Cover Songs
ime
Fuck Joe Biden
What are songs you have listened to that didn't know where covers or the cover is better than the original.
I had no idea this was a Bob Seeger song because I don't like Bob Seeger. The cover of Get out of Denver by English Pub Rock Band Eddie and the Hot Rods is better than the original.
Eddie and The Hot Rods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyQTuf9W…
Bob Seeger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf8KoaN_…
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a cover band and they do a lot of songs better than the original.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWZtPKTp…
Garth Brooks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iQr0Ede…
This is tough it's hard to do Johnny Cash better than Johnny Cash, but Tim Armstrong of Rancid really kills it on one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. Big River
Tim Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYg-Sa7x…
Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_21p14T…
You may be right by Billy Joel
Avail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlqoyNeN…
Billy Joel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DipY6TdD…
Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
Johnny turns the tables on this one and makes a NIN song his. Even Trent Reznor thought so “I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and it really then, wasn’t my song anymore.”
Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTR…
NIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvoTktdp…
Changes by Black Sabbath
Charles Bradley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi49yirJ…
Black Sabbath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LMog_UT…
Redemption Song
Joe Strummer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvnHFl2W…
Hard song to do better than the original but Strummer's voice is just perfect for this song.
Bob Marley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrY9eHkX…
I had no idea this was a Bob Seeger song because I don't like Bob Seeger. The cover of Get out of Denver by English Pub Rock Band Eddie and the Hot Rods is better than the original.
Eddie and The Hot Rods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyQTuf9W…
Bob Seeger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf8KoaN_…
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a cover band and they do a lot of songs better than the original.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWZtPKTp…
Garth Brooks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iQr0Ede…
This is tough it's hard to do Johnny Cash better than Johnny Cash, but Tim Armstrong of Rancid really kills it on one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. Big River
Tim Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYg-Sa7x…
Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_21p14T…
You may be right by Billy Joel
Avail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlqoyNeN…
Billy Joel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DipY6TdD…
Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
Johnny turns the tables on this one and makes a NIN song his. Even Trent Reznor thought so “I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and it really then, wasn’t my song anymore.”
Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTR…
NIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvoTktdp…
Changes by Black Sabbath
Charles Bradley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi49yirJ…
Black Sabbath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LMog_UT…
Redemption Song
Joe Strummer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvnHFl2W…
Hard song to do better than the original but Strummer's voice is just perfect for this song.
Bob Marley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrY9eHkX…
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It is the first time I heard the cover you linked to, and I like the original better.
But it's an interesting subject.
I'll start with Guns N Roses covering "Knockin on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan.
Here is the original by Bob Dylan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm9coqlk…
And here is GNR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8OHybVh…
www.youtube.com
ORIGINAL: FLEETWOOD MAC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKRfCkx8…
COVER: JUDAS PRIEST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMRwGZWQ…
WALKIN' THE DOG
ORIGINAL: AEROSMITH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLDXEwTY…
COVER: RATT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vImfWd4s…
best for last:
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
ORIGINAL: SPRINGSTEEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iaca30Q…
COVER: MANFRED MANN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi3GzpHN…
"wrapped up like a douche"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUw-427_…
And I won't be saying that now.
But the version of Simple Man by Shine Down is worthy of serious respect.
Skynrd - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-5aPNxv…
Shine Down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbN99f9e…
I can't even stand Bob Seeger after hearing Metallica's "Turn the Page" [TUSCL note; the video is not flattering to strip club hobbyists].
Disturbed covering "The Sound of Silence" may be the single greatest musical work of the millenium.
The Kinks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTTsY-oz…
Van Halen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X6e7uct…
Pearl Jam's Last Kiss sounds like it is supposed to sound-- a fucking sad song. The original was was a sock hop dance song about a guy's girlfriend dying in his arms.
Joe Cocker - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCrlyX6X…
The Beatles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C58ttB2…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Kmlgha…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lrs66Ss…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4S13jc…
You got to love John Entwistles voice. I have a deep voice, but it doesn't even compare to Entwistles.
Motorhead Louie Louie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRaIjXJ8…
I may like Blag Flag a little more than Motorhead, but they are both awesome, I think Lemme wins this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCY0bAPL…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fy7opKu…
I've been including originals and a cover in my links - except when there are too many versions to determine easily who did the original. (Summertime Blues and The House of the Rising Sun)
Heart covering Led Zeppelin. Anne Wilson's voice is far better than Robert Plant's.
Immigrant Song
Led Zeppelin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8OtzJtp…
Heart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpb0IO0Q…
The Animals and Eric Burden certainly put their stamp on some rock classics!
My subjective offering is: Take Me To the River:
Al Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FBUgdhx…
Talking Heads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4azbl96…
I'm also of the delusion that Eric Clapton did the definitive version of "Knockin" On Heavens Door" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcIxcvrj…
Slayer - War Ensemble (The original) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2e47wBW…
Aaliyah - Choosey Lover (The cover) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p1rJqxO…
The Isley Brothers - Choosey Lover (The original) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpsUf2AS…
Bad Wolves - Zombie (The cover) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Q0Ng61…
The Cranberries - Zombie (The original) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCCrryre…
311 - Love Song (The cover)[Already mentioned above, but I'm vouching] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RAVyBjx…
The Cure - Love Song (The original) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI0QizfB…
These are a few of my favorite covers, on the top of my head.
BLue Bloods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuZrqajM…
Mellencamp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEwK69L…
ST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5mRh2n9…
HCS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBRDaroY…
Cure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q460cEwJ…
It's highly subjective, but the definitive version of Summertime Blues will always be the one The Who did. Maybe it's because I saw it performed live when John Entwistle was still alive (but Keith Moon was dead)
What is truly incredible is how many people did covers of Bob Dylan songs and did them better. The Birds made a living from doing that. It's also interesting how Hendrix's version of "All along the watch tower" influenced the way that Dylan played it after Hendrix covered it.
DKM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgB56LQY…
GG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC6AJnTI…
@eve I'm not a metal guy, definitely a punk and hardcore fan, but Battlecross kind of sounds like Municipal Waste. There is probably no band that is more fun than them. They also do a song with Tim Barry of Avail so that pretty much says all you need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCiwRe3H…
He was opening for The Who on 10/31/82 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Az. The show had two names "Wholoween" and "The Last Who-rah" because it was supposed to be their last concert tour.
Type O Negative Summer Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1R4jbnd…
Seals and Croft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHuV3Aj…
TON Cinnamon Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1R4jbnd…
Neil Young Cinnamon Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jREf47BP…
Hell on earth for me is being imprisoned in someone elses car (or home) and being subjected to a Dylan commerative box set!
Thing Called Love
Bonnie Raitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krF6LpUX…
John Hiatt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krF6LpUX…
Riding With The King
BB King & Eric Clapton
RUN DMC and Aerosmith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb…
I've never seen Bob Dylan in concert. The reason why is that I am kind of afraid of seeing him live. There are two kinds of Bob Dylan performances - very good ones, and very bad ones. And the bad ones are far more frequent these days. (or in the days when concerts still existed)
BB King & Eric Clapton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDR1-JD4…
John Hiatt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekrfDHwA…
And the other Hiatt glitch from 2 minutes ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d0bs4lA…
And my glitch
https://youtu.be/L9fLjLg4dPk
Guns N Roses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH3B8sem…
Wings - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR0UmZcf…
GNR https://youtu.be/Wa-SmFQCstE
Aero https://youtu.be/D_lEQoNM70A
Do You Want to Touch Me (Gary Glitter originally released it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSqp-W1p…
I Love Rock and Roll (The Arrows originally released it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsazR6T…
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC originally released it, some may disagree but if nothing else she looks way better singing it than Bon Scott)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sky1tt8…
But the version of Gimme Back My Bullets that Skynrd did with with Kid Rock is interesting
Original Skynrd - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8egE4x9…
Kid Rock with Skynrd survivors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K73UfLyK…
Joan Jett's version of Crimson and Clover is also better than the original by Tommy James and the Shondells
Tommy James and the Shondells - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4-NDc2j…
Joan Jett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXFra7gj…
ORIGINAL: GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgId4C8r…
COVER: 24-7 SPYZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ44pYwv…
The Star Spangled Banner
Original version - Francis Scott Key - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPKp29Lu…
Jimi Hendrix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKAwPA14…
ORIGINAL: SAM COOKE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSoPeZMH…
COVER: ROD STEWART
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS2HnWrT…
RIDE LIKE THE WIND
ORIGINAL: CHRISTOPHER CROSS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8ftRFb…
COVER: SAXON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI_An_r5…
ZZ Top - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pmM2tcz…
Elvis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0Rz-uP…
Dylan songs that don't drive me absolutely nuts, because vocally he is brutal! As an aside, there actually might be a couple of more songs (2), but this is more pain to contemplate than I can tolerate in one day. I have spent 45 years wondering what the fuuuk I missed and it must be the quality of the drugs needed to hear his genius when the mfer is singing!
1. Hurricane (Desire Album)
2. Lay Lady Lay
3. Like A Rolling Stone (Highway 61)
4. Just Like A Woman (Blonde On Blonde)
5. I Want You (Blonde On Blonde)
Tangled Up In Blue ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSZvHqf… )
It Ain't Me Babe ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoagldK6… )
Positively 4th Street ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pmM2tcz… )
Subterranean Homesick Blues ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxjIBEZ… )
and a lot of others (including the ones you mentioned)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNSmL9nw…
The first time I heard it was over the closing credits of a quirky, little known, but IMO great movie, "Things to do in Denver when you're dead". In my case I instantly knew it was Seger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrvVQm6k…
The Ataris - Boys of Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt6Lkgs0…
Solid effort by the Ataris, but Don Henley wins by a mile for me... Don's version is probably top 5 best songs of the 80s for me.
I can't tell the difference between these two:
Toto - Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQbiNvZ…
Weezer - Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk5Dwg5z…
All versions of this song suck:
Dead of Alive - You Spin Me Round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2…
Flo Rida - Right Round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCw1ggf…
Jessica Simpson - Spin Me Round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAyaKOcw…
ORIGINAL: LADY GAGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6IZzqMG…
COVER: HALESTORM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll4NJs3N…
lzzy hale has fucking pipes!!!!!
https://youtu.be/Ds6GZ29mjFk
Even Leonard thought he produced a much better version:
https://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/kcwr.h…
Ribbon In The Sky (cover, Intro: original: Stevie)
Lately (cover, Jodeci: original, Stevie)
Also, the most famous cover of all time...
I Will Always Love You (cover, Whitney Houston, original: Dolly Parton)
Most of the covers, I didn't know were covers because I was young when I heard them and the internet wasn't a thing yet. I just found one out by looking up the cover.
Tainted Love (cover, Soft Cell: original, Gloria Jones)
Where else can we go...
It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday (cover: Boyz II Men, original: GC Cameron)
Am I Dreaming (cover, Ol Skool: original, Atlantic Starr)
Baby I'm For Real (cover, After 7: original, The Originals)
Don't Disturb This Groove (cover: Backstreet Boys, original: The System)
Who Can I Run To (cover: Xscape, original: The Jones Girls)
They also don't screw around with covers. If your going to cover Motorhead you gotta do it right.
Ace of Spades
B4B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogd6-eBh…
Motorhead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eGYzw2m…
Dead Boys Cover
All this and More
B4B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I09muw_I…
Dead Boys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0PFlHVm…
For the Record Dead Boys > Sex Pistols
And for any of youz that like old school English Punk/Oi!
The Oppressed
Violence
B4B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg4eDzFT…
The Oppressed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbhgagce…
The Business https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCHD7oI-…
Faces https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzVSOnil…
I like the covers done by Five Finger Death Punch, especially their cover of Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Blue on Black, plus Kenny plays on their cover!
I also LOVE the covers done by the Hollywood Vampires, I think my favorite is I Got a Line oh You, originally released by Spirit.
If you listen to Alice Copper’s radio show, he always does a segment called Cooper’s Covers which has some gems from time to time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEUlL3HT…
Original Elton John version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p_xAToF…
+1 for Disturbed's The Sound of Silence
Marilyn Manson's version of Tainted Love, I know that's not a popular opinion.
Both versions are live.
Jimi Hendrix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXrG09MR…
Steve Ray Vaughn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe3G7p1Z…
-i like srv's version of little wing way better than hendrix's.
-ozzy with brad gillis live versions of black sabbath songs > original studio versions of those songs
-ozzy w/jake e lee live versions of songs written by randy rhoads> original studio versions
Have you seen the version of Voodoo Chile by SRV that I linked to? It's from a concert in Nashville in 1987. The reason I asked if you have seen it instead of heard it is because SRV goes a bit crazy with one handed guitar and playing behind his back. He's even standing on the guitar at the end of the song.
It really needs to be seen as well as heard.
As for Ozzy doing Black Sabbath - the first time I saw him in concer was on the Blizzard of Oz tour - back when Randy Rhoads was still alive.
i was at that nyc metropolitan museum for that rock guitar exhibit a year ago. one of srv's guitar's was displayed. also saw the page guitars used during those zep tours.
what people don't know about srv - those notes he makes when he bends the strings. he was playing while using string gauges range .013-056. do you know how hard it is to make those bends under that gauge? the norms are mostly .009-.042 followed by .10-.046, which ware way lighter and easier to bend to make those sounds.
I didn’t know about the gauge of the strings, but I have read that playing so hard used to cut open his fingers. He super glued them back together so he could keep playing.
i saw srv's guitar up close in that museum. it was really scuffed up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgU3GSC…
Also on Live in Berlin, Sinead O'connor (with The Band) does a version of "Mother" that's awesome. Can't say it's "better" than the original, just very different and equally great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSd0Yl5m…
Again, not exactly "cover" versions as Waters plays on both of them, but performed with new voices and unique inflection that add an interesting sound to the classic songs.
I recommend listening to the whole album, or better yet, get the DVD of the full concert. https://www.amazon.com/Roger-Waters-Wall…
Other highlights are The Scorpions being driven onto the stage in a white stretch limousine to open the show with In The Flesh, Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) by Cyndi Lauper, and various performances by Thomas Dolby, Levon Helm, and Joni Mitchell, among others.
Just call it tough love.