In another thread ALT Muskie mentioned Sonic Youth's version of The Carpenters 'Superstar', a fantastic cover on a great album. No record collection is complete without 'If I Were A Carpenter'. 'Superstar' also turns up on the Juno soundtrack.
It got me thinking about cover songs that exceed the originals. Not so much later versions of already great songs like Johnny Cash doing 'Long Black Veil', but covers of songs and artists you really do not like in the first place. Either that or just a totally different take on the song that kicks arse.
When I got to Xavier, 'Deadicated' was floating around. Jane's Addiction's version of 'Ripple' is better than any actual Grateful Dead song.
I think that what Rod Stewart does is called music is a crime, but Blur's cover of 'Maggie May' made me like the song for the first time.
I do not think anyone actually likes Elvis Costello and say they like him just to seem hipper than everyone else, but Suede's 'Shipbuilding' is excellent.
Not necessarily better, but honorable mention to The Sunday's 'Wild Horses' for use in the awesome scene on the roller coaster in 'Fear'.
Liz Phair 'Turning Japanese'
Smashing Pumpkins doing Jethro Tull's 'Dancing In the Moonlight'
Willie & Merle taking Townes Van Zandt's 'Poncho and Lefty' to another level.
I prefer The Stone Roses 'Thriller' to the original.
Afghan Whigs doing The Supremes 'I Hear A Symphony' and TLC 'Creep'
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Thread: Covers Better Than Originals
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06-21-2008, 11:54 AM #1
Covers Better Than Originals
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
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06-22-2008, 04:27 PM #2
Janis Joplin doing Me and Bobby McGee has to be one of the best covers ever.
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06-22-2008, 04:39 PM #3
Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt".
"He's a little bit ball-dominant, he needs to have the ball in his hands, and he's not a good shooter." Ball-dominant … isn't that a nice way of calling someone a ball hog? Where is my Jay Bilas Thesaurus?
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06-22-2008, 04:42 PM #4
I really like The Killers "Romeo and Juliet"
Although, I am one of few of my friends who can actually stand the Killers.
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06-22-2008, 04:53 PM #5
Easy question. It's "Dancin in the Street" by Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y-x2fWKbmo
so awesome!!!
And this is awesome too:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2b...-we-shall-over
I cried when I watched this. BRING BACK THE 60'S...WE SHALL OVERCOME.Last edited by GuyFawkes38; 06-22-2008 at 05:00 PM.
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06-22-2008, 05:19 PM #6
Joe Cocker - A Little Help from my Friends
Gary Jules - Mad World
Grant Lee Phillips has an album that is all acoustic covers of 80's songs.
Megan Hickey - Modern Love (Bowie. The Bowie covers on Steve Zissou soundtrack are all good too)
Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide - good but not better than fleetwood.
Faith No More - War Pigs (again, can't necessarily say it's better than Sabbath's)
Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
Brian Auger - No Time to Live (Traffic)
Bruce Hornsby & Ricky Skaggs - Mandolin Rain (not sure this counts as a 'cover')
Van Halen - You Really got me and Pretty Woman
Jeff Beck - Greensleeves
Sublime - Hope
Old School wedding singer - Total Eclipse of the Heart. Best cover ever.
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06-22-2008, 05:20 PM #7
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xox...-watchto_music
Jimmy Hendrix' remake of Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8
Also, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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06-22-2008, 07:16 PM #8
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06-22-2008, 07:53 PM #9
Nirvana doing the covers on their unplugged cd was way better than the originals (IMO).
Talent on loan from God
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06-22-2008, 10:18 PM #10
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground", in my opinion, is much better than Stevie's.
"All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz and I'm fine.--Jeff Spicoli"
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