Comments on: Modern Cover Question

Question: Modern Cover Question

bonaldi — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:01:12 -0800

Nina Gordon has just recorded a cover of Straight Outta Compton. It rules. Johnny Cash did One, Jeff Buckley did Hallelujah, The Gourds did Gin and Juice. Any other Better-Than-The-First-Time covers?

More Nina Gordon covers on her site.

And I know covers is a rejected term in some circles, but I can't think of a better one that doesn't sound wank.

By: Mayor Curley

Mayor Curley — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:06:27 -0800

It's definitely funny, but better than the original? Nina Gordon's good, but she ain't Eazy. I think you just wanted to link to a song that you like.

That said, I love Billy Bragg, but Mary Lou Lord's version of "Ontario, Quebec and Me" is a vast improvement on the original.

By: adamkempa

adamkempa — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:11:08 -0800

Zumpano's cover of 'Changes' by the zombies. The original is spacious and plodding. The cover is sharp-edged, evolving pop. I'm hosting the file here.

By: kickerofelves

kickerofelves — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:13:34 -0800

Shane MacGowan's cover of "Cracklin' Rosie" is really wonderful, and blows Neil Diamond's shmaltzy version away.

By: jeffmshaw

jeffmshaw — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:15:11 -0800

Uncle Tupelo's version of "Dead Flowers" blows the Rolling Stones' version away.

By: MLIS

MLIS — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:15:49 -0800

Sid Vicious, "My Way".

By: AlexReynolds

AlexReynolds — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:16:51 -0800

Nine Inch Nails' cover of "Memorabilia" beats the Soft Cell version any day of the week.

By: nixerman

nixerman — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:17:37 -0800

Um, this isn't better than the original at all. It's trying too hard to be funny and doesn't respect the "gist" of the original song at all while adding a new perspective--which a really good cover should do.

Ugh.

By: Gortuk

Gortuk — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:19:52 -0800

Son Volt's cover of Ron Wood's "Mystifies Me"

By: redsparkler

redsparkler — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:20:08 -0800

I actually downloaded a fantastic cover of Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You", but I have no idea who's singing. It was billed as Pedro The Lion, but I've heard his and it's not the same. Not Flickerstick, not Jewel. So..uhh..if anyone knows that...

And the Barenaked Ladies do a cover of Richard Cockburn's "Lovers In A Dangerous Time" that will cause you to rethink your opinion on the group (at least, if you view them as a novelty gimmick).

By: fingers_of_fire

fingers_of_fire — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:22:06 -0800

Twist and Shout, the Beatles. Definitive.

By: carter

carter — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:24:51 -0800

Ooh, I think there's a ton, but off the top of my head ... the Gypsy King's killer cover of 'Hotel California' (see the Jesus bowling sequence in The Big Lebowski), Cash's cover of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' the Wedding Present's cover of Orange Juice's 'Felicity,' Cornelius' version of 'Brazil,' and live/bootleg Sex Pistols version of Iggy's 'No Fun.' Great reminisce question!

By: availablelight

availablelight — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:25:18 -0800

Johnny Cash covering Trent Reznor's "Hurt."

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:26:12 -0800

Peter Paul & Mary, "Blowin' in the Wind"

By: carter

carter — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:30:40 -0800

The Ramones' 'Do ya wanna dance.'

By: u.n. owen

u.n. owen — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:31:25 -0800

Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah is NOT better than Cohen's.

By: gwint

gwint — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:31:30 -0800

Foo Fighters doing "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty

By: Who_Am_I

Who_Am_I — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:31:45 -0800

When I was looking for road-trip music, user baltimore directed me to coverville. I don't know how good a lot of the stuff is, but you might be interested in it.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:33:26 -0800

The Bangles, "Hazy Shade of Winter."

By: PinkStainlessTail

PinkStainlessTail — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:33:36 -0800

Lydia Lunch and Rowland E. Howard's cover of "Some Velvet Morning" might be better than the Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood version. Or it might just be eerier.

By: TheDonF

TheDonF — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:34:30 -0800

I've not heard the original (so maybe I shouldn't comment), and Bob Mould didn't like it, but Therapy's cover of "Husker Du's" Diane was superb.

The Wildhearts' cover of Jason And The Scorchers' "White Lies" is stunning.

By: Juicylicious

Juicylicious — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:35:03 -0800

I love the Scissors Sister's Comfortably Numb.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:35:59 -0800

Oh, there are loads. I'm slightly cover-obsessed, at the moment.

Afghan Whigs doing (deep breath) TLC's (rather than Radiohead's) Creep, Band Of Gold, Dark End Of The Street, Come See About Me, My World Is Empty Without You, When Doves Cry, If There's A Hell Below (we're All Gonna Go), and a ton more.

Creedence did a massive, 12-minute cover of Heard It Through The Grapevine; the Slits version is even better, and knocks even Marvin's take into a cocked hat.

Yo La Tengo's version of Sun Ra's Nuclear War

The Avengers, Fennesz, Acid Mothers Temple all wrecking Paint It Black.

Got to go eat; will dig out more later.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:37:10 -0800

Oh, and Lydia Lunch doing Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

By: Alex Handcoding

Alex Handcoding — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:40:03 -0800

I still like Save Ferris' ska cover of Come On Eileen better than Dexy's Midnight Runners' original.

By: cmonkey

cmonkey — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:40:15 -0800

Dinosaur Jr's cover of "Just Like Heaven". It's beautiful.

By: luriete

luriete — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:41:31 -0800

Cibo Matto's "About A Girl" is way better and weirder than the original Nirvana version.

By: cmonkey

cmonkey — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:42:53 -0800

Oh, and I like Skankin' Pickle's cover of "Gates of Steel" more than I like the Devo version.

By: xmutex

xmutex — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:42:55 -0800

Fennesz did Paint It Black?

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:44:19 -0800

Joan Jett's cover of the Arrows "I Love Rock And Roll" springs immediately to mind. The Fastbacks cover of the Supersuckers' "On The Couch," is better than the (still very good) original.

Mitch Ryder's post Detroit Wheels hard rock band, simply called Detroit, did a phenomenal cover of the Velvet Underground's "Rock & Roll." It was so good, that Lou Reed is said to have stated "that's what I wanted the song to sound like in the first place."

By: Robot Johnny

Robot Johnny — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:51:18 -0800

Elvis Costello does wonders with almost any song he covers, including (but not limited to):
Brinsley Schwartz's "Peace, Love, and Understanding"
Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice"
Charlie Chaplin's "Smile"
Sleeper's "What Do I Do Now?"
...and the entire Almost Blue album

Another fave:
The Bee Gee's "I Started a Joke" as covered by Low.

Some good covers-only MP3 blogs include Copy, Right? and Chrome Waves.

By: amarynth

amarynth — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:51:18 -0800

Beezus does a great cover of Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" which turns into a cover of Joe Hill's "Rebel Girl."

Also great are Cake's version of "I Will Survive" and Travis's version of "Hit Me Baby One More Time." And Wheatus does a really fun cover of "A Little Respect."

And, while OK Go's cover of "This Will Be Our Year" isn't too different from the Zombie's original, I still like it a lot.

By: goatdog

goatdog — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:55:55 -0800

I prefer Rufus Wainright's "Hallelujah" over either Cohen's or Buckley's. The Cowboy Junkies' cover of The Bruce's "State Trooper." Uncle Tupelo's cover of CCR's "Effigy."

By: Mossy

Mossy — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:56:08 -0800

Hurt covered by Johnny Cash. Made me cry.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:56:30 -0800

- Ivy's cover of The Blow Monkey's "Digging Your Scene"
- Hooverphonic's cover of Depeche Mode's "Shake The Disease"
- John Martyn's cover of Portishead's "Glory Box"
- Cassandra Wilson's cover of Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey"
- Cassandra Wilson's cover of Ann Peebles's "I Can't Stand The Rain" (same album as above)
- Robinella's cover of Irene Cara's "What A Feelin'"
- Neko Case's cover of Aretha Franklin's "Runnin' Out of Fools"

There are more. I'll keep thinking.

By: soplerfo

soplerfo — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:57:37 -0800

xmutex: Fennesz did indeed cover Paint It Black

By: weston

weston — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:05:55 -0800

Dar William's cover of Pierce Pettis' Family is one I like better. In fact, I heard him in concert once say that *he* liked it better, and asked how she did the recording. She apparently replied they'd done it in a hotel room, and he said something like "That's my problem! We've been spending money on these darn studios."

I was really into pop a'cappella for a while, a *very* cover based genre, since it's almost a contest to see what you can do next using only vocals. Much of the time it's a bit cheesy, but there are a few covers that I actually like better than the original. Two of these are on Best of Collegiate A'cappella Vol 1 -- the covers of the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Soul to Squeeze and Kate Bush's This Woman's Work are just excellent.

Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah is NOT better than Cohen's.

Have to disagree. Cohen's performance captures that "conned just like I woulda been by a televangelist" feeling, Buckley turned it into the pure, searing lament that I love. And I like Cohen quite a bit.

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:06:25 -0800

Phish covering Syd Barrett's (of Pink Floyd) Bike.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:07:25 -0800

Both the Dictators and the Ramones covers of "California Sun," even though the original is still a fine stomper.

By: willpie

willpie — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:08:04 -0800

I don't really think it's better than the original (maybe just as good), but I love Big Star's cover of the Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale.

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:13:28 -0800

Fountains of Wayne also covered "Baby One More Time" and did a fantastic job with it.

I also love REM's covers of "Academy Fight Song" (Mission of Burma) and "Wall of Death" (Richard and Linda Thompson). They do a lot of good covers, actually.

And I never knew Joan Jett's version of "I Love Rock and Roll" was a cover! I learn something new every day. : )

By: Zonker

Zonker — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:13:40 -0800

Dread Zeppelin's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come".

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:15:31 -0800

Oh yeah, and U2 does a live version of "Daydream Believer" that's really good.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:16:28 -0800

And I never knew Joan Jett's version of "I Love Rock and Roll" was a cover! I learn something new every day. : )

SisterHavana, here's the backstory. I've heard the original, it's a good bar-band rocker, but Joan Jett's versions blows it away.

By: mrg

mrg — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:17:08 -0800

Prozak for Lovers - their renditions of Don't Fear the Reaper and Aqualung and such are quite good and quirky.

By: Quartermass

Quartermass — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:17:53 -0800

Just talking this morning how much better Iron and Wine's cover of the Flaming Lip's "Waiting For a Superman" is.

By: Inkoate

Inkoate — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:18:14 -0800

Wierd synergy, Alex Handcoding... just as I read your comment about Come on Eileen, it started playing on my iTunes. CREEPY!

Anyway, no one here has yet mentioned the ultimate example of this, and that is Jimi's cover of Watchtower. (As long as you think that Jimi's version is indeed better).

By: amarynth

amarynth — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:23:02 -0800

Quartermass's post reminded me of what it probably my favorite cover -- Iron & Wine's cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" is terrific, and very different from the original. Some of my friends that like the original think the cover is depressing, but I think it seems much more intimate.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:25:26 -0800

Also, while I have a soft spot for Sonny & Cher, I love Etta James' cover of "I Got You Babe," where she makes it funky somehow. The aforemetioned Dictators version of it on their classic first album is a masterpiece of goony humor, as well.

By: jdroth

jdroth — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:26:15 -0800

Ugh. I just downloaded Dinosaur Jr.'s cover of "Just Like Heaven". This is an improvement over the original? This is beautiful? Ugh.

By: SweetJesus

SweetJesus — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:29:49 -0800

The Pixies covers of The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Head On", and The Beatles "Wild Honey Pie"...

And "In Heaven" from Eraserhead, but that's not really a cover, I guess.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:29:50 -0800

- Stevie Ray Vaughan's cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"
- Pet Shop Boys's cover of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" (incorporated into their cover of U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name")
- Jimmy Somerville's cover of Gloria Gaynor's "Never Can Say Goodbye"
- Rufus Wainwright & Ben Folds covering George Michael's "Careless Whisper"

By: glyphlet

glyphlet — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:33:26 -0800

I can't believe this hasn't been said yet, but Devo's version of "Satisfaction" is one of the greatest remakes ever.

By: glyphlet

glyphlet — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:34:25 -0800

Oh yeah - Aretha Franklin's version of "Respect" brought the house down back then, still does today. How could I forget about that one.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:35:59 -0800

And sometimes, the opposite is true ...

Like Big Mama Thornton's thunderous 1952 original of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog."

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:38:01 -0800

true, grabbingsand, but on the other hand his version of "That's Alright, Mama," is superior to Arthur Crudup's. Rod Stewart's "Reason To Believe," is better than Tim Hardin's mainly because Rod has the far superior voice and it's a perfect match of singer to song.

By: nicwolff

nicwolff — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:40:15 -0800

That Nina Gordon "Straight Outta Compton" is fantastic - I played it at a poker party last night a people were gasping for air. Here are more great covers - I'll host a couple of them that are hard to find:

Edson "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"
The Scala Choir "I Touch Myself"
Cat Power "Satisfaction"
Langley Schools Music Project "Desperado"
They Might Be Giants "Jessica"
Ben Folds "In Between Days"
Go To Blazes "OD'd In Denver"
Dennis Brown "Wichita Lineman"

and I may be crossing the cheeseline here but Gwyneth Paltrow's version of "Bette Davis Eyes" from the movie Duets is impossibly sexy.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:41:02 -0800

Also, Dion's (yes, that Dion) interpretation of Tom Waits' "Heart Of Saturday Night," is by no means superior to the original, but it's definitely an interesting take on the tune and it suits his voice well. I believe Waits himself once said it was his favorite cover of it.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:43:06 -0800

oh, nicwolff, Kim Carnes' version of "Bette Davis Eyes," is a cover, too. Jackie DeShannon (of "When You Walk In The Room" fame) did it first.

By: ramix

ramix — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:50:52 -0800

Diana Krall's version of Cry me a river gives me goosebumps.

By: sled

sled — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:51:48 -0800

Luther Wright and the Wrongs do a pretty good cover of Floyd in "Rebuild the Wall."

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:53:41 -0800

Plus Flatt & Scruggs' bluegrass cover of the Monkees' "Last Train To Clarksville," is terrific, too, and Skeeter Davis country interpretation of Little Peggy March's "I Will Follow," although to get the full effect of that number you need to hear March's own version, sung in Japanese.

Also, Vanilla Fudge had a breif heyday in the late sixties doing sludgy psychedic covers of songs like the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On," and the Impressions' "People Get Ready." They also spawned the career of journeyman hard-rock drummer Carmine Appice.

Fudge actually spawned some imitators, like Lexington Avenue Local who offerred their turgidbass-heavy cover of the Association's "Along Comes Mary."

Frijid Pink fuzz and wah-wah drenched cover of the folk chestnut "House Of The Rising Sun," belongs in a museum of wonderfully wretched excess as well. They unleashed the same treatment on "Heartbreak Hotel," belive it or not, with similar results.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:58:19 -0800

OK, two last ones, The Chicago Line's stomping version of "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop," (featuring future Pretty Things drummer Viv Prince) makes Little Anthony & the Imperials sound positively anemic. And I'm a huge Marvin Gaye fan but The Band's version of "Baby, Don't Do It," ranks among Levon & the Boys best moments.

Alright, I'll shut up now.

By: sonofsamiam

sonofsamiam — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:58:49 -0800

Patti Smith, "Gloria"

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 11:59:54 -0800

....and from the band of a thousand covers (Pearl Jam)
Baba O'Reily (The Who) so good...

Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young) makes me dance and scream and shout....

Patriot (Steven Van Zant) even better then the original

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:01:50 -0800

Eye In The Sky/a>, as performed by Jonatha Brooke. Also some other good covers on that album, particularly "God Only Knows."

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:02:28 -0800

Crap.

Eye of the Tiger.

Sorry.

By: knave

knave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:02:36 -0800

NOFX - Vincent (Don McLean original)

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:03:41 -0800

That is, Eye in the Sky.

I think I'll just get up from my desk now.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:08:38 -0800

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes do a god job with almost everything they touch. Additionally, Travis did some terrific covers. There was a version of "Hit Me Baby, One More Time" floating around Napster at the same time as Fountains of Wayne's. In concert Travis did fantastic versions of The Band's "The Weight" and AC/DC's "Back in Black," though the covers veered a little too close to impersonations.

By: maurice

maurice — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:11:13 -0800

Richard Thompson's version of ""Oops! I Did It Again"

By: katie

katie — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:14:44 -0800

tori amos: "i'm on fire"
amazing.

By: Dreama

Dreama — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:17:40 -0800

Lou Reed himself had high praise for Duran Duran's version of "Perfect Day." Not so much high praise for their cover of Public Enemy's "911 Is a Joke" but we won't talk about that.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:17:52 -0800

Swamp Dogg's country soul version of John Prine's "Sam Stone."

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:19:43 -0800

Tori's cover of "I'm On Fire" is stunning ... however, the bootleg recording -- at least, the one I have -- is interrupted right after the first verse ... right in this little pocket of silence ... by some idiot fanboy screaming "I LOVE YOU!"

I hate you, fanboy.

By: jeffmshaw

jeffmshaw — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:21:39 -0800

I'd like to second cmonkey's opinion of Dinosaur Jr.'s Just Like Heaven. It's truly transcendent.

Camper Van Beethoven's cover of Black Flag's "Wasted" is another inspired re-working. Both are tunes that sort of invert the original.

On preview: Tori Amos' version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is terrific, too, as is the Charlie Hunter Trio's jazz rendition of "Come As You Are" (which 'quotes' the opening riff from Teen Spirit). Guess I like covers that shift genres.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:25:59 -0800

Holy ... I forgot another.

- The Sunday's cover of The Rolling Stone's "Wild Horses"

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:28:06 -0800

Nina Simone's version of "I Shall Be Released" is far better than any other version.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:29:11 -0800

I'm late to the party, but Nevermore's version of S&G's Sound of Silence is my canonical example of a better-than-original cover song. (Not everyone would agree.)

Children of Bodom's The Final Countdown is another (hard to find) candidate.

And yeah, definitely the Richard Thompson version of Oops! I did it again.

By: Heatwole

Heatwole — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:31:35 -0800

Annie Lennox's "Train In Vain" (reluctantly and grudgingly)

By: thirdparty

thirdparty — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:35:30 -0800

The Clash "I Fought The Law"

By: booth

booth — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:35:37 -0800

Arguably, Talking Heads' cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River."

By: ModestyBCatt

ModestyBCatt — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:38:05 -0800

I second The Bangles, "Hazy Shade of Winter."

I also like The Cramps version of Fever (found on Songs the Lord Taught Us CD), it being better or not is I'm sure down to personal taste.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:41:56 -0800

Nevermore's Sound of Silence is here; get it while it lasts.

By: signal

signal — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:42:14 -0800

Sarah Machlachlan's "Dear God" is amazing.
Andy Summers & Gustavo Cerati doing "Bring on the Night" in Spanish ("Traeme la Noche") is wunderbar, though it's not a pure cover as Summers played on the original version.
Goldfinger doing "99 luftballons". Not sure if its better than Nena, but it adds something.

By: me3dia

me3dia — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:43:58 -0800

- Violent Femmes do a great cover of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"
- I like NIN's version of "Suck" better than the Pigface original, but it's barely a cover since Reznor participated in the original.
- Nirvana's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" isn't necessarily better than Bowie's, but it's really, really good.
- And speaking of Bowie, his cover of Iggy Pop's "China Girl" is sexier while retaining the inherent creepiness.

By: fatllama

fatllama — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:00:15 -0800

Bjork much? She has an entire album of jazz standards covered in Icelandic. Two songs are delivered in English: I Can't Help Loving That Man and Ruby Baby. Just great stuff.

By: Eamon

Eamon — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:18:51 -0800

Anything recorded in Jamaica from 1960 - 1974.

By: Zetetics

Zetetics — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:20:37 -0800

I find a lot of popsongs with wretched lyrics become quite pleasant in mandarin or cantonese versions.
e.g. Faye Wong's cover of the Cranberries' Dreams (aka Dream Person).

By: tristeza

tristeza — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:21:14 -0800

This is said in utter sincerity - I think that Steve and Eydie's cover of "Black Hole Sun" is amazing and far better than Soundgarden's original.

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:39:15 -0800

Chris Smither's Desolation Row is right up there for me.

By: BT

BT — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:42:23 -0800

This could just go on and on. One I can't believe no one mentioned is Aztec Camera's transcendent acoustic version of Van Halen's "Jump" -- my gold standard example of the cover that both radically changes the sound/approach of the original and leaves it in the dust.

And once Camper Van Beethoven was mentioned, I thought immediately of their almost straight-ahead cover of Ringo Starr's "Photograph" -- not the same thing, since they don't reinvent the song at all. But they give it a freshness and sincerity that made its appealing qualities stand out. (Or maybe I just liked it more because it was CVB?)

sonofsamiam is dead on about Patti Smith's "Gloria" too.

The covers of Roxy Music's "2HB" and "Ladytron" that appeared in Velvet Goldmine (Thom Yorke singing, and I forget who else in the band) are, in my view, improvements on the original performances. But I'm sure real Roxy Music fans would find this verdict unpalatable.

Finally, I think the Rickie Lee Jones/Joe Jackson cover of Steely Dan's "Show Biz Kids" crackles in a fantastic way, and elevates the song to a higher level than the original recording.

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:43:45 -0800

And then there's Moody Bluegrass, A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues.

By: Hash

Hash — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:48:02 -0800

Senor Coconut "latinized" kraftwerk is fun even after repeated listening.

By: glyphlet

glyphlet — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:52:02 -0800

Apocalyptica is pretty great. They're four Finnish cellists that cover various metal songs. Very cool.

Two geeks. A stack of synthesizers. The best version of "Hotel California" ever. The Moog Cookbook.

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:59:11 -0800

I second The Bangles, "Hazy Shade of Winter."

Well, I wasn't gonna say it until it got seconded--but I prefer the original. Not that the Bangles' version isn't good, too.

By: kenko

kenko — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:03:18 -0800

Second Richard Thompson's "Oops! I Did It Again", and propose John Cale's "Heartbreak Hotel".

By: abcde

abcde — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:12:26 -0800

Radiohead's cover of Can's "Thief" is really great. Seconded re: Hooverphonic's Shake the Disease.

By: googly

googly — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:13:25 -0800

Coil's cover of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell is by far the best, and here's why:

1) Its not just a cover, its a meta-cover (a cover of a cover).

2) The music is completely different, not just slightly updated.

3) Its not just a tongue-in-cheek parody. Coil sings the same lyrics but gives them an entirely different, darker interpretation merely through their inflection - turning a pretty run-of-the-mill breakup song into a commentary on HIV/AIDS.

By: theFlyingSquirrel

theFlyingSquirrel — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:21:20 -0800

I think Ben Folds Five brought something special to "She Don't Use Jelly", originally by the Flaming Lips.

By: TimeFactor

TimeFactor — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:22:04 -0800

Ragnar Bjarnason: "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Joe Cocker: "With a Little Help From My Friends"

By: enrevanche

enrevanche — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:35:27 -0800

Old And In The Way (Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, John Kahn, Vassar Clements) doing a bluegrass version of the Jagger/Richards standard "Wild Horses."

Johnny Cash covering Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman."

Tom Jones and the Art Of Noise performing Prince's "Kiss."

By: Jairus

Jairus — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:45:36 -0800

Coil's cover of Tainted Love is, indeed, fucking wonderful.

Also, Numb's cover of Goblin's "Suspiria".

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:59:59 -0800

I have to mention "Denis," by Blondie, which is a cover of "Denise" by Randy and the Rainbows. LOVE it.

By: pandaharma

pandaharma — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:07:00 -0800

Thanatos (mid 90's darkwave / Projekt group) did a great version of Body Count's infamous 'Copkiller' which turned it into a gothic anthem.

Would go well on a compilation disc with Nina's version of Compton.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the AC/DC bluegrass album. Great for clearing the room when the party has gone a bit too late.

By: funkbrain

funkbrain — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:33:24 -0800

Uncle Tupelo's version of "Dead Flowers" blows the Rolling Stones' version away.

jeffmshaw, I think you mean Townes Van Zandt (see his album "Roadsongs"). It's a fantastic performance, and yeah, it blows the Stones' version away.

By: Fuzzy Monster

Fuzzy Monster — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:48:41 -0800

The Sonics' cover of 'Jenny Jenny,' originally by Little Richard. Incredible. For those who might not know, The Sonics are the missing link between 50s rock and 70s punk... you can find their cover of 'Jenny Jenny' here.

By: sciurus

sciurus — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:54:29 -0800

The Balanescu Quartet's version of Kraftwerk's "ROBOTS"

Snake River Conspiracy's version of The Cure's "LOVESONG"

and Beck's version of "DIAMOND DOGS" really gives Bowie's a run for the money.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:20:44 -0800

Damn. Lots of good stuff recommended (I'll second Devo's take on Satisfaction, which I completely forgot about).

Some others:

Blondie doing Hanging On The Telephone (originally by The Nerves, though most people reckon it's a Blondie original).

Nouvelle Vague (they did an entire album of punk/post punk covers, including Too Drunk To Fuck and The Specials's Saturday Night, Sunday Morning) covering The Clash's Guns Of Brixton.

Cristina reworking Peggy Lee's Is That All There Is?

Arab Strap doing AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long.

The Delgados covering both California Uber Alles and ELO's Mr Blue Sky.

The Associates's covers of Heart Of Glass and Love Hangover.

Bis's take on Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart, and their cover of A Certain Ratio's cover of Banbarra's Shack Up (all three of which I recommend).

Nick Cave's hilarious cover of Pulp's Disco 2000.

Husker Du doing The Byrds's Eight Miles High.

The Walkabouts (they've done so many covers, but these are my favourites) playing Dylan's Maggie's Farm, and Charlie Rich's Feel Like Goin' Home, which has the added bonus of having Mark Lanegan growling his way through the verses.

Oh, and that reminds me: Lanegan and Kurt Cobain covering Where Did You Sleep Last Night, a version that makes even the Nirvana Unplugged take sound tame.

Someone up-thread mentioned anything recorded in Jamaica between 1960 and 1974, and I'd second that, particularly anything touched by the hand of Lee Perry; I remember a great version of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow that he did, but there are literally thousands of others ...

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:25:29 -0800

The Sonics' cover of 'Jenny Jenny,' originally by Little Richard. Incredible.

The Sonics are fucking incredible, and they do give Little Richard a run for their money, which is saying a lot. For something in a similar vein, the Readymen's cover of the folk chestnut "Shortnin' Bread," is similarly insane.

By: jalexei

jalexei — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:35:16 -0800

While they usually annoy me, the Chili Pepper's version of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground was pretty sweet. I like Devo, but find their version of Satisfaction unlistenable. I'll second the Pixie's version of Head On, and while I can't believe I'm writing this (losing all my indie cred here) Bob Seger's live version of CCR's Fortunate Son is pretty kick ass.

Hmmm.... Camper Van Beethoven's Pictures of Matchstick Men.

Wall of Voodoo (along with 674 other bands) did a cool version of Ring of Fire.

Too Much Joy did a loving interpretation of Terry Jacks' Seasons in the Sun.

Mitch Ryder's post Detroit Wheels hard rock band, simply called Detroit, did a phenomenal cover of the Velvet Underground's "Rock & Roll." It was so good, that Lou Reed is said to have stated "that's what I wanted the song to sound like in the first place."

Jon, I thought Lou said that about the Cowboy Junkies' version of Sweet Jane, though I'll concede Rock & Roll sounds more likely.

By: Bdave

Bdave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:39:44 -0800

Nina Simone's version of 'My Sweet Lord' is pretty cool. Goes for eighteen minutes if my memory serves me correctly but is definitely worth the wait. I will have others...

By: kindall

kindall — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:41:05 -0800

Some of my favorites:

"What a Fool Believes" by Self (Doobie Bros on toy instruments!)
"I.G.Y. (What a Wonderful World)" by Howard Jones (sounds optimistic where Fagen sounded cynical)
"Be My Baby" by Ivy (slow and sultry version of this Spector classic)
"Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Emm Gryner (does for Def Leppard what Tori Amos did for Nirvana -- she did a whole album of covers called "Girl Versions")
"Round and Round" by the Meat Purveyors (another hard rock tune covered as bluegrass)
"Jump" by Aztec Camera (you'll wonder why you know the lyrics even though you've never heard the song before)
"Common People" by William Shatner (DUH!)
"Higher Ground" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (they 0wn this song, sorry Stevie)

Had a discussion about covers on my blog a couple years ago, you might find some more good suggestions there. I know I did! (I have a substantial Covers playlist in iTunes now.)

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:49:44 -0800

Jon, I thought Lou said that about the Cowboy Junkies' version of Sweet Jane, though I'll concede Rock & Roll sounds more likely.

Yeah, mainly because that song needs to a) rock hard, which Ryder's band does, and it demands to be sung, and while Lou Reed is great at many things, Mitch Ryder far outstips him as a vocalist. And as much as Lou was influenced by the avant-garde stylings of John Zorn etc, a big part of his heart belonged to pure rock and roll of the variety Mitch specialized in.

By: Bdave

Bdave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:49:53 -0800

Ummm, I also really like Gene Simmon's version of When You Wish Upon A Star.

Yes, you read that correctly.

In the same vein (i.e. from one of the Kiss solo albums) is Ace Frehley's cover of Back in the New York Groove which I think was by a band called Hello.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:57:02 -0800

Yup, it was indeed Hello, who themselves did a very nice cover of "Let's Spend The Night Together," which David Bowie covered on his whole album of 60's covers, Pin-Ups some of which were quite good.

Stop me before I morph into Matt Pinfield.

By: black8

black8 — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:01:38 -0800

Bauhaus slays on T-Rex's "Telegram Sam" and Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust."

By: Bdave

Bdave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:01:39 -0800

Ooh yes. Pinups. Damn I used to love that album... saw Bowie last year, it was so good.

/derail

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:02:14 -0800

I can't believe I'm writing this (losing all my indie cred here) Bob Seger's live version of CCR's Fortunate Son is pretty kick ass.

jalexei, actually it gains you cred with serious rock scholars, because Seger's early work (pre-nationwide breakout, esp. pre Against The Wind) was very rockin', mostly either credible blue-eyed soul or garage rock of almost proto-punk intesnity. The MC5 and Jon Landau said that when the went into record Back In The USA they used Seger's original version of "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" as their sonic model. And you don't get more cred than that, bro. And "Get Out Of Denver" (one of the great Chuck Berry lifts ever) was covered by Brit new wave pioneers, Eddie & the Hot Rods.

By: PinkStainlessTail

PinkStainlessTail — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:04:53 -0800

And as much as Lou was influenced by the avant-garde stylings of John Zorn etc

I never really though of Zorn as an influence on Lou Reed, more the other way around in some respects. Did you maybe mean John Cage?

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:06:45 -0800

Actually, you're right, PST. I have only marginal knowledge of that feild of music. Hopefully, my point made it out of my garbling intact.

By: Luther Blissett

Luther Blissett — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:11:15 -0800

Nearly anything by Richard Cheese if you're into smartass lounge-style pop covers. His take on Radiohead's Creep is remarkably catchy.

Dokaka multitracks himself humming death metal songs, mainly. His version of Smells Like Teen Spirit is spectacular.

Also, Hendrix covering Dylan's All Along the Watchtower is considered by many to be the definitive version. He also did a nice version of the American national anthem, if I recall correctly.

By: PinkStainlessTail

PinkStainlessTail — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:11:27 -0800

Your ditch was indeed dug.

Not a better cover per se, but The Residents' Third Reich and Roll is an interesting medley of twisted covers from the sixties and early seventies. Particularly chilling is a limping version of Poppa's Got a Brand new Bag, sung in German, by a woman, with the horn stings from the original sampled in.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:15:17 -0800

...oh and if my soapboxing failed, this picture of Bob hanging out with Handsome Dick Manitoba back in the day should cement Seger's punk rock cred.

By: Heminator

Heminator — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:17:47 -0800

My favorites follow, but a good resource for cool covers is here.

Arab Strap - Van Halen's "Why Can't This Be Love?"
Placebo - Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill"
Death Cab For Cutie - Bjork's "All is Full of Love"
Juno - DJ Shadow's "High Noon" as performed by a live rock band. Jaw dropping in concert.
Snow Patrol - Beyonce's "Crazy In Love"
David Byrne - Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
Built To Spill - Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" and Cheap Trick's "The Dream Police"
Cat Power - Mary J. Blige's "Deep Inside"
Sparklehorse - Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"
Pavement - Echo and the Bunnymen's "Under a Killing Moon"
Nada Surf - OMD's "If You Leave"
The Postal Service - Phil Collin's "Against All Odds"
Tresspasser's William - Ride's "Vapour Trail"

Not Neccesarily better, but Ivy's cover of "Let's Go to Bed" is TERRIFIC
Second the Afghan Whig's version of TLC's "Creep." Seek it out.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:28:43 -0800

Also, to get back to the original question, the Flamin' Groovies cover of "Absolutely Sweet Marie" cuts Dylan's original to shreds, as does Jason & The Scorchers version (audio here, scroll to row 3).

By: too many notes

too many notes — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:51:05 -0800

I prefer Lassigue Bendthaus' cover of "Angie" by the Rolling Stones. In fact most of the songs on Pop Artificielle are better than the originals I think.

Not sure if I would say better, but the Nouvelle Vague version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is good too. Their cover of "Teenage Kicks" however is not.

By: jalexei

jalexei — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:51:22 -0800

...oh and if my soapboxing failed...

I'm with you Jon - and even in his later era Chevy commercial schlock, it's clear the man has an amazing bucket o' gravel voice.

A few others I thought of doing dishes:

The Who's version of Young Man Blues off of Live At Leeds. It's easy to imagine that song was written for Roger Daltrey's voice (and Keith Moon's drumming). As a historical side note - when Jagger was busted for pot, The Who recorded versions of Under My Thumb and The Last Time to "keep the Stones' music out there for the people while they're suffering through this injustice." Magnanimous, I know - I'm sure some extra PR for The Who was the furthest thing from their minds...

My Drug Hell's version of Girl At the Bus Stop.

Robyn Hitchcock has lovely solo acoustic versions of the Psychedelic Furs' Ghost in You and Roxy Music's More Than This.

And one of my favorite cover collections is the Sweet Relief benefit album for Victoria Williams. Great versions of her material from Lou Reed, Matthew Sweet, Shudder to Think, Pearl Jam, Buffalo Tom, the Jayhawks, etc.

And I will still, to this day, harmonize loudly with Debbie Gibson's version of I Think We're Alone Now. You may hate me now.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:09:16 -0800

....and Aretha Franklin's cover of The Band's "The Weight" dosen't surpass the original, but it is a great record, and it features a very young Duane Allman on guitar.

Sorry for all the recs, but it's not often I get to show off my expertise, and this thread is close to my heart, so thanks, bonaldi.

By: cosmonaught

cosmonaught — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:14:06 -0800

Hands down, Biz Markie's rendition of Bennie and the Jets. I heard it on a flexi that came in an issue of Grand Royal, though I'm sure it had to be released somewhere else

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:30:34 -0800

also "Wild Thing" by Senator Bobby (actor Bill Minken imitating Bobby Kennedy) has to be heard to be believed.

By: bonaldi

bonaldi — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:33:29 -0800

Thanks all. Beautiful things here. This is going to batter my bank account, once again.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:35:03 -0800

And some more:

(Since someone mentioned his covers album) LB doing Jealous Guy is frankly staggering, though this may be to do with the fact that it was an end-of-night staple at a friend's club, and is thus wrapped up in chemically-induced euphoria; even without that, though, it would still be amazing.

AC/DC doing Baby Please Don't Go; Anita Lane (with Nick Cave on backing vocals) doing Sexual Healing; Big Black doing Kraftwerk's The Model (honourable mention to Ride for covering the same, though it's more of a curiosity than anything else); both Bowie and Nina Simone covering Wild Is The Wind; James Chance and the Contortions doing Jailhouse Rock and I Got You (I Feel Good), because he injects a weirdo free jazz funk feeling into both; Carol Cool rendering Diana Ross's Upside Down as a lazy reggae swing number; Chris Farlowe (the original singer of Handbags and Gladrags, since covered by Rod Stewart and then desecrated by The Stereophonics) singing Paint It Black; Billie Rae Martin doing Throbbing Gristle's Persuasion (best line: "I've got a little tin, that I keep your panties in"); Sonic (Ciccone) Youth doing Madonna's Into The Groove(y), which is so much better than the original that it beggars belief; Diamanda Galas covering My World Is Empty Without You and making it sound like an invitation to join Satan's ranks; Electralane's take on Springsteen's I'm On Fire; The God Machine's spooky cover of Peggy Lee's Fever (and Lizzie Mercier Descloux's take on the same, where she reworks the lyrics to make the entire thing about a tumour); Grace Jones doing Joy Division's She's Lost Control; the Happy Mondays's cover of John Kongos's Step On; Dani Siciliano's version of Come As You Are; Jesus & Mary Chain's Surfin USA, which is about as far from shiny, sunny California as you can conceive; Julee Cruise's cover of It's The End Of The World As We Know It; Justus Koehncke covering Neil Young's Old Man; the Creepers's cover of Brian Eno's Baby's On Fire; Saint Etienne's cover of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart; Schneider TM's heartbreaking, gorgeous cover of the Smiths's Ther Is A Light That Never Goes Out; Shellac doing AC/DC's Jailbreak; Teenage Fanclub doing Big Star's Free Again; Shinehead's cover of Billie Jean ...

By: SoftRain

SoftRain — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:02:13 -0800

Someone mentioned Neko Case's cover of "Running Out of Fools". She has a lot of amazing covers, including a version of Tom Waits' "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis," which I greatly prefer.

And I second Iron & Wine's version of "Such Great Heights."

Also, Joan Jett rocked a lot of covers. She does a version of the Mary Tyler Moore theme that makes me oh, so happy.

By: BT

BT — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:11:56 -0800

No hate, jalexei. But of course, you didn't mean Ms. Gibson -- you warble along with Tiffany's cover of that Tommy James & the Shondells song.

And I third that vote for Iron & Wine's version of "Such Great Heights."

Ooh, ooh, one more: The Wedding Present's cover of "Felicity" has been mentioned, but they also tear apart and make better stronger faster Steve Harley's "Make Me Smile." (jonmc, that one is particularly worthy of your time if you don't already know it).

By: jalexei

jalexei — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:19:45 -0800

No hate, jalexei. But of course, you didn't mean Ms. Gibson -- you warble along with Tiffany's cover of that Tommy James & the Shondells song.

Ahh - thank you - I'm somewhat relieved I can't tell them apart.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:20:55 -0800

BT, I'll hunt it down. BTW, where ya been, man?

By: googly

googly — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:25:35 -0800

One more random one:

James Brown covering David Bowie's "Fame"........or is it David Bowie covering James Brown's "Hot (I Need to be Loved Loved Loved Loved Loved)" ???

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:35:00 -0800

The Church's cover of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer".

Alternatively, Built to Spill's cover of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer".

The original ain't bad, either.

By: TomSophieIvy

TomSophieIvy — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:37:59 -0800

I think JC Mellencamp does a fine job of the Hombres "Let it all hang out" (minus the classic spoken intro), Springsteen (who is the king of live, kick ass cover songs in my world) does great versions of "7 nights to rock", "Who'll Stop the Rain?" and of course "War" (originally done by Moon Mullican, CCR and Edwin Starr, respectively). I am another cover song junkie! Oh, Cassandra Wilson's version of "Shelter From The Storm", Shawn Colvin's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" and Widespread Panic's take on "And It Stoned Me" have always been in heavy rotation.

By: geekyguy

geekyguy — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:42:33 -0800

How about PinkStainlessTail's holiday classic, the timeless re-imagining of Jingle Bell Rock? Aptly named Jingle Rock Bell.

I love these threads. I almost always find it refreshing to hear a song I previously enjoyed altered and re-thought. Also, The Dan Band does cool covers like Total Eclipse of the Heart in the movie Old School

Revolting Cocks - Do You Think I'm Sexy - a great edgier version than the Rod Stewart
Cake - I Will Survive - previously mentioned
Dynamite Hack - Boys in the Hood
Ozzy Osbourne - Stayin' Alive - a weak entry but an interesting cover nonetheless
Bigod 20 - Like A Prayer - has anyone been more covered than Madonna?
Zen Mafia - California - more of a re-imagining of Sweet Home Alabama but very cool

At turnbothknobs.com, for your listnening pleasure.

By: melissa may

melissa may — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:54:58 -0800

I've always liked the Bad Livers' cover of "Lust for Life" and even more so now that Iggy's sold the damn thing to Carnival Cruises.

More recently, White Magic's cover of "Plain Gold Ring" is sublime.

This thread makes me miss dobbs even more. If you're poking your head in and cursing us for all the good we've forgotten, then come on home, sweetie.

By: bkeaggy

bkeaggy — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:24:08 -0800

Fluid "Our Love Will Still Be There" (by the Troggs)
Junkyard Dogs "Gates Of Steel" (by Devo)
Afghan Whigs "Creep" (by TLC)
Moviola "Factory Girl" (by the Rolling Stones)
Paul K "$1000 Wedding" (by Gram Parsons)

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:28:24 -0800

L7 also does a good cover of "Hanging on the Telephone."

A couple more:

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers doing "So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star"

Cheap Trick doing "Ain't That A Shame"

Oh yeah, and Tesla's version of "Signs"

By: Hildago

Hildago — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 21:26:13 -0800

Hey, would somebody with an immense musical knowledge mind making a fairly objective top 10 or 20 list out of these suggestions? I'd like to get some of them on iTunes, but there's way too many listed here that sound worth trying out.

By: Bdave

Bdave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 21:45:01 -0800

Geekyguy, you rule! Love those Revolting Cocks.

Shut up. You know what I mean. ;)

By: anastasiav

anastasiav — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 21:58:34 -0800

I'm late to the party, but I have one to add:

Tom Jones (with Art of Noise) covering Kiss (the Prince song)

By: notsnot

notsnot — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:13:37 -0800

Dwight Yoakam covered "Wichita Lineman" with some soaring pedal steel backing that just kicks the ass of the Glen Campbell original.
There's a local radio station that did an album of Chuck Berry tunes. the Bottle Rockets cover "baby come on" in the way only they can.

By: notsnot

notsnot — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:15:49 -0800

...and both the Yayhoo and Robbie Fulks versions of Dancing Queen make a new song of it.

By: geekhorde

geekhorde — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:30:39 -0800

Nina Simone's version of Cohen's Suzanne. Oh so beautiful.

" Barenaked Ladies do a cover of Richard Cockburn's 'Lovers In A Dangerous Time'"

And it's Bruce Cockburn, not Richard Cockburn.

By: Bdave

Bdave — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:38:05 -0800

The Meters also cover Wichita Lineman on their album Struttin'... close call but in parts it's definitely got something on Glenn Campbell's version.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:41:36 -0800

Tom Jones' (with Stereophonics) cover of Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me Not to Come" is the most rocking cover ever.

The fantastic cover of "Try a Little Tenderness" in The Commitments is better than Otis Redding's.

Also, Jack Black does a great job with Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in High Fidelity.

By: koeselitz

koeselitz — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:48:10 -0800

Ooh, this is a good question.

I'll say this one, since all you kiddies will have finally heard it since a few months ago. Let me tell you, though, I had it on vinyls years ago:

Pavement's cover of the magnificent REM song "Camera," from their great work "Reckoning," is indeed better than the original.

Oh, and Aretha Franklin's cover of the great Sam Cooke's "A change is gonna come" is better than the original, although she wouldn't say so. And neither would I, if I knew the good Sam was watching. Which I know he is, so I shouldn't say it, should I?

On preview: yes, Heminator, the Pavement cover of "under a killing moon" is quite good. But I don't think it's better than the original. Nor is it as good as their cover of the Fall's "THE CLASSICAL!" (from that same e.p.) which is also not as good as the original. ("An old family favorite" indeed.) Let me take this opportunity to urge you all to BUY A COPY OF HEX ENDUCTION HOUR. This record by the Fall is one of the best records of the 80's. BUY IT NOW.

By: koeselitz

koeselitz — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:51:28 -0800

also the who "summertime blues"

I could do this all night.

By: stovenator

stovenator — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:53:30 -0800

And two cents for The Recliners. If you know who Richard Cheese is, it's very similar. Lounge-style covers of songs you know. I prefer them to Rich, myself.

By: koeselitz

koeselitz — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:55:56 -0800

Ah yes, the Recliners. There was a recent FPP about them. "Let it be" and all that. Paul Westerberg is great.

By: kindall

kindall — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:47:58 -0800

Some of these are wacky, but some of them are surprisingly good: When Pigs Fly. The Fixx's cover of "These Boots are Made for Walking" is just surreal.

By: DyRE

DyRE — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 01:12:09 -0800

For an awards show in the mid-90s, PJ Harvey and Björk performed "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones together and it's absolutely amazing. The two of them sound fucking awesome together. I call this as the best cover-that-beats-the-original I've ever heard. No official release but I'm sure it will be easy enough to find through a file-sharing network.

Johnny Cash's version of "I Hung My Head" sounds way more regretful and pained than the original by Sting which, to me, just sounds like Sting singing any one of his songs (although the timing of the original is cool). I think Johnny Cash's version of Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" is better than the original as well, although I do enjoy the original.

Coil's version of "Tainted Love," which I see has been mentioned, and more importantly, the reasons why. It really is amazing how Coil completely transformed that song.

KOMPRESSOR's version of Beck's "Debra." KOMPRESSOR's version is titled "KOMPRESSOR WANT TO GET WITH YOU." I also recommend KOMPRESSOR's version of "Girl From Ipanema" (video available here).

Tool's version of "You Lied" by Peach is colossally better than the original.

Oingo Boingo's version of "You Really Got Me." It's this weird kinda avant garde thing.

kindall mentioned the When Pigs Fly disc. I wouldn't say Ani DiFranco and Jackie Chan's (?!) version of "Unforgettable" is better than the original but it's certainly worth a listen. Jackie Chan sings exactly how you would imagine. Similarly, William Shatner's versions of "Rocket Man" and "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" aren't what I would call superior to the originals but I would definitely recommend giving them a listen. The former is amusing and the latter is frightening. Ani DiFranco also sounds good doing a version of "Wishin' and Hopin'" but it's such a completely non-Ani song that I usually don't finish listening to it.

I prefer the Nine Inch Nails version of Joy Division's "Dead Souls" to the original. I prefer Moby's version of Joy Division's "New Dawn Fades" as well. In fact, I think I prefer people covering Joy Division to actual Joy Division. And while it's not quite a cover, I think Nine Inch Nails' version of "Suck" is quite superior to the Pigface version (which NI?'s Reznor co-wrote, which is why I say it's not quite a cover). I also prefer the Nine Inch Nails version of Queen's "Get Down Make Love" to the original but I doubt anyone who's enough of a fan of Queen to own at least a couple albums would agree. (I like Queen but don't actually own any Queen albums.)

Also in the not quite a cover category, A Perfect Circle has a song called "The Hollow" and there's a "remix" of it, which is really a complete reworking and rerecording, by the band's former bassist Paz Lenchantin. This version is called the "The Hollow (constantly consuming mix)" and is very different (female vocals, piano focus). I like both versions quite a bit but I like the constantly consuming mix more.

Don't know if this qualifies but the Blind Boys of Alabama have a wonderful version of "Amazing Grace." It's the only version of that song I both appreciate and enjoy listening to repeatedly. Others (such as Ani DiFranco who has a really cool version of the song on Living In Clip) have versions I think are pretty good but are ultimately not ones I have much desire to listen to individually. I first heard the Blind Boys version when they opened for Peter Gabriel and it was breath-taking. The studio version I've heard since then doesn't have anywhere near the same strength but I still like it.

One to watch out for: There's an Irish rock band called Bell X1 and I've heard them do a cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya" that beat the original, in my opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if the group releases it as a b-side one day, considering there's a cover of a Justin Timberlake (I think... either him or one of those other former boy band pop guys) song on a Bell X1 single already.

By: DyRE

DyRE — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 01:16:04 -0800

Oh, and I forgot Marilyn Manson's version of "Sweet Dreams (are made of this)!" Oops.

By: Jairus

Jairus — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 02:13:03 -0800

Marilyn Manson's cover of "I Put a Spell on You" reveals the song for the creepy stalker anthem it always wanted to be.

Also: Art of Noise - Peter Gunn
Richard Cheese - Down With The Sickness (If you haven't heard this, download it now. Especially if you hate the original.)
Propaghandi - I Want You To Want Me

By: signal

signal — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 04:36:05 -0800

Liz Phair - Banana Splits Theme Song

By: banjo_and_the_pork

banjo_and_the_pork — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 05:59:50 -0800

I'm late, but want to add Sleater-Kinney's "White Rabbit" to the list. I don't think it's been officially recorded, but they used to sing it as an encore at shows for a while. Also, third/fourth the Afghan Whigs suggestions.

By: googly

googly — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 06:12:55 -0800

Also: the slew of solo-guitar covers of Bowie songs - sung in Portuguese! - in "The Life Aquatic." Demented and oddly compelling

By: Clay201

Clay201 — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 06:29:51 -0800

The Donnas do an absoultely brilliant, satrical, and deeply disturbing rendition of REO Speedwagon's "Keep on Loving You" as well as a neat, punk-ish version of "Da Doo Ron Ron." Jeff Buckley recorded a pretty surprising take on Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do." Los Lobos has an interesting version of "Hotel California": most of it is in Spanish, the rest in heavily accented English. Johnny Cash did "Rusty Cage"; it's beyond belief.

There are countless examples of modern muscians doing really old songs like "Amazing Grace" or "John Brown" and a lot of them are really, really good.

One quick note... A song that's been covered more times than anyone can count without any version ever improving on the original; Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watch Tower".

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 06:31:26 -0800

One more from me!

Pansy Division's cover of "Flower," originally done by Liz Phair. Fantastic.

By: softlord

softlord — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 07:09:35 -0800

Fiona Apple's "across the universe" captures the drugged-out bliss better than the original (yes i know i will get hatemail for this)
I like Joe Cocker's "With a little help from my friends" better than the original
Patsy Cline's "Crazy" is technically a cover, i guess...

(and no i dont dislike the beatles, just their early stuff)

By: hughbot

hughbot — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:17:08 -0800

The Futurehead's "Hounds of Love" is very much awesome.

By: the_bone

the_bone — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:17:41 -0800

The piano trio The Bad Plus have done remarkable renditions of "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Heart of Glass" and "Iron Man." I cannot recommend them enough.

If you can locate the live Frank Zappa album The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life you will hear several delightful covers, including a version of "Stairway to Heaven" that is almost indescribably rad.

By: hughbot

hughbot — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:18:06 -0800

Which, I guess I should mention, is a cover of a Kate Bush song.

But you already knew that.

By: saladin

saladin — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:22:00 -0800

I'd just like to add Three Mile Pilot's version of Brian Eno's "By This River" and Piebald's stellar cover of Slayer's "South of Heaven" to this list.

By: kindall

kindall — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:22:12 -0800

A song that's been covered more times than anyone can count without any version ever improving on the original; Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watch Tower".

Except, you know, Hendrix's, and Michael Hedges', and several others that are better than Dylan's.

By: BMF

BMF — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:26:50 -0800

don't forget...

Crispin Glover - These boots were made for walkin'
Dead Moon - Time has come today
The Hunns - Time has come today (best version by far)
Hank Williams 3 - Gin & Juice
Veruca Salt - Bodies
The Hunns - I got your number (even with slightly different
and cooler lyrics this is pure Undertones)
Black Dahlia Murder - Paint it Black
Pig Destroyer - Down in the Streets
8 Bucks Experiment - Hey Joe
Nashville Pussy - Kicked in the Teeth
Six Feet Under - Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (released
on Graveyard Classics 2 they cover the whole Black in Black LP but Rock &
Roll Ain't Noise Pollution stands out)

By: scratch

scratch — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:28:19 -0800

Husker Du's version of "Eight Miles High," while outstanding, is blown away by their cover of "Ticket to Ride," which blows away the original. HD puts the bereft feeling of Ticket at the forefront and makes it a masterpiece of sorrow: She don't care. My baby don't care.

As far as I'm concerned, Metallica is the world's greatest cover band, if Garage Inc. is any indication.

The New Bomb Turks do a killer "Summer Romance" (by the Stones) and a fun Phil Spector Christmas song--can't remember who did the orig.

I'm also partial to the Byrds' version of "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," which is either a trad folksong or by Dylan. (Same thing at this point.)

By: cactus

cactus — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:47:27 -0800

Stevie Ray Vaughn's instrumental cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" is not only my favorite cover ever, it's damned close to my favorite song ever.

obligatory denis leary quote: "Stevie Ray Vaughn is dead and they can't get Jon Bon Jovi in a fucking helicopter?!"

By: mds35

mds35 — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:52:13 -0800

Elbow does a cover of "Independent Woman" by Destiny's Child. This is a matter of taste, but I like the cover 100 times more than the original. See the unofficial video here.

By: safetyfork

safetyfork — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:18:42 -0800

So many great ones have been mentioned already, but I can't help but third or Fourthing the following: Dinosaur Jr.'s Just like Heaven (OG: The Cure). Cash's Hurt (OG: Nine Inch Nails). Built to Spill's version of Cortez the Killer (OG: Neil Young). I'd suggest versions performed by Coffin Break for these two songs that have been mentioned already: Diane (OG: Husker Du) and Freebird (OG: Lynyrd Skynyrd).

The Silkworm version of Ooh La La (OG: by The Faces) is pretty good at capturing a certain bile and bitterness.

Live covers (probably not too hard to find): Sleater-Kinney's version of Rock Lobster (OG: B-52s). Built to Spill's version of The Dream Police (OG: Cheap Trick) as well as BtS's cover of Take the Money and Run (OG: Steve Miller). Elliot Smith's cover of Jealous Guy (OG: John Lennon).

By: magnetbox

magnetbox — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:38:19 -0800

The Unholy Trio - Bring the Noise ...which can be found on the Bloodshot Records 5-year anniversary compilation and in the iTunes Music Store (to name a few.)

By: jacobsee

jacobsee — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 12:30:41 -0800

Jimi's cover of Watchtower

I would have to agree, but I love almost any cover of All Along the Watchtower. The Indigo Girls do a pretty rockin' version.

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:22:36 -0800

.cat power's version of the velvet underground's "i found a reason"
.cat power's version of "bathysphere" is quite good too, as is her versions of "wonderwall" and "psychic hearts." i don't think they eclipse their originals--well, "wonderwall" yeah :)--but they're great covers and do what covers should do, as mentioned above--pay tribute but also find amazing niches to go into and rework and reilluminate
.pj harvey and bjork did a live cover of "satisfaction" that is AMAZING.
.not "good," but very very entertaining: belle and sebastian covers "gigantic" live and has random people in the audience sing it. it's funny and great.
.there's a pavement recording out there of a half-assed live version of joy division's "disorder"--it's neat but doesn't go anywhere
.kim deal and bob pollard's cover of the everly brothers' "love hurts"
.my morning jacket's cover of erykah badu's "tyrone"
.will oldham/bonnie "prince" billy's cover of bill withers' "the same love that made me laugh." this is especially good at will's live shows.
.fluf's cover of the spinanes' "entire" isn't better, but is a great reframe.
.rebecca gates' live cover of the pretenders' "talk of the town"
.tons of this mortal coil covers. personal favorite is probably big star's "kangaroo"
.superdrag's cover of big star's "september gurls." they also do a cover of husker du's "diane;" it's not bad, but i wouldn't say it's better or a refreshing change or anything
.madder rose's cover of the jackson five's "the love you save"
.sonic youth's cover of the crime's "hotwire my heart"
.the luna covers of harry nilsson's "everybody's talkin'" and serge gainsbourg's "bonnie and clyde" complete with laetitia sadier from stereolab!
.luna's guns n' roses cover "sweet child o' mine"
.mogwai's guns n' roses cover "don't cry"
.tugboat annie's version of posion's "every rose has its thorn"
.his name is alive's version of big star's "blue moon"
.the flying burrito brothers' version of james carr's "the dark end of the street"
.afghan whigs' kcrw live version of the supremes' "come see about me"

i'm sure i'm forgetting some!

this is a good resource for who-did-what with covers.

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:28:50 -0800

Dwight Yoakam covered "Wichita Lineman" with some soaring pedal steel backing that just kicks the ass of the Glen Campbell original.

that reminds me! scud mountain boys did a cover of it too, and it's great.

seconding the callout for sleater-kinney's "white rabbit" too, and adding their version of boston's "more than a feeling."

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:32:13 -0800

aaah i keep thinking of more. crooked fingers' version of prince's "when u were mine." i think you can even nab it off of epitonic.

By: MegoSteve

MegoSteve — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:48:05 -0800

I'm late, but I love Lolita No. 18's cover of "Video Killed The Radio Star."

By: me3dia

me3dia — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:15:30 -0800

(Geekyguy, I was coming back to list that RevCo cover. 'Tis the rock.)

Urge Overkill do a great version of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" -- forever to be associated with Pulp Fiction.

Indigo Girls do a nice cover of Dire Strait's "Romeo & Juliet," but I prefer the original.

TV On The Radio's a cappela version of Pixies' "Mr. Grieves" is great.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:28:23 -0800

Hooters, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"

By: Bdave

Bdave — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:53:57 -0800

/Rubs sleep from eyes...

Brook Benton's version of Tony Joe White's Rainy Night In Georgia as well. People will disagree.

By: googly

googly — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 15:05:28 -0800

Bauhaus' cover of Eno's "Third Uncle" rocks the house.

By: cloudscratcher

cloudscratcher — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 20:05:22 -0800

The Circle Jerks, on "Golden Shower of Hits" -- the song by the same name -- hardcore medley of "Along Comes Mary", "Close To You", "Afternoon Delight", "Having My Baby", "Love Will Keep Us Together", and "D-I-V-O-R-C-E"

(Such was my youth that I listened to this compulsively long before I was aware that these were, you know, real songs. To this day, I sometimes hear one of these originals on a radio somewhere and think, man, that just doesn't sound right.)

By: cloudscratcher

cloudscratcher — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 20:09:47 -0800

Also

Black Flag's (the old Black Flag) cover of "Louie, Louie".

Luna's '95 cover of "Bonnie & Clyde" is no better than the original, but it's haunting just the same. It's the American-accented French, singing about one version of America, that gives it some strange effect.

By: monkey closet

monkey closet — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 03:21:41 -0800

Most of Stina Nordenstam's People are Strange. But not Sailing.

Suzanna and the Magic Orchestra's cover of Jolene.

By: xhepera

xhepera — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 06:47:46 -0800

And I know covers is a rejected term in some circles, but I can't think of a better one that doesn't sound wank.

Why not just call 'em what they are? Remakes.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 07:21:58 -0800

Stray Cats did a great version of "You Can't Hurry Love" (and a pretty good version of "16 Candles"). The Housemartins' acapella version of "Caravan of Love" is very good, too.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 07:24:59 -0800

Whoops, I forgot Blind Melon's "Three is a Magic Number" and Better Than Ezra's "Conjunction Junction" from Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks.

By: codger

codger — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 09:28:50 -0800

Forgive me for the name, but Anal Cunt does a fantastic, mellow folk version of "Last Caress" (also covered by Metallica, original by the Misfits?)

By: pokeydonut

pokeydonut — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 14:04:45 -0800

I've had Aimee Mann's cover of Coldplay's The Scientist in my head for weeks now. It's a pretty accurate replica of the original, just done in Aimee's fantastic voice.

By: spunkster

spunkster — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 14:15:17 -0800

i have a long eclectic list of favs:

ike & tina "proud mary" (originally CCR)
biz markie - "bennie and the jets" (elton john)
dynamite hack = "boyz in the hood" (NWA)
eddie vedder = "masters of war" (bob dylan)
iron maiden - "women in uniform" (some australian band)
hendrix - "killing floor"
john martyn - "glory box" (portishead)
nancy sinatra - "bang bang" (sonny & cher)
nirvana - "where did you sleep last night" (ledbelly)
pearl jam - "leaving here" (cover of the who covering somebody else)
white stripes - "one more cup of coffee" (bob dylan)
zwan - "number of the beast" (iron maiden)
diana krall - "frim fram sauce" (nat king cole)
sinead O'Connor - "all apologies" (nirvana)
blind melon - "three is a magic number"

and three versions of "i put a spell on you" by nina simone, CCR, and marilyn manson

By: softlord

softlord — Sat, 22 Jan 2005 08:41:51 -0800

Can't believe I neglected to mention Mike Ness' (Social Distortion) solo album of covers of tradityional roots and country music (hank williams, et al) "Under The Influences"

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:04:59 -0800

one more, i can't resist because i love it so. the slits' version of "i heard it through the grapevine." best song to sing along to into your hairbrush while dancing around in your bedroom.

By: gtmcknight

gtmcknight — Sun, 23 Jan 2005 14:09:05 -0800

Ani Difranco - When You Were Mine (Prince)
Ben Harper - Sexual Healing (Marvin Gaye)
Limp Bizkit - Faith (George Michael)
Alkaline Trio - Exploding Boy (The Cure)
The Starting Line - I'm Real (J. Lo)
Colin Meloy - Every Day Is Like Sunday (Morrissey)
Postal Service - Against All Odds (Phil Collins)

are all excellent renditions

By: spunkster

spunkster — Thu, 27 Jan 2005 14:21:18 -0800

Can't believe i forgot Tricky's version of "Black Steel" (originally Public Enemy)

By: hellbient

hellbient — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 13:29:08 -0800

The Fall covering The Kink's "Victoria".
Killdozer covering Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama".
The Doors covering Van Morrison's "Gloria" (haven't heard Patti Smiths)
Love and Rockets covering The Temptation's "Ball of Confusion".
Judas Priest covering Fleetwood Mac's "Green Manaleshi".
Laibach covering the Beatle's entire "Let it Be"(?)
The Clash covering Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves" (?)
Beach Boys covering the traditional "Sloop John B"
Blondie covering John Holt's "Tide is High"

...and no way Tricky's version of "Black Steel" touches P.E.s, although it is an interesting cover.