Ask Hubski: What cover version of a particular song do you think exceeds the original version?

a thoughtful web.

badges · tags · community

submit a post

Welcome to Hubski. We share good ideas and conversation here. Login or Join Us!

by ecib · #music
posted 428 days ago · shared by: 14

For me, the Byrds cover of My Back Pages blows Dylan's original away, though it lacks some of the verses in his original.

Byrds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h80l4XIPJC4&feature=youtu...

Dylan: http://vimeo.com/36050070

What about you ladies and gents? Any covers you like better than the originals?

share this: twitter, email, htmlmarkup

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

When I was younger and less well... employed, I had to get a gift for a cousin (Ashleigh) that was getting married. I got her a small gift and I also made her 4 mixed CD's. For luck on your wedding day you're supposed to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. I made a CD for each.

Something old -this was all oldies

Something new- These were songs released that year

Something Blue- These were songs with the word blue in the title or in the bands name

I was stumped on something borrowed though, then it dawned on me... COVER SONGS!

By the way, if any of you are looking for a more personal gift for someone, I highly suggest this. Do it now before giving a CD seems like giving someone a movie on VHS. You've got about 1/2 a year left.

As for my favorite covers, I've always liked I Fought the Law as performed by the Clash. And I mentioned elsewhere in this thread my love for Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah.

by cgod 427 days ago · link

wow, that was a rad idea.

by thenewgreen 427 days ago · link

Thanks man.

by b_b 427 days ago · link

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I think Sheryl Crow took "The First Cut is the Deepest" and gutted it like a fish. She committed the worst sin possible for a cover, trivializing an serious and beautiful song.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

I saw the Rolling Stones once a long time ago. We rented a limo and filled the floor with booze. Sheryl Crow opened, but we just said 'fuck that' and stayed in the limo and partied. Clearly the correct decision.

by mk 428 days ago · link

I think Johnny Cash did this to a lot of songs. NIN's Hurt comes to mind. Willie Nelson is another that picks up other people's songs and owns them. Almost every song on Stardust is an example of this, IMHO.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

Unchained Melody is one of those songs that I've never really liked but Willie's version is not just bearable, it's awesome.

Georgia on my Mind is also a superior version imo. As you already know, I think this is one of the best albums to own. Everyone loves it.

by dublinben 428 days ago · link

I think that Rufus Wainwright's take on Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is superb.

The original version of Tainted Love by Gloria Jones isn't nearly as interesting as the covers by Soft Cell or Marylin Manson.

Bob Dylan himself even preferred Jimi Hendrix's cover of All along the watchtower.

by ecib 428 days ago · link

Ok, I'm gonna have to go with Leonard's original in a cage match, but I am so with you on Soft Cell's tainted love.

by dublinben 428 days ago · link

Nobody really liked the song until it was covered by others. Cohen has adopted the style of Buckley and Wainwright in his recent performances, which should tell you all you need to know.

by ecib 428 days ago · link

I saw Cohen live about two years ago and he played it extremely close to his original...

by cgod 427 days ago · link

I saw him when he was in Portland, guy left it all on the stage, don't think I ever saw a singer work that hard, and at his age, damn.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

Yeah, I was blown away. When you see somebody that old, you've got to have it in the back of your head that you might not be in for the best performance...he delivered in spades.

by b_b 427 days ago · link

Fox theater? May have been the best concert of my life.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

Yes :)

It was probably mine too. I flip flop between that show and seeing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I think I have to give it to Leonard though. It was just electric. His guitarist was a master of his craft as well...

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

He's adopted the style of Wainwright and Buckley? How so? Not suggesting otherwise because I've not seen him live, I just can't imagine it.

by dublinben 428 days ago · link

Judging by the video I found of a recent performance, it sounds just like the younger singers. I don't know the original well enough to make a proper comparison though.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

for anyone that would like to take the Hallelujah challenge:

Rufus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMrZ7lChK-g

Buckley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIw0ewEsNHs

Cohen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q&ob=av2e

Three different and distinct interpretations of a wonderful song.

I'm a fan of all three musicians but I'm not a fan of Rufus' version. He is great though and this has inspired me to post a song by him.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

I think it's hard to argue with Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah check out this live version. Just a guy and a guitar but it sounds so big and emotive you'd think there was so much more. I'd actually pick Buckley's version as perhaps my favorite cover or all time. -right now. This may change by the hour as I think on this.

Bob's right on the money regarding Jimi.

by Lu 428 days ago · link

I agree, Buckley's version is really compelling, that is what came to my mind first for a best cover. It's pretty hard to mess that song up though, Cohen already impregnated it with so much.

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love :

TMBG > Mahavishnu Orchestra :-)

by b_b 426 days ago · link

Don't hear Mahavishnu every day; good call. On a related note, have you ever heard John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana's rendition of Coltrane's "Naima". Its on the album Love, Devotion, Surrender. Its one of the most beautiful guitar duets I've ever heard. But certainly this was many years before Santana became the shoe peddler he is today.

by briandmyers 426 days ago · link

Found it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x5BJXFIx08 Beautiful, thanks.

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

Debateable, as to which is the better, for both of these :

Blinded by the Light, Mannfred Mann vs Bruce Springsteen

Satisfaction, Rolling Stones vs Devo

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

Springsteen is great, think you're right on there. As for Satisfaction for the past week I've been listening to the Stones version each day with my daughter when I get home from work. It doesn't get much better than that.

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

I usually don't have any love for any remake, UNLESS they change the song a lot - as in these two cases (also Jimi/Dylan). I mean, why even bother, unless you're putting your own spin on it?

But it makes it much harder to say one is better than another.

by ecib 428 days ago · link

LOVE Springsteen version. Always hated the original :)

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

Springsteen was the original, I believe.

by ecib 428 days ago · link

Wow! Just goes to show...don't mess with The Boss.

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

Also, I think Clapton's cover of Cocaine, although more popular, is inferior to the original by JJ Cale.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

Yeah, I agree with you. JJ Cale helped out Clapton's solo career quite a bit. After Midnight was a big hit for Clapton too and was penned by Cale.

by KidEh 428 days ago · link

Of course there is Gary Jules' cover of Mad World (Tears For Fears), and Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt (Nine Inch Nails), and other famous covers that show up every time someone asks for cover versions, so I am going to suggest Bronze Whaler's cover of MGMT's Electric Feel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbWtV5u8En0).

by dublinben 428 days ago · link

I'm not sure I understand what is any better about that Electric Feel cover. It totally abandons the whimsical style of the original and replaces it with a boring hard rock style.

by KidEh 428 days ago · link

Bronze Whaler transformed the song from the whimsical style to a more straightforward rock song. MGMT's original song was definitely more interesting and complex, but I believe the song translates well to a "hard rock style". It may be a personal bias towards more rock-oriented songs instead of electric-oriented songs that makes me feel that Bronze Whaler's cover is more energizing and exciting.

by dublinben 428 days ago · link

I think it really is just your personal preference, because I don't find the cover exciting at all. I think all modern guitar music is passé.

by throwsonground 428 days ago · link

Any cover Jimi Hendrix has done, notably All Along the Watchtower. Jimi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Z7LR8Z9_o Bob Dylan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzanOzyqgas.

Also, Streetlight Manifesto's cover of Just. Streetlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q98yicOE6ho Radiohead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_qMagfZtv8&ob=av2e

by ecib 428 days ago · link

Yes, Jimi > Dylan in this case IMHO.

by thenewgreen 427 days ago · link

On a side note, a song that many bands have covered and that I hate no matter which band plays it is "Mustang Sally". NOTHING makes me tune out more than when a band breaks in to that song. It's also one of those songs that is always played at weddings for some reason..? Crap tune imo.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

Have not found a good version yet, but I did find the worst version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvrV-Og0cFk&feature=youtu...

by thenewgreen 427 days ago · link

I beg to differ, I think you may have found the greatest hah! That organ player is a riot.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

Ok, obviously, now I have to find a version of Mustang Sally that you dig....

by thenewgreen 427 days ago · link

Good luck. Just seems like every hack cover band in the world pulls out that tune. Yuck. But I'm open to listening...

by ecib 427 days ago · link

FOUND IT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIPIc-esDSY&feature=youtu...

by smoorman1024 427 days ago · link

Walk off the Earth - Somebody that I used to know > Gotye - Somebody that I used to know

by sounds_sound 428 days ago · link

Three Dog Night's cover of Harry Nilsson's 'One' is better. Cowboy Junkies cover of The Velvet Underground's 'Sweet Jane'. Urge Overkill's cover of Neil Diamond's 'Girl you'll be a woman soon'. Nirvana's cover of Bowie's 'Man who sold the World' is damn close. And I always enjoyed Frente's cover of 'Bizarre Love Triangle'.

I also have to say I'm partial to Billy Corgan's version of Stevie Nick's 'Landslide' but that's probably because that was the first version I heard.

Also, any Beatles cover sucks. Bands shouldn't cover them. Anytime I hear at least a tolerable version of a Beatles song, it only makes me want the original more. Joe Cocker's "Get by with a little help..." gets a pass strictly for its affiliation with the Wonder Years.

And if anyone hasn't heard Lassigue Bendthaus's cover of Bowie's Ashes to Ashes - then get on that shit....

by briandmyers 428 days ago · link

All Beatles covers suck? Obviously you have not seen this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-yy2URAYqU

by sounds_sound 428 days ago · link

Oh no! I've been Shatnered on!

by b_b 427 days ago · link

Have you listened to the one I posted below, Elliott Smith's Because? I almost always agree that covernign the Beatles is blasphemous, but that song is sublime. Also I really like Aretha Franklin's Let It Be.

by cgod 427 days ago · link

Her cover of Eleanor Rigby is even better.

by sounds_sound 427 days ago · link

I have heard that. No way it beats this.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

This version of Ashes to Ashes just feels right. It's perfect.

Joe Cocker's "Get by with a little help..." gets a pass strictly for its affiliation with the Wonder Years. this cracked me up because it's so true. I actually saw Joe Cocker at the old Pine Knob in Michigan about 10 years ago. -meh.

The Neville Brothers opened up for him. Talk about a BAD cover song, listen to their version of Bird on a Wire, I'll stick with Leonard Cohen thanks.

by JakobVirgil 428 days ago · link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQms9_rr3lg

red house painters - silly love songs much better than that dude from the Beatles.

Tiny folk - Bubble guns

http://www.last.fm/music/Tinyfolk/_/Bubble+Guns+%28Hello+Sha...

better than the hello shark version.

SFIAS - Always and forever

http://www.thesixtyone.com/song/comments/list/82NhfKwM98H/#/...

better than donna lewis

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

That Red House Painters cover of Wing's Silly Love Songs is great. They were able to take a really sappy pop song and add some serious drama to it.

by BlueMojo 426 days ago · link

I would say their version of "All Mixed Up" by the Cars is an improvement on the original, and a far better cover than the other two on that album (Silly Love Songs & Long Distance Runaround). IMO of course.

by 1c7 428 days ago · link

The Bad Plus' cover of Wilco's Radio Cure. Runner-ups: their cover of Iron Man, their cover of Lithium.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

Thanks. I checked out their cover, I could only find live versions. They definitely took their own interpretation which I applaud. Also, thanks for introducing me to a new group. That's really what's exciting about these types of posts imo.

by 1c7 428 days ago · link

I uploaded the studio version here because I find the thought of people only listening to the live version unacceptable.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

Listening now. Gorgeous. When "Picking Apples...." comes in, it's a great moment. I'm literally wearing a Wilco t-shirt right now and we just ordered two posters to hang in our home. So for me to say that I really like this and think it does the original justice is saying a lot. -And I do. Great piano and bass work. Thanks for sharing this, I appreciate it.

Wow, just like the original when "all distance has a way..." comes in it's such a fantastic transition. Awesome song!

by 1c7 428 days ago · link

I'm very glad you like it. It's one of my favorite songs of all time.

by thenewgreen 428 days ago · link

I'm a Wilco fan and I've never heard Bad Plus' cover. Thanks, I'm going to check it out!!

by b_b 428 days ago · link

I've said it before, but Elliott Smith's version of "Because"...And I really like the original, for the record.

by cgod 427 days ago · link

I don't know about exceeding, but I love when a cover transforms the song into a new and fantastic thing.

Original: The Knife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcv3v6XfEvM Cover: Jose Gonzalez http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4_4abCWw-w&feature=relat...

No need for the original post, think you know it and it's not as good Nostalgia 77 and Alice Russel doing 7 nation army http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ4D273C7Ac&ob=av3n

by thundara 427 days ago · link

Neat, I've always liked that song and Jose Gonzalez, but never knew he did a cover of it!

by Hein 427 days ago · link

Hank Williams' Kaw-Liga by The Residents.

by ecib 427 days ago · link

I will have to listen to it. I really really love Hank's version so it's gonna be tough to beat :)

about hubski · faq · rss · tmi · twitter · buttons · tools · arc · privacy & terms · login