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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:
Time40 · 14/04/2022 13:38

Cinnamon Girl - Type O Negative

Dream On - Morgan James

... and Soft Cell didn't write Tainted Love, and Bryan Ferry didn't write Jealous Guy? Gosh. That's a couple of lifetime illusions shattered then.

Flowersandwine12 · 14/04/2022 13:38

I love cover versions, often they are more "poppy" than the original. I also love glee covers though

angieloumc · 14/04/2022 13:39

[quote Tana433]@angieloumc. Take a listen to Pentatonix version of Sound Of Silence. Dare i say it is better than the Simon and Garfunkel and Disturbia versions[/quote]
I will have a listen to that, thanks 🙂

notacooldad · 14/04/2022 13:39

I have rememebered I prefer The Who's version of Young Man's Blues and Janis Joplin covering Me and Bobby McGee.
I also like Artic Monkey's Love Machine although I'm not normally a fan of the Artic Monkey's

Kim Carnes doing Betty Davis Eyes is way better than the original as is Bjork's take on It's oh so quiet.

Happy Monday's Step On is more fun than the original.
I love Judas Priest cover of the Green Manalishi even though Fleetwood Mac's is ace as well!

Beck does an excellent version of Never tear us apart. Better? I'm not sure. I'm a big INXS fan but I can't grumble at Beck doing this one!

Danikm151 · 14/04/2022 13:40

I love Dolly Parton but Whitney's version of I will always love you is better.
Callum Scott - Dancing on my own

Lizzy1980 · 14/04/2022 13:42

Time to Pretend. I love the Divine Comedy version

Mysterian · 14/04/2022 13:45

The Led Zeppelin track Your Time Is Gonna Come was done better by a reggae Zeppelin act with an Elvis Impersonator on vocals. No, seriously.

Dread Zeppelin -

DinosaursEatMan · 14/04/2022 13:46

If you want to go down a covers rabbit hole try Angelina Jordan. I Put a Spell on You is up there with the original but she has many more.

Mysterian · 14/04/2022 13:48

And Dizzy by Vic Reeves is much better than the rather lacklustre Tommy Roe version.

angieloumc · 14/04/2022 13:49

@Mysterian

And Dizzy by Vic Reeves is much better than the rather lacklustre Tommy Roe version.
Definitely! I really like his version.
DinosaursEatMan · 14/04/2022 13:52

See, I vastly prefer the NIN original of ‘Hurt’. I appreciate I’m in a minority there. Also the NIN cover of Adam Ant’s ‘Physical’ is miles better than the original, except for the honourable mention of Adam live at Manchester…

beguilingeyes · 14/04/2022 13:52

@Time40

Cinnamon Girl - Type O Negative

Dream On - Morgan James

... and Soft Cell didn't write Tainted Love, and Bryan Ferry didn't write Jealous Guy? Gosh. That's a couple of lifetime illusions shattered then.

Bryan Ferry's Jealous Guy was recorded as a tribute to John Lennon just after he was shot. Dread Zeppelin were gods. I got to see them live once. I'd nominate the Pet Shop Boys version of Where The Streets Have No Name, especially as it include Can't Take My Eyes Off You in the middle. Joe Cocker doing With A Little Help From My Friends - Paul McCartney told him that the song was his now.
Zilla1 · 14/04/2022 13:52

It's oh so quiet - Bjork.
house of the rising son - Animals
RESPECT - Aretha (arguably)

Zilla1 · 14/04/2022 13:53

Try a Little Tenderness - Otis to compensate for the RESPECT.

Pbbananabagel · 14/04/2022 13:55

Gin and Juice by Hayseed Dixie

Stellaris22 · 14/04/2022 13:55

My DH once made me listen to William Shatner doing a spoken word version of Common People by Pulp.

It's an incredibly painful but hilarious experience.

Zilla1 · 14/04/2022 13:55

Red Red Wine - Tony Tribe

Pbbananabagel · 14/04/2022 13:56

@DinosaursEatMan 100% with you re NIN

Original poster
hangrylady · 14/04/2022 13:57

@SatinHeart

Eva Cassidy's 'Fields of Gold' is better than Sting's original
Good call
OP posts:
Zilla1 · 14/04/2022 13:57

Would My Sweet Lord/He's so fine count?

junglejane66 · 14/04/2022 13:58

The Wurzels - Ruby

DinosaursEatMan · 14/04/2022 13:58

@Pbbananabagel

Thanks! Thought I was out there on my own!

CaveMum · 14/04/2022 13:58

@BettyBootsie ah you could well be right! Thank you for correcting me, I'd have looked a right numpty if I'd said that out loud in public Wink

notacooldad · 14/04/2022 14:01

... and Soft Cell didn't write Tainted Love, and Bryan Ferry didn't write Jealous Guy? Gosh. That's a couple of lifetime illusions shattered then*

Do you want me to mention that I fought the law by the Clash is a cover as is Red Red Wine by UB40 or I want Candy by BowWow Wow.

Mickey by Toni Basil is a cover as well!! Also The tide is high by Blondie.
Loads of now classic 80's were revived from old songs.

NotVeryOuting · 14/04/2022 14:03

@notacooldad

I love radio 1 live lounge for this stuff If you like Live Lounge check out Tripe J's Like a version. Same idea. The DMA's cover of Cher's Believe is pretty good as is AB Original doing Dumb Things ( along with the original singer Paul Kelly)DMAs

Talking about covers and Like a version it was a bit of a suprise (maybe?) for the Wiggles covering Tame Impala's Elephant and winning the hottest 100! It's not a bad cover to be fair!

Thank you for that suggestion. I've just been and subscribed to their channel :)