Author Topic: Cover Versions that are better than the Originals (Read 132540 times)

Julio · « **Reply #320 on:** January 11, 2010, 04:23:41 pm »

Flicking around the channels last Friday night and came across this show called ...Sings Elvis on BBC4.
Was a bit sceptical, to say the least, when the first performer out there was Cliff fucking Richard but to be fair to him, he bashed off a mean version of Heartbreak Hotel. Got me thinking about great covers.
Here's one to start off:

John Cale - from the same show - singing an incredibly creepy, brilliant version of Heartbreak Hotel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au8D6gZbLAo

What are your picks? Doesn't have to be Elvis either

Mods, apologies if this is elsewhere by the way. Couldn't find a similar thread

ben138 · « **Reply #321 on:** January 11, 2010, 10:11:59 pm »

punk bands covering ska/reggae tunes:

Bob Marley's Johnny Was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIoeuWizSoo
covered with new lyrics by Stiff Little Fingers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA1WZI58nkM

The Specials' Doesnt Make It Alright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLMQUI_pJbw
again by SLF.... still a live favourite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF_NH3Abyes

Toots and the Maytals' Pressure Drop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eATaV2umnEs
by the Clash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyv16mZakVE

not that there's much wrong with the originals

jackh · « **Reply #322 on:** January 11, 2010, 10:17:11 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQHNEOIhZA
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Red_Isle_Chap · « **Reply #323 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:14:32 am »

Karma to Burn's version of 24 hours was excellent. Still, not a patch on the Joy Division original, but well worth a mention

Frog · « **Reply #324 on:** January 12, 2010, 10:02:30 am »

I realize that Cash's version of Hurt is good and most people will say it's better than Trent's version, but I respectfully disagree.

It's mostly about context, though. I don't think that the song can be taken out of the context of The Downward Spiral.

But seriously, the best cover version of a song is Tool's version of No Quarter from Led Zeppelin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdQGSykj6vo

Mr Mojo Risin' · « **Reply #325 on:** January 12, 2010, 10:10:38 am »

I've trawled through 9 pages and hopefully i haven't missed it, but

THE XX version of TEARDROPS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrVgCCUQ3fQ

beautiful

sinnermichael · « **Reply #326 on:** January 15, 2010, 04:07:20 pm »

Programme on BBC2 tonight featuring classic and curious covers of the Beatles in the BBC archives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ml7p5

Art Vandelay · « **Reply #327 on:** January 15, 2010, 06:27:10 pm »

Probably already on here (and probably posted by me), but I really like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRmYfVCH2UA

Corkboy · « **Reply #328 on:** January 15, 2010, 11:23:37 pm »

Anyone who replies to this using the words "Hank" or "Williams" can suck my balls.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/g35zS1tVO3o" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/g35zS1tVO3o</a>

Super MAC · « **Reply #329 on:** January 15, 2010, 11:57:41 pm »

scala & kolacny brothers version of depeche mode's dream on...spine tingling when played at full blast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsUB3__ukik

spanishscouse · « **Reply #330 on:** January 18, 2010, 09:06:20 pm »

I would say every single song Jimi Hendrix covered he bettered the original:

Johnny B Goode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEK_HKolscM

All Allong the Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qTXRkAKr8

Like a Rolling Stone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYwZ8I8wOGA

Wild Thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UNZL-NzA7A (the original was gobshite anyway)

gomez · « **Reply #331 on:** January 18, 2010, 09:27:14 pm »

Quote from: Mr Mojo Risin' on January 12, 2010, 10:10:38 am

I've trawled through 9 pages and hopefully i haven't missed it, but

THE XX version of TEARDROPS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrVgCCUQ3fQ

beautiful

Superb that, surprised it wasnt on the album.

hassinator · « **Reply #332 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:22:55 pm »

eastenders mike read did this pretty much unbelievable cover of adrian celentano 70s italian nonsense hit 'prisencolinensinainciusol'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoI3hxRREco

this was big on balearic dancefloors a couple of summers ago with a firing greg wilson re-edit.

and here's a peep at two earlier videos for the original track spliced together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcUi6UEQh00

great video. the big tough looking lady that comes in singing the bass line is actually his mrs.

hassinator · « **Reply #333 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:23:50 pm »

this is pretty special too. frankie howerd and june whitfield covering the serge gainsbourg classic 'je t'aime'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzOsUAPZGn8

pascoli · « **Reply #334 on:** January 19, 2010, 01:11:58 pm »

Quote from: stmichael on January 15, 2010, 04:07:20 pm

Programme on BBC2 tonight featuring classic and curious covers of the Beatles in the BBC archives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ml7p5

Came in here to mention that.

Joe Cockers "A little help from my friends" was absolutely spectacular.

Zeppelin · « **Reply #335 on:** January 19, 2010, 01:32:39 pm »

Bad Shepherds - 'Down in a tube station at midnight'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ-wd4_16SY

Octavia Sperati - 'Don't believe a word'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1YWBF_yvDY

Richard Thompson = 'Oops! I did it again'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltjzSEuIT2Y

Turisas - 'Rasputin'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdkBs0VCSX0

Bob Dylan - 'Something' - Liverpool Echo Arena, 1st May 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdkBs0VCSX0

Peter Sellers - 'Hard days night'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEMncv140s

hassinator · « **Reply #336 on:** January 19, 2010, 01:56:01 pm »

Quote from: pascoli on January 19, 2010, 01:11:58 pm

Came in here to mention that.

Joe Cockers "A little help from my friends" was absolutely spectacular.

there's a soul version of 'eleanor rigby' sung by an afro-american woman my mate nic keeps playing - do you know if that's included?

forgive me as i can't remember the artist but its superb

sinnermichael · « **Reply #337 on:** January 19, 2010, 02:04:07 pm »

Quote from: hassinator on January 19, 2010, 01:56:01 pm

there's a soul version of 'eleanor rigby' sung by an afro-american woman my mate nic keeps playing - do you know if that's included?

forgive me as i can't remember the artist but its superb

not sure but the programme is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ml7p5/..._Sings_the_Beatles/

hassinator · « **Reply #338 on:** January 19, 2010, 02:29:13 pm »

Quote from: stmichael on January 19, 2010, 02:04:07 pm

not sure but the programme is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ml7p5/..._Sings_the_Beatles/

nice one. great show. thank you sir

Art Vandelay · « **Reply #339 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:12:24 pm »

Quote from: hassinator on January 19, 2010, 01:56:01 pm

there's a soul version of 'eleanor rigby' sung by an afro-american woman my mate nic keeps playing - do you know if that's included?

forgive me as i can't remember the artist but its superb

Is it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhHzIH9W9Sc

Cochise · « **Reply #340 on:** January 20, 2010, 02:59:05 pm »

Love this.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjT86g9gTKk&feature/related" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/rjT86g9gTKk&feature/related</a>

Corkboy · « **Reply #341 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:06:30 pm »

Quote from: Freezing Cold on January 20, 2010, 02:59:05 pm

Love this.

It is very nice. Better than the original, though?

Filler. · « **Reply #342 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:14:58 pm »

I've got a great album by a Latin American band called Senor Coconut, called El Baile Alemán (wiki)...

... it's an album of cover versions of Kraftwerk songs in a Latin American style. The whole thing is glorious, and although no tune can be said to better the originals, their version of Tour de France gives it a run for its money.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9umMKbSuQiU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/9umMKbSuQiU&hl=en_US&fs=1&</a>

Cochise · « **Reply #343 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:41:40 pm »

Quote from: corkboy on January 20, 2010, 03:06:30 pm

It is very nice. Better than the original, though?

Probably not but couldn't find just a Cover thread. Boss though.

NineTails20 · « **Reply #344 on:** January 20, 2010, 09:25:09 pm »

Johnny Cash's cover of Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nehoakn-LbE

toomanysteves · « **Reply #345 on:** January 20, 2010, 11:02:07 pm »

Normally i would say steer clear of covering certain bands. Top of that list would be Bon Scott era ACDC. but check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5gEOCGZJXM

Lemmy doing it's a long way to the top. driving bass. pure class.

hooded claw · « **Reply #346 on:** January 21, 2010, 10:21:53 am »

Quote from: hassinator on January 19, 2010, 12:23:50 pm

this is pretty special too. frankie howerd and june whitfield covering the serge gainsbourg classic 'je t'aime'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzOsUAPZGn8

That is superb! I'm a massive Frankie fan, but had never heard that before now. Thank you.

IfOnlyYouKnew · « **Reply #347 on:** January 22, 2010, 10:34:29 am »

Quote from: MBE on October 15, 2007, 08:20:56 am

Might be sacreligious but I prefer Elton John's Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds to the Beatles' version.

So sue me!

So sue me!

Mmmm. It's not sueing you need! It's a bloody good talkin' to!

Whilst we're on the subject ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that The Beatles covered in the early years was better than the original. Nobody thinks of Twist and Shout was a "Russel & Medley" song do they!?

Learpholl · « **Reply #348 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:49:32 pm »

Quote from: jackh on January 11, 2010, 10:17:11 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQHNEOIhZA
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

I raise you the David Ford version of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEhpjoz68hY

Just piano and his amazing voice

hooded claw · « **Reply #349 on:** February 1, 2010, 02:17:09 pm »

I tend to oscillate wildly between preferring one over the other, but the Cash version of 'I See A Darkness' is just edging out Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's orginal. Today, anyway. I'll have changed my mind by tomorrow.

macca888 · « **Reply #350 on:** February 2, 2010, 02:06:51 am »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/4xHl-P_arVA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/4xHl-P_arVA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&</a>

My particular favourite cover ever although Placebo's "Where Is My Mind"Pixies' cover (thanks Phil M for helping me find that one!

) is another one I love. The final "Shiver the whole night through" at 4:30 is still probably the most hauntingly sung line I've ever heard.

And probably the greatest ever duet cover - Tom Hicks and Maggie May sing You're The One That I Want (Oh shite, sorry Maggie you know I love ya

)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/x_MSi0MhM_c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/x_MSi0MhM_c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&</a>

Paul JH · « **Reply #351 on:** February 2, 2010, 02:05:56 pm »

Placebo - Running up that Hill.

Dread Breath · « **Reply #352 on:** February 2, 2010, 02:56:49 pm »

John Fogerty's LP of last year, The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again, feature some brilliant cover versions, with Bruce Springsteen and Don Henley among others who guest on the LP. The playing is absolutely top-notch, guaranteed to have you singing along. The cover of Haunted House in this live vid features the great Buddy Miller on geeeetarr:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdciJwXN9Ak

macca888 · « **Reply #353 on:** February 3, 2010, 10:51:26 am »

Quote from: Filler. on January 20, 2010, 03:14:58 pm

I've got a great album by a Latin American band called Senor Coconut, called El Baile Alemán (wiki)...

... it's an album of cover versions of Kraftwerk songs in a Latin American style. The whole thing is glorious, and although no tune can be said to better the originals, their version of Tour de France gives it a run for its money.

I very nearly choked then Filler

sinnermichael · « **Reply #354 on:** February 3, 2010, 03:03:23 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPT8gqmcqlk

iamnant · « **Reply #355 on:** February 8, 2010, 12:22:21 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb0_zPvH2a4

I don't actually think it's better than the original, but this is what doling a cover is all about. Not what that annoying, whiny voiced tart Florence and the Machine did.

Corkboy · « **Reply #356 on:** February 8, 2010, 03:08:07 pm »

Ladeeeyz and gennelmen, I give you the single best cover version in the history of the world ever. To say that it is better than the original is redundant and vacuous. It is perfection.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/I-DetYirwzI&feature=related" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/I-DetYirwzI&feature=related</a>

bonzer red · « **Reply #357 on:** February 8, 2010, 11:52:04 pm »

Radioheads cover of Nobody does it better

eAyeAddio · « **Reply #358 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:00:18 am »

Just in case anyone is interested, the best cover version of anything that I have ever heard is Jeff Beck's cover version of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life"..............

Do your ears a favour and check out Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuhnEcSm5sU

Bob.

Kahuna{=}Berger · « **Reply #359 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:07:22 pm »

Snuff - 'Soul Limbo'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lb3bCQi9Os