The Walker Brothers version is actually a cover. Tom Rush originally wrote and performed the song.
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 18:06 (twenty years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 13 March 2004 16:18 (twenty years ago) link
― Stupid (Stupid), Saturday, 13 March 2004 19:27 (twenty years ago) link
Best: Candy Flip - Strawberry Fields Forever
― holojames (holojames), Saturday, 13 March 2004 21:27 (twenty years ago) link
speaking oftosh, i also like his versions of here comes the sun and johnny be goode
and i echo someones mention of the maytals version of take me home country road
― fromanchu, Monday, 19 April 2004 15:13 (twenty years ago) link
― eleki-san (eleki-san), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:37 (twenty years ago) link
― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 12:43 (nineteen years ago) link
1.Steve Vai: Little Wing2.Rush: For What It's Worth3.Eric Clapton: Knockin' On Heaven's Door4.The Animals: House Of The Rising Sun5.Time Requiem: Voulez Vous (they took the abomination of a song and made it damn good, so it makes the list)6.Rolling Stones: Like A Rolling Stone7.Led Zeppelin: Dazed And Confused8.Silvertide: Behind Blue Eyes9.Orgy: Blue Monday10.Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Blackbird
As for worst, Hilary Duff's "My Generation", Limp Bizkit's "Behind Blue Eyes", Adema's "Nutshell", Avril Lavigne's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", I'm sure there's others I've forgotten.
― Flaahgra, Thursday, 25 August 2005 03:37 (eighteen years ago) link
― Hurting (Hurting), Thursday, 25 August 2005 03:49 (eighteen years ago) link
― Valerie Pennacchio (Vuh Lair Ee), Wednesday, 20 September 2006 00:14 (seventeen years ago) link
I hate it as well. The Editors covered Orange Crush, and it sounded exactly the same, but with worse vocals. >_
― GLC (ZakAce), Wednesday, 20 September 2006 04:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― musically (musically), Wednesday, 20 September 2006 04:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 23 October 2006 13:16 (seventeen years ago) link
Bowling Green is an absolute must-hear for New Pornographers fans.
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Monday, 23 October 2006 13:24 (seventeen years ago) link
Worst : LeAnn Rimes - "Purple Rain" (Prince)Best: Camper Van Beethoven - "I Love Her All The Time" (Sonic Youth)
― Radio Free Albemuth (DocMartensBoots), Monday, 23 October 2006 19:27 (seventeen years ago) link
meatloaf- it's all coming back to me
― t0dd swiss (immobilisme), Monday, 23 October 2006 21:06 (seventeen years ago) link
Getting off the topic of Duran: I rather like Propaganda's version of "Sorry For Laughing". I know some people have said some not-so-nice things about it, but I do think it works. It's not a by-the-book cover and I like that.
― I just had to contribute because no one else was going to say the above. (krushs, Tuesday, 24 October 2006 01:39 (seventeen years ago) link
Also, stop butchering my favourite Neil Young songs! Just because you can't write good songs of your own, it doesn't mean you're allowed to screw up someone elses'
Best:Fuzzy's cover of Van Halen's "Feel Your Love". Nothing beats chicks singing like they have the libido of Diamond Dave.
― I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit (I say we take off and nuke the), Tuesday, 24 October 2006 05:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― joe schmoe (joeschmoe), Tuesday, 24 October 2006 22:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Daniel, Esq., Wednesday, 25 October 2006 00:13 (seventeen years ago) link
I love Pearl Jam/Eddie cover versions. Particularly his take on X's Poor Girl.
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 25 October 2006 01:08 (seventeen years ago) link
-soft cell 'tainted love'brit spears 'i love rock n roll' complete with dj scratching behind it. wtf.
these are off the top of my head. i am sure there are tons that will pop in my head over the next hours
― nijoli (nijoli), Thursday, 26 October 2006 01:37 (seventeen years ago) link
worst: that tori amos cover of smells like teen spirit
― AaronK (AaronK), Thursday, 26 October 2006 02:02 (seventeen years ago) link
The best cover version I know of is Tracy Grammer's version of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man." It's on an EP called "The Verdant Mile."
― banjoboy, Thursday, 28 August 2008 01:14 (fifteen years ago) link
Chris Isaak's version of Solitary Man is good too, so is Johnny Cash's. That's a song that usually works. I like a lot of versions of "Highway 61" (PJ Harvey, Johnny Winter).
Two songs that never cover well: "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and "Fever". Both seem like easy covers, lots of drama built right in. But what comes out is always overwrought and missing the cool reserve of the originals.
― bendy, Thursday, 28 August 2008 02:50 (fifteen years ago) link
Looking over the thread, yeah, there's a lot of bad versions of Helter Skelter, another one that seems like an easy freak-out. U2 is not good at covers, nor do their songs cover well.
― bendy, Thursday, 28 August 2008 02:54 (fifteen years ago) link
#1.all along the watchtower honorable mentions not seen listed: Linda's "Tumblin' Dice" Stones - i wanna be your man Aerosmith - i'm down the clash - brand new cadillac elvis - i can't stand up for falling down ramones - do you wanna dance, california sun, surfin' bird
― outdoor_miner, Thursday, 28 August 2008 04:32 (fifteen years ago) link
Good ones: Portastatic "St. Elmo's Fire" (Brian Eno) Galaxie 500 "Moonshot" (Buffy Sainte Marie) Man or Astroman? "Destination Venus" (Rezillos) Unrest "21st Century Schizoid Man" (King Crimson) Camper van Beethoven "Picture of Matchstick Men" (Status Quo) Bauhaus "Ziggy Stardust" (David Bowie) Talking Heads "Take Me To the River" (Al Green)
I hate every version of the song "Speeding Motorcycle", including the original.
― kate78, Thursday, 28 August 2008 04:36 (fifteen years ago) link
Also good the Afghan Whigs covering TLC's "Creep" and the Dismemberment Plan covering "Crush" by Jennifer Paige.
― kate78, Thursday, 28 August 2008 04:40 (fifteen years ago) link
"Don't Let Out Youth Go to Waste" - Galaxie 500 (VU)Galaxie 500 "Moonshot" (Buffy Sainte Marie)
Galaxie 500 "Moonshot" (Buffy Sainte Marie)
Following up on both of these, I'd just like to say that Galaxie 500's cover of Young Marble Giants' "Final Day" is excellent as well.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:06 (fourteen years ago) link
gotta second Braid's Bohemian Rhapsody. goo goo dolls version of down on the corner sucked too (though generally i've liked their covers).
for live performances, red hot chili peppers butchered 'i want you back', mostly cuz of kiedis though
― Elvin Wayburn Phillips, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:21 (fourteen years ago) link
oh, and for good covers...
jeff buckley--hallelujahgoo goo dolls--i could never take the place of your mancradle of filth--hell awaitsstevie wonder--we can work it outsinead o'connor--nothing compares to you
― Elvin Wayburn Phillips, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:24 (fourteen years ago) link
Best: The flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes for You" (in the "cover songs that you had no idea were cover songs" department)
Worst: Thurston Moore - "Here Today"
― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Worst: might be a bunch of Pickwick Records dudes called Tribe covering Yoko Ono's "Why" on an album that's trying to rip off young Beatles fans.
Best: for a few years now, for me it's been Band of Susans cover of Wire's "Ahead," which I probably play at least once a week.
― dlp9001, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 16:40 (fourteen years ago) link
I agree that Galaxie 500 did some great covers (in terms of both choice and execution of the songs). Their versions of Red Crayola's "Victory Garden" and Joy Division/New Order's "Ceremony" are fantastic.
― Duke, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:27 (fourteen years ago) link
I've also always had a soft spot for Big Black's "The Model" and Rapeman's "Just Got Paid".
― Duke, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:28 (fourteen years ago) link
This, on the other hand might be one of the worst covers ever:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMs6Knr1F6U
― Duke, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:34 (fourteen years ago) link
wow that IS bad...
― Elvin Wayburn Phillips, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:42 (fourteen years ago) link
excellent: the Associates' cover of "Love Hangover", Royal Trux's cover of "Money for Nothing". Unsurprisingly, GBV does a great cover of "Baba O'Riley". The Sonics' "Louie Louie". Al Green's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".
bad: Tiga's cover of "Burning Down the House" is pretty terrible, even if you're not a knee-jerk Tiga hater.
― sciolism, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 19:36 (fourteen years ago) link
Take That's Another Brick In The Wall with Jason Orange on vocals. I only saw that on a tape of one of their live concerts when I was in grade school, and I desperately want an mp3 of it. Damn!― Alexis, Sunday, 16 February 2003 19:13 (6 years ago)
Featuring some lovely solo face all round.
― subtyll cauillacyons (a passing spacecadet), Wednesday, 25 November 2009 23:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Best- Alison Krause's Baby, Now That I've Found You (original the foundations)Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower (original was dylan)Animals' House of the Rising Sun (technically every version of this song is a cover)Nirvana's Man Who Sold the WorldAnyone who takes a Dylan song and removes his voice.
Worst- Limp Bizkit's Behind Blue EyesMegadeth's No More Mr. Nice Guy (I don't know why I hate this, but I do.)Anyone covering My Generation.
― JesseJane, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 09:17 (thirteen years ago) link
technically every version of this song is a coverWell, the concept of a cover is essentially a rockist concept - it doesn't really hold in jazz and classic pop traditions. It only becomes a tenable concept once the recording achieves total primacy over the song itself.
Best:Sweet Charles - Strangers in the NightAl Green - I Can't Get Next to Youthe Pretenders - I Go to SleepAlex Chilton - Can't Seem to Make You MineWilson Pickett - Hey JudeJames Brown - Hot(I Need to Be Loved Loved Loved) cover/rewrite/shameless rip-off of Fame that I'd usually rather listen to than the originalthe Rolling Stones - I Don't Know WhyAl Green - Unchained MelodyMichael Jackson - Rockin' RobinSly & the Family Stone - Que Sera Sera
Worst:Celine Dion - You Shook Me All Night LongMick Jagger/David Bowie - Dancing in the Streets
― MumblestheRevelator, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 09:52 (thirteen years ago) link
best:Willi De Ville - hey joeLa Cinco Latinos - la virgen de la macarenaAndreas Scholl - the three ravensThe Crank-Tones - lover's curseMotörhead - train kept a' rollin'Agent Orange - pipelineJon & The Nightriders - bajaPetty Booka - i wanna be your girlfriend (i wanna be your boyfriend)Helen Shapiro - feverGigantjes - yaki taki oohhwah (right around the corner)Les 5 4 3 2 1 - bond street
worst:Edith Piaf - jezebelSixpence None The Richer - riu riu chiuChill Out Tribute to Queen - bohemian rhapsodyJohn Paul Jones - baja
― meisenfek, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 14:19 (thirteen years ago) link
@JesseJane: I must take issue with the "My Generation" thing. I really liked Patti Smith's version because it was more concerned with capturing the energy of the tune than being faithful to it (or not).
SOme I particularly like (some of which are already mentioned):
Devo - SatisfactionHUsker Du - 8 MIles High, Love Is All AroundTelevision - SAtisfaction, KNockin' On Heaven's DoorCramps - Surfin' Bird, Lonesome Town, Domino, Green Fuz, SHortenin' BreadSex Pistols - No FunRamones - Do You Wanna Dance, Time Has Come Today, California SunDictators - California SunSpacemen 3 - Transparent RadiationFuzztones - Radar EyesPlan 9 - 5 Yrs. Ahead of My Time, Looking at YouLyres - CinderellaFlying Lizards - Money, Summertime BluesFeelies - What Goes OnDum Dum Girls - Let It Be MeHalf Japanese - 10th Ave. Freeze-out, Tangled Up In BlueBeasts of Bourbon - PsychoBoris & Merzbow - I Am the Walrus
I never liked Joy Division's Sister Ray. Felt like they just tossed it off.
― ImprovSpirit, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 21:32 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh yeah: Jonathan Richman - The Rose, Back In the USA
― ImprovSpirit, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 21:33 (thirteen years ago) link
The thread originator nailed it.
Husker Du's "8 Miles High" .
I could support this claim with some pointless words...
― Fer Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Wednesday, 11 August 2010 21:46 (thirteen years ago) link
another worst:
Blood & Chocolate - the killing moon
― meisenfek, Tuesday, 28 December 2010 22:45 (thirteen years ago) link
Best:I see people mention Devo's "Satisfaction" a lot, so I have to point to Polysics' "My Sharona" cover, which is kind of the same idea, just crazy and coolHappy Mondays - "Step On" (a John Kongos cover, kind of)Ween - "Hot For Teacher"...it's been mentioned before here, but I have to mention it again, it captures the ridiculousness of the tune better than Van Halen ever did, but it still gets really down and dirty, just great great stuff
Worst:On youtube there's a video of Crazy Town doing Refused's "New Noise", it kind of feels like a 5-minute "brown note"
― frogbs, Thursday, 30 December 2010 16:03 (thirteen years ago) link
best of worst:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlTWpDav0FM
― Mangrove Earthshoe (herb albert), Thursday, 30 December 2010 16:40 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O4puKyRiiY