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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cover versions of songs

324 replies

hangrylady · 14/04/2022 10:55

Just a lighthearted musing! I was listening to the radio earlier and they played Baby Can I Hold You by Boyzone. An absolute abomination when compared to the original by Tracy Chapman. The only example of a cover that I think is better than the original is Only You by Yazoo, which is far superior to the weird Flying Pickets version. Can anyone think of any more songs where the cover is better than the original?

OP posts:
WinniePig · 14/04/2022 21:32

Totally agree re Spanky Wilson and Sunshine of Your Love.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 14/04/2022 21:45

I was coming on to say Guns n Roses cover of Knockin on Heavens door as well, but I recently could not stop listening to the original Dylan version. It’s actually wonderful but so short!

Someone mentioned Live Lounge, I love the version of Naive (the kooks) that Lily Allen did.

Apart from that I always say Jealous Guy on these threads!

There are loads here I didn’t know were covers. Like Alone by Heart!

Havanananana · 14/04/2022 22:09

Torn is Natalie's original song.

Not so - according to Wikipedia there were three versions released 2-3 years before Natalie Imbruglia released her version: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torn_(Ednaswap_song)

LyndaSnellsSniff · 14/04/2022 22:19

This Mortal Coil's cover of Song to the Siren is wonderful. The original is also beautiful but their version is ethereal.

Also, The Sisters of Mercy's Under The Gun. It's based on a song called Two Worlds Apart by Billie Hughes (I think) and is a brilliant reworking.

LeftieLucy · 14/04/2022 22:26

Life of Agony’s version of Redemption Song. Makes me cry every time I hear it. So powerful and raw.

Mochudubh · 14/04/2022 22:28

I've gone down a Spotify rabbit hole and there are loads of covers playlists including original v cover and worst covers ever.

I don't pay for a subscription but I don't mind a minute of ads every 3/4 songs, it's a far better ratio than MTV etc.

WhackingPhoenix · 14/04/2022 22:29

@Snaketime

Korn's version of another brick in the wall and their version of Metallica's One. Also their version of kidnap the sandy claws. This one isn't better than but it is as good as, The Hollywood Vampires version of Heroes by David Bowie.
The whole Nightmare Revisited album is INSANE.

Seether’s cover of Careless Whisper.
Saliva’s cover of They Don’t Care About Us.
Corey Taylor’s cover of Wicked Game.

Finally

Peyton Parrish’s cover of I’ll Make a Man Out of You Grin

WhackingPhoenix · 14/04/2022 22:30

Ooh, last one!

I Prevail’s cover of Blank Space.

HereIfYouNeedMe · 15/04/2022 02:27

@NotVeryOuting

I love radio 1 live lounge for this stuff. I had a whole playlist of my fave covers on YouTube music that took me ages to compile and then one day all my playlists just vanished 😭 some could suggestions on here for when I make another one.

Anyway off the top of my head

Sound of silence - Disturbia
Wrecking Ball - James Arthur
We can't stop - Bastille
It's a sin - years and years
Pink - bohemian rhapsody
Happier than ever - Kelly Clarkson
I will wait -little mix
Love yourself - Halsey

Give London Grammar's cover of Purple Rain a listen
smalltreethisyear · 15/04/2022 02:56

The Killers version of Romeo and Juliet.

Mumberjack · 15/04/2022 03:10

I think it’s the mark of a good song when it is covered differently and still sounds great eg Baby One More Time by Travis (not the Darius version though!)

For me, Johnny Cash’s covers album made some songs even better - Personal Jesus and Hurt in particular.

marriednotdead · 15/04/2022 06:37

Maxwell’s (live) cover of This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush is outstanding.

Also love Rihanna’s version of Love on the Brain.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 15/04/2022 07:30

I didn't really like Disturbed's sound of silence but not keen on the original either. Bloody love their cover of Land of Confusion though!

timestheyarechanging · 15/04/2022 09:42

No

Stabbitystabstab · 15/04/2022 09:48

Cats in the cradle
Ugly kid Joe did it much better!

Mysterian · 15/04/2022 15:30

Immigrant Song by The Cybertronic Spree better than Led Zeppelin.

And Diamonds by Steam Powered Giraffe Better than Rhianna. Certainly more young metal giraffes in the video.

SwimmingOnEggshells · 15/04/2022 15:32

@GoFishandChips all of Slow Moving Millie's covers are brilliant aren't they?

GoFishandChips · 15/04/2022 15:41

@SwimmingOnEggshells yes, for me she has such a beautiful emotive voice without being melodramatic!

DGRossetti · 15/04/2022 15:56

Immigrant Song by The Cybertronic Spree better than Led Zeppelin.

Not when you've heard it in Norse

TurquoiseDragon · 15/04/2022 15:58

This isn't a cover, strictly speaking, but Linkin Park performed Adele's Rolling In The Deep live, and it was brilliant. Personally, I think it was better than the original, I'm not overly impressed with Adele's voice.

LadyMacduff · 15/04/2022 16:00

@cobblers123

Prefer The Ramones to The Ronettes version of Baby I Love You.
That was my wedding song!
jcyclops · 15/04/2022 16:06

Without You - written and released by Badfinger in 1970 has been recorded by over 180 artists, with the most successful and probably the best being Harry Nilsson's (1971) and Mariah Carey's (1994). I prefer Harry's version.

southernbelles · 15/04/2022 16:32

To echo at least 1 other PP, the first one that comes to mind for me is Amy Winehouse's cover of Valerie, love it! Always makes me want to sing & dance

Porkchopexpress · 15/04/2022 16:52

Mad world by Gary Jules is better than the Tears for fears version

BelleTheBananas · 15/04/2022 17:30

Mad World by Gary Jules is a dirge! It makes my ears feel sad Sad TFF original far better.

Sorry OP I voted YABU because of your Yazoo mix-up.