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?

@Blert

I once heard the most amazing version of Tainted Love by a female singer, but have never head it again and no idea who it was.

From what I remember it was semi-acoustic, slow, and in particular when she sings “I gave you all a boy could give you” it has a nuance to how she stresses “boy” which gave it a definite lesbian/bi vibe.

Stella Starlight?

Kung Fu Fighting by Bus Stop

Chris Farlowe did the original Handbags and Gladrags. I didn't know Paul sang on In My Life ? Thought it was just John. I love Johnny Cash singing Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode. . And Willie Nelson does the best You Were Always on my Mind. Dear Prudence by Siouxsie is very haunting but I love the original too. Denys Midnight Runners version of Jackie Wilson Says by Van Morrison pips the original imo. Ditto It Must Be Love by Madness beats the original by Labi Siffre

A Perfect Circle's cover of Imagine is amazing.

Must check it out @MrsWidgerysLodger . Also I forgot : The Slits , I heard it through the grapevine

@steff13

I like Dixie Chicks' version of Landslide better than Fleetwood Mac's. And I prefer Rufus Wainwright's version of Hallelujah.

Agreed on both counts!

@TheNumberfaker

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia I’m a believer by The Monkees Ray of Light by Madonna

All covers better than the original versions

Torn is Natalie's original song. The writers performed it later. It's like Irreplaceable, Ne-Yo has done performances but he gave this song to Beyonce so it's it would be a Beyonce song just liike Torn is a Natalie Imbruglia song.

Alone by Heart, though the original is good:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ONuYXeZdCNw

Regina Specktors cover of while my guitar gently weeps and Cat Powers Sea of love. Both so beautiful.

There's a nauseating advert on at the mo with the usual simpering woman singing 7 Nation Army. It makes me want to scream

The Damned's version of Eloise, completely exhilarating

Leona Lewis - Run
Placebo - Running Up That Hill
Glee - Go Your Own Way

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.

[quote AlternativePerspective]Somewhere over the rainbow by Eva Cassidy

[/quote] Good, but no Harry Nilsson.

And The Pet Shop Boys cover of Go West, much more powerful than the Village People

And a cover of the Pet Shop Boys song West End Girls that turns into People Who Died by the Jim Carroll Band. All done by GWAR. Better? I think so but I'm probably on my own.

Champagne Supernova by Urban Cookie Collective

Amy wine house Valerie
Lilly Allen somewhere only we know
Eva Cassidy songbird

Salt n pepa twist and shout

UB40 I got you babe

Are people just coming up with random covers now rather than covers being better than the original as was the original OP because some if these suggestions are way off imo!!

I'm enjoying the Pet Shop Boys references, I love their cover of Springsteen's Last to Die.

Conversely Years and Years' cover of It's a Sin is utter dirge.

Faith No More- Easy
Guns n Roses- Knocking on Heavens Door

Hounds of Love by The Futureheads is better than the Kate Bush original.
And the Mike Flowers Pops cover of Wonderwall! I can't stand the Oasis version and have to switch the radio off if it comes on, so anything is an improvement really.
Lots of Scott Walker's Jacques Brel covers, particularly Mathilde.