Author Topic: Cover versions that are better than the original  (Read 28585 times)

rogerzilla

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Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #50 on: 20 December, 2008, 10:35:47 pm »
G 'N' R's version of "Live And Let Die", which eliminates the cheesiness of the Wings original.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #51 on: 20 December, 2008, 10:41:25 pm »
The Clash 'I fought the law'
Plenty of youtube versions but 'if' you fancy covering it yourself this is a starting point.


Intro:

Chords:       D             D              G              A


Chords:       D             D         A   G   F#m  D


That repeats twice, then:

D        D           G    D
Breakin' rocks in the hot sun

D            D           G   D
I fought the law and the law won
D            D           A   D
I fought the law and the law won
D        D           G      D
I needed money 'cause I had none

D            D           G   D
I fought the law and the law won (twice)

  G
I left my baby and it feels so bad

D
Guess my race is run

G
She the best that I ever had

D                        G   D
I fought the law and the law won

D                       A G F#m D
I fought the law and the law won

LEE

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #52 on: 20 December, 2008, 10:42:02 pm »
One

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/be0j4PbrQOI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/be0j4PbrQOI&rel=1</a>

Does this qualify as a cover? Since it features the original artist?

Yes, because it's not the original

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #53 on: 20 December, 2008, 10:42:32 pm »
We ought to try IFTLATLW and post our efforts  :)
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #54 on: 20 December, 2008, 10:49:54 pm »
Here's another one, mainly included because she defines the pixie-faced brunette:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/aTod6ecTzUg&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/aTod6ecTzUg&rel=1</a>

This video got played about every 2 hours on MTV in the mid-1990s.

Wait for the student-style dancing at 3:30!

It's not widely recognised that it's a cover version, but I have seen a clip of the original and it is truly awful.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Mrs Pingu

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Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #56 on: 21 December, 2008, 12:01:30 pm »
Cause we've ended as lovers Jeff Beck's performance of the Stevie Wonder tune

Manotea

  • Where there is doubt...
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #57 on: 21 December, 2008, 12:17:48 pm »
A pub classic but none the worse for that. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/TBp53TdYvQI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/TBp53TdYvQI&rel=1</a>

Really Ancien

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #58 on: 21 December, 2008, 12:59:21 pm »
I mention this every time there's a thread like this, but this is the definitive version of this song. The original album version from 'Play Misty for Me'. it just shades the circa 4 minute version released as a single. largely because of the heartbeat effect of the bass.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1</a>

Damon.

cometworm

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #59 on: 21 December, 2008, 01:21:59 pm »
Marilyn Manson's version of Tainted Love is far darker (and better!) than the original.

Manotea

  • Where there is doubt...
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #60 on: 21 December, 2008, 01:32:04 pm »
I mention this every time there's a thread like this, but this is the definitive version of this song. The original album version from 'Play Misty for Me'. it just shades the circa 4 minute version released as a single. largely because of the heartbeat effect of the bass.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1</a>

Damon.

If you need a reason to find Celine Dion annoying, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/MqsRE4PPiEU&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/MqsRE4PPiEU&rel=1</a>.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #61 on: 21 December, 2008, 02:45:58 pm »
Marilyn Manson's version of Tainted Love is far darker (and better!) than the original.
Yeah, but so is Soft Cell's.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Really Ancien

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #62 on: 21 December, 2008, 03:14:10 pm »
I mention this every time there's a thread like this, but this is the definitive version of this song. The original album version from 'Play Misty for Me'. it just shades the circa 4 minute version released as a single. largely because of the heartbeat effect of the bass.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/0b83VKvbkGA&rel=1</a>

Damon.

If you need a reason to find Celine Dion annoying, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/MqsRE4PPiEU&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/MqsRE4PPiEU&rel=1</a>.

I think Celine does quite a good job. The problems she has stem from her not being a professionally trained singer steeped in the gospel tradition and the cadences of the King James Bible. So she uses the virbato typical of her country tradition and has that strange 'sh' sound on the sibilants.
Singers should try to tackle the classics, and this is certainly one, Celine prefaces her performance by mentioning Roberta Flack and emphasises its emotional significance to her and the husband she nursed through cancer. A lot of people empaphise with Celine because she hasn't had an easy ride, not my cup of tea, but she has got a hell of a lot of power in that voice.

Damon.

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #63 on: 21 December, 2008, 07:54:24 pm »
Not a popular statement coming.


I like the Mark Ronson version of the Smith's song, 'Stop Me' a lot more than the original.

Runs for cover from the spitting

H






zzpza

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #64 on: 21 December, 2008, 08:15:29 pm »
Marilyn Manson's version of Tainted Love is far darker (and better!) than the original.

agreed. personal jesus is good too. not sure if the depeche mode version was the original or a cover too.

I like the Mark Ronson version of the Smith's song, 'Stop Me' a lot more than the original.

agreed

imho, the metalica version of whiskey in the jar is a bit so-so. but it seems the thin lizzy version was kind of a cover too, as it was originally a folk song.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #65 on: 21 December, 2008, 10:18:38 pm »
Not a popular statement coming.


I like the Mark Ronson version of the Smith's song, 'Stop Me' a lot more than the original.

Runs for cover from the spitting

You, sir, are worse than Hitler.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

citoyen

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Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #66 on: 22 December, 2008, 09:26:05 am »
Yeah, but so is Soft Cell's.

Cheesy electropop over classic Northern Soul? I don't think so.

The Soft Cell version has also been ruined by overexposure.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #67 on: 22 December, 2008, 10:44:51 am »
'Imagine' by Perfect Circle

'Suicide is Painless' by Manic Street Preachers

'Man who sold the world' by M. Cobain



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Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #68 on: 22 December, 2008, 11:54:19 am »
Have we had "Respect" Aretha Franklin yet ? Original was Ottis Reading.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #69 on: 30 December, 2008, 10:28:07 am »
Manic Street Preachers - Suicide is Painless
Manic Street Preachers - Charles Windsor

There's no point in in doing a cover version unless it is played as if you wrote the song yourself - Manics are good at this IMO.

See also their cover of "We are all Bourgeois now". I wish they would record the entire Mcarthy catalogue as it happens (great songs, terrible production)

Wascally Weasel

  • Slayer of Dragons and killer of threads.
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #70 on: 30 December, 2008, 10:40:39 am »
G 'N' R's version of "Live And Let Die", which eliminates the cheesiness of the Wings original.

One of my (many) favourite bits in the film 'Grosse Pointe Blank' is the bit where the G'N' R version of "Live and Let Die" is playing, then when Martin Blank walks in to the Ultimart, a Muzak version of the same song is playing at the exact point where the other left off.

mattc

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Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #71 on: 30 December, 2008, 12:22:06 pm »
I never noticed that! What a great excuse to watch the film again ...
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Flying_Monkey

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #72 on: 30 December, 2008, 12:58:04 pm »
Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb by the Scissor Sisters. Not just to annoy the people who think it is blasphemy, but actually I do think it is a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the turgid ego-belch of The Wall.

In a similar vein, I like some of Nouvelle Vague's covers - in particular their version of Depeche Mode's I Just Can't Get Enough, though they do get a bit wearing after a while.

On a seasonal note, I also think that Kylie Minogue's Santa Baby is really rather good, and on CD at least better than the more famous Eartha Kitt version, even though I have no doubt that Eartha Kitt (RIP) could have eaten Kylie alive.

IMHO, the best ever cover version however is without doubt Love's mid-60s garage-punk stomp through Bacharach's Little Red Book.

Wascally Weasel

  • Slayer of Dragons and killer of threads.
Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #73 on: 30 December, 2008, 01:06:09 pm »
The version of 'Raspberry Beret' that Warren Zevon recorded with members of REM (recording as 'The Hindu Love Gods').

Edit:  And the Pixies version of the WV song 'Ain't that pretty at all' on the tribute album 'Enjoy every sandwich'

Re: Cover versions that are better than the original
« Reply #74 on: 30 December, 2008, 02:30:18 pm »

even though I have no doubt that Eartha Kitt (RIP) could have eaten Kylie alive.


I should imagine that you would have found a good number of people prepared to pay serious money to watch that.
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