Best and Worst Cover Songs

[BEloveDisney]

Oh and there's a certain Dr. Dre song that Ben Folds covered which is amazing. Definitely not Dis appropriate. Think filthy dirty rap song done a capella.

 

[cherbear]

Seether did an awesome version of Careless Whisper. I cannot decide which version I like best, George Michael's or Seether's....love them both, and they are both so different!!

 

[Wall-E1]

Oh and there's a certain Dr. Dre song that Ben Folds covered which is amazing. Definitely not Dis appropriate. Think filthy dirty rap song done a capella.

Love that song and version.

 

[BunsenH]

Jimi Hendrix' cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower".

I'm a fan of Dave Mason's faster, rock 'n' roll take.

 

[Michelle67]

Jimi Hendrix' cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower".

I can't think of any worsts right now (except the muzak version of absolutely anything) but a couple that I like:

Lake of Fire--Nirvana version. If for no other reason than because Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) CAN. NOT. SING!

Gimme Shelter--Sisters of Mercy

Dear Prudence--Siouxsie and the Banshees (she did Helter Skelter, too)

Strange Fruit--Siouxsie and the Banshees

 

[Liberty Belle]

Good:

Elliot Smith's Figure 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XikZCsZkdtk
Blossom Dearie's original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeq5a8bBh8c

*Still like Blossom's version best


Kirsty Maccoll's A New England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fwtFSEovro
Billy Bragg's original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCfRcgoPxTw

*Still like Billy's best


The Pogues' The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lE-YjjZhwc




My mind is blank right now. I'll post more when I think of them.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Stephen Colbert's Friday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqstF4V4Nl4

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Covers that are just as good as the original (not better):

Smashmouth's "I'm a Believer"
Johnny Cash's "Personal Jesus"
Alien Ant Farm's "Smooth Criminal"
Lemonheads "Mrs. Robinson"

Covers that make me want to cry:

ANY cover of "Big Yellow Taxi"
Garth Brook's "Shameless"
Madonna's "American Pie"
Some Belgium band cover of "Listen to your Heart" originally by Roxette

 

[Liberty Belle]

Alice Russell's version of Crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnR_4dXbyhs

 

[Michelle67]

Alice Russell's version of Crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnR_4dXbyhs

Okay that actually gave me goosebumples.

Two more I really like

Ball of Confusion--Love and Rockets
Telegram Sam--Bauhaus

 

[BEloveDisney]

Good:

Elliot Smith's Figure 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XikZCsZkdtk
Blossom Dearie's original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeq5a8bBh8c

*Still like Blossom's version best


Kirsty Maccoll's A New England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fwtFSEovro
Billy Bragg's original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCfRcgoPxTw

*Still like Billy's best


The Pogues' The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lE-YjjZhwc




My mind is blank right now. I'll post more when I think of them.

 

[Chernadan]

Covers that just totally rule:

Ryan Adams' (yes Ryan, not Bryan) version of Wonderwall from Oasis
Gary Jules' Mad World from Tears for Fears
Nonpoint's In the Air Tonight by Genesis
Metallica's Turn the Page from Bob Seger and Whiskey in the Jar -irish A
Aerosmith's Come Together by the Beatles
Mudvayne's King of Pain - The Police
Pearl Jam's Rockin in the Free World -Neil Young
Pearl Jam's Baba O'Reilly - the Who
Black Crowes' Hard to Handle - Otis Redding
and finally Guns & Roses' Knockin on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan

Covers that make me wish I were deaf:

William Shatner's Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles (why Bill? why?)
Dolly Parton's Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (for the love of all that's holy... never again)
Bono's Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen (normally I love all that is Bono but when you go all spoken word like William Shatner you get a boot to the head)
Paul Anka's vegas lounge lizard rendition of Smells Like Team Spirit - Nirvana (what were you thinking?)
And yes... the granddame of them all Celine Dion's shrieking harpy edition of Shook Me All Night Long ( I may never recover)

 

[TifffanyD]

Ahhhhh some of these make me mad

My fave covers that are at least as good as the originals are

U2... Unchained Melody
The Levellers... The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Worst are

Bono's cover of Hallelujah

 

[FergieTCat]

Any song on any one of Barry Manilow's last 5 (yes, 5) cover albums.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Omg you know Nine Pound Hammer. I knew the lead singer once upon a time.

I do, in fact, know Nine Pound Hammer.

I heard their version of "Radar Love" on Fox's very short-lived show "Drive" ... it was kind of a "Lost" meets the "Amazing Race" and got cancelled way too soon! Their version fit the show perfectly....

I looked them up on Napster and found not only that tune, but quite a few others. I like 'em!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Comments on other posts:

Hurt by Johnny Cash is probably the best cover of all time. I think even Trent Rezner said it was better than NIN.

My DD16 told me about John Mayer's "Free Falling" about a month ago. Being the rock fan I am, I refused to listen. FINALLY she talked me into it. It was ahhhmazing!

Smooth Criminal- I never even would have thought of this one if it hadn't been listed. I love both versions equally, which is probably pretty rare for covers.


Ok, now for mine. First off, my DD17 has these CD's with nothing but covers. One is Punk Goes Crunk, Punk Goes Pop etc. They are by bands not many would know unless you are into alt rock like Mayday Parade, The Maine, Devil Vs. Prada etc. Some of the songs are very, very good.

Teen Spirit: Tori Amos
Thank You (Led Zep) Tori Amos
Norwiegen Wood Alanis Morissette (bootleg)
Jolene- Mindy Smith
The Boys of Summer- The Ataris (this one hurts to admit because the original by Don Henley is a favorite of mine).
Mad World- Gary Jules

Worst
Candle in the Wind by Elton John
This song was written for Marilyn, NOT Diana!!!!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Less Than Jake's version of I Think I Love You (cheesy pop goes punk)
Michael Buble's versions of Fever and Moondance to name only a couple
Alien Ant Farm's version of Smooth Criminal (plus the video is very funny)
Glee's version of Rose's Turn (Chris Colfer nailed it)

 

[charming23]

Ever rose has it's thorn -Miley Cyrus

those two things should NOT be combined.

That was horrible.

My favorites are: (original artist)

Jealous Guy by Gavin DeGraw (John Lennon)
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
Mad World by Adam Lambert (Tears for Fears)
...Baby One More Time by Bowling for Soup (Britney Spears)

 

[Liberty Belle]

I do, in fact, know Nine Pound Hammer.

I heard their version of "Radar Love" on Fox's very short-lived show "Drive" ... it was kind of a "Lost" meets the "Amazing Race" and got cancelled way too soon! Their version fit the show perfectly....

I looked them up on Napster and found not only that tune, but quite a few others. I like 'em!

Scott Luallen (the lead singer) has his own imdb.com page. I went to college with him. Interesting times.

 

[topolino]

Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground".