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Some of you may recall my post last year about original recordings that were better than their covers. Well now it’s time to honor some covers that, at least by my way of thinking, rank right up there with the originals. Unfortunately, the floss is no longer allowed to include soundbites, so you’ll have to go check these out on iTunes, or hit the YouTube vids provided. Of course, these are just some of my favorites. I’m sure you all have your own, and we’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
1. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
originally written and recorded by The Rolling Stones, released as a single in 1965.
This tune has been covered by Britney Spears, Jimi Hendrix, Cat Power and Vanilla Ice, but the one I think beats out the original is by Devo and was produced by Brian Eno and released on their 1978 debut album Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (They had actually released an earlier single of the cover, but the reworked version is better.) And by the way, if you’re a Devo fan (and who isn’t?) and haven’t heard yet, the band is back! Check out their latest video over on their Web site.
2. “Unchained Melody”
originally written for the 1955 film, Unchained, with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret.
Todd Duncan was the first to record this classic, one of the most often covered songs penned in the last 100 years, with more than 500 versions in hundreds of languages. Les Baxter, Al Hibbler, Jimmy Young and Roy Hamilton all released versions in the next decade that topped the charts, but my favorite is the Phil Spector version, sung by the Righteous Brothers, released as a single in 1965.
3. “Rebel Rebel”
originally written and recorded by David Bowie, released in 1974 as a single on the album Diamond Dogs.
My problem with the original is that it just seems to run on a wee-bit too long, like Walt Whitman’s beard, or commercials toward the end of an episode of Saturday Night Live. Other interesting covers include one by the Bay City Rollers and, believe it or not, Dead or Alive. But my favorite comes from the film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and was recorded by Brazilian musician and actor Seu Jorge, who sang all those great Portuguese versions on the soundtrack. This one is just the right length, and works against the grain.
4. “Hurt”
originally written by Trent Reznor and released on Nine Inch Nails’ 1994 album The Downward Spiral.
When Nine Inch Nails opened for David Bowie, the year after Downward Spiral was released, Bowie sang “Hurt” in a duet with Reznor. But it was Johnny Cash who really made this song the classic that it is today, on his album, American IV: The Man Comes Around, released in 2002 and jam-packed with covers (another great one on this album is “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon). The recording went on to win awards and become the only entry he ever had on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it hit #33 in 2003.
5. “Walk This Way”
originally released by Aerosmith as the second single from their 1975 album Toys in the Attic.
This was one of my favorite songs as a kid growing up in the ‘80s. First, in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, we had the original version, which features that great drumbeat solo intro, which we all used to pound out on our air drums. And then in the mid ‘80s, we got the Run-D.M.C. cover released on the hip-hop trio’s album Raising Hell. It, of course, features Steven Tyler and Joe Perry on the track (which helped re-cast Aerosmith as a group worth paying attention to), and was the first rap song to crack the top 5 of The Billboard Hot 100.
Check out past On Music posts here.
Comments (112)
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All Along the Watchtower, Dylan redone by Hendrix?
posted by Jeffrey on 7-22-2009 at 8:32 am
How about Police and Thieves by The Clash, originally recorded by Junior Murvin?
or
All Along the Watchtower covered by Jimi Hendrix originally by Bob Dylan?
posted by Juan on 7-22-2009 at 9:27 am
Joe Cocker, “With a Little Help from My Friends”
Elton John, “Pinball Wizard”
posted by Steven on 7-22-2009 at 9:27 am
Jimi Hendrix, “The Star-Spangled Banner”
posted by Steven on 7-22-2009 at 9:28 am
Or anything by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes :-)
posted by Juan on 7-22-2009 at 9:29 am
Stephen Kellogg covers Ryan Adams “Sweet Carolina” and it’s better than the original.
posted by Tom on 7-22-2009 at 9:31 am
Really? (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction as performed by Devo? While it was definitely a different look at a Rock & Roll classic, Devo’s version doesn’t come even close to the original.
Does Devo take the song in a different direction? Absolutely. That is a fact. However, the only thing the two versions really share is a set of lyrics, thus losing 75% of what makes the original so great to begin with.
I’ll take the original any day.
posted by Bob on 7-22-2009 at 9:32 am
Good choices! I remember watching The Life Aquatic in theaters and cluing in about half an hour into the movie (I think he was singing Ziggy Stardust at the time) that all the songs Seu Jorge was singing were Bowie covers. He does a fantastic job with all of them.
Interesting that you mention Devo, since Mark Mothersbaugh does soundtrack work to Wes Anderson’s movies, including The Life Aquatic.
Another incredible, unusual cover Johnny Cash does on the “American” series of albums is Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage”. There’s just something about Johnny’s voice that makes the song so menacing.
posted by Bert on 7-22-2009 at 9:35 am
Also, Hey Ya, as performed by Obadiah Parker. Or Gin and Juice as performed by The Gourds.
posted by Bob on 7-22-2009 at 9:36 am
How about Hendrix All Along the Watchtower and Clapton’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door? Manford Man’s Blinded By the Light?
posted by Joe on 7-22-2009 at 9:42 am
Excellent job withe the inclusion of Johnny Cash. He absolutely KILLED the NIN version! Definitely one of the best remakes of all time.
posted by Jay on 7-22-2009 at 9:53 am
Hombre Secreto by the Plugz from the Repo Man soundtrack. Remake of Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers
posted by Geoff on 7-22-2009 at 9:53 am
I have to second Juan with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Do yourselves a favor and check out their cover of Styx’s Come Sail Away. And huzzah to Bob for pointing out the Gourds’ Gin and Juice! Completely different and yet somehow similar.
reCaptcha: “I’ve larynxes” — oddly apropos for the article
posted by Peter on 7-22-2009 at 9:54 am
Great Article and I could not agree more with your selections. And thanks for putting Johnny Cash on this list. His influences in the music industry will be felt for a very long time. That album is a must have in your collection. I felt that the Aerosmith’s cover of “Come Together” and Elton Johns “Pinball Wizard” are tunes that rank with the originals
posted by Don on 7-22-2009 at 10:01 am
Morrissey doing Moon River. Amazing, check it out if you have not heard it.
posted by Alex on 7-22-2009 at 10:03 am
One of my favorites ever is David Gray’s cover of “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell. That was brilliance and was better than the original. Sorry, Marc Almond!
I liked Dynamite Hack’s cover of “Boyz-in-the-Hood” by Eazy E. It also had a little tribute to “Blackbird” by the Beatles at the end (”Punkass trippin’ in the dead of night…”) which, unfortunately, had to be dropped from the song.
And I agree with Bob about “Gin & Juice” by The Gourds. That was some good stuff.
posted by nikki on 7-22-2009 at 10:06 am
I by no means mean to plug anything or anyone, but ESPN held a contest on the 100th anniversary of the writing of “take me out to the ball game” last year (I believe) and the bands that participated (Ozomatli, Death Cab for Cutie, Branford Marsalis, etc) all did incredible jobs on what is argubaly the quintessential American song, regardless of who sings it, I get chills and tear up every time I hear it.
posted by Juan on 7-22-2009 at 10:06 am
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s cover of “Taxman” is possibly the only Beatles cover that I like better than the original. His “Voodoo Child” doesn’t suck, either.
posted by K on 7-22-2009 at 10:21 am
I’m definitely 4thing Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” (though the version I originally heard and fell in love with was the one done for Battlestar Galactica).
The “Come Together” (Joe Cocker) and “I Am the Walrus” (Bono) covers done for the movie Across the Universe were pretty good too. I’m usually more partial to Beatles covers than their original stuff, though.
posted by nutmeag on 7-22-2009 at 10:22 am
Alien Ant Farm’s cover of “Smooth Criminal”
.
Eric Clapton’s slow version of “Layla”
posted by Michele on 7-22-2009 at 10:27 am
The Beatles cover of “Twist and Shout” is the best. And it forever lives on in Ferris Bueller’s parade moment.
posted by Tracie on 7-22-2009 at 10:27 am
Good stuff! But I totally expected to see 10,000 Maniac’s cover of “Because The Night” – the MTV unplugged cover actually got a few slots higher on the Billboard charts than the original.
Also, I second Alien Ant Farm’s cover of “Smooth Criminal” and as for acoustic covers of Hip-hop songs (ala The Gourds) I have to give props to Obadiah Parker’s mellow cover of “Hey Ya” and Johnathen Coulton’s eerily infectious “Baby Got Back”.
posted by Lynnie on 7-22-2009 at 10:40 am
I have two additions.
I think Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Tainted Love” is as good as the original, which is pretty good itself.
And I like 10,000 Maniacs’ cover of “Peace Train” better than Cat Stevens’s original.
posted by Geoff Casavant on 7-22-2009 at 10:43 am
Ryan Adam’s version of Oasis’ \Wonderwall\ is great.
Fiona Apple’s version of the Beatles \Across the Universe\
posted by Ro on 7-22-2009 at 10:44 am
Van Halen – “You Really Got Me”
Much better than the Kinks.
how could leave that off?
posted by Ryan on 7-22-2009 at 11:05 am
A few other greats
Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Clash’s Rock the Casbah by Rachid Taha
Nena’s 99 Luft Balloons by 7 seconds
posted by Marcel on 7-22-2009 at 11:07 am
Rusted Root’s cover of \You Can’t Always Get What You What\ by the Rolling Stones -check it out
posted by Darcy on 7-22-2009 at 11:13 am
Almost all the Dave Matthews Band Covers are just as good, if not better, than the originals.
-All Along the Watchtower (Off of their Central Park Album)
-Melissa (Cover of the Allman Brothers)
posted by Reese on 7-22-2009 at 11:14 am
Walk this Way by Aerosmith has to be older than that. I recall dancing to it the last summer I didn’t have a driver’s license. That would be… 1975. I even remember the dress I wore that night.
posted by Miss Cellania on 7-22-2009 at 11:32 am
the foo fighters cover of baker street by gerry rafferty is fantastic. too bad the foos aren’t that great anymore.
posted by grant on 7-22-2009 at 11:36 am
GNR: Knockin on Heaven’s Door
The Cure: Purple Haze (this was a great example of not just replaying the song but adding your own style to it).
Metallica: Tuesday’s Gone
Marilyn Manson: Sweet Dreams
posted by SteveO on 7-22-2009 at 11:44 am
Pulp’s Common People, covered by William Shatner, Joe Jackson, and Ben Folds. And I am completely serious. It’s brilliant, and not in an ironic “oh it’s William Shatner” way.
posted by pdb on 7-22-2009 at 11:51 am
Anything by a band from the 80s and 90s by the name of “Big Daddy.” What BD did was take songs that were popular at the time they were recording, and re-do them in the style of a song from the 50s or 60s. For example, they did a version of Wilson Phillip’s “Hold On,” in the style of Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher,” and “Welcome To The Jungle” as “Wimoweh.”
There’s also “Run C&W,” who did bluegrass versions of Motown songs.
posted by Joe Maz on 7-22-2009 at 11:58 am
Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” redone by Metallica…better than the original.
posted by Memphis Bill on 7-22-2009 at 12:07 pm
Nikki mentioned Soft Cell above and made me think of their cover of “Tainted Love”.
And I agree with Juan’s addition of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. World’s Greatest Cover Band!
posted by 8rustystaples on 7-22-2009 at 12:19 pm
Foo Fighters cover of ‘Darling Nikki’ – absolutely ROCKS!
posted by Kellie on 7-22-2009 at 12:23 pm
I 3rd AAF “Smooth Criminal”.
I also 3rd Obadiah Parker’s “Hey Ya”.
I 5th Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower”
I 2nd Beatles “Twist and Shout”.
I loved all the covers of Beatles songs in the movie “Across the Universe”, but “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is by far my favorite. She (the chick who played Prudence) did an amazing job.
posted by Jen on 7-22-2009 at 12:24 pm
Ewww……I just thought of another when people mentioned Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl and Will Ferrel doing Stevie Nicks “Leather and Lace”.
posted by SteveO on 7-22-2009 at 12:29 pm
Jeff Buckly performing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.
TV on the Radio’s a capella cover of “Mr. Grieves” by the Pixies.
My personal favorite cover Johnny Cash did during the American era was of Nick Cave’s “The Mercy Seat”.
posted by erak on 7-22-2009 at 12:29 pm
“Sweet Dreams” covered by Marilyn Manson
posted by John on 7-22-2009 at 12:33 pm
Definitely have to go along with Hendrix and Watchtower.
Let me also nominate Annie Lennox’s version of Whiter Shade of Pale
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 7-22-2009 at 12:35 pm
The Cowboy Junkies’ cover of the Lou Reed classic, “Sweet Jane”.
posted by becks on 7-22-2009 at 12:39 pm
Oh yeah, Carl Perkins’ song “Blue Suede Shoes” was later covered by some kid named Elvis.
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 7-22-2009 at 12:40 pm
Type O Negative covering Seals & Croft’s \Summer Breeze\. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard that bit of light pop rock covered by a death metal band.
posted by Anthony on 7-22-2009 at 12:42 pm
I Will Survive-Cake/Gloria Gaynor
Love Song-311/The Cure
No Quarter-Tool/Led Zeppelin
posted by Jake on 7-22-2009 at 12:49 pm
Gypsy Kings-Hotel California
Dave Matthews Band-Cortez the Killer
posted by Kramer on 7-22-2009 at 12:52 pm
The Who’s version of “Summertime Blues”
Neil Young’s covers of “All Along The Watchtower” (from his _Road_Rock_ album) and “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (from Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert) and also his version of the Beatles’ “A Day In The Life” from the DVD that comes with his latest album, _Fork_In_The_Road_
Headstones’ version of “Tweeter and the Monkey Man”
posted by Jon. on 7-22-2009 at 12:52 pm
The Beatles do an awesome cover of “Mr. Postman”. It’s true to the original with a little Beatles flair.
NoFX does a sweet ska version of “Hotel California” that I really enjoy listening too. The bump up the tempo and add lots of trumpets.
posted by Megan on 7-22-2009 at 12:52 pm
Santana covered the Fleetwood Mac song “Black Magic Woman” with some success
posted by David on 7-22-2009 at 12:57 pm
This list has to include “Hooked on a Feeling”, originally performed by B.J. Thomas (yawn) and revamped by Blue Swede (ooka chaka).
posted by Cathy D on 7-22-2009 at 1:02 pm
“Turn the Page”, orginally by Bob Segar, redone by Metallica. I much prefer the Metallica version.
I also vote for anything by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. I recently discovered them, and I love them!
posted by AmyD on 7-22-2009 at 1:02 pm
I would have included Otis Redding’s cover of “Satisfaction” over Devo’s. And speaking of Otis Redding, he wrote and originally sang “Respect”, but I think most people will give Aretha the props for her cover. Also, Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was technically a cover of Gladys Knight & the Pips’ version that came out a year earlier.
posted by tiacheryl on 7-22-2009 at 1:14 pm
Leaving on a Jet Plane has lots of covers — one of Peter, Paul & Mary climbed to top.
Which reminds me of ‘500 miles away from home’ by the same group
posted by Vivek on 7-22-2009 at 1:15 pm
Leaving on a Jet Plane has lots of covers — one of Peter, Paul & Mary climed to top.
Which reminds me of ‘500 miles away from home’ by the same group
posted by Vivek on 7-22-2009 at 1:16 pm
Black Crows “Hard to Handle”
posted by Stacy on 7-22-2009 at 1:24 pm
The Breeders’ cover of “Happiness is a Warm Gun” evokes a mood of soft, intimate creepiness, providing a level of darkness missing from the Beatles version.
posted by dagnabbit on 7-22-2009 at 1:28 pm
Hurt by Sad Kermit…
posted by Breto on 7-22-2009 at 1:33 pm
@pdb: Totally agree. William Shatner’s version is better in my opinion.
posted by hifidigitalboy on 7-22-2009 at 1:40 pm
Speaking of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, I’ma gonna have to go with the CCR cover. Not better or worse, but up there with Marvin Gaye’s version
Oh, and I also agree with AAF’s Smooth Criminal. And regarding the Metallica covers, Garage, Inc. was basically an album of covers, so there are several excellent choices: Turn the Page, Whiskey in the Jar(-o), Am I Evil, Tuesday’s Gone, Stone Cold Crazy…
posted by Jack P. on 7-22-2009 at 1:46 pm
Eric Clapton’s cover of “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” – both written by JJ Cale.
posted by Anne on 7-22-2009 at 1:47 pm
Dave Matthews Band’s cover of Thank You (Faletinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly and the Family Stone was amazing when I saw it live last weekend. Haven’t been able to locate a recording though.
posted by Alex on 7-22-2009 at 1:59 pm
just about anything by richard cheese… he takes modern songs of all genres and puts them to jazz/lounge. half of it is incredible, all of it incredibly funny.
posted by Id on 7-22-2009 at 2:12 pm
“All Along the Watchtower” as done by XTC
posted by Jim on 7-22-2009 at 2:16 pm
How about Stone Temple Pilot’s cover of Zepplin’s ‘Dancing Days’…it’s a great cover.
posted by Bryan on 7-22-2009 at 2:21 pm
people are strange – orig by the doors, but I love the echo and the bunnymen cover…
And I prefere Sarah MacGlaughlin’s versions of both River and Blue, by Joni Mitchel.
posted by Zack R on 7-22-2009 at 2:33 pm
A song performed by the same band with different instruments is NOT a cover.
Unplugged versions of hit songs performed by the original artists are not covers.
and…
Come together needed to be on that list.
posted by Troy H. on 7-22-2009 at 2:34 pm
I still think the best cover ever is the Beatles cover of Twist and Shout. How many people even know the original (by the Isley Brothers)? It’s definitely the Beatles version that Ferris Bueller belts out!
posted by Stacy on 7-22-2009 at 2:48 pm
Van Halen: “You’re No Good” (Linda Ronstadt) and “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” (The Kinks)
reCAPTCHA: Intermediate loads
posted by Bubba on 7-22-2009 at 2:52 pm
I gotta say I enjoy the Incubus version of Let’s Go Crazy more than the Prince version.
Although Prince is the man.
posted by Kait on 7-22-2009 at 2:55 pm
How about Janes Addiction with Lou Reeds “Rock and Roll” and also on the same album “Sympathy for the Devil”
or
Aerosmith doing “I’m Down” by the Beatles
or
The Grateful Dead doing a bunch of songs, but my favorite is “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
or
Van Halen’s “Pretty Woman” blows the doors off Roy Orbisons
or …
posted by Dave on 7-22-2009 at 3:48 pm
Amanda Palmer’s “Creep” in her Black Cab Session.
posted by yogahz on 7-22-2009 at 3:52 pm
Anthony – I agree 100% about Type O Negative’s version of Summer Breeze – one of my favorite songs off the ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ soundtrack.
posted by Kellie on 7-22-2009 at 3:58 pm
GNR: “Live and Let Die”
posted by JS on 7-22-2009 at 4:02 pm
Any cover by Allison Crowe is great. Special mention to her versions of Counting Crows’ songs (A Murder of One, Raining in Baltimore), Joni Mitchell (River, A Case of You) and Leonard Cohen (Joan of Arc, Hallelujah).
Wild Is the Wind covered by David Bowie is cool. Not necessarily better than the original by Nina Simone, but, stands on its own.
posted by Olivia on 7-22-2009 at 4:03 pm
What about Pearl Jam’s Last Kiss?????
posted by Bobby Roberts on 7-22-2009 at 4:10 pm
Don Henley has a really good cover of the Ataris’ “Boys of Summer.”
posted by almost on 7-22-2009 at 4:38 pm
The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s version of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”
posted by Laura on 7-22-2009 at 4:56 pm
@Kramer: thank you! DMB’s “Cortez the Killer” is outstanding and I was ridiculously excited when it was released on CD. And I know many of you will disagree, but DMB’s “Watchtower” is the best version of any I’ve heard.
posted by Carol on 7-22-2009 at 5:03 pm
My favorite is “Come On Eileen”, originally by Dexys Midnight Runners, covered by Save Ferris. That song was my college anthem.
posted by Erin on 7-22-2009 at 5:03 pm
Couldn’t agree more with Devo’s version of Satisfaction.
Our Lips Are Sealed by Fun Boy Three
We’re Not Gonna Take It by Bif Naked
96 Tears – The Stranglers
I Fought The Law – The Clash
My Way – Sid Vicious
I had thought of a whole whack of great covers but I’ve totally gone blank.
For shitzengiggles – I do love Richard Cheese’s version of Closer by NIN
posted by Muerte Del Toro on 7-22-2009 at 5:24 pm
I 4th…Smooth Criminal by AAF (Michael Jackson)
and of course
Last Kiss by Pearl Jam.
Based on the comments, this list is woefully lacking.
posted by scott on 7-22-2009 at 5:47 pm
I usually feel like covers tend to murder people’s fav songs, but I do like Easy by Faith No More and most of Brian Ferry’s lounge-style reworkings of classics are good e.g. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and These Foolish Things are great, although admittedly I’m not super familiar with the original versions of those.
Why does the recaptcha have my ex’s name in it? Get out!
posted by Gwan on 7-22-2009 at 5:51 pm
Don’t forget \Bitter Sweet Symphony\. The Verve took a relatively obscure Rolling Stones song and turned it into an anthem.
And, of course, Dread Zeppelin. Not better than the original but everything on the Un-Led-Ed album is great!
posted by Jergig on 7-22-2009 at 6:01 pm
Lots of good comments, though I don’t agree with all of them (who does?). I love Nirvana’s unplugged-ish Bowie cover \The Man Who Sold The World\ and Faith No More’s \War Pigs.\ \Yesterday\ might still be in the Guinness Book for most covered song. En Vogue and Boyz II Men did great versions that I’ve heard, and I’m sure there are more. Did the Gypsy Kings record the Spanish cover of \Hotel California\ that was featured in The Big Lebowski?
I’m tired of having my comments rejected because the website doesn’t always give me a reCAPTCHA…someone at m_f help! At least the field isn’t reset.
posted by RIchard Y on 7-22-2009 at 6:36 pm
I most certainly second Johnny Cash being on this list, but I was shocked by the exclusion of Jeff Buckley. His Hallelujah is on par with Coen’s if not better. I also think the ‘Fugees version of “Killing Me Softly” was definitely better than the Roberta Flack original. I will also throw in Nirvana’s cover of Bowie’s “Man Who Sold the World”.
posted by cj on 7-22-2009 at 6:42 pm
Cash’s hurt – best cover ever, hands down (Reznor: “It works. And it probably works better than my version.”)
Jorge’s rebel – nice addition
Verve’s Bittersweet – right on
Hendrix’s aatw – genius
peppers’ higher ground – definitely
what about Talking Heads cover of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River”
Alien Ant Farm? Fiona Apple? Van Halen? Black Crowes??? Tool????? Are you serious people???? Why not Britney or Clay Aiken? Good to know there’s no decline in the market for over-produced, unoriginal crap.
posted by Adam in CO on 7-22-2009 at 7:56 pm
Definitely agree with the Van Halen “You Really Got Me” and Cake’s remake of “I Will Survive” mentioned previously.
While I wouldn’t quite say it’s better, I really like Social Distortion’s version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”
posted by Keith on 7-22-2009 at 8:32 pm
Never thought I’d say it, but Counting Crows’ version of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”
posted by clarity on 7-22-2009 at 8:36 pm
Where did these come from? Unchained Melody would be the only one I would even consider
“All Along the Watch Tower” – Hendrix covering Dylan
“Blinded By The Light” – Manfred Mann covering Bruce Springstein
“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” – Guns and Roses covering Dylan
“Cocaine” – Eric Clapton covering JJ Cale
“All The Young Dudes” – Mott the Hoople covering Bowie
“Mr. Tambourine Man” – The Byrds covering Dylan
posted by Bob in Rochester, NY on 7-22-2009 at 8:45 pm
Oak Ridge Boys’ cover of White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army
posted by Katherine on 7-22-2009 at 9:13 pm
Juan–Me First anad the Gimmes Gimmes ROCK!! Love that they do all those awesome covers (including showtunes! Phantom of the Opera, anyone?!) and are comfortable in their masculinity to sing “My Boyfriend’s Back” without switching anything around!
First heard Devo’s “Satisfaction” in Scorsese’s “Casino” back in 1995. Goes perfectly for the scene he used it in, if you’ve seen the film!
posted by Marty on 7-22-2009 at 10:50 pm
Am I the only person in the world that thinks Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is one of the absolute worst songs OF ALL TIME. It is absolute torture, his voice sounds terrible, it drags on forever, and it completely desecrates the original, which I don’t even like that much.
What about The Postal Service’s cover of “Against All Odds?”
posted by scott on 7-23-2009 at 12:31 am
Sorry we’re not indie enough for you, Adam in CO, but Van Halen is actually respected by most people who truly know rock music, including most of the artists you probably like. Don’t diss it just because it’s famous. Van Halen is not the same as Britney Spears or Clay Aiken for many reasons, the main one being that the band includes 2 virtuoso musicians.
posted by LP on 7-23-2009 at 1:54 am
Maybe I missed it…but I’m surprised no one mentioned this one…Gary Jules’ cover of “Mad World” is simply a haunting, amazing version of that song…
posted by Patten on 7-23-2009 at 10:08 am
Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U”
311 “Love Song” (Not better than the original, but close to it)
Nirvana “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (Might be my favorite Nirvana song.)
Aretha Franklin “Respect”
Jeff Buckley “Hallelujah”
Eric Clapton “Cocaine”
Jimi Hendrix “Hey Joe”
The Clash “I Fought The Law”
The White Stripes “Jolene”
I’m just going to stop now.
posted by Ryan on 7-23-2009 at 2:35 pm
Adam in CO:
It’ll do you good to note: No one is interested in your personal taste. The pleasure of adding songs we know to this list is in watching the list grow full of songs many of us are not aware of. It’s nice to see people with such diverse tastes. Since you’re the only one who appears to be judging others…
posted by Bubba on 7-23-2009 at 4:11 pm
George Thorogood doing Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues”
Motley Crue doing Brownsville Station’s “Smokin in the Boys Room”
But the funniest has got to be Eric Cartman from South Park doing “Come Sail Away” by Styx
posted by Dave on 7-23-2009 at 4:21 pm
alright, will keep opinions to myself, kumbayah…
how bout:
Beatle’s “Roll Over Beethoven” (Chuck Berry)
Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Gladys Night)
Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton)
“Rappers Delight” by the old lady in The Wedding Singer (Sugar Hill Gang)
posted by Adam in CO on 7-23-2009 at 7:28 pm
I like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s cover of “Superstitions” better than Stevie Wonder’s original.
posted by Tdave on 7-24-2009 at 11:50 am
Motorhead’s Louie Louie (Richard Berry)
Metallica’s Blitzkrieg (Blitzkrieg)
Iron Maiden’s Cross Eyed Mary (Jethro Tull)
posted by trooper on 7-25-2009 at 4:24 pm
Ryan
Jeff Buckley “Hallelujah”
who did it first?
posted by chris on 7-26-2009 at 5:02 pm
Prince did a cover of the Foo FIghter’s “Best of You”.
However Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” is the best cover I’ve ever heard.
posted by VikingBerserker on 7-26-2009 at 10:12 pm
Heard this the other day: “Toxic”, by A static Lullaby. Awesome. Daughter has it as her ringtone…
posted by PT on 7-27-2009 at 11:32 am
subterranean homesick blues – originally by bob dylan and covered by the red hot chili peppers.
i’m a huge dylan fan, but the RHCP version kicks it up a notch or two that really makes it pop.
posted by Renis on 7-27-2009 at 11:13 pm
Shout 2000 – Disturbed
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
Behind Blue Eyes – Limp Bizkit
Cats in the Cradle – Ugly Joe Kid
Come Together – Aerosmith
Don’t Be Cruel – Cheap Trick
Every Picture Tells a Story – Georgia Satellites
Have a Cigar, Goodbye Lament – Foo Fighters
I Can’t Explain – Scorpions
I’m Eighteen – Creed
Mississippi Queen and Rocky Mountain Way – Ozzy
Personal Jesus – Marilyn Manson
Rock On, Stay With Me – Def Leppard
Saturday Night’s All Right for Fighting – Nickelback with Kid Rock
Smokin’ in the Boys Room – Motley Crue
Superstition – SRV
Tuesday’s Gone, Turn the Page – Metalica
posted by Spudboy on 7-28-2009 at 1:34 pm
Chris,
It was originally a Leonard Cohen song.
posted by Ryan on 7-29-2009 at 10:36 am
Knockin’ on Heaven’s door, Guns N’ Roses. Are you kidding me? How is this tune not on the list?
I won’t even touch the idea of having an unknown track from a Bill Murray movie on the list, when there’s so many great covers out there.
posted by RazZ on 8-8-2009 at 9:05 pm
And Devo? Seriously? Dude…you’re on glue. You know next to, bordering on nothing about music….
posted by RazZ on 8-8-2009 at 9:06 pm
It’s my personal belief that Patti Smith’s version of “Gloria” is infinitely better than the Van Morrison original. Which isn’t to put down the original, either. I actually like it, too. Patti Smith’s version just strikes me as better, though. (Then again, it could have something to do with the fact that she was a woman singing the song, and I could really identify with that.)
posted by Pippin the Mercury on 8-29-2009 at 8:21 pm
Nothing Else Matters – Apocolyptica Seriously the best thing I’ve ever heard, it’s like the key to the pleasure centers of my brain.
There’s also this: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1921177
posted by PodexPerfectusSum on 9-18-2009 at 1:57 pm
ok, so I’m not the only one poking in months late to the party here.
just a few faves:
Walk on by/ Stranglers- Dionne Warwick
Hallelujah/ JohnCale – Leonard Cohen
Darling Be Home Soon/ Joe Cocker – um, Youngbloods(?)
and a big thanks to all who posted covers I’ve never heard, I’ve got like 15 tabs open searching for these.
posted by sroz on 10-5-2009 at 9:38 pm
machine head covering message in a bottle by the police.
chris cornell covering billie jean by michael jackson.
rufus wainwright covering hallelujah by leonard cohen.
i’m so glad somebody mentioned prince covering the foo fighters :)
i love cover songs and i know there’s a ton more i adore, just can’t think of them at the moment…..
posted by ambyrr81 on 10-20-2009 at 10:00 pm