Best (and worst) cover versions

one-angry-dwarf · 22-09-2003 8:08pm #1

Sometimes a band can actually cover a song and greatly improve it. but most of the time they just fcuk it up. anyway im making a covers compilation, anyone suggest some good covers?

good covers

RHCP - subbterranean homesick blues - originally by bob dylan
RHCP - fire - originally by jimi hendrix
Ben folds five - she don't use jelly - originally by flaming lips
The Ataris - Boys of summer - originally by guy from the eagles (whose name escapes me at the minute)
alien ant farm - smooth criminal - originally by michael jackson

DerekD Goldfish · 22-09-2003 11:33pm

Good covers
Halleluajh/I know its over - Jeff Buckley - Origonaly by Leonard Cohen/Smiths (live medely of the songs from mystery white boy)
Take the skinheads bowling - Manic St. Preachers- Camper van bethoven
Step on - Happy Mondays- Cant remember who origonaly did it but im almost sure its a cover
Cactus - Bowie - Origonaly by the Pixies
Lola - The Raincoats - Origonaly by the kinks
Johny was - Stiff Little Fingers - Bob Marley
Winterlong - Pixies - Origonaly by Neil Young
Suspusious Minds - Whipping Boy - Origonaly Evlis Presly
Happiness is a warm gun- Breeders - Origonaly Beatles
Isolation - Therapy- Origonaly Joy Division

Bad cover versions
After the goldrush- six - origonaly Neil Young
Happiness is a warm gun - U2 - origonaly Beatles
Light my fire- Will Young - Origonaly the Doors
there are too many other bad covers to mention

eggshapedfred · 23-09-2003 9:20am

RCHP - higher Ground - originally by Stevie Wonder
The Darkness - Street Spirit - originally by Radiohead (its gas!)
Pixies - Waiting For You - originally by Neil Young
Pixies - Head On - originally by Jebus and Mary Chain
Radiohead - Nobody Does it Better - originally by Carly Simon
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower - originally by B. Dylan

bad cover versions
U2 - Helter Skelter - originally by the Beatles

Paleface · 23-09-2003 9:33am

Tool - No Quarter - originally by Led Zeppelin

excellent.

IgnatiusJRiley · 23-09-2003 9:55am

The Lion Sleeps tonight - REM
Raindrops keep fallin on my head - Manic Street Preachers
Days - Kirsty McColl
Everlasting Love - U2
Nobody Does it Better - Radiohead
One - REM
Suspicious Minds - Fine Young Cannibals

Theres also a version of "Somewhere over the rainbow" I like but I'm not sure who sings it (not that kack by Eva Cassedy)

EDIT - it's by Israel Kamakamakawaole

Mossy Monk · 23-09-2003 4:46pm

listening to The Darkness - Street Spirit now. it is a worthy cover version

ShriekingSheet · 23-09-2003 4:52pm

DARKNESS -STREET SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST COVER EVVVVVVVER!

also the 'mad world' cover from the donnie darko soundtrack is great

Ian Brown singing MJ's Thriller is the worst cover Iv heard

Oasis -Cum on feel the noize by slade and 'My Generation as the last song at Witnness 2002 was great even if the rest of the set sucked

francie brady · 23-09-2003 5:13pm

What defines a good cover version? A version that sounds like the orginal? Or someone who makes the song their own?

Johnny Cash in his later years was a master of them.
Hurt - NIN
One - U2
Rusty Cage - Soundgarden
Mercy Seat - Nick Cave
They are just a few songs that Cash has made his own.

For me a cover version has to be as orginal as the orginal was ie tottally different.

Zappa did Stairway to Heaven, he subsituited Pages guitar solo with a brass section solo.

Ozzy did a "ozzy" version of Staying Alive.

The Great Western Squares did a country version of Ace of Spades

Theres no point in hearing a cover and it sounding like the orginal.

mike65 · 23-09-2003 5:39pm

Cant think of a very good cover but the WORST COVER EVER must be Metallicas massacre of Whiskey In the Jar...truely hateful. :mad:

Mike.

ShriekingSheet · 23-09-2003 5:45pm

Originally posted by mike65
Cant think of a very good cover but the WORST COVER EVER must be Metallicas massacre of Whiskey In the Jar...truely hateful. :mad:

Mike.

oh yeah that was muck!

didnt he sing 'whiskey in the jar-OH!'

instead of 'whiskey in the jar -BOY!' in at least one chorus?

appauling!

John2002 · 23-09-2003 5:47pm

Worst that springs to mind is Madonna's awful version of American Pie, originally by Don McClean.

Littletinyman · 23-09-2003 5:48pm

REM - First We Take Manhattan

FoXXy · 23-09-2003 6:42pm

have to agree wit u on the smooth criminal cover, love that tune. as for bad covers one that springs to mind is westlifes new one "hey whatever". who the ferk decided to let them do it??

oh and the remake of "genie in a bottle" by Speedway or sumthing. (christina aguilera shudnt have released it in first place so why oh why put a rock band playin it? )

think i better stop there before i get too carried away!

ShriekingSheet · 23-09-2003 6:46pm

Originally posted by FoXXy

oh and the remake of "genie in a bottle" by Speedway or sumthing. (christina aguilera shudnt have released it in first place so why oh why put a rock band playin it

Ever hear Blink182 do it? Its actually fairly brilliant!

Travis also did 'Hit me baby one more time' which was hilarious!

Mossy Monk · 24-09-2003 12:32am

Originally posted by ShriekingSheet
Travis also did 'Hit me baby one more time' which was hilarious!

i wouldn't call it hillarious myself. brilliant though

Okie · 24-09-2003 11:19am

Originally posted by francie brady

For me a cover version has to be as orginal as the orginal was ie tottally different.

Zappa did Stairway to Heaven, he subsituited Pages guitar solo with a brass section solo.

Same can be said for The Dandy Warhols cover of AC/DC's "Hells Bells" I think it was one of the songs the put on the single for "Bohemian Like You"

They still had the bells at the start but replaced Brian Johnson's high pitched voice with yer mans more languid approach, also take out guitar solo, throw in a french horn....or something to that extent, not bad but I prefer the original.

24-09-2003 12:42pm

Originally posted by ShriekingSheet

also the 'mad world' cover from the donnie darko soundtrack is great

[/B]

That would be Gary jules who did that version, it's good.

As for worst, at the moment it's the awfull
I fought the law and the law won by Colin farrell

mm

Dr. Loon · 24-09-2003 12:51pm

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
Suspicious Minds - Fine Young Cannibals

I don't know if you're saying this is a good cover or a bad one, but IMO this is the worst cover I've ever heard of this song. It's truly shít and they should have been shot for doing it.

Aside from that, Elvis's version of My Way by Frank Sinatra was great.

pyure · 24-09-2003 3:13pm

nirvanas cover of 'where did you sleep last night' (leadbelly) at the end of unplugged in new york. absolute genius
oh and 'oh me' (meat puppets) from the same show brings a tear to the eye everytime.
and 'man who sold the world' (bowie)

screw it, most nirvana covers rocked, they really knew how to make a song their own.

IgnatiusJRiley · 24-09-2003 3:19pm

Originally posted by Dr. Loon
I don't know if you're saying this is a good cover or a bad one, but IMO this is the worst cover I've ever heard of this song. It's truly shít and they should have been shot for doing it.

I take it you're a Gareth Gates fan then:D

Mewzel · 24-09-2003 6:50pm

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
Theres also a version of "Somewhere over the rainbow" I like but I'm not sure who sings it (not that kack by Eva Cassedy)

EDIT - it's by Israel Kamakamakawaole

could it possibly be by tori amos? i know she did a good cover of it. also her cover of 'love song' originally by the cure is pretty cool.

feylya · 24-09-2003 7:01pm

Metallica's cover of Black Sabbath's Sabbra Cadabra is pretty damn cool.

And their cover of whiskey isn't that bad, considering how far Thin Lizzy's version was from the REAL song.

Epitaph · 24-09-2003 9:29pm

Sinatra's version of "Something" - very different to the Fab 4's original.

Dr. Loon · 25-09-2003 9:33am

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
I take it you're a Gareth Gates fan then:D

Gareth Gates should be slowly tortured for what he does to decent songs.

In fact anyone that's ever covered suspicious minds by Elvis has always sounded crap. I'm sure I haven't heard all the different cover versions....

DerekD

Suspusious Minds - Whipping Boy - Origonaly Evlis Presly

A quick search on kazaa reveals nothing for this!? Any ideas where I might find it?

Mossy Monk · 25-09-2003 2:33pm

Originally posted by Dr. Loon
In fact anyone that's ever covered suspicious minds by Elvis has always sounded crap.

i liked the Fine Young Cannibals take on it

Dr. Loon · 26-09-2003 8:30am

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
i liked the Fine Young Cannibals take on it

How!!?!? That baffles me. That's the worst version ever. You mustn't be a fan of Elvis so, seeing as they ruined his song.

eggshapedfred · 26-09-2003 8:33am

Theres also a version of "Somewhere over the rainbow" I like

The Flaming Lips do a great cover of that song.

BrianD3 · 26-09-2003 9:11am

I've always liked the cover of Walk on By by The Stranglers and Patti Smith's version of Springsteen's Because the Night.

Also Iggy Pop's version of Bowie's China girl. Don't know if it counts as a cover but it's an interesting story - it was originally written by Bowie for Iggy Pop who recorded it around 1977 then Bowie himself recorded it a few years later, so in effect Bowie did a cover of his own song.....anyhow I prefer the Iggy version.

BrianD3

jongore · 26-09-2003 9:25am

Best - Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows
Worst - Fairytale of New York - Moanin' Ronan

jerk · 26-09-2003 9:35am

counting crows murdered that song.

IgnatiusJRiley · 26-09-2003 9:44am

Originally posted by Dr. Loon
How!!?!? That baffles me. That's the worst version ever. You mustn't be a fan of Elvis so, seeing as they ruined his song.

IT'S A GOOD VERSION. Get over it. Also, Lick the Tins "I can't help falling in love.." is pretty good. Anyone know any other Elvis songs that other artists made better

Dr. Loon · 26-09-2003 10:05am

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
IT'S A GOOD VERSION. Get over it. Also, Lick the Tins "I can't help falling in love.." is pretty good. Anyone know any other Elvis songs that other artists made better

Get over it?! IMO it's a shít version.
No artists have made an Elvis song better than how he did them. I'm sorry but I'm a serious Elvis fan, and it's not possible to do his songs better than he did them.

Just my opinion of course, but a nasally, boppy version of suspicious minds doesn't match up to the original. Get Elvis doing it live, and it's even more impressive.

IgnatiusJRiley · 26-09-2003 10:49am

Originally posted by Dr. Loon
Get Elvis doing it live, and it's even more impressive.

Is he doing any gigs anytime soon? Must go to one... but he'd never play Dublin.:p

Dr. Loon · 26-09-2003 10:54am

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
Is he doing any gigs anytime soon? Must go to one... but he'd never play Dublin.:p

Oh Holy Jesus you are funny!

In a sense he has played Dublin twice! The original band members (bar J.C Sumner) all got together and played under the title: Elvis: The Concert.

Footage of Elvis performing is displayed on a giant video screen and the band play along. He interacts with them, and the audience. Kind of recverse karaoke.

I never managed to make it myself, but it's supposed to be excellent. Anyway, sorry for going off topic!

DerekD Goldfish · 26-09-2003 5:19pm

Dr. Loon the whipping boy cover of suspicious minds is on a compilation of Irish artists doing evlis covers called "Natural born Elvis" released a few years ago.

Pigman II · 27-09-2003 3:20am

Originally posted by jerk
counting crows murdered that song.

Indeed, a murder of crows.

Dr. Loon · 27-09-2003 12:31pm

Originally posted by DerekD Goldfish
Dr. Loon the whipping boy cover of suspicious minds is on a compilation of Irish artists doing evlis covers called "Natural born Elvis" released a few years ago.

Excellent, never even heard of it. Must pick it up. Cheers

AngelofFire · 27-09-2003 9:50pm

Ataris-Boys of summer
Bon jovi-Rockin in the free world
Johnny Cash-one(u2)

ive got loads more i just cant think of them at the moment.

Crucifix · 28-09-2003 11:03am

It's already been mention, but Gary Jules' cover of the tears for fears song Mad World is great.
Another good one is Dream Theater - Funeral for a Friend/Love lies bleeding, originally by Elton John.

sceptre · 28-09-2003 10:45pm

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
Theres also a version of "Somewhere over the rainbow" I like but I'm not sure who sings it (not that kack by Eva Cassedy)

EDIT - it's by Israel Kamakamakawaole

Aye, it runs with the closing credits of Meet Joe Black. Grabbed it from Napster when I saw the movie

I came upon No Doubt's version of Come On Eileen recently and thought it was rather good. Same as the original really but sung by a chick.

mr_angry · 28-09-2003 10:53pm

China Drum - Wuthering Heights is the best cover version EVER! I don't know a single person yet who's heard it, and not said "That's genius"!

Westlife's "Seasons In The Sun" is the worst ever. As if the original wasn't bad enough...

Let's face it, if you're looking for really bad covers, Westlife are the winners hands-down.

IgnatiusJRiley · 29-09-2003 12:23pm

Originally posted by mr_angry4

Let's face it, if you're looking for really bad covers, Westlife are the winners hands-down.

What about the Karaoke Machine himself - Mr Ronan Keating (Fairytale of New York, We Got Tonight etc etc)

sceptre · 29-09-2003 9:51pm

Originally posted by IgnatiusJRiley
What about the Karaoke Machine himself - Mr Ronan Keating (Fairytale of New York, We Got Tonight etc etc)

And let's not forget When You Say Nothing At All

(the schmile on your face....)

Dammit I used to like that song - I can't even listen to the Alison Krauss version without thinking of artificial lischp boy now)

Walter_Sobcek · 29-09-2003 11:28pm

Best

Hurt by Johnny Cash - incredible song

Originally by Trent Reznor for Nine inch nails

Worst

Anything by Gareth Gates or Westlife

May they burn in hell for their crimes to music

Duo · 02-10-2003 10:06am

The best...

'Can't Get YOu Out of My Head' cover, by the Flaming Lips. Originally by Kylie Minogue, apparently. O_o Its'... very, very... different.

Worst - Anything by Westlife. Especially 'Uptown Girl' *shudders*

The Weatherman · 02-10-2003 6:40pm

I heard "big yellow taxi" by the counting crows
on radio today (lack of phantom fm), and it was terrible!
Absolutely awful!
Anyone hear Glen Hansard's "cry me a river"?

Captain Trips · 03-10-2003 1:19am

Great covers:

GnR: Sympathy for the Devil
Distrubed: Shout (by Tears for Fears I think)
Van Halen: You Really Got Me

Appalling Covers:
William Shatner - Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds (I **** you not, it's out there on WinMX somewhere. It's just so bad it's like you don't know is he serious or taking the piss)

Okie · 03-10-2003 10:57am

Originally posted by Captain Trips
Great covers:

GnR: Sympathy for the Devil

Yeah, I haven't heard their take on it yet, although I've been told it's pretty decent. I don't suppose it's on any C.D./Soundtrack/Bootleg or is downloading it my best bet?

I managed to get the Foo Fighters version of Stairway To Heaven

A complete piss take though, with Dave Grohl forgetting the words, mixing up verses and humming along to the solo!!!!

Kali · 03-10-2003 11:07am

Originally posted by Captain Trips
Appalling Covers:
William Shatner - Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds (I **** you not, it's out there on WinMX somewhere. It's just so bad it's like you don't know is he serious or taking the piss)

Nonsense.. its the album thats so bad its great, Put A Little Love In Your Heart by Leonard Nimoy is much worse anyway

sceptre · 08-10-2003 12:39am

Originally posted by Captain Trips
Appalling Covers:
William Shatner - Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds (I **** you not, it's out there on WinMX somewhere. It's just so bad it's like you don't know is he serious or taking the piss)

Three words

Mr Tambourine Man

lacuna · 09-10-2003 9:39pm

Orgy - Blue Monday ...excellent.

It's originally by New Order.

both versions are very good though.

Best (and worst) cover versions

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