versions that you think are better than the original?  And which bad ones really grate on you?

[whattheheck]

Mind you, if you want covers that put a 'different spin' on things, have a listen to anything by Hayseed Dixie - BRILL ! 

[littleoldme]

Yes of course, how could I forget them? Clever name, given whose material they cover, and very well done too.

[cazz218]

well obviously will young's version of The Doors 'Light My Fire' has to be the worst ever.  Poor Jim must have been turning in his grave. The original by The Doors will never ever be equalled - no one should ever cover Jim Morrison!!! The Doors were the best band ever. When the song came out i had a sticker in my car that read 'Get lost Will you ain't ever gonna be Jim Morrison' As for Jose Feliciano & Amy Stewart and all the others who have attempted to cover it - they were all PANTS!!!!

 I'm not a huge fan of cover versions - can't people write their own songs??  having said that i do like Guns n Roses version of the Stones song 'Sympathy for the Devil'.

Cazz

[Recklessnet]

Richie Havens' cover version of Lamont Doziers' "Goin Back To My Roots" is the definitive version. It's been covered several times but none touch the Havens version.

[PhilD]

Agree with littleoldme that cover versions can be better if they are done differently not like the current trend of releasing kareoke versions.

Ones that really grate: I thought G4's version of BoRap was bad till I saw them on GMTV murdering Radiohead's "Creep".

[fishers]

I agree that covers are, on the whole, crap and I don't really agree with them (certainly by poxy manufactured boy bands) but there are some creditable exceptions: 

Whetus' cover of A Little Respect is pretty good.  So too is The Vines' cover of Miss Jackson.  Any thoughts on The Lemonheads' Mrs Robinson??

Finally, and call it sacrilege, but new band, HAL have done a good cover of the Minder theme.  Sorry Dennis!  And while we're on TV themes, The Lightning Seeds' cover (b-side of some single or other) of the Likely Lads is good.

[jamesy boy]

Richard Cheese (geddit?)'s Tango version of Cypress Hill's "Insane In The Brain" beggars belief; better than any other "ironic" cover you've ever heard.

Worst cover is Lemar doing "I believe In A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness, which also beggars belief, but for very different reasons.

[Dom Tuk]

Whitney Houstons cover of 'I will always love you' stands out as better than the original. Hated the recent cover of Pink Floyds 'comfortably numb' by the scissor sisters. Why oh why did you let them do it Floyd. To me all covers done by boy and girl bands are crap. And now we have that Yes number being covered.

[Bob A Job]

For those with Kazaa or limewire download the following

 

• Travis - Baby one more time (Bratney Spears)
• Stereophonics - Angie (stones)
• Stereophonics - Nothing compares 2U (Prince)
• William Shatner - Common People (Pulp)
• Gypsy Kings - Hotel California (Eagles)
• Rolf Harris - Smoke on the water (deep Purple)
• Rolf Harris - Stairway to heaven (Led Zepplin)
• White Stripes - One more cup of coffee (Bob Dylan)

[JackofSpeed]

Hendrix's cover of Dylan's All along the Watchtower - still sends shivers down the spine

[JackofSpeed]

Jimi Hendrix doing Dylan's All along the Watchtower - still sends shivers down the spine - everything (and more) a good cover should be.

Most unusual - The Cardigan's cover of Black Sabbath's Iron Man

Surprisngly good - The Corr's doing Hendrix;s Little Wing!