Iconic songs that shouldn`t be covered by anyone else

[237SJ]

I`m listening to local radio at the mo. That iconic song Boys of Summer by Don Henley is playing but it`s not Don Henley it`s by some girlie. Why do people think they can do better than the original? There are some songs that should just be left alone (It`s My Life by Talk Talk is another one that comes to mind - it`s been tried but not sucessfully)

[granny grump]

stairway to heaven - Led Zepplin - Rolf Harris ????? what was that about

[237SJ]

I agree and I think if someone is going to cover a song they should do it completely differently to the original and put their "take" on it. When they just sing along to the same musical arrangements as the original, they might as well not bother. Maybe they are hoping to cash in on some royalties in the hope that listeners won`t remember the original version.

[Graham-W]

A little help from my friends. Originally Beatles. Much better by Joe Cocker.

[Graham-W]

All along the watchtower. Original by Bob Dylan, pretty good.
Much better by Jimi Hendrix.

[237SJ]

But they did the songs in a completely different way. That`s OK (freedom of artistic expression and all that). I can`t see the point in just covering a song and not changing anything.

[Graham-W]

Respect. Original by Otis Reading. Again, pretty good.
Then listen to Aretha Franklin. Wow.

[rockyracoon]

Rarely are covers better than the originals, there are of course exceptions, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, being one of them, originally by U2, but I prefer The Chimes. That's about it for me. I absolutely agree about Boys Of Summer, one of my favourites (the Don Henleyone) it's actually my ringtone.

[andy-hughes]

It's important to divide songs that you simply like, from songs that are genuinely iconic, and associated for ever with their originators.

Thus - With A Little Help From My Friends can be performed mesmericaly by Jo Cocker, adding an entire new dimension to a classic song - only to be muurdered, resussitaed, and the murdered all over again by Wet Wet Wet.

Granny Grump - Rolf doing Stairway? It's about this -

http://en.wikipedia.o.../The_Money_or_the_Gun

[Jeza]

I will always love you. Written and sung by Dolly Parton.

Covered by Whitney Houston in the film Body Guard. Not a patch on the original.

[puternut]

And yet Jeza, so much more successful sales wise!

[Jeza]

Puternut, I agree with you, but the original was far better in my eyes and ears.

One of my favourite Whitney songs was used in the Seoul Olympic Games.

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

[Ann]

I don't like covers of original songs .......... especially really well known ones.

[ludwig]

Anyone who ever covered a Bob Dylan song probably did it better than him. Great songwriter, not a great performer - IMHO.

[Stephen_G]

It's hardly an iconic song, but the cover version of (The White Stripes) Seven Nation Army, playing on the stereo in the shop where I works, has me tearing my hair out. That and the cover of Many of Horror by Biffy Clyro.

[Mick-Talbot]

None imo

[Mick-Talbot]

Some covers are rubbish some are great . It really is that simple imo

[ummmm]

Anything by pink Floyd should not be covered. Their style is too unique.

[Rohan56]

Technotronik Pump up the jam, not sure whether it's better but it's definitely a great cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k99RBzE04Q

[Mick-Talbot]

Anything by pink Floyd should not be covered. Their style is too unique.

agreed ...but not because of the unique thing ... ;0)

[tonyav]

Down Town Train, crap original but great by Rod Stewart, Tom Traubert's Blues, crap original, but great by Rod Stewart