Cover songs

[cpmcmahon]

Are there any cover songs better than the original?

[buyrite]

IMHO the best cover version of any song is 'With a Little Help From my Friends". The cover, by Joe Cocker, is a gigantic pop classic. I think it is light years better than the Beatles original with Ringo Starr doing the vocals. 'Simple Game' by the Four Tops is better than the original, as well.

[mozzer]

Hendrix's version of 'All Along The Watchtower' beats Dylan's original, in my book. It's said that Dylan agrees!
While we're on the subject, isn't it time the music industry stopped calling things like Westlife's 'Uptown Girl' a 'cover version'? The point of a cover version is (or was) to add something to, reinterpret, etc, the original. Westlife's version of 'Uptown Girl', like loads of other recent 'covers', was little more than karaoke, really. Most annoying (and pointless, except as a money-making exercise, albeit for a decent cause for once!)

[Lord Panda]

I'm with mozzer on the definition. For that reason, I'll nominate Sinatra's live version of 'Mack the Knife' [on the 'My Way' compilation] the Wedding Present's take on another Beatles classic, 'Getting Better' and Dinosaur Jr's rampage through the Cure's 'Just Like Heaven'.

[JanT]

Without a doubt Madonna's version of American Pie is better than the original.

[Alison Moran]

Lord Panda - have you nicked my record collection? I assume you also think that Echo and the Bunnymen did a far superior version of The Doors' 'People Are Strange' and Siouxsie and the Banshees added a little something to 'Dear Prudence'.

[hexic]

Tainted Love by Soft Cell is far better than the Gloria Jones original

[DaveyBoy P]

And Marilyn Mansons version is better than Soft Cells! Other better covers include Where the Streets know my name (Pet Shop Boys is better than weedy U2 original, but not many agree with me on this) and Easy (like Sunday Morning) by Faith No More, rather than the Commodores. Also only the insane or deaf would go for Dolly Partons 'I will always love you' over Whitney Houstons version.

[mikewith]

The Beat's Can't Get Used To Losing You and Fine Young Cannibal's Suspicious Minds are at least as good as if not better than the originals, and the originals were pretty good!