Are Cover Versions Better Than the Originals?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the subjective nature of musical covers, inviting participants to share cover versions of songs they believe surpass the originals or that they simply enjoy. The discussion encompasses various genres and artists, reflecting on the artistry involved in creating covers and the personal connections listeners have with different renditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that creating a cover is as challenging as writing an original song, emphasizing the importance of personal interpretation and arrangement.
  • Several examples of covers are shared, including David Gray's cover of Dylan's "Meet Me in the Morning," which some participants suggest is better than the original.
  • There is a discussion about the merits of various covers, such as Johnny Cash's rendition of "Rusty Cage," originally by Soundgarden, and the differing opinions on whether these covers improve upon the originals.
  • Primus's cover of Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar" is highlighted, with mixed opinions on whether it is better than the original, with some participants enjoying it for its unique style.
  • Participants mention other covers, such as Eric Clapton's version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," with some expressing a preference for Clapton's interpretation over Dylan's original.
  • There are conflicting views on the cover of "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda," with some asserting that the Pogues' version is definitive, while others recall different impactful renditions.
  • Discussions also touch on the subjective nature of musical preference, with some participants expressing nostalgia for specific versions based on personal experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the quality of various covers compared to their originals, with no clear consensus on which versions are definitively better. The discussion remains open-ended, reflecting diverse tastes and interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge their personal biases and experiences influencing their preferences, which may affect their views on the quality of covers versus originals.

  • #31
Whole Lotta Love is nearly a cover of this.

 
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  • #32
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIJBJd7v5Nk
 
  • #33
Ain't nothing like the real thing.


Sure there is Jimmy, its called "Even better than the real thing."

 
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  • #34
Jimmy, if you think you're going to win this battle because Donny is your "soldier of love," I'm afraid you're going to lose.

 
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  • #35
1977ub said:
I was weaned on "The Ventures" - dad had LPs around - about half of the tunes are covers. I like their version of Jumpin' Jack Flash. Here's another nearly-all-instrumental version of that song I learned about a couple of years that I really enjoy.



thanks to
http://www.allmusic.com/album/essential-mix-98-01-mw0001055865


That's hilarious. To me this is the real 60's. Yellow plastic go go boots. The stuff that you hear now wasn't really that popular. The Monkees were the biggest act going by far.
 
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  • #36
I bought "The Crow:City of Angels" soundtrack just so I could listen to the first 2 cover tracks. Okay, not necessarily better than the original or anything.

"Gold Dust Woman"
(originally performed by Fleetwood Mac)
- by Hole


"I'm Your Boogie Man"
(originally performed by KC and the Sunshine Band)

- by White Zombie
 
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  • #37
1977ub said:
I bought "The Crow:City of Angels" soundtrack just so I could listen to the first 2 cover tracks. Okay, not necessarily better than the original or anything.

"Gold Dust Woman"
(originally performed by Fleetwood Mac)
- by Hole

Anything Hole has ever done has sucked, embarassingly. And for you to even present this as a possible EBTTRT (Even better than the real thing) "Candidate", troubles me 1977ub.
 
  • #38
Oh, for those of you 18 year old nascnet NASA engineers who don't own Rumours, here's an alternative version to Holes'...

 
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  • #39
WannabeNewton said:
I like this cover way better than the original one by the Stones. Plus, the lead singer was the first woman I ever fell madly in love with...and after the bone crushing defeat of knowing it could never reciprocate I decided it would be the last :p.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiyCkSOF1pc

WBN, I was about to post this one last night, but I didn't have time!
 
  • #40
DiracPool said:
Anything Hole has ever done has sucked, embarassingly. And for you to even present this as a possible EBTTRT (Even better than the real thing) "Candidate", troubles me 1977ub.

DiracPool said:
Oh, for those of you 18 year old nascnet NASA engineers who don't own Rumours, here's an alternative version to Holes'...

I'll see both of you. And raise you. I present: the 7" cover of the entire album Rumours, performed by the punk group Shlong.

 
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  • #41
lisab said:
WBN, I was about to post this one last night, but I didn't have time!
Yey another Sundays fan! Most people I seem to meet unfortunately don't even know them :frown:
 
  • #42
I'm surprised no one has posted the all time cover king...

 
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  • #44
jbunniii said:
better than kashmir:
dieeeeeee
 
  • #45
WannabeNewton said:
dieeeeeee

Yeah, I think I'm going to start a new thread around this comment, look for something perhaps called something along the lines of.."Ain't nothing like the real thing"
 
  • #46
DiracPool said:
Yeah, I think I'm going to start a new thread around this comment, look for something perhaps called something along the lines of.."Ain't nothing like the real thing"
Haha that's a nice one. Here's one of the most over covered songs ever but IMO missy Cassidy here does it best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCnL8hArW8

It has elements of happiness, melancholy, serenity, anger, and cherubic foolishness all packed into one performance.
 
  • #47
It has elements of happiness, melancholy, serenity, anger, and cherubic foolishness all packed into one performance.

Look Newton, I'm already a borderline skitzofrenik, do you really want to expose me to a possible frenetic break?
 
  • #48
DiracPool said:
Look Newton, I'm already a borderline skitzofrenik, do you really want to expose me to a possible frenetic break?
Only if you upload it to youtube :wink:
 
  • #49
Here is an awesome cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj7pDNDuoJ0

Wait for the awesome solo!
 
  • #50
Speaking of awesome pink floyd covers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbVE-R1_Izo
 
  • #51
micromass said:
Speaking of awesome pink floyd covers:
The scissor sisters? Omg either I have a dirty mind or these girls just happened to come up with the most coincidental name ever for their group.
 
  • #52
Remember that awful song "Friday" by Rebecca Black?? It turns out that it's a cover from a Bob Dylan song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FISHEO3gsM
 
  • #53
WannabeNewton said:
The scissor sisters? Omg either I have a dirty mind or these girls just happened to come up with the most coincidental name ever for their group.

It's not coincidence.
 
  • #54
micromass said:
Here is an awesome cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj7pDNDuoJ0

Wait for the awesome solo!

Is that you on lead vocals, Micromass? You and the loop quantum gravity poetry slam crew from the local coffee house open mic night?
 
  • #55
micromass said:
It's not coincidence.
How the hell do you find this creepy stuff? Nvm I don't want to know.
 
  • #56
Smokin' rendition of an old Carpenters chestnut:

 
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  • #57
micromass said:
Speaking of awesome pink floyd covers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbVE-R1_Izo

Yes, I like it..I think it get it.. It sounds like Prince on bedrest...
 
  • #58
Think nobody can sing the beatles like the beatles?? Then check out this cover of [STRIKE]Letter B[/STRIKE] Let It Be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvPugOWeZiA
 
  • #59
Speaking of The Beatles,

 
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  • #60
jbunniii said:
Speaking of The Beatles,



Awesome! I will be playing this song on the next full moon, when we sacrifice a person to the Lord Satan.
 
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