When the Covers are Just SO Much Better!

Twilightning

Just read the title! Have you ever heard a rock/metal band perform a cover of an original and just thought "Damn, why didn't they do it as good as that to begin with?" If so, list the songs here.

Covers I've thought that were better than the original:

Sonata Arctica - 'I Want Out' (Helloween)

• Guitar/keyboard solo is alot more well structured and the increase in the overall tempo of the song gives it a more energetic feeling than the original, not to mention I do think Tony Kakko is one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

Sonata Arctica - 'Fade to Black' (Metallica)

• Aside from the already previous statement about the vocals, the song has some nice backing vocals and the guitar definitely feels alot more solid than the original.

A few others include...

Lacuna Coil - 'Enjoy the Silence' (Depeche Mode)
Killswitch Engage - 'Holy Diver' (Dio)
Firewind - 'Maniac' (Michael Sembello)
Stratovarius - 'Bloodstone' (Judas Priest)

ec18

Neil Youngs Version of Blowing in the Wind from WELD!

Hendrix's Cover of All Along the Watchtower

Red Star Rebels Rock and Roll


I'm Sure more will come to me :P

christophicus

Evan Dando's version of Fade to Black is by far the best.


No offence to whoever made the vid for this, but don't watch it it ruins the song, just listen to the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7D4rztwKZE

Mansons version of Sweet dreams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQlnbgpE0y0

Mansons Version of Working Class hero - Don't get me wrong the original is a great song, I just prefer this version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_J9OsFABCo

There are many many more I just can't be arsed atm to list them :P .
Manson's - Sweet Dreams

Twilightning

Sonata Arctica - Fade to Black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ErNlS0XsLE

Ruski

Faith No More's version of Easy.
Rush's version of The Seeker and For What It's Worth.
Tool's version of No Quarter.



Whoever mentions any cover that Marilyn Manson did of Depeche Mode should be shot. He killed those songs for me.

Dave147

Twilightning wrote: »

Lacuna Coil - 'Enjoy the Silence' (Depeche Mode)

Please oh please take that back, Enjoy the Silence by DEPECHE MODE is the greatest song of all time, Lacuna Coil did a decent cover but it has nothing on the original.. Just listen to the way it opens by DM with good bass, it is the most beautiful sound in the world. Lacuna Coil did a passable song but no one will ever do a version like DM, it is the greatest.

I do agree about Sonata Arctica's covers, thanks for reminding of 'I want out' haven't heard that song in about 4 years. Their version of 'Die with your boots on' is absolutely fantastic too.

My nomination would go to Metallica - Turn the Page, originally sang by Bob Seger, their version is just absolutely astounding. Or Nightwish with 'Over the Hills and Far Away', a musical masterpiece. Where have you gone Tuomas!

Edit: Prefer Metallica's version of Fade to Black, their version just does it for me. Tony does a great job but sometimes you just can't beat the original. Besides, he's more than capable of performing his own songs, they're just as good. "The End of This Chapter"... WOW!

rainbow kirby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00pRnGoYtY0

Sonata Arctica - Still Loving You

Love their version of I Want Out too. Takatalvi in general is awesome.

Creamy Goodness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLvUsSLWTRc

djScarey

Well not quite "so much" better but. Testament-Seek and Destroy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-czt54VjMc

Malice

Nightwish - Where Were You Last Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP4BYm75I0o

This is the original from Anke Bagger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJfImsSLFLY

GLaDOS

Twilightning wrote: »

Just read the title! Have you ever heard a rock/metal band perform a cover of an original and just thought "Damn, why didn't they do it as good as that to begin with?" If so, list the songs here.

Covers I've thought that were better than the original:

Sonata Arctica - 'I Want Out' (Helloween)

• Guitar/keyboard solo is alot more well structured and the increase in the overall tempo of the song gives it a more energetic feeling than the original, not to mention I do think Tony Kakko is one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

Sonata Arctica - 'Fade to Black' (Metallica)

• Aside from the already previous statement about the vocals, the song has some nice backing vocals and the guitar definitely feels alot more solid than the original.

I'd agree with you on I want out, actually the first sonata song I heard

Wouldn't with Fade to black though, its a great cover but Metallica's version is just brilliant imo

Btw, is this Darragh Smyth? :P

Stev_o

Cant believe no one's mentioned this one yet

Children of Bodom - Oops, i did it again :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJht9ct0104

Twilightning

ScienceNerd wrote: »

I'd agree with you on I want out, actually the first sonata song I heard

Wouldn't with Fade to black though, its a great cover but Metallica's version is just brilliant imo

Btw, is this Darragh Smyth? :P

Yes, it's me! What's up Kev? :P

Vegeta

Dave147 wrote: »

Please oh please take that back, Enjoy the Silence by DEPECHE MODE is the greatest song of all time, Lacuna Coil did a decent cover but it has nothing on the original.. Just listen to the way it opens by DM with good bass, it is the most beautiful sound in the world. Lacuna Coil did a passable song but no one will ever do a version like DM, it is the greatest.

While not as mucha fan of the song as you I agree

Doctor J

Ruski wrote: »

Faith No More's version of Easy.

You know the sound of the buzzer in Family Fortunes that tells the contestant they're wrong? :pac:

The FNM version is almost a carbon copy of original but just lacks the soul and swing, it's good but just not as good

Pyr0

Death - Painkiller : Great song by Judas Priest made better by Chuck imo.

Pantera - Seek and Destroy (live with Jason Newstead) Brilliant cover.

Manson - Sweet Dreams : Anoter great cover

Metallica - Am I Evil : Much better than the original.

Acacia

A Day To Remember's cover of Kelly Clarkson's ''Since U Been Gone''. It shouldn't work, but it does.

Shiminay

Cannibal Corpse's No Remorse and Decapitated's Mandatory Suicide are 2 that spring to mind and aren't mentioned here already.

grames_bond

i prefer metallicas version of turn the page!

Civilian_Target

Agreed on
Lacuna Coil - 'Enjoy the Silence' (Depeche Mode)
Killswitch Engage - 'Holy Diver' (Dio)

Also...
Therapy - Diane
RATM - Maggie's Farm

forgotten other good ones....

And finally ones I think are better but will go down like a lead balloon...
Funeral For a Friend - Damage Inc. and Black Sabbath (with Bruce Dickinson) - I'm not a FFaF fan, but they're both superb covers
Machine Head - Creeping Death

Fad

Civilian_Target wrote: »

.
Funeral For a Friend - Damage Inc. and Black Sabbath (with Bruce Dickinson) - I'm not a FFaF fan, but they're both superb covers
Machine Head - Creeping Death

Machine Head-Hallowed Be Thy Name, is imo better than the original.

And FFAF, well i think some of their covers are good, but Boys Are Back In Town? Woeful.

I do however prefer the Metallica version of Whiskey, but nothing compares to the original of Last Caress.

adox

Maybe not better but certainly an interesting interpretation of Slayers Raining Blood by Tori Amos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz0Q91VFsOk

Another "female at piano" :

Fad

adox wrote: »

Another "female at piano" :

The blasphemer left out the solo.

Now heres an amazing version of a solo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqL-YNyxFd0

fredzer

Sepultura's version of Motorhead's Orgasmatron, was made for them!!

breadbin

fredzer wrote: »

Sepultura's version of Motorhead's Orgasmatron, was made for them!!

+1 to that. the scream at the start is savage. although not really a scream. guttural wrench maybe.

great thread btw.
the sepultura covers album is ok.

voivod have a cover of the pink floyd song astronomy domine which is class.
evan dando is just sublime and most of his covers are better than originals but thats only my opinion. take "how much i've lied". amazing
i also like the rodgab version of orion but not a patch on original!

electric eel shock do a fantastic version of iron man. i think its probly better depending on the mood!

Somnus

Kharn wrote: »

Cannibal Corpse's No Remorse .

Oh yes

I love that version! Would rather listen to that then the original alright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vZy6J1rqaY

Blue850

absolute rubbish but a laugh..

breadbin

who would have thought i can play a solo as good as dave grohl! lol

Fad wrote: »

The blasphemer left out the solo.

Now heres an amazing version of a solo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqL-YNyxFd0

Xavi6

Placebo's version of 'Where Is My Mind' pisses all over the original for me. It was written for Brian Molko's voice -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IETfCzwSU6k

lee_arama

Mmmm...

Saxon's version of RIDE LIKE THE WIND,

and

Nazareth's version of THIS FLIGHT TONIGHT.

chin_grin

Pissing Razors - Domination (originally Pantera)
Crowbar - No Quarter (originally Led Zepplin
Crowbar - Dream Weaver (originally Gary Wright)


....I'm sure there are more. Give me a sec!

IamMetaldave

Twilightning wrote: »

Sonata Arctica - Fade to Black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ErNlS0XsLE

You are completely wrong on that one dude.

Completely!!

Machine Head's version of Alan's On Fire and Negative Creep are super.

Mental Mickey

grames_bond wrote: »

i prefer metallicas version of turn the page!

Brilliant version. Also, their version of "Tuesday's Gone" by Skynrd is quite good too. I remember hearing the original version on the radio one day, then I played Metallica's version from "Garage Days Re-Revisited", and I thought: "Wow".:eek:

EDIT: Or how about Pearl Jam's version of "The Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy??

Karl Hungus

Xavi6 wrote: »

Placebo's version of 'Where Is My Mind' pisses all over the original for me. It was written for Brian Molko's voice -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IETfCzwSU6k

You know, I didn't expect I'd like that half as much as I did.

JC 2K3

Twilightning wrote: »

Killswitch Engage - 'Holy Diver' (Dio)

No. Just no. How you can say that a shítty metalcore version of a classic is "SO much better" than the original is beyond me.

Twilightning

JC 2K3 wrote: »

No. Just no. How you can say that a shítty metalcore version of a classic is "SO much better" than the original is beyond me.

I'm more on the power metal side of life, and I have an extreme dislike towards the metalcore genre itself, but after hearing KSE's cover and then comparing it to Dio's version, it just sounds boring.

The cover could have done without the screaming of course, but aside from that, there's nicer harmonies and a very nice solo, not to mention the increase in tempo gives it the energy the original didn't have.

MizzLolly

Not even an actual fan but Mr.Manson's cover of Tainted Love is far better than the original!

JC 2K3

I suppose covers like that one annoy me because they undermine what the music of a certain era/genre is/was supposed to be about.

Dio, and much of classic metal, is a lot slower than modern metal, as well as being less bassy and having less wankery complexity for the sake of it.

I like covers that bring something new to a song, but not when a song is just rerecorded in a new style to be more "up to date" with the latest market of listeners.

redmosquito

Mental Mickey wrote: »

EDIT: Or how about Pearl Jam's version of "The Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy??

It was ok and great to hear that night, but its fair to say it was a bit botched!!

PJ doing 'Love Reign O'er Me' though is absolutely classic, they stole the show at this years VH1 rock honours!
A lot of the covers they do sound excellent, I would still love them to try 'Outshined', which they have sondchecked once!

Acacia

JC 2K3 wrote: »

I suppose covers like that one annoy me because they undermine what the music of a certain era/genre is/was supposed to be about.

Dio, and much of classic metal, is a lot slower than modern metal, as well as being less bassy and having less wankery complexity for the sake of it.

I like covers that bring something new to a song, but not when a song is just rerecorded in a new style to be more "up to date" with the latest market of listeners.

What's the difference between bringing a song 'up-to-date' and adding something new to it? I don't see how KSE were undermining Dio's genre. Isn't it a compliment that a younger band acknowledges an older band as influential? Besides, it could introduce KSE fans to Dio and classic metal.

Xavi6

MizzLolly wrote: »

Not even an actual fan but Mr.Manson's cover of Tainted Love is far better than the original!

It may be better than the original but it's not a patch on Soft Cell's version.

deman

HIM's version of Chris Isaac's classic "Wicked Game" is.... erm.... wicked!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ICCXy5IXdo

Slashman X

GNR's versions of Knockin on Heaven's Door and Live and Let Die are amazing imo.

Karl Hungus

You know, one of the best covers I've ever heard in my life was Laibach's version of Sympathy for the Devil. It's so dreadfully unique, they really put their own twist on it. Give it a listen to here.

anonymous_joe

Ministry's Lay Lady Lay has always had an odd appeal to me. Don't ask me why but I love it.

Huge fan of the Smashing Pumpkins version of 'Dancing in the Moonlight.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX2VSaPOQ-o

Not for everyone, but I really enjoy it.

anonymous_joe

Xavi6 wrote: »

It may be better than the original but it's not a patch on Soft Cell's version.

Soft Cell's version is seriously good.

Actually I quite liked Marilyon Manson's Personal Jesus. Not anywhere near as good as the original, but he's got an eye (ear?) for a good cover.

Lynibeth

Firewind - "Maniac" Ok so both are... bad... but one is clearly less...bad...than the other

ShawnRaven

I really don't get the love for Lacuna Coil's version of Enjoy The Silence, it was good without being great.

To name a few.
Pantera - Planet Caravan (Black Sabbath)
Megadeth - No More Mr Nice Guy (Alice Cooper)
Fields Of The Nephilim - In The Year 2525 (Zaeger & Evans)

VR!

cherryghost

you all lose. THIS is the best recent cover ever.

anonymous_joe

validreasoning! wrote: »

I really don't get the love for Lacuna Coil's version of Enjoy The Silence, it was good without being great.

I'd go so far as to say her voice doesn't suit that song. Nice voice, but not really what that song needs.

grames_bond

not sure if its been mentiod but i love the yngwie malmsteen's cover of gimme gimme gimme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbo5omhfY0A