Entertainment For Lively Minds
The greatest cover versions ever?
Posted by Pad The Lad on 12 October 2011 - 5:56pm.
I'm new here but I thought I'd make a few posts to find my way around etc.
I was wondering what peoples' views were on good cover versions, about as rare as hen's teeth I know. But I thought I'd offer a few suggestions:
Rocket Man - Kate Bush, Wonderwall - Ryan Adams, Hurt - Johnny Cash, With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker. Any other suggestions?
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The Leisure Society's
cover of Gary Numan's Cars is a recent fave:
A studio version is available to buy from all good download websites and probably some crap ones as well.
And welcome Pad The Lad!
Hmmmmm
'I Fought The Law' - The Clash is one of my faves, but only because I love the Bobby Fuller version so much
4 personal faves...
"7 Nation Army" - The Flaming Lips
"Little Jonny Jewel" - Siouxsie & the Banshees
"Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" - RevCo
"Emma"- The Sisters Of Mercy
The mother of all covers...
"Hound Dog" - Elvis Presley
Money - Flying Lizards
Synths usually suck the life out of rock 'n' roll songs (eg Always On My Mind by the Pet Shop Boys), but there's something gloriously over the top about the plummy Money vocal that makes the Flying Lizards' cover a joy.
Silicon Teens - Memphis Tennessee
Another synth joy.
Actually, Always On My Mind isn't that rock 'n' roll, is it?
It's Elvis but more Songs of Praise than any leather-trousered thrusting.
This one
is currently in favour round here.
St. Andrew - Pinball Wizard
That's
Great :)
Cohen
Kim Salmon - Suzanne
Righteous Brothers
Righteous Brothers - Unchained melody
(The original was by jimmy Young).
Pedantry Corner
The UK cover was by Jimmy Young, covering Al Hibbler's U.S. hit.
However, the "original", as such, was the theme to a now-forgotten film called "Unchained," hence the peculiar title of the song. Hibbler's hit was recorded on the back of this.
Sorry. I feel better now.
Fair does
I am now stood in the corner with my back to the rest of the class.
I don't know much
but I'm unbearably proud of what I do know!
I love...
...soul, American standards. So many songs in both these genres are covers (or different versions released at similar times) that the list is almost endless.
This just has to be heard!
This just has to be heard! Unfortunately posting it from my iPad seems impossible. Go find.
"Too drunk to f***" - Nouvelle Vague
Well it's certainly not the one I heard today.
Dave Dee Dozy Micky Beak and Tich (?) 'doing' Stairway To Heaven in a medley with Pinball Wizard. Beggars belief!
Could this be it?
The New Seekers doing a medley of Pinball Wizard and See Me Feel Me?
This was the first versions I ever heard of either song. I still have a wee soft spot.
Walk on By- Jo Jo Zep
Every other version I've heard of this is way too chirpy. This slows it down to a walk and is absolutely gorgeous
not even remotely chirpy
Glen Campbell - Meet Glen Campbell
Pretty much the whole album, particularly his versions of Sing - Travis, Walls - Tom Petty and Times Like These - Foo Fighters. Sadly Beautiful is still better by The Replacements though.
Other cover versions - the wonderful world of reggae, pick any of the gazillion Trojan compilations.
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Dear Prudence
Better than the Beatles version. Fact.
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Dear Prudence
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Dear Prudence
Better than the Beatles version. Fact.
No it isnt - fact
(Mind you, her version of helter Skelter is fantastic IMO)
Seconded
It's good. But the HJH original is (IMO) better. That's just me though, not a FACT
Fact
That's just me though, not a FACT
Agreed slotbadger.
My using of the word fact was supposed to be ironic, but I feel I made myself seem a twat !
Fact!
Not twat at all Mr Biscuit, I think my own overdramatic FACT was caused by perhaps one Tizer too many last night!
Fact
Yeah, my original fact comment wasn't meant to be taken too seriously either. More a Mark Ellen-esque podcast comment "this is a fact, not a debate" kind of thing.
Having said that, if you read the small print you will see it categorically states the Banshees version is better than the Beatles.
I assumed it was a la Dan Brown
who peppers his stupid Da Vinci book with the interjection FACT! usually after something he's made up.
In other words, it's certainly a fact within the context of your post.
I always invoke "the bloke in the pub".
"The Chinese have found a way to make antelopes shit plutonium.
The bloke in the pub said that!"
Banshees covers
Can I throw their version of Supernatural Thing (b-side of Arabian Nights)into this debate. Starts with the coolest drumbeat ever and creates the genre of Goth-Funk over the next three minutes or so. I love the Ben E. King original but this is probably my favourite cover version.
This was the only version on Youtube and, frankly, is rubbish compared to the single version. Even the drumbeat isn't quite right.
Maybe not the greatest
but it was the first one that sprang to mind and I think its good.
Welcome to the party by the way. :)
But not a patch on this ..
I have risked a kicking
on several occaisions for stating my prefrence for Lulu's stonking pop interpretation (featuring Dave the rave on backing vocals and sax) over The 'Vana's acoustic dirge.
Soft Cell's
version of Tainted Love is a stone cold classic cover in my 'umble estimation. The glorious 9 minute version that segues into Where Did Our Love Go is possibly the single greatest reason for 12" remixes in the 80s.
I now prefer this to the original...
Be My Guest and their version of AC/DC's Highway To Hell
Wyatt, Atzmon, Stephen - What A Wonderful World
Lovely
and currently loving this from June Tabor & OysterBand; better than I could have ever imagined.
saw them do that live
at the Festival Hall recently .. absolutely stunning
Knocks the original into a Tam 'o Shanter
No
it most certainly does not!
blue moon
by Cowboy Junkies
The Cowboy Junkies are possibly
the greatest covers band of all.
To name but a few they also do wonderful versions of Sweet Jane, Walkin' After Midnight and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.
Age of Chance - Disco Inferno
just extraordinary.
Good call
Their version of Prince's "Kiss" is pretty amazing too.
Alejandro
A week ago, I liked this guy, but since seeing him last week he's become my favourite artist.
Here is doing Dudes.
Haven't seen him perform solo
That looks real good. I saw the Nuns, Rank and File, True Believers but not solo.
You saw the Nuns!
The other week when, in his introduction to Chelsea Hotel 78, he mentioned The Nuns a couple of people cheered. He laughed and said "You never saw The Nuns".
You should go next time and you can shout back "Yes I did".
Divine Comedy's Vapour Trail
is pretty damned good.
Really?
as in the Ride track?
[heads to YouTube, intrigued]
at our massive mingle last night
we heard Neil Hannon's version of Life On Mars, though none of us could actually identify the singer, so Fraser shazam'd it.
The guy can sing.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Originally by that Al Green
Fountains of Wayne (again)
nothing suitable on Youtube but they do a fantastic cover of the Moody's The Story in Your Eyes. Also Can't Get It Out of My Head.
Neil Young gets a makeover
The Be Good Tanya's version of " For the Turnstiles"
Trashcan Sinatras - To Sir, With Love
Soaring:
Don't forget
The only Abba cover that is as good as the original
if not better. So beautifully sad. Their last great song.
Thanks whitehorsehill, I haven't heard this for years.
and Rocketman
by Kate starts well, but the cod-reggae has dated badly.
This on the other hand:
adds a whole new angle on Marvin's 'lurve' anthem
I'm not saying that these are better than the orginals,
but I'm rather fond of all of them
The Specials - Monkey Man
The Specials - You're Wondering Now
Jesus Jones - We Are So Fragile (Tubeway Army)
Booker T & The MGs - Eleanor Rigby
Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Toots & The Maytals - Take Me Home Country Roads
Waits / Walker
Clash of the titans? Maybe.
These aren't just good covers. They eclipse the originals without a shadow of a doubt.
Tom Waits - Somewhere (Bernstein)
Scott Walker - If You Go Away (Brel)
Anything off Scott Walker Sings Jacques Brel
...but this in particular. Brilliant!
Funeral Tango. Sons Of.
SW sings JB = VG
Momus Jacques Brel covers
As a comparison to the Scott Walker versions above, here are Momus's takes on the same songs. Jackie becomes Nicky because his real name is Nicholas Currie - yes Dave Amitri, he is actually Justin's cousin I believe. He obviously personalises and updates the lyrics but keeps the spirit. I think his translation of Ne Me Quittez Pas is the best I've heard.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=momus+nicky&aq=f
..the other one
More cover versions?
No I mean more cover versions! I love 'em. Regularly visit websites dedicated to cover versions. I prefer the more obscure, the ones where I may not necessarily know the original song and I then want to search it out to see how it compares.
Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin are like old friends since I got in touch with them 30 years ago when they stood at number one in the charts for 4 weeks with a version of It's My Party. They do write particularly good tunes themselves but their cover versions are given a twist of magic. I'm not saying this is better than Thomas Dolby's original but I would possibly not have heard his version were it not for this cover. Sadly their version of Eight Mile High is not on YouTube and it IS better than the Byrd's original. There, I've said it.
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - "Leipzig" (Thomas Dolby cover)
Neil - Hole In My Shoe (featuring Dave & Barbara as backing musicians)
Then you will know:
http://www.secondhandsongs.com/
I have collected cover versions for some time, but have found this site can find some hitherto unheard crackers (and many that are just, frankly, crackers) I am up to "I" so far, so here's 2 from that letter
and
.
And here's one I always return to:
Van Halen
You Really Got Me. Staggering version from their debut album.
Donny & The Brothers
Donny Hathaway - What's Going On... peerless
The Walker Brothers - No Regrets... colossal despair
Brook Benton
So great.
Shawn Colvin
I've even bored myself banging on about Shawn's version of You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - which remains my favourite Dylan cover by a mile - so I'll suggest another masterpiece of re-imagining, which is her beautiful take on Naive Melody (This Must Be The Place). What I think is brilliant about this arrangement is that she's retained the lyric and the melody, while completely rearranging the chords underneath, bringing out the plangency of the melody, which is lost on many, me included, in the Talking Heads original, what with David Byrne's unlovely singing and all the bleeps and squeaks. And isn't Shawn's voice gorgeous??
Why wasn't this a hit?
Really? Radio friendly - great arrangement - great song.
This should probably be relegated to worst...
but it still makes me laugh
Rubbish!
Shatner is epic (especially when backed by Joe Jackson):
Two from me
Tramps like us.....
I love Bruce more than a married 41 year old man should, but this is still "knock yer spots off" brilliant...warning....bass solo....(Norman Watt-Roy or Mark O'Toole?)
live version here so doesn't have the "yer late, if yer late again the supervisor says he's gonna put yer on daily signing. HA!"
Sorry. I've left me card at home...
I'm given to understand that this is the sole, token appearance of the "Lads" actually playing on an FGTH record.
but an even, even better Springsteen cover is
This is not too bad either
surprisingly
Banned..
Bruce had this pulled from the CD, causing it to be re-pressed. Why? It's not a bad version. I'm a huge Dexys fan so maybe I just can't see what caused Bruce so much offence. Anyone?
And - nowadays, so much for the Bruce ban. It's there for everyone to see. I like that.
This is not too bad either
surprisingly
Miles Davis - "My Funny Valentine"
You know what, Massivers? We haven't had enough jazz on this thread yet.
So here's "My Funny Valentine", as interpreted by Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams, in Milan in 1964.
cash is on the money
I'd suggest some Johnny Cash covers
'The Mercy Seat'
'I Won't Back Down'
'Southern Accent'
'Hurt'
'Solitary Man'
and these gems
Julie Driscoll 'Wheels on Fire'
Eric Clapton 'I Shot the Sheriff'
Rod Stewart 'I Don't Want To Talk About It'
Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
Amazingly
This iconic song is a cover:
Originally by Prince Buster (and the opening bit is nicked from a different Prince Buster song)
The Beatles and others
My favourite Beatles cover has to be Stevie Wonder's take on We Can Work It Out
My favourite cover, which I didn't know was a cover for ages, is this:
(Blondie Hanging On The Telephone. Any excuse to post a 70s Blondie promo!)
Here's another favourite. I love pretty much everything by Erland Oye (he from Kings Of Convenience, The Whitest Boy Alive, various Royksopp guests spots...)
(Erland Oye There Is A Light That Never Goes Out)
The Magic Numbers did a haunting version of this too:
(The Magic Numbers There Is A Light That Never Goes Out)
Rockers Revenge 'Walking On Sunshine'
We Can Work It Out - good call
Best HJHMs cover ever.
Eh?
EAH ain't it?
Greatest ever
Got to be The Byrds Mr Tambourine Man. Created Folk rock, turned Dylan (back) onto electricity. World not the same after. Beat That!
Oh How I love being an idiot
Song To The Siren
Love the Tim Buckley original, but I think the This Mortal Coil version is even better.
HMHB not bad
but mainly coz it leads into VAtican Broadside
Paul Gilbert - Two become One
Dunno about "greatest ever", but these are fun.
Firstly Mr Gilbert channels the Spice Girls through Led Zep and Black Sabbath
And at the other end of the spectrum - here's Karn Evil #9!
Flunk's cover of Blue Monday
Summertime - Larry Adler & Itzhak Perlman
I just remembered this seeing this performed on Parkinson - and considering it was 31 years ago when I saw it, I guess it must have made a big impression on me at the time. Glad I could find it on YT!
Dolphins - loads of them
Fred Neil's original is fabulous. But many people have done great versions. It seems to be a song impervious to a duff version.
However here's Tim Buckley with the definitive cover, a song "he made his own." (Who let Louis Walsh in here?)
Listen also to Billy Bragg, It's A Beautiful Day and Stephen Stills for very different but nonetheless lovely versions.
Eddi Reader too
.
Emmylou
This is perfection.
There are so many ... here's one
Danny likes it