Author Topic: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals  (Read 130495 times)

Offline Rorus

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #120 on: October 28, 2007, 12:27:10 am »

Anyway I'll venture Stevie Wonder - We Can Work it Out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA5nboJWgZY

God made Stevie blind so as to stop him from killing us all stone dead with his sheer talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX5v-S_jGD4

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Offline Dread Breath

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #121 on: October 28, 2007, 12:29:48 am »
Sorry Corkboy. I know there's nothing worse than some outsider muscling in on a private[ish] discourse but that it is one mighty fine right from the heart riposte from Red Death.

 ;D

The phrase "putting things in perspective" comes to mind.

BTW isn't Nora Jones the daughter of Ravi Shankar? Or is it Nat King Cole? Andy Cole?

 ??? ;D

My fourpennyworth on Hank Williams. One of the greatest songwriters that ever lived, quite apart from his performance attributes.

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Offline John C

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #122 on: October 29, 2007, 09:13:28 pm »
Has anyone Ray LaMontagne's version of Crazy? Original by Gnarles Barkley.
Why? do you want it? Nice acoustics.

Offline Garstonite

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #123 on: October 29, 2007, 09:14:55 pm »
No, I've got it mate. Class don't you think? Love Ray.

Offline John C

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #124 on: October 29, 2007, 09:15:53 pm »
I've got a version of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me off My Feet" which is superb and I ain't got a clue who sang it. Male with a sweet voice.

Offline John C

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #125 on: October 29, 2007, 09:21:07 pm »
No, I've got it mate. Class don't you think? Love Ray.
Don't know a lot about him to be honest but I like acoustic (and mix) versions of any song. Anything that makes a song different or even funky. Must have got that off the DVD's that go round. Very impressive version. In fact it makes Barkley's version corny.

Offline Zeppelin

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #126 on: October 30, 2007, 01:11:42 pm »

Killing Me Softly by The Fugees is better than the original.

God, I hate that version - the girl singing has a good voice, but I keep expecting her to turn round and tell the irritating sod grunting 'one time' etc etc to shut the fuck up when I'm singing!

Offline macc

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #127 on: October 30, 2007, 01:21:05 pm »
Embrace singing D-12's 'How Come' (Radio One Live Lounge)

Brilliant.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2007, 01:24:16 pm by macc »
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Offline Balance

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #128 on: October 30, 2007, 01:23:45 pm »
Anyone said Brown Eyed Girl by Everclear yet? Modern production methods and equipment help, of course, but it's still better than Van Morrison if you ask me...
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Offline Zeppelin

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #129 on: October 30, 2007, 01:27:13 pm »
Anyone said Brown Eyed Girl by Everclear yet? Modern production methods and equipment help, of course, but it's still better than Van Morrison if you ask me...

Burn the heretic!!!! Better than Van! I think not.


Here's an interesting take on cover versions - Richard Thompson was one of a number of artists asked by Playboy
to compile his list of the 'Best songs of the millennium' back in 1999 - he took them at their word and produced
a list that included songs going back to 1200 AD! He never heard from them again!!
Instead he decided to take his list of songs on the road as '1000 years of popular music'- This is the tracklist
of the officially released DVD of the show, although some of the setlist did vary from show to show

1. Sumer Is Icumen In
2. King Henry V and his conquest of France
3. So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo
4. Bonnie St Johnstone
5. O Sleep Fond Fancy
6. Remember O Thou Man
7. Shenandoah
8. Blackleg Miner
9. I Live In Trafalgar Square
10. There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
11. Java Jive
12. Night And Day
13. Orange Coloured Sky
14. Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
15. A-11
16. See My Friends
17. Friday On My Mind
18. Tempted
19. Oops! I Did It Again
20. Cry Me A River
21. 1985
22. Sam Hall

I can't really be sure if his version of 'Sumer is icumen in' is better than the original though!!

Offline Balance

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #130 on: October 30, 2007, 01:39:40 pm »
Burn the heretic!!!! Better than Van! I think not.

Well it's all about which one you hear first, isn't it? ;) So much is about nostalgia, especially when the song in question is about nostalgia...

Here's an interesting take on cover versions - Richard Thompson was one of a number of artists asked by Playboy
to compile his list of the 'Best songs of the millennium' back in 1999 - he took them at their word and produced
a list that included songs going back to 1200 AD! He never heard from them again!!
Instead he decided to take his list of songs on the road as '1000 years of popular music'- This is the tracklist
of the officially released DVD of the show, although some of the setlist did vary from show to show

1. Sumer Is Icumen In
2. King Henry V and his conquest of France
3. So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo
4. Bonnie St Johnstone
5. O Sleep Fond Fancy
6. Remember O Thou Man
7. Shenandoah
8. Blackleg Miner
9. I Live In Trafalgar Square
10. There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
11. Java Jive
12. Night And Day
13. Orange Coloured Sky
14. Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
15. A-11
16. See My Friends
17. Friday On My Mind
18. Tempted
19. Oops! I Did It Again
20. Cry Me A River
21. 1985
22. Sam Hall

I can't really be sure if his version of 'Sumer is icumen in' is better than the original though!!


Good to see "Oops! I Did it Again" getting the recognition it deserves.
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Offline Cochise

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #131 on: October 30, 2007, 01:43:02 pm »
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Offline FlashingBlade

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #132 on: October 31, 2007, 11:09:38 am »
Now you're confusing me.  My Gloria Jones version is on a Northern Soul compilation.


yeah! I can understand ,for many years I thought it was her too...then I heard the original on the Radio and the DJ saying thats the song GJ covered and had ( a Northern Soul and pop ) hit with..either way all the versions are boss!!

Offline Veinticinco de Mayo

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #133 on: October 31, 2007, 11:21:52 am »
yeah! I can understand ,for many years I thought it was her too...then I heard the original on the Radio and the DJ saying thats the song GJ covered and had ( a Northern Soul and pop ) hit with..either way all the versions are boss!!

Ach!  I'm going to have to hunt the missing original version down now.
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Offline voronin_is_ghod

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #134 on: October 31, 2007, 11:34:15 am »
matt pond pa - champagne supernova
damien rice - creep
maroon 5 - dont look back in anger
linkin park - dust in the wind

not all nescessary better everyone has diff music tastes these are just versions i prefer of said songs

obvious ones are the cash's hurt and jeffs hallelujah




on a lighter side ..the gorilla in the cadburys advert does a great cover of in the air tonight doncha think? :D

Offline Slightly Less Mediocre Baron Bennekov

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #135 on: November 5, 2007, 11:28:13 pm »
These ones rule:
Word up - GUN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VlSE4OpKDU
Ring of fire - Social Distortion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i2ESgR0FUM
You're so vain - Chocolate Starfish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbBw_qhzXAw
I only wanna be with you - Volbeat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts19Nn-xyGs'


Offline TipTopKop

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #136 on: November 6, 2007, 06:30:03 am »
I Started a Joke - cover by Wallflowers
(original Bee Gees, it's on the Zoolander soundtrack)

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Offline StevieG26

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #137 on: November 6, 2007, 09:34:25 am »
Youre only saying that because noones done a Coldplay/James Blunt cover ;)

Actually Coldplay have done a lot of covers, one of which should've been a Johnny Cash song. But I still think it would've sounded better with Cash.

I don't know what it is but I always prefer the originals to covers.
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Offline hooded claw

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #138 on: November 6, 2007, 09:59:21 am »
Actually Coldplay have done a lot of covers, one of which should've been a Johnny Cash song. But I still think it would've sounded better with Cash.


One of the great missed moments, that. What a song he would have made of it.

Offline Ben_JP

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #139 on: November 6, 2007, 10:08:54 am »
Lily Allen's cover of 'Everybody's Changing' is pretty cool. Definitely prefer it to the original.
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Offline Red in Korea

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #140 on: November 9, 2007, 11:16:50 pm »
Has anyone Ray LaMontagne's version of Crazy? Original by Gnarles Barkley.

Thought Cat Power's version was the best.
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Offline Red in Korea

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #141 on: November 9, 2007, 11:21:06 pm »
Charlotte Martin hs just done a covers album and there are some very interesting ones in there. SLC featured on in his latest comp. Tracklisting:

Angel (Massive Attack)
Obstacle 1 (Interpol)
Constant Craving (k.d. lang)
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town (Pearl Jam)
Chocolate (Snow Patrol)
Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order)
Cherry-Coloured Funk (Cocteau Twins)
I Am Stretched Out On Your Grave (Sinéad O'Connor)
Urge For Going (Joni Mitchell)
Just Like Heaven (The Cure)
Song To The Siren (Tim Buckley)
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Offline MBL?

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #142 on: November 10, 2007, 12:10:56 am »
Here's two.

Alien Ant Farm: Smooth Criminal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxeNZOLNh4c
That in its self is criminal.

Whiskey In The Jar: Thin Lizzy. One of my all time favourites 

Offline polared

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #143 on: November 10, 2007, 11:39:06 am »

sorry boys your both wrong Gloria Jones had a hit ( a tree!) with it ( sorry about that!) ...but the original was a Northern Soul tune , and who sang it, has escaped my alcohol fulled post derby win brain!


sorry mate, BUT, gloria jones DID sing the original version of the song, recorded 1964, and this is the most popular version on the northern scene by far. the version you're probably getting confused with is the ruth swann version which wasn't recorded until 1975, to cash in on the popularity of the northern scene at that time (it was released on the spark label), it is this version though that started the double clap trend as it is this version that introduces the horn blast i.e after "i've got to ... CLAP, CLAP, get away"

gloria jones version http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=NSehtaY6k1U

ruth swann version http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXouBshUL8

anyways, back to the original thread, for me any cover version laibach do is usually better than the original.
« Last Edit: November 10, 2007, 12:02:59 pm by polared »
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Offline BCCC

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #144 on: June 6, 2008, 10:55:08 pm »

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Offline Learpholl

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #145 on: June 7, 2008, 01:48:39 am »
Embrace - How Come (Eminem)
Four Day Hombre/Hope & Social - Pay For What You Get (Dave Matthew's Band)
David Ford - Everybody Knows (Leonard Cohen)
David Ford - There Is A Light (Smiths)
Stereophonics - Don't Let Me Down (Beatles)
Easyworld - Hopelessly Devoted To You (Olivia Newton John)

Offline Dan86

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #146 on: June 7, 2008, 04:11:51 am »
Like a Rolling Stone from live album Jimi Plays Monterey, fantastic tune.
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Offline Djibriliant

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #147 on: June 7, 2008, 02:20:58 pm »
I don't know whether it is as good as the original but Keane did a good cover of Under Pressure (Queen) for Radio 1. I think the Kooks did - All she wants, which was good too
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Offline A Day 2 Remember

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #148 on: June 7, 2008, 02:54:25 pm »
Brown Girl In the Ring - The Wiggles.
5th times a charm

I want to read about a Welshman reclaiming our Kop and over engineering songs we have nicked. Priorities guys

Offline Zizou

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #149 on: June 7, 2008, 07:01:41 pm »
It's been mentioned on pages past, but the one that stands out for me is Jimi Hedrix version of All Along The Watchtower.

Offline deadlybuzz

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #150 on: June 8, 2008, 01:52:21 am »
You Sexy Thing sung by the Stereophonics is a good one I've heard lately.
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Offline RJH

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #151 on: June 8, 2008, 02:32:45 am »
A few random ones I thought of:
Futureheads - Hounds of Love
The Who - Summertime Blues
Buddy Holly  - Bo Diddley
The Animals - House of the Rising Sun.  - (though it it doesnt exactl have an "original")

And one I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet:
Gerry and the Pacemakers - You'll Never Walk Alone

Offline Oingy Boingy

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #152 on: June 8, 2008, 03:11:11 am »
Girls aloud and the Sugababes cover of "walk this way" by Run Dmc is fantastic
Indeed...

Offline kingmonkey007

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #153 on: June 8, 2008, 10:53:44 am »
Girls aloud and the Sugababes cover of "walk this way" by Run Dmc is fantastic

Just like Limp Bizkit's cover of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes".





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Offline deadlybuzz

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #154 on: June 8, 2008, 11:15:56 am »
Wild Horses - The Sundays is also a good one.
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Offline Jin

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #155 on: June 8, 2008, 12:18:01 pm »
I wouldnt say it's better than the original by Robert Johnson, by the Stones' version of Love in Vain is incredible. Those extra chords really make it

Offline redchiz

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #156 on: June 9, 2008, 12:08:31 pm »
She's A Rainbow, World Of Twist. Re-popularised the old Stones song long before SONY TV thought of doing it!
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Offline Veinticinco de Mayo

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #157 on: June 9, 2008, 12:12:08 pm »
She's A Rainbow, World Of Twist. Re-popularised the old Stones song long before SONY TV thought of doing it!

World of Twist.  Now there's a welcome blast from the past.  Brought a smile to my face just thinking about them.
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Offline redchiz

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #158 on: June 9, 2008, 12:13:56 pm »
World of Twist.  Now there's a welcome blast from the past.  Brought a smile to my face just thinking about them.
Glad to be of service! :wave
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Offline Djibriliant

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Re: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals
« Reply #159 on: June 12, 2008, 10:56:37 am »
Bryan Adams - Sgt Pepper
He wasn't perfect, he made mistakes. But he was genuine. He had the best interests of the club at heart, and gave us a plethora of successful teams that we should have been thankful for.