Cover Versions that are better than the Original?

[Zoots]

Only one I can think of right now is

Turn The Page - Metallica

 

[1stepcloser]

Might as well state the obvious:

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (sp?)

 

[vaz02]

Jimi hendrix - all along the watchtower


^
Best example of a cover being better than the original.

 

[yertle-the-turtle]

I prefer John Cale's version of above, although I do like Cohen's original with the synths and all.

Hmm I like the Scissor Sisters' version of 'Comfortably Numb', but that's more because I don't like the original.

And maybe Concrete Blonde's version of 'Tomorrow, Wendy', although I've never heard the original but I've heard the original singer on the video. And I don't think he works it as well as Johnette Napolitano does.

 

[Jack In The Box]

'Wonderwall' by Ryan Adams and 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash

 

[LMP]

'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' by U2
'Cleveland Rocks' by The Presidents of the USA
'Stand by Me' by John Lennon
'Rockin' in the Free World' by Pearl Jam
'We Will Become Silhouettes' by The Shins
'Love Rollercoaster' by Red Hot Chili Peppers

 

[tim722]

Without a doubt, the best cover is...

Whiskey In The Jar...Metallica

Thin Lizzy's version is good.

Metallica's is a 10!!!

 

[Axver]

Kneel To The Cross by Agalloch. Talk about owning Sol Invictus's original in every single way. Most people don't even know it is a cover.

Also, Nevermore's cover of The Sound Of Silence is fantastic.

 

[Sken]

Guns N Roses - Sympathy For The Devil

 

[Zoots]

Without a doubt, the best cover is...

Whiskey In The Jar...Metallica

Yessss

 

[MrBrau1]

Guns N Roses - Sympathy For The Devil

what?

 

[elevation2u]

'Wonderwall' by Ryan Adams and 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash

ditto.

 

[1stepcloser]

Take That - How Deep Is Your Love
Take That - Relight My Fire

 

[Sken]

what?

Lol

 

[yertle-the-turtle]

Bjork and PJ Harvey's version of 'Satisfaction' is something else though. Damn.

As is Cat Power's version of the same song.

Edit: And, to go on a slight tangent here, the Darkness' version of 'Street Spirit' was brilliant for the way it took the sacred cow, put it on the altar and slaughtered it till the blood spilled everywhere.

And no, that's not a bad thing at all.

 

[the rockin edge]

Aimee Mann - The Scientist
Pearl Jam - Rockin in the Free World
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix - Like a Rolling Stone

 

[Laura M]

Embrace - How Come
Tali - 21 questions

 

[phanan]

Only one I can think of right now is

Turn The Page - Metallica

Can't agree on that one. I love Seger's original.

As for others:

The Beatles - pretty much any cover they did, but let's say Twist And Shout was the best one

U2 - Everlasting Love

Bruce Springsteen - Jersey Girl (fits Bruce like a glove)

Pearl Jam - Last Kiss

Yes - America

 

[cdisantis83]

Jimi hendrix - all along the watchtower


^
Best example of a cover being better than the original.

I'd agree with that assessment, and add Smashing Pumpkins' Landslide and Robert Plant's Morning Dew.
Then again, Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks is technically a cover, although I suppose it is more of an interpretation than a strict cover.

 

[the rockin edge]

Smashing Pumpkins' Landslide a

got a mp3 of that? i'd be interested to hear it if someone has it...

 

[MrBrau1]

got a mp3 of that? i'd be interested to hear it if someone has it...

Got Itunes and an email?

The original is lightyears better btw.

 

[MrBrau1]

Blur do an incredible cover of "Maggie May", but I'm not sure it beats the original.

 

[blueyedpoet]

SP's Landslide blows the original out of the window

 

[Tiger Edge]

Rufus Wainwright - Across The Universe

 

[MrBrau1]

SP's Landslide blows the original out of the window

you're an idiot.

 

[americangoth]

'LOVELIGHT' BY RRRRRROBBIE WWWILLIAMSSS

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

Hmm I like the Scissor Sisters' version of 'Comfortably Numb', but that's more because I don't like the original.

same here.

 

[SpaceOddity]

Hands down, the best cover I've ever heard is Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt". The music video, especially, really adds to the song and makes it even more poignant.

Other big favorites include:

Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks
Novelle Vague - I Melt With You
Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane
Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends

Most of those are 100x better than the originals.

 

[HeartlandGirl]

'Wonderwall' by Ryan Adams and 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash

My friend, I would have to agree with you on these.

And yertle, you're right about The Darkness covering 'Street Spirit.' They did it in just the right way. I'll always love the original, but I'm not bothered by the cover in the slightest.

I'd say that I like every Tori Amos cover of Leonard Cohen I've ever heard. Then again, I don't like Cohen's voice, so not sure how fair that is. Her covers of "Rattlesnakes" and "Real Men" are brilliant as well.

Tough call on The Postal Service's version of "Against All Odds." I love it, but the original is brilliant too.

Others:

"Running up That Hill" - Placebo
"Last Christmas" - Manic Street Preachers
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" - My Chemical Romance

 

[lmjhitman]

I'd say that I like every Tori Amos cover of Leonard Cohen I've ever heard.

that was the first thing i thought of when i read the thread title. her version of 'famous blue raincoat' is fabulous.

also the sundays 'wild horses' is one of my favourites.