Cover versions of songs

[hangrylady]

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?

hurt - Johnny Cash

I listen to a lot of pop punk music and absolutely love the Pop Goes Punk albums.
Everything sounds better but I may be the minority.

Eva cassidy's cover of Time After Time. I danced to this when I got married, with my dad. Still makes me so emotional to listen to (he passed away 4 months after). Definitely better than the original.

@TooManyPJs I agree the flying pickets version is amazing and makes me cry like a baby! It's the only Xmas song I even like

All Along The Watchtower was originally a gentle acoustic number on John Wesley Hardin by Bob Dylan. Hendrix came along with his rocking leccy version and since then even Dylan himself has played the Hendrix version (in his way of course) when he has played it live.

Sweet dreams by Marilyn Manson (though both are great)
I will always love you - Whitney houston
Without you - Mariah Carey
Tuesday's gone - Metallica

Sinead O'Connor - house of the rising sun (I always think if angels existed they would sound like this)

@Zilla1

Does anyone recognise the cover of It's oh so quiet on the new diet coke advert? It's not Bjork but it doesn't sound like the original.

The Bjork version was a cover of this from 1951k

I would disagree with that. I prefer Dylans own version to virtually any cover.

And this one. Though there's a certain irony in it, given the singers' figures. Musically, brilliant...

[quote WalkingOnTheCracks]And this one. Though there's a certain irony in it, given the singers' figures. Musically, brilliant...

[/quote] Incidentally, the woman with the blonde streaks is Telly Savalas' daughter.

Just mentioning that in passing.

I love Teenage Fanclub cover of Like A Virgin.Its not better just a whole lot different.

Metallica Turn the Page is amazing

PATD cover of In To the Unknown is soo good.

Valerie cover by Amy Winehouse. Although I do like the original, Amy Winehouse's is better.

Also shout out to Darren Hayes and his cover of Madonna's The Look Of Love is really really good

And actually The Killers version of Icehouse Crazy is so beautiful.
It's neck and neck for me.

Smooth criminal by alien ant farm is good

@Cocobeau

I prefer how Ewan Mcgregor sang Your Song over Eltons version.

Agree! I am no fan of Ewan McGregor but his version is MUCH better!

Teenage Angelo will always love The Ataris cover of Boys of Summer and McFly’s version of Umbrella.

the80sweregreat yes it's really good!

Am I missing something about Bob Dylan? Do a lot of people really like his voice, or do they just consider it part and parcel of the songwriter bringing his own masterpieces and thus that makes the whole package wonderful?

Musically-speaking, Johnny Cash didn't have the most amazing or purest voice, but he was tuneful, brought raw emotion and his own personality and it was pleasant to listen to.

I still can't get over the fact that The Traveling Wilburys had Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison in their number - and yet still gave some of the singing bits to Bob Dylan!

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Am I missing something about Bob Dylan? Do a lot of people really like his voice, or do they just consider it part and parcel of the songwriter bringing his own masterpieces and thus that makes the whole package wonderful?

Musically-speaking, Johnny Cash didn't have the most amazing or purest voice, but he was tuneful, brought raw emotion and his own personality and it was pleasant to listen to.

I still can't get over the fact that The Traveling Wilburys had Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison in their number - and yet still gave some of the singing bits to Bob Dylan!

I have the that problem with Johnny Cash.

I think the thing is that in popular music, you can be a good vocalist without necessarily being a good singer. And if that's the case, you're likely to have an idiosyncratic voice that not everyone will like.

For instance, I know people who can't stand Elvis Costello's voice. I love it. On the other hand, I can't bear Neil Young's even though I think he's a terrific songwriter. And Roy Orbison's voice irritates me too.

Ah I can’t bear Euan McGregor’s voice! I hated the singing in Moulin Rouge

@sillymoo64

Mike D'Abo sang original Handbags and Gladrags also wrote it

I knew D' Abo wrote it but thought Chris Farlow did the first single ?

Thanks, WalkingOnTheCracks - some very good and interesting observations.

Another one I've just thought of is Solitaire by The Carpenters. I do love Neil Sedaka's voice and songs (although some of the lyrics are a bit concerning and very 'of their time'), but Karen Carpenter just dots the 'i's and crosses the 't's of an already-lovely song (as she did with most of what she sang).

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Am I missing something about Bob Dylan? Do a lot of people really like his voice, or do they just consider it part and parcel of the songwriter bringing his own masterpieces and thus that makes the whole package wonderful?

Musically-speaking, Johnny Cash didn't have the most amazing or purest voice, but he was tuneful, brought raw emotion and his own personality and it was pleasant to listen to.

I still can't get over the fact that The Traveling Wilburys had Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison in their number - and yet still gave some of the singing bits to Bob Dylan!

Dylan is a unique talent, changing the music scene for 60 years. When he sings he sounds as though he means what he is singing and believes in what he is singing about. His songs cover every topic under the sun, love, life, death, social injustice and a lot of humour. He is 81 next month and has just completed 28 live dates being the first part of this year's tour. He does not sell tickets 12 to 18 months before his dates, banking the ticket money months before he performs. He does not rest on his laurels, going out doing a 'greatest hits' tour like most 60s performers do. 75% of his current setlist are songs written and published over the last couple of years. Even when he does play an old song, it will be totally different from the original, changing the tempo and style, and often the words to fit contemporary issues. The man is a true genius. Yes his voice is gruff, he doesn't hit the high notes, but once you get Dylan nothing and no one else comes anywhere near. I only started to get him in 2013 when I went to see him at Blackpool and he completely blew me away. I was 60 at the time, so he has been there all my life since I was 10, and I didn't really get his voice until that night. The song that did it? 'Forgetful Heart' made the hair on the back of neck prickle.