Cover Songs (Better Than The Originals) Thread

[Spidey Revivey]

"There comes a time in music history that a song carries little to no significance, so lost in the qualms of the media and popular sounds of the season that no one gives it a shred of a chance. Some artists may not realize they had gold, and let it go with not so much as a second thought. Some may in fact have a good song, even a popular one but not defined....but then again someone may come along and bring that song back, establish it for what it should be, and set in motion the greatest cover songs of all time."

-SAMCRO


Our generation has endured genres like Hip Hop sampling existing music, and then again our generation has seen great songs come back in popularity thanks to television shows like American Idol, Glee, etc. We have also seen really crappy cover songs and offbeat samples that could kill our childhood innocence with a sharp pencil to the ear.

This thread is to praise and give tribute to the cover songs that we believe are much better than their counterparts. I felt this was necessary because honestly there aren't many songs out there that people would consider "better" than the originals. This isn't a favorite thread; quite the contrary. This is a thread to give tribute to the remakes that don't suck. \m|>.<|m/

My choice to get this started:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmwFRvKYZNs[/YOUTUBE]
"All Along The Watchtower" covered by Jimi Hendrix

One of the greatest guitarists of all time covering a Bob Dylan song. Bob Dylan himself gave him credit in saying "This was Jimi's song." When has another artist ever said anything remotely like that to a cover song?

 

[Davi323]

Anyone remember Dolly Parton's minor hit "I will always love you"? Anyone? Anyone at all?

Now...anyone remember Whitney Houston's megahit "I will always love you"?

Same song. Average forgettable country ballad vs. The Most Insane Every Woman Tried Singing The High Notes Doing Karaoke And Failed Miserably Power Ballad EVER. Cover song for the win!

 

[harrythem]

"Nothing Compares 2 U" by the Stereophonics. Miles better then the Sinead O'Connor version. Kelly Jones's gravelly voice is perfect for the song.

Also Embrace's cover of Eminem's "How Come"

Leona Lewis's cover of "Run" by Snow Patrol

The Radio One Live Lounge albums are highly recommended

Also must give proper to Boyce Avenue for some of their top notch covers too

 

[Father Uncle Oscar]

Weezer sucks. But they are great songwriters. They just can't perform their own songs. But I Fight Dragons can. This is their cover of "Why Bother?".

[YOUTUBE]UrdUD5JV_rM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Aeon Mathix]

My favorite cover song would have to be Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of "Higher Ground" by Eric Clapton. I like the RHCP version just because it has that extra "kick" to it that makes it more enjoyable to listen to. Another cover I liked were both of DJ Sammy's versions of "Heaven" by Bryan Adams. Of course with me I think i would like any song if it were covered with techno

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Johnny Cash - Hurt​

[YOUTUBE]o22eIJDtKho[/YOUTUBE]​

Originally a Nine Inch nails song, Hurt is the story about one man's pain & sorrow. Johnny Cash covered the song in 2003 mere months before his death. Cash was in ill health and would shortly lose his wife of 35 years, June, and he himself would be at death's door very soon. To put it simply, he made this song his own. He let the song speak from his heart and he put all his emotional as we saw a very weak Cash in what would be one of his final appearances.

Trent Reznor, the Lead Singer in Nine Inch Nails and chief song writer, said about the Cash Cover:

Trent Reznor: I pop the video in, and wow&#8230; Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps&#8230; Wow. (I felt like) I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore&#8230; It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. (Somehow) that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning &#8212; different, but every bit as pure

 

[Alex]

Anyone remember a song called Higher Ground??? It was on Stevie Wonder's Innervisions and was released as a single and was a hit.

[YOUTUBE]4wZ3ZG_Wams[/YOUTUBE]


Now why isn't that well known nowadays, well a small Californian band by the name of the Red Hot Chili Peppers decided to cover it.

[YOUTUBE]7gs2o5T7oN8[/YOUTUBE]

And this version is much more funkier, more fast paced and just sounds cooler in my opinion, not taking away from Stevie but the Chili Peppers did a better version in my opinion.

 

[Whatsinaname696]

both of mine have already been stated, Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower and Johnny Cash - Hurt, and both had the HIGHEST of praise from the original singers, deservedly so, only listened to bobs once just to see what it was like and that was enough, Def. Jimis song, I had heard Hurt long before Johnny and thought it was a good song, and I've always loved Johnny, my mouth was open before I even heard the remake simply knowing what it was, first time I saw the video I cried, that may have been the most moving video I have ever seen (and possibly ever WILL)

 

[Flawless-Talk]

There are a few cover songs I enjoy more than the originals, but one is because they have a personal meaning to me the second time around, even though they are the same lyrics. My all-time favourite cover song is Valerie by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, originally sung by The Zutons. I'm a huge Amy Winehouse fan because, despite her personal problems, she is blessed with a talented voice. This version of the song came out just as I was splitting up with an ex, so it just held a meaning from there and still does today.

Another cover version of a song I love is Run by Leona Lewis, originally by Snow Patrol. This is a really hard one on which version I prefer, because I absolutely love Snow Patrol, but I think Leona covered this brilliantly and in a very original way. Honestly, despite these two versions of the song using the same lyrics, I look at them as completely different entities, because they don't sound the same at all. However, Leona is a personal favourite of mine and I've listened to this more on iTunes, so I'll give her some dues here. It was a lot better than her cover of Oasis, at least, and I really enjoy this song.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Now guys, don't hate me because I prefer this version to the original which is by probably the most influential band of all time... The Beatles. I also really like the original and when I went to download it, I found this version, performed by one of my favourite vocalists, and IMO it is better than the original in every way!

[YOUTUBE]fpT4kgg5xlw[/YOUTUBE]


Chris Cornell rocks

 

[D-Man]

Maybe I'm dating myself, but does anyone remember a little cult-classic movie from the 80's called "The Lost Boys"? If so, you'll recall this song from the soundtrack that was originally done by Gerard McMann:


This song became an underground hit and was always associated with the movie. However, in 2008, Seasons After decided to create a darker, harder, and more ballsy version of the song here:


Not only does the song now have more balls, but it seems like Chris Shlichting's vocals are more powerful than McMann's original version. The metal, Zack Wilde-esq guitar riffs and metal bridge completely wake up this song making it basically superior to the original.

 

[Wade's Public Transit Bomb]

One of my favorite songs is "A Whiter Shade of Pale". I have absolutely no idea why. The song makes no sense, the composition of the original was kinda boring. And the guy's voice bugs me.

[YOUTUBE]PbWULu5_nXI[/YOUTUBE]


Now, I have no reason to listen to the original because Zakk Wylde covered it on the Hangover Music Vol. 4 LP. I absolutely love love Zakk's voice and the much more romantic piano playing makes the cover better than the original for me.

[YOUTUBE]nX1h5d4_T5A[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

Now guys, don't hate me because I prefer this version to the original which is by probably the most influential band of all time... The Beatles. I also really like the original and when I went to download it, I found this version, performed by one of my favourite vocalists, and IMO it is better than the original in every way!

[YOUTUBE]fpT4kgg5xlw[/YOUTUBE]


Chris Cornell rocks

Damn you Natural!!! It's like your my doppelganger dawg

[YOUTUBE]GLREE42wkks[/YOUTUBE]​

Really not a big Stones (or Beatles) fan, but this version of wild horses is godly.
Ann is a sweetheart and Cornell was a beast back in the day.
When they mash-up....

 

[Hazardous]

I used this months ago in a "Cover Song" thread.. But I'm going to use it again. This song is one of those songs that the first time I herd it.. I was stunned. It made me a fan of Pearl Jam.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Damn you Natural!!! It's like your my doppelganger dawg

Great minds think alike bro!


Another cover I love more than the original is:

[YOUTUBE]3fbGTyKbdYc[/YOUTUBE]

I think this is one of the best tracks BLS have ever released, the guitaring is simply epic in my opinion, and Zakk's voice fits this perfectly. It definitely blows away the original Lynyrd Skynyd version, and has to be up there with "In This River" as one of Black Label Society's greatest "slower" tracks. Even my Mum likes it haha!

 

[Cracka Jack]

I'd have to say that not only is Nirvana's version of The Man Who Sold The World better than David Bowie's original, it may be my all-time favorite cover song. The cover was done as part of their Unplugged set, and is often miscontributed to Nirvana rather than Bowie, and with good reason, as they made it their own with that performance.

I'd also like to mention Anberlin's cover of New Order's True Faith. It seems like people just love doing New Order covers.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I FINALLY THOUGHT OF ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fear Factory's cover of 'School' by Nirvana. Burton C Bell's voice of course, pisses all over Kurt Cobain's, and it just seems to sound better as an aggressive song Metal tune rather than a Grunge one.

Oh, and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt by NIN, mainly because i don't really like NIN, i find them boring as fuck, but JC's cover really pulls on my heartstrings every time i hear it.

 

[Alex]

I prefer Nirvana's cover of Molly's Lips orignally done by The Vaselines

[YOUTUBE]INVKNhOpYhs[/YOUTUBE]

Its a perfectly good song with a countryish feel to it,


However Nirvana's cover is far more rockier which I just overall prefer and it helped gain an interest in The Vaselines

[YOUTUBE]f76GsOBxUg0&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

 

[LitasRevenge79]

I actually LOVE LOVE Seether's cover of "Careless Whisper" which was originally done by Roxette. I think they did a great job. I couldn't believe it when I first heard it and the guitar riffs in it. I liked it so much I went out and bought the Seether album "Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces" just to get that song , along with everything else on the cd.

I also liked Limp Bizkit's cover of Behind Blue Eyes, originally done by The Who, and their cover of "Faith" originally done by George Michael. Some people may call me crazy for thinking I like their version of a Who song better, but I'm sorry, I think it was great, along with the video for it, it was amazing and ingenious. I just thought it was great to hear a slower, more intense version of Fred Durst singing.

Then there's a hardcore metal group called Murderdolls that I just LOVE, they do a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding" that just sends chills down my spine. If you see what these guys look like when performing, so grotesque, and macabre. Its amazine.

Rob Zombie does a cover of "Brick House" with Lionel Richie on his Greatest Hits cd, that just blows your mind. You never imagine that he'd do a disco cover, but he does it SUPER GOOD. And I think he is genius to work with Lionel Richie.

 

[Remy LaCroix]

At work my co-worker showed me another co-workers CD collection they leave behind. He showed me this cover of The Cranberries' Zombie song and thought it was pretty effin' neat, especially considering they don't do the "OH OH OH OH" like in the original (which I find annoying).

Compare and contrast.

Original:
[YOUTUBE]Uv5wF-E9D8Y[/YOUTUBE]


Cover:
[YOUTUBE]rNMAlk7Lcuw[/YOUTUBE]

After listening to these two songs back-to-back, I prefer the original, but I have my preferences. If you're into alt-rock, then the cover might be your thing. Maybe if the dude had a different singing voice I may like it more.

 

[Calderownz]

Last Kiss by Pearl Jam. Really love the song. Good shit. They covered Wayne Cochran's 1961 song. Better voice, better sound and better quality make the cover superior in my opinion.

With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker. I liked the Beatles/Ringo Starr version, but I just enjoyed Joe's version slightly more.

Day Tripper by Otis Redding. I love the Beatles, but I think Otis takes this one. I'm a huge fan of this mans voice.

Look At Little Sister by Stevie Ray Vaughn. Hank Ballard and The Midnighters did a wonderful song justice. I liked Vaughn's version better. Perhaps because I'm a fan of his music more so than Hank Ballard's, but both are great versions.

 

[TNYankee]

"Nothing Compares 2 U" by the Stereophonics. Miles better then the Sinead O'Connor version. Kelly Jones's gravelly voice is perfect for the song.

Actually Sinead covered that song too its a Prince song

Some of my fav covers

Nirvana- Man Who Sold The World (Orig by David Bowie) I love how Nirvana did this it made me go out and buy Bowie's Man Who Sold The World

Type O Negative- Summer Breeze
Marilyn Manson- Sweet Dreams
Marilyn Manson- Tainted Love
Fearful Symmetry- Love My Way (orig Psychodelic Furs)
Magnificant Bastards- How Do You Sleep (orig John Lennon)

 

[Dagger Dias]

Great thread. I have a good one, "Come On Feel the Noise". The Quiet Riot version was actually a cover, and many people don't know that. The original was done by Slade back in the 70's. Both are good songs, but it's easy to see why the 70's version faded into obscurity and why the 80's one became iconic. Here's the videos so you can see the difference.


[YOUTUBE]hN1IjY4UBZ8[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]FSUXdWCq5kk[/YOUTUBE]

Not that Slade's version is bad, but Quiet Riot's much more popular cover of the song is far superior. It's one of the few cases when the remake is better because it got so much more attention that most people don't know that it wasn't Quiet Riot's song to begin with.

 

[Window Licker 101]

You must not got out of your house if you havn't heard Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal. It was a big hit in the 80's like the majority of MJ's songs. Now fast forward to the year 2001 and South Californian band Alien Ant Farm produced a modern,trendy,catchy and rock version of this classic. Now this is just my opinion so feel free to disagree.

[youtube]CDl9ZMfj6aE&ob=av2e[/youtube]

 

[HailTheGillberg]

I would definitely say White Lion's cover of "Radar Love," originally performed by Golden Earring.

This cover kicks the ass out of the original!

[YOUTUBE]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4wCkkMVpzk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4wCkkMVpzk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]