AIBU to think that some recordings are so perfect and iconic that they should not ever be covered by anyone else?

[2stepsonthewater]

In this case, 'River' by Joni Mitchell.

I haven't heard the cover of Power of Love, and it seems I've had a lucky escape.

Listed songs with panels: yes!

I prefer Brudder Iz's version of OTR.

I've given you a YANBU as there should be strict rules.

Leona Lewis' version of Run genuinely made me very angry when I first heard it.
However I think the covers of Tainted Love and AOMM are great. The Futureheads version of Hounds of Love is probably not for purists but I liked it!

There was an awful version of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car

Oh god yes, Fast Car, that made me rant at the radio and try to explain to my kids about the original.

Whitney Houstons I will always love you was good and brought it to a new Audience. I also liked Elvis,s version of in the Ghetto. A cover can be good. I mean often the original singer isn,t the writer so has no right to claim the song as there own.

The problem with your Gouldings/Smiths/Williamses is that they're basically cruise ship entertainers who make everything sound completely bland.

That sentence just made me shudder. Imagine being stuck on a cruise ship with those three. Imagine! Especially the Williams. Doing his 'hilarious' gurning faces between insipid cover versions. I'd jump overboard.

I'd rather do time than go on that imaginary cruise ship.

Oh yes, Fast Car! The original is such a powerful song. I believe I may have ranted to my kids too.

None of these can hold an awful candle to the cover version of Comfortably Numb by the Scissor Sisters. Truly the worst cover.

I liked that. But I also like Jamelia's version of Numb, Futureheads version of Hounds of Love, and Taylor Swift's version of Riptide (which I think is better than the original). DH has just voted for The Lemonheads version of Mrs Robinson. I really like my covers to be different to the original. The worst offence ever is to be a not quite correct copy, what is the point? I disagree that it's the same as classical arias, pop and rock singer-songwriters are much more closely connected with their songs than a classical composer who not writing for themselves but for a usually unknown singer.

Love will tear us apart by Joy Division. Paul Young, wtaf?

When I read the thread title, ‘River’ was the first song that sprang to mind. It really didn’t need covering. Especially as Ellie Goulding hasn’t even done anything different with the song, just tried (and failed) to mimic the original.

Whitney Houston's soulless overblown warbling makes a travesty of I Will Always Love You. Original is MUCH better.

@SchnitzelVonKrumm I agree about 'I will always love you' by Whitney.

I LOVE Whiney, but her version of that song was shyte. Awful warbling, dull as ditchwater, and I hated it.

Dolly Parton's version was sooooooo much better.

I agree that some covers are excellent. (Hurt by Johnny Cash is a good example)

However, it is an objective truth that any cover involving breathy singing is a load of old bollocks.

@IvinghoeBeacon exactly! You would not believe the amount of youngsters I have encountered thinking the Florence version is the original. I have the Source version as my ringtone 😁

That God awful Hallelujah X-Factor cover had CHRISTMAS BELLS for fuck sake. Appalling. Where is Alexandra Burke now eh?

David insipid gray murdering say hello wave goodbye by soft cell, just awful.

@NameChaChaChanges

Alexandra Burke hasn't done too badly actually. She has been in work constantly since X Factor.. More recently in theatre in Sister Act and The Bodyguard on the West End.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Burke#2014%E2%80%932017:_Musical_theatre_and_Strictly_Come_Dancing

She's got a decent set of pipes on her to be fair, and is quite talented.

Most X Factor winners didn't too too much after winning though! The runners up did better in most cases.

I agree with a lot of these but would like to add ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton - although Miley Cyrus’ version is quite ok.

Where is Alexandra Burke now eh?

Last seen on stage in 'The Bodyguard'!

I could've wept when I heard One Direction's cover of Teenage Kicks/One Way Or Another.

catsandchardonnay have you heard June Tabor and Oysterbands cover of Love Will Tear Us Apart?

It's when someone does a cover with exactly the same arrangement as the original (but with usually inferior vocals) that gets me. I mean what is the point?

Yes, I had the misfortune to hear Ronan Keating's cover of Fairy Tale of New York recently. Why, oh why was that ever recorded?

@Hassled brilliant idea!

How would it work if, say, someone wanted to do an operatic version of Anarchy in the UK? Planning permission from the Punk committee with operatic regs certification from the Opera panel?

Jealous Guy buy Brian Ferry - just thought I prefer that to Lennon’s original. Also TodD Terje’s versión of Johnny and Mary which is sung by Brian Ferry: utterly sublime and better than Palmer’s original (and I love Robert Palmer).