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Covers that are better than the original

 
 
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 08:49 pm
Ok, so it's not often that I think the cover is an improvement on the original, and I'm sure this has a lot to do with both respect for the composer's vision as well as just having heard one first (because sometimes when I hear the cover first it can seem more authentic to me).

But this is a beast that I'm sure does exist so I want examples from you mélomane a2kers, what covers improve on the original? Here are a couple of my picks:

Jimi Hendrix covering Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.
Nirvana covering David Bowie's Man Who Sold the World
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Type: Discussion • Score: 61 • Views: 62,347 • Replies: 607

 
Merry Andrew
 
  4  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 08:51 pm
@Robert Gentel,
I'm no expert on pop music, but for me anything recorded by Jimi Hendrix has to be vastly superior to anything done by Bob Dylan, regardless of who the composer is.
Rockhead
 
  5  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 08:53 pm
@Robert Gentel,
I liked John Cash's version of Hurt better than nine inch nails.

he gave it more depth and meaning.


and I prefer Joan Jett's crimson and clover to the original...
Robert Gentel
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 08:55 pm
@Rockhead,
That's a great example, even the composer said it was Cash's song after that.
0 Replies
 
tsarstepan
 
  2  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 08:59 pm
@Robert Gentel,
Simply Red and If you don't know me by now, (originally performed by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes).

Much of the covers from Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead, a CD compilation of various artists from 1991.
1. Bertha - Los Lobos
2. Jack Straw - Bruce Hornsby
3. U.S. Blues - The Harshed Mellows
4. Ship of Fools - Elvis Costello
5. China Doll - Suzanne Vega
6. Cassidy - Suzanne Vega
7. Truckin' - Dwight Yoakam
8. Casey Jones - David Lindley, Warren Zevon
9. Uncle John's Band - Indigo Girls
10. Friend of the Devil - Lyle Lovett
12. Wharf Rat - Midnight Oil

[red]My favorites from the album.[/color]
0 Replies
 
Robert Gentel
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:01 pm
@Merry Andrew,
Dunno, I think Jimi Hendrix would butcher a Dylan song like Forever Young or Mr. Tambourine.
wandeljw
 
  5  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:07 pm
My favorite cover of an Elvis Presley song:
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JPB
 
  4  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:09 pm
I like Apocalyptica's version of Nothing Else Matters more than Metallica's

djjd62
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:10 pm
see i liked xtc's cover of all along the watchtower best

marianne faithful does an excellent version of cohen's tower of song

Rockhead
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:11 pm
@djjd62,
Neil Young hits watchtower pretty hard as well...
farmerman
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:13 pm
@Robert Gentel,
Ive always stood Arlo Guthrie's version of the Beatles Tune "Ive Just Seen a FAce" as the best version of that song.
djjd62
 
  3  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:13 pm
@Rockhead,
someone once heard the xtc version playing at my work station and said, who the **** is that murdering that great song, high praise indeed
edgarblythe
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:15 pm
I never cared for Hendrix. Sacrilege, some would say, but that's tough.
0 Replies
 
Robert Gentel
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:19 pm
@djjd62,
I'm listening to it now, and I agree with whoever said that.
edgarblythe
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:21 pm
Joan Baez - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Such a Night by Elvis Presley
0 Replies
 
farmerman
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:25 pm
@farmerman,
Elanor Rigby- cover by Ray Charleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0iI6k4NHE&feature=related
0 Replies
 
djjd62
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:27 pm
@Robert Gentel,
i like discord, what can i say
0 Replies
 
Ticomaya
 
  2  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:28 pm
Any version of "Hallelujah," not sung by Leonard Cohen.







LionTamerX
 
  1  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:29 pm
Johnny Cash - Rowboat by Beck
Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven by The Cure
Husker Du - Eight Miles High by The Byrds
Molly Hatchet- Dreams by The Allman Bros
OCCOM BILL
 
  3  
Reply Sun 14 Feb, 2010 09:32 pm
@Robert Gentel,
I liked Power Station's cover of "Get it on" better than T. Rex.
(I’m getting a Déjà vu feeling at this topic.)
 

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