Author Topic: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals (Read 131657 times)

RigBon1892 · « **Reply #240 on:** May 3, 2009, 03:24:34 am »

Quote from: mike doyle on August 10, 2008, 12:34:57 am

Feeling Good by Muse

Even if I think it's Muse worst studio track, it is still better than the original IMO

Good call...

coffeehead · « **Reply #241 on:** May 3, 2009, 01:14:23 pm »

Quote from: Djimis Telescopic Leg on May 3, 2009, 12:55:02 am

Regardless of the arrangement, for me, Cohen's version is the definitive version. You can practically hear his tongue in his cheek throughout - the whole song is a pisstake. All cover versions I've heard have played the song completely straight, as if it's an epic love song. It isn't.

Well I dunno about pisstake, Cohen seemed obsessed by it, making up new verses all the time. Wasn;t there some musician who mentioned to Cohen that he wanted to cover it only to get home and hundreds of verses spewing out of his fax machine

Cohen seemed far too obsessed by it for it to just be a pisstake. But whatever his intent, his version is far too jangly and jolly for me. Cale's is the definitive.

Quote

Far better than fucking ~~Mariah Carey's~~ Jeff Buckley's overblown take on it anyway. Cale's version's pretty decent.

I know what you mean. The strength of Buckley's is in the guitar-work not the voice

Djimis Telescopic Leg · « **Reply #242 on:** May 3, 2009, 07:22:30 pm »

Quote from: coffeehead on May 3, 2009, 01:14:23 pm

Well I dunno about pisstake, Cohen seemed obsessed by it, making up new verses all the time. Wasn;t there some musician who mentioned to Cohen that he wanted to cover it only to get home and hundreds of verses spewing out of his fax machine

Cohen seemed far too obsessed by it for it to just be a pisstake. But whatever his intent, his version is far too jangly and jolly for me. Cale's is the definitive.
I know what you mean. The strength of Buckley's is in the guitar-work not the voice

Perhaps 'pisstake' is the wrong term, but I always got the impression from his delivery, and the lyrics, that he was intentionally mocking someone.

Pretty sure it was Cale he faxed all 100+ verses too.

Baraka · « **Reply #243 on:** May 3, 2009, 09:21:16 pm »

goldfinger- 99 Red Balloons

always thought this is better than the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYIlgRg9TY

Illmatic · « **Reply #244 on:** May 4, 2009, 01:20:17 pm »

Quote from: The Manhattan Project on August 12, 2008, 02:27:29 pm

All Saints version of "Under The Bridge" was better than the Chilli Peppers version, IMO.

No way!

Raul! · « **Reply #245 on:** May 4, 2009, 01:56:19 pm »

Quote from: Southern Pansy on October 15, 2007, 01:38:33 pm

"Mad World" - the Gary Jules cover is just better than the Tears for Fears version.

There is a kid on the current American Idol - Adam Lambert - who did an amazing version of Mad World this season. He sort of covers the Gary Jules version.

Also, there's a fabulous series called La Musique de Paris Derniere which has some unlikely but often very interesting and at times down right outstanding covers. They are 6 volumes.

Check it out!

RigBon1892 · « **Reply #246 on:** May 4, 2009, 02:00:59 pm »

I have to admit, I do like Travis' "Baby one more time" and Snow Patrol's "Crazy in Love"

oojason · « **Reply #247 on:** May 4, 2009, 02:50:49 pm »

Manics acoustic version of Umbrella (I never want to hear Rihanna sing that song again)

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

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDxBXNqWorY for a different take on it

Rafadagaffer · « **Reply #248 on:** May 4, 2009, 02:52:14 pm »

Any cover by Johnny Cash is better than the original

Corkboy · « **Reply #249 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:35:09 am »

Quote from: Dread Breath on October 21, 2007, 03:09:14 pm

I bloody well hope you didn't listen to the original via youtube.

Perhaps you and I have different musical tastes.....I have to admit while I wouldn't go out of my way to hurt, maim or injure Norah Jones, if she was standing in the middle of the road I wouldn't swerve.

Let's see, a musical, MOR lightweight with zero artistic integrity compared to a genre defining artist whose searing brilliance has influenced thousands of others.

It is over 50 years since Hank Williams death and people are still covering his songs......including Norah Jones. If anyone is covering Norah Jones five years after her death, whether she is run over or not, I will be extremely surprised

At least she has some taste in music.

Sorry to divert the thread, but this was the closest reference I could find to Norah Jones. Here she is on Sesame Street.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/FEzxchU4RUY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/FEzxchU4RUY</a>

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #250 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:38:18 am »

love this

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/wUBTy_8jO1s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/wUBTy_8jO1s</a>

Phil M · « **Reply #251 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:42:19 am »

Quote from: oojason on May 4, 2009, 02:50:49 pm

Manics acoustic version of Umbrella (I never want to hear Rihanna sing that song again)

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

Great shout, to make that sound decent took some doing.

Corkboy · « **Reply #252 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:49:26 am »

Quote from: The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society on May 17, 2009, 12:38:18 am

love this

Quote from: Phil M on May 17, 2009, 12:42:19 am

Great shout, to make that sound decent took some doing.

But, Norah is so...cute.

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #253 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:56:12 am »

Quote from: corkboy on May 17, 2009, 12:49:26 am

But, Norah is so...cute.

yeah but this is the coolest ever, the godfather of hardcore pens an educational kids song, nothing cooler in my book... and catchy as fuck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6tRtripqgA

Corkboy · « **Reply #254 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:07:18 am »

Quote from: The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society on May 17, 2009, 12:56:12 am

yeah but this is the coolest ever, the godfather of hardcore pens an educational kids song, nothing cooler in my book... and catchy as fuck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6tRtripqgA

That was magnificent! Who are they?

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #255 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:17:51 am »

Quote from: corkboy on May 17, 2009, 01:07:18 am

That was magnificent! Who are they?

It's The Evens, new-ish band of Ian Mackaye; who brought us Minor Threat and Fugazi.

Minor Threat - Minor Threat

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iaOzbsv2ZB0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/iaOzbsv2ZB0</a>

Fugazi - Waiting Room

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/cMOAXm94VWo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/cMOAXm94VWo</a>

Corkboy · « **Reply #256 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:35:38 am »

Quote from: The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society on May 17, 2009, 01:17:51 am

It's The Evens, new-ish band of Ian Mackaye; who brought us Minor Threat and Fugazi.

Thanks, Bill, but if that's the best they've got, I'll stick with Sesame Street. Not ma thang.

Red_Isle_Chap · « **Reply #257 on:** May 17, 2009, 07:27:11 am »

Snuff's version of "I think we're alone now" which was originally done by Tiffany is vastly superior. In fact any cover that they do is vastly superior to the origional. All except their version of purple haze which whilst being hilarious was actually rubbish!

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #258 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:59:19 am »

Quote from: Red_Isle_Chap on May 17, 2009, 07:27:11 am

Snuff's version of "I think we're alone now" which was originally done by Tiffany is vastly superior. In fact any cover that they do is vastly superior to the origional. All except their version of purple haze which whilst being hilarious was actually rubbish!

I love Purple Haze to be honest

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #259 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:04:02 am »

gotta love this as well... more of a collaboration than a cover though, still fucking boss

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/SVxszUSl_7Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/SVxszUSl_7Y</a>

Tom Illi · « **Reply #260 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:04:20 am »

Jamelia's version of Numb in the live lounge is boss.

scousepower · « **Reply #261 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:09:12 am »

johnny cash-hurt

Kopite Tom · « **Reply #262 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:14:48 pm »

Jimmi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower

Slightly Less Mediocre Baron Bennekov · « **Reply #263 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:31:23 pm »

Quote from: coffeehead on April 29, 2009, 09:33:40 pm

What about Korn's version?

Not the biggest KoRn fan in the world. I think their version is not as "funky" as the G.U.N version... A bit subjective but still...

coct3au · « **Reply #264 on:** May 26, 2009, 11:55:12 am »

Quote from: Baraka on May 3, 2009, 09:21:16 pm

goldfinger- 99 Red Balloons

always thought this is better than the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYIlgRg9TY

Mega-wrongness for the earlier "Hounds of Love" and "It's My Life" suggestions!

However, the Glen Campbell mention brought to mind his cover of Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPpJT3QRRnk - not a song I was overly fond of, but would definitely feel more 'right' if this was the original, and Green Day was the inferior cover (I suppose because that's the way it usually happens...)

I'm not sure I've ever heard Billy Bragg's original album version of "A New England" but I'd still be willing to bet it can't be as good as Kirsty MacColl's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fwtFSEovro

And, on the subject of the quoted post: despite loving Peter, Bjorn and John's Young Folks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51V1VMkuyx0 I offer the possibility that Nena's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbMYEPecCqY is even better.

Red in Korea · « **Reply #265 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:15:07 pm »

Quote from: Red_Isle_Chap on May 17, 2009, 07:27:11 am

Snuff's version of "I think we're alone now" which was originally done by Tiffany is vastly superior. In fact any cover that they do is vastly superior to the origional. All except their version of purple haze which whilst being hilarious was actually rubbish!

Their version of "Shake and Vac" was boss!

nicholasanthony · « **Reply #266 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:23:26 pm »

Obadiah Parker - Hey Ya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA_AM

Buck Pete · « **Reply #267 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:39:56 pm »

Quiet Riots version of Cum on Feel the Noize
Motley Crues version of Smokin' in the boys room

80's Hair metal rocks!!!!

SamAteTheRedAcid · « **Reply #268 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:32:08 am »

Quote from: mike doyle on August 10, 2008, 12:34:57 am

Feeling Good by Muse

Even if I think it's Muse worst studio track, it is still better than the original IMO

Better than the original at being totally shite perhaps. Horrible band murder a classic tune. Special other terrible covers mention goes to that bloke covering Massive Attack's Angel. Disgusting - just because he's playing it on an acoustic guitar doesn't make it soulful, just like all the 'ironic' pop covers don't reveal 'It's a great song underneath' just because there IS a song beneath it all. Used to hate going open mic nights and hearing S Club 7 and Britney Spears, just bollocks IMO.

For me, I like:

Dark End Of The Street - Flying Burrito Brothers (James Carr's original is good, but love Gram's voice)
Stop Breaking Down - The Rolling Stones (more melodic and grooving than Robert Johnson's original)
Slippin' & Slidin' - The Band
Baby Please Don't Go - Them
Greensleeves - Neil Young (can't say I have the original, but better than an ice cream van!!!)
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Light My Fire - Erma Franklin (possibly controversial...)
Me & Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
My Little Red Book - Love

oh, and another terrible one - After The Goldrush by the Flaming Lips - love them usually, but remember putting this on and thinking 'How did Wayne Coyne manage to sing SO out of tune?'

and to prove I'm not entirely stuck in the 60's, M. Ward's version of Buddy Holly's Rave On on his latest LP Hold Time is slow and fabulous.

Tom Illi · « **Reply #269 on:** May 28, 2009, 09:03:22 am »

Quote from: nicholasanthony on May 26, 2009, 02:23:26 pm

Obadiah Parker - Hey Ya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA_AM

Brilliant nice one for that mate.

nicholasanthony · « **Reply #270 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:29:44 pm »

Quote from: RedBabs on May 28, 2009, 09:03:22 am

Brilliant nice one for that mate.

Think so too. Read somewhere the version of it in Scrubs was a cover of this version.

This one is not really a different version but its one i definitely prefer to the original.
The Fugees- Killing Me Softly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr2RKy0jAHs

you gotta love Lauren

Filler. · « **Reply #271 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:50:58 pm »

Maybe not better than the original exactly... but this is a damn fine effort! Just click it and enjoy the intro if nothing else... Joy Division's 'Transmission' by Steel Harmony.. part of the Manc festival bit organised by Jeremy Deller.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Mm6ycEz2A8&hl=en&fs=1&" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/7Mm6ycEz2A8&hl=en&fs=1&</a>

Dr Cornwallis · « **Reply #272 on:** August 15, 2009, 08:02:02 pm »

Jolene - covered by the White Stripes

Any song that William Shatner covers...

Fucking rocketman by Elton John covered by Cap'n Kirk, unbeliavable...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE

Songs to Sing · « **Reply #273 on:** August 15, 2009, 08:14:57 pm »

Paolo Nutini - Crazy

Fantastic

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

NatD · « **Reply #274 on:** August 17, 2009, 07:10:23 am »

Alanis Morissette - Crazy (much better than the Seal version IMO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4APCNbGIc0s

PS - the album version is much better, but can't find it on Youtube!!!

DanFromMars · « **Reply #275 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:34:48 pm »

The wonder of you - Elvis

Rusty Oysterburger · « **Reply #276 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:56:23 pm »

I heard this on the radio today and was pleasantly surprised

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22pR2yeff1A&feature=PlayList&p=C90F59D66BC1F10E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

NatD · « **Reply #277 on:** August 17, 2009, 09:19:45 pm »

Quote from: Rusty Oysterburger on August 17, 2009, 06:56:23 pm

I heard this on the radio today and was pleasantly surprised

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22pR2yeff1A&feature=PlayList&p=C90F59D66BC1F10E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

Nice, but to be honest with you, you can't really go wrong with it can you? All you need is Good vocals, and a decent acoustic guitar. However, I am liking the Glen Campbell country twist though....!

hassinator · « **Reply #278 on:** August 17, 2009, 11:52:04 pm »

this is a pretty much sensational cover of 'toxic' by yael naim. it actually makes you realise what a great song it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5pP55u9s10

Bangers N Masch · « **Reply #279 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:04:16 am »

Muse - Feeling Good.