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I’m one of those music snobs that very rarely likes a cover song more than I like the original, especially when it comes to the Beatles. So when I checked out this list, I was a bit pained to see that half of the 10 most-covered songs are Beatles songs (or songs by ex-Beatles). This isn’t an exhaustive list, by the way – just some of the most-covered songs.
1. Yesterday, the Beatles. It has been covered more than 3,000 times, including by Joan Baez, Liberace, Sinatra, Elvis, Daffy Duck, En Vogue and Boyz II Men.
2. Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles. A somewhat surprising choice, I think, but it’s been covered 131 times by artists such as Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Aretha, Kansas and Swedish industrial metal band Pain.
3. Cry Me a River, Julie London. This jazzy number from 1955 has been covered by a huge range of people – Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Aerosmith, Rick Astley, Bjork, Merle Haggard, and Olivia Newton John (the new Justin Timberlake Cry My a River is not a cover).
4. And I Love Her, the Beatles. Covered by Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Sarah Vaughan, Barry Manilow and Vince Gill, among numerous others. I think this is one of the most gorgeous Beatles songs there is, so while I can’t really blame people for trying, I doubt anyone can top the original.
5. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones. I bet most of us remember Britney’s rendition at the 2000 MTV video music awards – during the song, she ripped off her black suit, stripper-style. Then, in the nude-colored outfit underneath, she transitioned into Oops! I Did it Again. But it’s also been covered by Jimi Hendrix, Cat Power and Vanilla Ice.
6. Imagine, John Lennon. Joan Baez’s cover of this is no surprise, nor is Ray Charles or Elton Johns. Some more unconventional versions have been done by Avril Lavigne, Dolly Parton and Queen.
7. Summertime, Abbie Mitchell. She’s the one who originally sang it, anyway, in the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The Janis Joplin cover is probably the most well-known, but Sonny and Cher did a version as well, and so did REM.
8. Blackbird, The Beatles. Another one of the prettiest Beatles songs, in my opinion, and another one of the most-covered. I’d love to hear the Dave Grohl version, myself, but there’s also Phish, Jesse McCartney (hmm), Bobby McFerrin, Eddie Vedder (I bet that one is really good) and Elliott Smith.
9. Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland. This one makes me wonder if there is a correllation between the most-covered songs ever and the songs most-frequently performed on American Idol auditions. Non-Idol cover versions include Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Eva Cassidy, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Tori Amos and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. That last version is the Hawaiian rendition that’s mixed with What a Wonderful World that has gotten a lot of play in the last few years.
10. The Look of Love, Dusty Springfield. Written by Burt Bacharach and originally sung by Dusty for the first Casino Royale soundtrack in 1967, it’s been covered a lot. Just a few include The Zombies, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Shirley Bassey and Diana Krall.
So, let’s talk covers in the comments. Do you have a cover version of a song that you like better than the original? Do you have one you absolutely loathe? A song that should never, ever be covered again?
Here are mine: I think I like the Lily Allen version of Womanizer better than the Britney Spears version (which I acutally like quite a bit, even though I’m not a Brit-Brit fan). And for detesting most Beatles covers, I really like Pearl Jam’s You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away. I really hate both the Elton John and William Shatner covers of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Ridiculous.
Comments (123)
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Best cover of Satisfaction ever has to be Bjork and PJ Harvey duetting on it at the British equivalent of the Grammies a few years back.
Damn that was awesome!
posted by EMStoveken on 2-6-2009 at 4:07 pm
I say best Satisfaction cover by far is DEVO, although i do really like the cat power one too.
posted by Don on 2-6-2009 at 4:11 pm
I like the Natalie Cole version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.. not “better” but it’s a great cover..
I love the original of “Son of a Preacher Man” but the Joan Osborne cover might be even better (if it’s possible to do better than Dusty.. which it ain’t)
posted by War on 2-6-2009 at 4:14 pm
Just goes to show that the Beatles were amazing song writers.
posted by Christopher on 2-6-2009 at 4:14 pm
I love the Ray Charles version of Over the Rainbow and I think it’s better than the original.
Oh and that PJ Harvey/Bjork duet was pretty amazing!
posted by Margie on 2-6-2009 at 4:16 pm
Without question, the best ever Satisfaction cover was done live by Otis Redding at the Monterey Pop Festival.
posted by Wrongo on 2-6-2009 at 4:16 pm
I’m generally not a big fan of covers, though I’ve played a ton of them through the years. Some of them were even good. Most of the best covers I’ve ever heard, however, were by The Bad Plus. I can’t hear the original versions of Smells Like Teen Spirit, Iron Man, Heart of Glass, or Tom Sawyer without imagining their deconstructed jazz counterparts, and feeling somewhat cheated.
posted by El Tigre on 2-6-2009 at 4:19 pm
I like the Dixie Chicks version of Landslide much better than Fleetwood Mac’s original. Stevie Nicks voice is too grating for that song. It’s also been covered by Smashing Pumpkins and Tori Amos.
posted by Jessica on 2-6-2009 at 4:22 pm
I will survive by Cake is on of my favorite cover songs.
posted by lcotte on 2-6-2009 at 4:25 pm
Even though I hate covers and love Dylan: Jimi’s cover of All Along The Watchtower.
posted by Todd on 2-6-2009 at 4:26 pm
Even though Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is brilliant, I absolutely adore Jeff Buckley’s version of the song. It’s beautiful and eerie all at the same time.
posted by ptalim on 2-6-2009 at 4:30 pm
Good: “Blackbird” was covered by some configuration of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Gorgeous harmonies.
Very bad: Madonna should be punished severely for what she did to “The Day the Music Died.” And nobody should ever sing “Me and Bobby McGee” except Janis Joplin or Kris Kristofferson.
Covers can be fantastic. I love how singers like Holly Cole can completely transform a song, and I can love both versions. Like “I Can See Clearly Now.”
posted by Leisa on 2-6-2009 at 4:30 pm
Never could stand Jose Feliciano after his cover of the Doors’ Light my Fire.
I did enjoy the Byrds’ cover of Carole King’s(?) Going Back. I wonder if anyone’s tried to cover Chestnut Mare?
posted by Tom on 2-6-2009 at 4:31 pm
I love covers.
“Last Kiss” Pearl Jam
“Mrs. Robinson” Lemonheads
“Come on Eileen” Save Ferris
“Landslide” Smashing Pumpkins.
And ANYTHING by Richard Cheese.
Awesome.
posted by Kevin J on 2-6-2009 at 4:34 pm
I adore Rufus Wainwright’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Absolutely beautiful. I also love when Ingrid Michaelson and Brandi Carlile cover Radiohead’s Creep – only when they sing ‘f*cking special’, though – ‘very special’ just doesn’t do it. Ingrid is a doll, so when she sees youngsters in the crowd, she opts for the censored version.
posted by Deanna on 2-6-2009 at 4:39 pm
Johnny Cash did a awesome cover of a Nine Inch Nails song called “Hurt”. It is one of the most beautiful yet haunting songs I have ever heard. What added even more to the song was the fact that he past away shortly after. It was like it was his last message to the world…
posted by rob on 2-6-2009 at 4:43 pm
I think Pearl Jam’s take on “Last Kiss” is better than the original, if only because the tone of the song makes more sense.
All of the songs on the A*Teens first CD are fabulous covers of ABBA songs, very poppy and fun to dance to. Their cover of “School’s Out for Summer”? Retch.
Yael Naim’s ballad-y cover of Britney’s “Toxic” is awesome! It achieves what Brit almost never pulls off: it’s dead sexy without trying too hard. Plus, when you scrap that terrible violin screech, you can actually understand the lyrics.
And while I originally hated Ali and A.J.’s cover of “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves, a steady diet of Wii Cheer is pulling me over to the love side : )
Ugh, I just read over this and realized I’m a 26 year old with a seventh-grader’s taste in music.
posted by Chelsea on 2-6-2009 at 4:48 pm
Diana Krall’s version of “The Look of Love” does justice to Dusty Springfield’s version. But know one beats Dusty Springfield, her voice is truly like butter. Oh the memories that song and her voice evokes…
posted by Don on 2-6-2009 at 4:49 pm
Iron Maiden has done some great covers of rock tunes. Both Paul Dianno and Bruce Dickinson sang on different-era covers of Montrose’s “I’ve Got The Fire.” Dickinson’s is far stronger. Always dug Elton’s version of “Pinball Wizard” over the original Who version because the music is so layered. I think Motley Crue made “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” their own. Its far better than the original. Van Halen’s re-thinking of Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” is also excellent-I’m not saying better, just really different- although I think Ronstadt’s version was a cover, too.
posted by Boba Fett on 2-6-2009 at 4:51 pm
lcotte, rob and todd – totally agree about Cake, Johnny Cash and Hendrix. And Tom, you’re absolutely right about Jose Feliciano, ugh.
Chelsea – I’m quite intrigued by the Toxic cover! I’m going to have to check that out.
posted by stacy on 2-6-2009 at 4:52 pm
I think Manfred Mann should be SHOT for ruining Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” and “For You”.
And his former manager who ripped off the songs from Springsteen and sold them to hacks like Manfred Mann should be sent to a Phillipino prison and raped while forced to watch re-enactments of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video performed in orange jumpsuits.
posted by Jonny on 2-6-2009 at 5:01 pm
I hate hate hate hate Rascal Flatts’ version of “Life is a Highway” Horrrrrrible!
posted by Kevin on 2-6-2009 at 5:02 pm
There is a tribute album to Led Zeppelin called “Econium” and on it is “Going to California” covered by a band called Never The Bride. Vocally amazing and to me it is a better version. (And I ADORE Zeppelin…but, she’s got a better feel of the song in my opinion…)
posted by Ladytron on 2-6-2009 at 5:08 pm
Agree w/ Todd, surprised Dylan didn’t make this list, he’s been covered a lot. The Hendrix cover is good, but the original and Biograph versions are great too (you should read Dylan’s comment about the Jimi version in Biograph.
Other fave Dylan covers
“I Believe In You” – Sinead OConnor
“Man In The Long Black Coat” – Joan Osbourne
“Mississippi” – Cheryl Crow
posted by Jonny on 2-6-2009 at 5:11 pm
Another Great Cake Cover: Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town- (Kenny Rogers, originally, I think)
Also
Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty), Foo Fighters
I’m On Fire (Bruce Springsteen), Tori Amos
The Man Who Sold the World (Bowie), Nirvana
Johnny Cash’s version of Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode) is cool too.
posted by Laura on 2-6-2009 at 5:19 pm
Does no one have any love for Biz Markie’s “Benny and the Jets” cover?
posted by Jesse on 2-6-2009 at 5:25 pm
I’ve recently discovered the Puppini Sisters and have been enjoying their covers. They sing 1940s-style harmonies, a la the Andrews Sisters. Their first CD includes some old standards from the time period, such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” but it also includes covers of more recent songs like “Heart of Glass” and “I Will Survive.” It’s very interesting to listen to, because the songs turn out sounding almost like they really could be from the 1940s. Of course, this style of music certainly isn’t everyone’s taste, but I love this kind of stuff (and I’m only 30 years old!)
posted by Jaclyn on 2-6-2009 at 5:27 pm
Some of my favorites:
Song to the Siren (Tim Buckley), as covered by The Cocteau Twins.
Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles) as covered by Our Lady Peace. The movie The Craft may have sucked, but this song rocked.
Across the Universe (Beatles, again) covered by Fiona Apple (Pleasantville soundtrack)
posted by Sue on 2-6-2009 at 5:28 pm
Sometimes a cover song can elicit previously untapped goodness that the original song lacked. For instance:
“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” by Al Green has 1000% more soul than the Bee Gees original.
“The Boys of Summer” by The Ataris finds Don Henley’s anthem and decides to rock it out of the stadium.
And, I actually like John Lennon’s version of “Stand By Me” better than Ben E. King’s. Not sure why, just do.
posted by Johnny Cat on 2-6-2009 at 5:28 pm
I love Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Tainted Love.” He doesn’t have the voice that Soft Cell had but his interpretation of it is incredible!
posted by Katie Hammond on 2-6-2009 at 5:32 pm
Best Imagine cover is by A Perfect Circle, only Lennon can surpass Manor on that song
and i agree on last kiss, cover is much better than original
posted by lindseyu on 2-6-2009 at 5:38 pm
I like covers for some odd reason. It doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the original, I just like to see different approaches to music.
Anyway, some of my favorites have already been mentioned, but a few that haven’t:
“Help!” by Howie Day
“Comfortably Numb” by Scissor Sisters (which is such a total re-do of the original you’ll barely recognize it)
“Such Great Heights” by Ben Folds and by Iron & Wine
And “B*tches Ain’t Sh*t” by Ben Folds is possibly one of the greatest musical compositions of all-time.
posted by SpaceMonkeyX on 2-6-2009 at 5:40 pm
to listen to a really different cover version, check out:
IMAGINE by A PERFECT CIRCLE
Maynard from TOOL, its his side project
posted by scott on 2-6-2009 at 5:49 pm
I really like George Michael’s cover of “Where or When” originally done by Frank Sinatra.
posted by Sarah in CA on 2-6-2009 at 5:50 pm
I am a Beatles purist as well but for one execption. Joe Crocker’s searing cover of “With a little help from my friends” I prefer, by far, to Ringo’s bubblegum pop version on Sgt. Pepper.
posted by Karen on 2-6-2009 at 5:52 pm
I cannot freaking believe that no one has mentioned Cowboy Junkie’s version of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane”. I heard Lou Reed liked it better than his own version.
posted by Elizabeth on 2-6-2009 at 5:52 pm
Balanescu Quartet’s cover of Kraftwerk’s “The Model” & “Computerlove” are awesome. Also, Goldfinger’s cover of “Just Like Heaven”
Word.
posted by Bob Jones, Esq. on 2-6-2009 at 5:57 pm
William Shatner’s cover of “Lucy in the Sky” is indeed rather pointless, but his take on “Mr. Tambourine Man” is flat-out the funniest cover ever. All the panic and desperation that’s sadly missing from Dylan’s performance.
posted by Tim on 2-6-2009 at 6:05 pm
i, too love the APC cover album with “imagine” on it.
also: while i love the johnny cash version, social distortion’s cover of “ring of fire” is awesome.
So is Johnny Cash’s cover of Dylan’s “it ain’t me babe.”
posted by Brooke on 2-6-2009 at 6:09 pm
Tears of a Clown:
original – Smokey Robinson
cover – General Public
Both awesome but I prefer the new one; it’s bouncy.
posted by frodopal on 2-6-2009 at 6:11 pm
A couple of years ago, a Hawaiian guy named Israel “Iz” Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole made a cover of “Over the Rainbow,” I don’t know if it’s a tribute to him or the song, but it’s amazing how remixed something can be and still sound brilliant.
posted by m on 2-6-2009 at 6:13 pm
My favorite covers are
1. Mark Ronson feat Lily Allen w/ “Oh My God” (The Cure)
2. Michael Buble w/ “Feeling Good” (Frank Sinatra, and the Pussycat Dolls also did a fairly good rendition as well)
3. Fall Out Boy feat John Mayer w/ “Thriller” (Michael Jackson)
4. Alien Ant Farm w/ “Smooth Criminal” (Another Michael Jackson song)
John Mayer also has a really stunning rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “I Think That She Knows” interlude on guitar posted on YouTube. I wish there was more to it!
posted by Viv on 2-6-2009 at 6:13 pm
“Corinna, Corinna” covered by Ted Hawkins.
sheer perfection
posted by Joe on 2-6-2009 at 6:18 pm
Go get The Walkmen covering Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” yesterday. It’s damn infectious.
Plus, I feel (and I am a HUGE Dylan fan) that a lot of people improved on some of his songs. Not that they were bad to begin with, he’s just such a wordsmith and so prolific that his songs lend themselves well to reinvention.
posted by Dane on 2-6-2009 at 6:47 pm
I think The Carpenter’s cover of “Angel of the Morning” is better than the original, better than Juice Newton, but I also think the Pretenders did a pretty good cover of it. It just sounds best when it’s the Carpenters, though.
posted by Tiffany on 2-6-2009 at 6:55 pm
Fall Out Boy and John Mayer do “Beat It” and not “Thriller”, but I could be completely wrong.
Someone said it, but “Such Great Heights” by Iron & Wine is beautiful.
And I love The Postal Service’s cover of “Against All Odds” (original by Genesis.) There cover is strangely epic and dancy.
posted by Scott on 2-6-2009 at 7:16 pm
Oddly enough, “Rainbow Connection” is also pretty popular. Bonus points for bands to do a family/Muppet friendly cover!
posted by Katie on 2-6-2009 at 7:31 pm
I am probably the only person on the planet who likes the Ugly Kid Joe version of “Cats in the Cradle,” it adds angst to the quiet despair of the original Harry Chapin song.
Also, Disturbed did a really kicka** job on “Land of Confusion.”
posted by Heather on 2-6-2009 at 7:40 pm
I think that the Beatles version of Twist and Shout is far superior then the original. Also 5th Dimensions version of Aquaris/Let the sunshine in is excellent
posted by Kali on 2-6-2009 at 7:42 pm
I believe Rick Nelson covered “Summertime” as well as a lot of Elvis songs. Not surprisingly.
posted by Sara from Alabama on 2-6-2009 at 7:44 pm
I also prefer the Rufus Wainright cover of “Hallelujah” over the Jeff Buckley version, although I really like the Buckley version as well. I like the Joan Baez cover of “Forever Young” by Dylan — totally different than Dylan’s, but beautiful in its simplicity. I also like the Jane Monheit (I believe that’s the name) version of “Over the Rainbow.” It’s always tough to top an Eva Cassady version of anything, but she does.
posted by Ken on 2-6-2009 at 7:47 pm
killing me softly- fugees version
man who sold the world- nirvana version
miss jackson- the vines
one more cup of coffee- white stripes
all along the watchtowers- because who the hell can beat hendrix? lol
posted by Sue on 2-6-2009 at 7:48 pm
Katie Hammond: Soft Cell’s cover of Gloria Jones’ Tainted Love is one of many where the cover is more well-known than the original.
I like many of Hayseed Dixie’s bluegrass covers of classic rock songs, Johnny Cash’s covers of Hurt and Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down are both great. Guns N Roses’ Sympathy For the Devil is a nice one. Among commonly covered songs, I think that Neil Diamond’s cover of Both Sides Now is probably one of the better ones, too.
I have to say that I like Faith No More’s Nestle jingle.
I would be pretty happy to not hear anyone else ever cover Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin. I like that song so well I don’t like to hear other people sing it.
posted by Dave on 2-6-2009 at 8:10 pm
I had to look up the Avril Lavigne version of Imagine when I read that and I honestly thought I would hate it… It’s not that bad…
posted by Christine on 2-6-2009 at 8:11 pm
Like a few people who commented before, I prefer Rufus Wainwright’s version of “Hallelujah” to Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley, definitely Lily Allen over Britney, and the Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly.” I also love Obadiah Parker’s acoustic “Hey Ya” and Ray LaMontagne’s “Crazy” (cover of Gnarles Barkley). In general I disapprove of covering The Beatles, though.
posted by adrienne on 2-6-2009 at 8:42 pm
Follow the link for the most amazing rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Played on the SAW!
posted by Parks on 2-6-2009 at 8:58 pm
Worst ever? The entire Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Soundtrack. What? Did you think we would ever forget or forive you for that, Brothers Gibb?
posted by Ruth on 2-6-2009 at 9:21 pm
Parks:
Was it Guy Forsyth?
posted by Kristi on 2-6-2009 at 9:35 pm
Vamped up versions of the originals; very good, but I think the originals area always the best. Rock on!
Eleanor Rigby by Thrice
The Boys of Summer by the Ataris (with “Black Flag” replacing “Deadhead”)
Roxanne by Fall Out Boy
posted by Brandy on 2-6-2009 at 9:43 pm
Me first and the gimme gimme’s is a great cover band. Each album is a different genre, or decade, or era, and all songs are sped up and punked out. Check out their versions of the Carpenters,Barry Manilow,John denver etc. I for one like almost all as much or more then the originals.
posted by squ1nt on 2-6-2009 at 9:53 pm
UB40 covering “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has always struck me as beautiful, in a high-pitched way. Also, their version of “Baby I Love Your Way” is, I think, better than the live Frampton that gets all the classic rock station airplay, but I haven’t ever heard Frampton’s studio version. Why hasn’t anybody mentioned “I Shot the Sheriff” covered by Clapton?
posted by Richard on 2-6-2009 at 10:10 pm
And under awful covers, they don’t get much worse than Jessica Simpson trying (and failing!) to sexy her way through “These Boots are Made for Walking.”
I can’t stand Faith No More’s “War Pigs” but that’s because Sabbath hit it right on the head.
posted by Richard on 2-6-2009 at 10:14 pm
Israel Kamakawiwo`ole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is incredible.
posted by Wrongo on 2-6-2009 at 10:21 pm
It was once said of “All Along the Watchtower” that Bob Dylan wrote it for Jimi Hendrix — he just didn’t know it at the time. I would say the same thing for Steve Winwood’s “Back in the High Life Again,” which Warren Zevon covered so beautifully on Reconsider Me: The Love Songs that it honestly took me two or three listens before I realized it was that cheesy pop song done right.
posted by Etrigan on 2-6-2009 at 11:26 pm
Best
Both remakes of Stand By Your Man–one by Lyle Lovett and the other by Wendy O Williams of the Plasmatics.
Most of Dwight Yokum’s album Under the Covers: Train in Vain as a bluegrass tune, the Kinks’ So Tired as a big band song, This Could Be the Last Time by the Stones as a country tune.
Take Me Home Country Roads by Jason and the Scorchers
Hallelujah by k.d. lang (even better than the Buckley and Wainwright versions)
Lou Reed’s Rock and Roll by Mitch Ryder (said to be a favorite of Reed’s)
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Tori Amos
My Way by Sid Vicious
Worst
Puppy Love by Donny Osmond
Paper Roses by Marie Osmond
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks
posted by CapitalCat on 2-6-2009 at 11:40 pm
There was a Concert to Save the Music about 10 years ago. Lenny Kravitz and Eric Clapton did a cover of All Along the Watchtower. I wish a good quality version would be legally released because it absolutely rocked. Nothing tops Hendrix but this comes close.
posted by Noreen Stone on 2-6-2009 at 11:52 pm
A good cover: The Gourds’ Bluegrass-y cover of Gin and Juice is one of my favorite songs.
For the worst cover, I agree with Jonny: I believe Manfred Mann’s cover of Blinded by the Light to be a criminal act.
posted by Jin on 2-7-2009 at 12:20 am
Guns n Roses doing “Live And Let Die” is better than the original by a long stretch. Metallica’s version of “Stone Cold Crazy” by Queen is also spectacular. Anthrax does a cover of “Got The Time” by none other than Joe Jackson (!) that absolutely shreds. Also….Ray Charles doing “Old Man River” brings tears to my eyes.
posted by Franklin MInt on 2-7-2009 at 12:40 am
There are lots of good songs that everyone has named- I think “Angie” by Tori Amos is better than the Rolling Stones version. Also Jimi Hendrix’s version of “Along the Watchtower” is the definitive version for me, Dlan may have wrote it but Hendrix made that song amazing.I cannot stand Michaek Bolton so his version of Otis Redding’s “Sitting ont he Dock of the Bay” just makes me throw up in my mouth a little. the “Behind Blue Eyes” cover I heard by Limp Bizkit (I think?) was AWFUL. There are few songs I think should never be covered but I think “I’m a Believer” should never be sung again in public except by Neil Diamond. I went from ennui for Smashmouth to hatred for that song. “Imagine” is a wonderful song but too many people have sung it and it just loses it’s power because people have just romanced the hell out of it and made it seem meaningless.
posted by Sarah C. on 2-7-2009 at 3:55 am
This post has sidetracked me for more hours than I care to admit. Between Stacy’s starters and everyone’s comments; I have discovered tons of new/old songs! Special thanks to whoever mentioned the Puppini sisters!
posted by Erin on 2-7-2009 at 4:21 am
I absolutely adore Long John Baldry’s cover of “You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling”. I agree with anyone who has mentioned Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah”. Even my husband, who is not a music fan, loves that song.
I remember someone covered “Stairway to Heaven” which was an complete travesty. Never touch that song again.
posted by Barb on 2-7-2009 at 4:51 am
Aerosmith’s “Come Together” is pretty good.
I don’t believe that anyone should cover “American Pie.” Don McLean wrote it and does it best, and I’ve seen him in person. The Brady Bunch (!) did a version that was laughable and Madonna’s made me sick.
posted by Dave on 2-7-2009 at 5:22 am
I grew up in Honolulu, and was there when Iz died… what a beautiful voice. I was lucky enough to hear him sing “Over the Rainbow” in a mall once, the man had what appeared to be a toy ukelele and his respirator, and the swwetest, purest sound I can remember!
posted by Allison on 2-7-2009 at 6:17 am
I couldn’t read through all of these but did anyone mention Joe Cocker’s version of “Feelin’ Alright?” Very cool if you ignore the new commercial applications…
posted by Daryl on 2-7-2009 at 8:36 am
I always chuckle at Jonathan Coulton’s version of “Baby Got Back,” and I love the “Two of Us” cover by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn. In fact, a lot of the great Beatles covers come from that I Am Sam soundtrack.
As has been said before, Madonna and Manfred Mann should be shot for their crimes against Don McLean and Springsteen.
The link in my name goes to a website that catalogs covers, cleverly titled “The Covers Project”
posted by Jack on 2-7-2009 at 8:37 am
I guess it’s no coincidence that half of this list is Beatles (or John Lennon, counting “Imagine”).
My favorite cover of “Across the Universe is the remix by Rufus Wainwright. I love that man! What a voice!
And Iz was just fantastic… some of his songs sound ethereal.
But the best version of “Yesterday” that I can recall is this. When I traveled to Paris when I was thirteen, two young men would take the same Metro as me every day. They would stay on for exactly two stops, and then get off. One of them would play the guitar and sing, while the other ran up and down the cars with his hat and collected money. One of the songs they sang was “Yesterday.”
I asked the singer (in English, silly me) where he had learned the song, and he had no idea what I had said. He didn’t know a word of English!
posted by Allison on 2-7-2009 at 8:38 am
Tweeter and the Monkey Man – The Travelling Willburys did a great original, but the Headstones version is much more upbeat, much catchier, and doesn’t sound like the singer was stretching for rhymes…
posted by Trevor on 2-7-2009 at 9:01 am
I really like Joe Cocker’s cover of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends”.
Plus, the Sterephonics cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U” is amazing.
posted by Reese on 2-7-2009 at 12:43 pm
I like Fiona Apple’s version of Across the Universe MUCH better than the original.
posted by Erin on 2-7-2009 at 12:59 pm
Worst Cover Ever:
Sheryl Crow’s version of “Sweet Child ‘O Mine”
posted by Renis on 2-7-2009 at 4:00 pm
I hate hate HATE the Tori Amos cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit. It’s just so wrong.
And every cover of What’s Going On that I find sounds so terrible.
posted by Alec on 2-7-2009 at 7:54 pm
Sarah McLachlan does an excellent cover of “Ole 55″ by Tom Waits on the “Boys on the Side” soundtrack. The roughness of the cut is key.
posted by Taelyn on 2-7-2009 at 8:02 pm
Here are some pretty good covers:
“Frontin”-Jamie Cullem
“Hey Ya”-The Lounge Below
“hit me baby…”-travis
“Long Black Veil”-Dave Mathews band
“Time of the Season”- Dave Mathews Band
“Sea of Love”- Cat Power
“Krs One”- Sublime
“Ramblin On”- Train
Best of All time has to be the rolling stones cover of Time is on my side.
posted by CJ on 2-7-2009 at 9:25 pm
I almost forgot “bring it on home to me” covered by the animals.
posted by CJ on 2-7-2009 at 9:37 pm
Barb: My mom, who is also not a big music lover also loves the Jeff Buckley cover of “Hallelujah.” I always think of her when I hear that line, “but you don’t really care for music do ya?”
Also: I agree that Madonna should be imprisoned or worse for her slaughter of “American Pie” (and my will to live in general. Never really cared for Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light,” so I find it hard to get worked up about Manfred Mann
Finally: While I like the Ataris’ version, Henley’s “Boys of Summer” is FAR superior. Not sure who did this one first, but I prefer Derek and the Dominos’ “Little Wing” to Hendrix’ version (sorry. an unpopular choice, I’m sure.) AND Eddie Vedder is the only person I can imagine approving of taking on Roger Daltry vocals. The Pearl Jam cover of “Love Reign O’er Me” might be better than the original, and I consider myself The Who’s biggest fan. (That’s still alive anyway.)
posted by Beth on 2-7-2009 at 11:37 pm
Has anyone ever seen The Dave Matthews Band do All Along the Watchtower live? The blow the roof off of the joint (if there is a roof). I just love what they do with it.
Not dissing Hendrix, I just prefer the DMB version. I always get excited when they do covers though.
They did a cover of Sledgehammer that was amazing when I saw them in concert last summer. Oh and by the way- I agree with CJ on their cover of Long Black Veil.
posted by Britt on 2-8-2009 at 12:57 am
Cheap Trick’s cover of Magical Mystery Tour, while not better than the original, really stands up. Great track. Also, the mid sixties garage covers of some of the blues classics are phenomenal, those covers really defined an important genre of american and british pop music.
Others:
White Stripes – Another Cup of Coffee (Dylan)
Rolling Stones – Wild Horses (Flying Burrito Bros.)
And on another note, the band Iron Horse is doing some really interesting things with bands like Led Zepplin, Metallica, and Modest Mouse. They are all covers but bluegrass.
If you were really a music snob, you might realize some of the greatest recordings out there are covers.
posted by Wrongpants on 2-8-2009 at 2:34 am
Cheap Trick’s cover of Magical Mystery Tour, while not better than the original, really stands up. Great track. Also, the mid sixties garage covers of some of the blues classics are phenomenal, those covers really defined an important genre of american and british pop music.
Others:
White Stripes – Another Cup of Coffee (Dylan)
Rolling Stones – Wild Horses (Flying Burrito Bros.)
And on another note, the band Iron Horse is doing some really interesting things with bands like Led Zepplin, Metallica, and Modest Mouse. They are all covers but bluegrass.
If you were really a music snob, you might realize some of the great
posted by Zak on 2-8-2009 at 2:36 am
Every so often, there are covers that effectively transfer ownership of the song from the original artist to the covering artist…
“Hurt” by Johnny Cash, nee by Nine Inch Nails
“You Really Got Me” by Van Halen, nee by the Kinks (Close one, but I think Van Halen ekes it out.)
“Linger” by Screeching Weasel, nee by the Cranberries.
posted by Bob on 2-8-2009 at 11:24 am
I love the Lemonheads cover of the Misfits “skulls”
The Misfits version is a great punk song but the Lemonheads version sounds like a creepy serial killer in prison playing the guitar, freaking out his cell mate
posted by kat on 2-8-2009 at 1:07 pm
I know most people are not country music fans but Sugarland’s new album has a great cover of “C’mon get higher” by Matt Nathanson that I think is great! It made me like the original even better.
posted by Sandy C on 2-8-2009 at 2:00 pm
Nirvana’s version of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” is better than the original.
Lou Reed’s version of “This Magic Moment” is great.
The best cover I’ve ever heard is Jimmy Scott’s version of “Day by Day.” I think it was originally recorded by Frank Sinatra? Scott makes the song completely his own and transforms it into a piece of art.
posted by greta on 2-8-2009 at 2:02 pm
The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” far superior to the original??? Absolutely not! John Lennon’s lead vocal is great, but the Isley brothers’ recording is simply awesome. The Isley’s version is swinging and funky. The Beatles’ versiosonc Romann is stiff and, dare I say it, white. The Isleys invented the high pitched “Woooooo!” which the Beatles appropriately copied on their version and a number of their other early releases (”Please Please Me” to name one).
posted by Bill on 2-8-2009 at 2:44 pm
Surprised nobody’s yet mentioned Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s cover of “Summertime” on an album where the two of them do most of the big songs from “Porgy and Bess”, just the two of them, and Louis’s horn, with a quiet orchestra back-up. -
posted by Matt Levin on 2-8-2009 at 3:16 pm
I love Michael Buble’s covers. His voice is just beautiful.
Cake’s cover of “War Pigs” makes me laugh every time I hear it. Bonerama’s cover of the song is fun as well (after all, the band is a trombone band. Who would ever have thought of that?).
The cover I hate (and I’m not even sure if it’s a cover or a remix): Kanye West singing Daft Punk’s “Harder Better Faster Stronger.” I absolutely LOVED this song when it came out, and I’m a huge Daft Punk fan. Hearing the Kanye version ripped my heart to shreds.
posted by Jenn on 2-8-2009 at 3:54 pm
Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
AMAZING. And I love the original Knife version also.
Ooh Child- Beth Orton
A Change is Going to Come (Sam Cooke)- Ben Sollee
Gravity Rides Everything (Modest Mouse) – Lenka
posted by Jess on 2-8-2009 at 6:19 pm
I think the Janis Joplin version of ‘Summertime’ definitely deserves a mention…so much passion put into the delivery.
posted by Don on 2-8-2009 at 6:32 pm
I really like the Gemma Hayes and Magnet version of “Lay Lady Lay.” and also the Battlestar America version of “For What It’s Worth.”
posted by Darbi on 2-8-2009 at 8:59 pm
First thanks Stacy for this post. I have looked up some of these covers suggested here.
@ Jaclyn- Thanks for the info on the Puppini sisters, I just looked them up! I love 1940’s music!
I absolutely LOVE Michael Buble (yes he pretty much does covers) but they are good if you like the jazzy/rat pack sound. And I agree with someone who mentioned it above, his version of “Feeling Good” is really great.
posted by Gina on 2-8-2009 at 9:38 pm
Celine Dion did a cover of Heart’s “Alone”. It was the first time I ever wished I was deaf.
posted by janeeyre316 on 2-8-2009 at 9:40 pm
I’m a big fan of Britney Spear’s covers, namely, Yael Naim’s version of “Toxic” and Sia’s version of “Gimme More.” I also like Amanda Palmer’s take on Regina Spektor’s “On the Radio.” Favorites are definitely the Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel cover of Vampire Weekend’s “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” and Radiohead’s cover of Portishead’s “The Rip”
posted by Danny on 2-8-2009 at 10:30 pm
haven’t read all the comments, but has iron and wine’s rendition of “such great heights” been mentioned? still haven’t decided if i like it better than the postal service’s… they’re so different i can love them both equally =)
posted by audrey on 2-8-2009 at 10:44 pm
Allison Crowe does many amazing covers and even does the Beatles proud with her versions of “In My Life”, “Let It Be” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”. Crowe performs live a version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that’s brilliant and moving. Her interpretations are exciting as her original songs.
posted by loretta on 2-9-2009 at 1:34 pm
Speaking of in my life anybody ever heard Dave Mathews version…he did it at a benefit concert for NY that was also a tribut concert for John Lennon.
posted by CJ on 2-9-2009 at 7:34 pm
Oh, every cover of Lou Reed’s Sweet Jane is pretty awsome, but for some reason, it is never included on list like this or see 25 Cover songs We Can Live with/without in The Onion’s AV Room for details. Despite the fact that everyone has done it.
posted by ruth on 2-11-2009 at 12:52 am
I absolutely love Social Distortion’s version of “Ring of Fire”!
posted by Lisa on 2-11-2009 at 11:59 am
Where is “Louie Louie” in this list? Since the second place on this list has 131 versios, what about the more than 1,600 versions of “Louie, Louie”??
posted by Bufo on 2-11-2009 at 2:41 pm
It’s not something I would ever believe I’d like, but Yael Naim (of the “New Soul”/Apple commercials fame) did a cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic that is way way better than the original. Then again, I think most Britney covers are better than the original…
posted by Day on 3-2-2009 at 10:23 am
Best Summertime cover: Sam Cooke.
Wild Horses: a Jagger/Richards song, covered by the Burittos, not the other way around. (Admittedly Gram Parsons taught Mick and Keith how to sing country style.)
Where or When: a Rodgers and Hart song covered by every jazz and pop singer of the mid century, not just Sinatra (best: Ella Fitgerald).
posted by Ed Rorie on 3-2-2009 at 10:27 am
As a lifelong Who fan a couple of examples:
The Good – Pearl Jam’s Love Reign Ore Me. Eddie’s gut wrenching and throat shredding voice matches the power of Daltry. I think the orchestral stuff is perfect too.
The Bad – Pinball Wizard by Elton John. It’s an ok version, but it’s way too slick for my taste.
The Ugly – Fred Durst butchering Behind Blue Eyes. I don’t know whether to fall asleep or vomit.
posted by bucslim on 3-2-2009 at 12:01 pm
I flove covers. But the one song I think should never be (nor have been, as the case may be) covered is Imagine. I hold the original sacred.
A few more terrific covers to add to the list are:
Help! – Tina Turner
Do You Remember Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio – Kiss
Just a Gigolo – David Lee Roth
I could list great covers all day. Thank you to everyone posting their faves, I’ve been checking some out!
posted by Sweeps on 3-2-2009 at 12:06 pm
Speaking of best Ella: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. (as well as a hundred other older covers Ella defined.)
Help – U2 live at Cork (half time, soulful, makes the lyrics flesh out)
posted by Ken on 3-2-2009 at 12:24 pm
@ Karen
I’m with you on that! In fact, I think it’s the best cover ever made, of any song!
posted by Stev on 3-2-2009 at 1:02 pm
Okay, this might have already been said, but The White Stripes’ version of Joleen is…words can’t describe how awesome this song. Dolly Parton just made the song too happy but Jack White takes the song and adds all the angst and emotion that it needed, and the fact that its a song about a woman stealing someone’s man makes it just that more amazing. My mother, who is a huge Dolly Parton fan even said that The White Stripes did a better job.
posted by Zri on 3-2-2009 at 1:06 pm
Gary Jules – Mad World
Tom Waits – Somewhere (West Side Story)
Loreena McKennitt – Greensleeves
Sallymacs – Danny Boy
posted by Kevin on 3-2-2009 at 1:16 pm
“Louie Louie” by Richard Berry.
Covered by
Iggy Pop
the Kingsmen
MC5
Motorhead
the Sonics
the Pretenders
Black Flag
Beach Boys
the Doors
Greteful Dead
and a thousand other bands.
posted by JeffConn on 3-2-2009 at 3:18 pm
heck, just go louielouie.net.
posted by JeffConn on 3-2-2009 at 3:25 pm
Hey Joe -Roy Buchanan or Hendrix
Hurt-Johnny Cash
Imagine- A Perfect Circle
posted by Cory Kriens on 3-2-2009 at 3:37 pm
The Stones’ version of “Satisfaction” is a cover — Otis Redding wrote it and performed it first.
The best cover version is The Residents, IMHO…
posted by PJ on 3-2-2009 at 6:34 pm
I think that one of my favorite covers that I like better than the original would be “Dancing Days” covered by Stone Temple Pilots, originally done by Zeppelin.
posted by twodollars on 3-3-2009 at 1:28 am
“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley has been covered by Santana, Rihanna, Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, Aaron Lewis, Chris Cornell, India Arie, Pearl Jam, U2, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Stone Temple Pilots, The Chieftains, Ian Brown, Guns’N Roses, Wyclef Jean, etc. Easily one of the most covered songs on YouTube.
posted by Toe on 3-3-2009 at 3:33 am
I like Goldfinger’s cover of “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” better than Joe Jackson’s original. It’s much more syncopated and sounds more put-together.
posted by Mme.G on 3-3-2009 at 8:36 pm
Three oldies:
Vanilla Fudge: Keep Me Hangin’ On
Frigid Pink: House of the Rising Sun
Grand Funk: Gimme Shelter
Good covers expose the staying power of a well written song and it’s composer.
posted by dennis on 3-4-2009 at 11:58 am