Cover Songs That Are As Good...If Not Better Than...The Original
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I love cover tunes. Any time an artist or group decides to redo a song as a tribute to the original artist or group, it's awesome.
In my years of collecting, I have found some really good covers and I've heard some extremely painful covers.
Today, by request of my sister-in-law, Erin, I am going to list my Top 12 All-time favorite covers.
Basically there is one simple rule (in my opinion) for a great cover:
Does the artist covering the song, make it his/her own without totally losing the feeling behind the original?
Having said that, I now present Cover Songs That Are As Good...If Not Better Than...the Original.
(In No Particular Order)
1. Common People (Original by Pulp, covered by William Shatner)
Pulp's version of the song is great. I listen to it quite a bit, in fact. Having said that, I don't think that there is a finer cover out there than Shatner's rendition of this song. It's bloody near perfect in execution and Shatner makes it his own, at the same time, not changing it so much that it can't be recognized from the original.
2. Sweet Child O' Mine (Original by Guns 'n Roses, covered by Luna)
Luna slowed the song down a bit, but it's very recognizable as the classic from G-N-R. This is one of those songs that I pop into the CD player when I need to just relax.
La Ley is a group from Chile. I heard this song on the radio one day while I was down in that country and I knew the lyrics, but couldn't figure out what song it was. I don't know if these guys did the song simply by phonics, but either way, I think it's impressive.
4. The Bare Necessities (Original by Baloo the Bear on Disney's Jungle Book, covered by Harry Connick, Jr.)
I'm sorry, but this is the way this song was meant to be sung...and I LOVE this song as sung by Baloo.
5. Come As You Are (Original by Nirvana, covered by The King)
James Brown is a postal worker from Belfast. He also sounds a lot like Elvis Presley. His version of Nirvana's classic is done exactly the way Elvis would do it, if he were still alive.
6. Hurt (Original by Nine Inch Nails, covered by Johnny Cash)
Nine Inch Nail brainchild, Trent Reznor, said the following about Cash's cover: "Immediately my throat had a lump in it, and at that point, it really struck home. It was heartbreaking. I had goosebumps, which I have right now even thinking about it. It became really inspiring to me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would write a song that Johnny Cash wanted to sing. I haven't listened to my version since then."
7. Little Green Bag (Original by The George Baker Selection, covered by Tom Jones & Barenaked Ladies)
The original was used in the movie Reservoir Dogs. Tom Jones' version comes from his Reload album, which contains some brilliant covers. (Including a cover of Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life". You haven't lived until you've heard Tom Jones say, "You know I've had it in the ear before.")
8. Bang Bang [My Baby Shot Me Down] (Original by Cher, covered by Nancy Sinatra)
There are actually quite a few covers of this Sonny Bono-penned tune. Stevie Wonder, Vanilla Fudge and even Frank Sinatra has taken a shot at this song, but Frank's daughter, Nancy, has the ultimate version. Included on the Kill Bill soundtrack.
9. Baby Got Back (Original by Sir Mix-A-Lot, covered by Richard Cheese)
Pat Boone had an album of Heavy Metal songs done in swing form, but the difference is, Richard Cheese didn't take it so seriously. (Paul Anka also had one that has some very good rock/pop songs done the Anka way.) Cheese's rendition of "Baby Got Back" is just hilarious. (His version of "Insane in the Membrane also ranks up there in my favorites.)
10. Can't Help Falling In Love (Original by Elvis Presley, covered by Bono)
I wish I could find the original version of this on YouTube, instead of "live". It comes from the Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack and Bono sings his guts out on this song, all the while, an interview of Elvis plays quietly in the background.
11. Everybody Hurts (Original by R.E.M. covered by The Corrs)
I HATE R.E.M. If I were to list my Top Twelve Least Favorite Bands, R.E.M. would definitely make the top five. I do, however, LOVE this version of their blah song, "Everybody Hurts."
Plus the Corrs are much hotter than Michael Stipe will ever be.
12. Who Wants to Live Forever (Original by Queen, covered by Sarah Brightman)
Nobody, but nobody, can be Freddie Mercury. The way he sings this song is simply brilliant. Sarah, however, brings a different style to the song that I think Freddie would not only love, but would probably have offered to produce himself.
Posted by Tayster 8:11 AM
5 comments:
- At 10/16/2008 12:59 PM Erindy said...
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*tips hat*
Word on the Corrs, dood. I'd also include their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." It remains one of my favorite songs they sing.
I'm also a fan of the Stars' cover of "This Charming Man" by the Smiths. I'd even go so far as to say I like it better, but I'm sure a lot of Smiths freaks would tar and feather me for speaking such blasphemy.
Incidentally, have you seen The Mike's Flowers Pops cover of "Wonderwall" by Oasis? It's so wrong it's right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1ueZf1WMQ - At 10/16/2008 2:05 PM Liz said...
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I have to add my faves:
"Iron Man" by The Cardigans
"My Humps" by Alanis Morrisette (whom I normally despise except when she played God in Dogma)
And I always love the New Order covers, like the one by Frente (Bizarre Love Triangle), the one by Flunk (Blue Monday), and when Michael Franti covers them live (I wish he's record one).
p.s. that Mike Flowers Pops is awesome. Oh yeah, I like Nouvelle Vague too... - At 10/16/2008 9:30 PM Tamera said...
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Ryan Adams singing Wonderwall acoustic.
Ben Taylor covering I Try. - At 10/17/2008 5:58 AM TB said...
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Nice choices. I always catch hell for lauding Shatner's "Common People" around Pulp fans, but so be it.
Also, Brian May sang a sizable chunk of the original "Who Wants To Live Forever," but that's neither here nor there. :)
A few I'd add:
Van Halen "You Really Got Me"
Shaw/Blades "Your Move"
Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah" - At 10/27/2008 2:07 PM Elaine said...
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Billy Joel's "Hey Girl"
