Music Cover songs versus the original track, which ones are better?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pinball1970
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Track
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the merits of cover songs compared to their originals, exploring which covers are considered better and which should have been avoided. The subjective nature of evaluating music is emphasized, with opinions varying widely based on personal taste. Notable examples include Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower," which many argue surpasses Bob Dylan's original, and Johnny Cash's rendition of "Hurt," which evokes deep emotion. Other covers, such as those by Eva Cassidy and the Bare Naked Ladies, are praised for their unique interpretations that enhance the originals. Conversely, some covers are criticized for lacking originality or failing to add anything new, with specific songs mentioned as examples of covers that should have been left alone. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of musical interpretation, the role of the listener in evaluating art, and the complexities of genre classification, particularly in jazz. Overall, the thread highlights the rich landscape of music covers, showcasing both celebrated interpretations and those deemed unnecessary.
  • #1,051
Original. This is a demo. The originally released version isn't that good.

Joni Mitchell. Edith and the Kingpin.



Cover

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
Science news on Phys.org
  • #1,052
Original : Crazy He Calls Me by Billie Holliday



Cover : Emilie Autumn

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,053
Hornbein said:
Original : Crazy He Calls Me by Billie Holliday



Cover : Emilie Autumn


That was strange
 
  • #1,054
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,055
I ain't superstitious

Original by Howlin' Wolf:



Covers:

By Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart:



By the guy who wrote it, Willie Dixon:



By Megadeth:

 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes pinball1970, Frabjous and robphy
  • #1,056


 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,057
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,058
Linda Ronstadt -- Crazy He Calls Me



I know of no other artist who improved so radically in the course of their career.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and difalcojr
  • #1,059


The version by the ten year old girl in the Yamaha Stagea competition is the best but I already posted that.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and robphy
  • #1,060
Hornbein said:
Linda Ronstadt -- Crazy He Calls Me
I know of no other artist who improved so radically in the course of their career.
I have to agree with you on that. I really liked her first folk, bluegrass and country song singing too.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,061
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_(Main_Title)

John Williams & Wiener Philharmoniker – "Main Title" from "Star Wars: A New Hope"


robphy said:


Star Wars Main Theme - Single by Galactic Empire

see also Galactic Empire - Star Wars - The Imperial March

Star Wars Theme Medley BLUEGRASS cover by samuraiguitarist


Star Wars theme (acapella) by MayTree



 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,062
Hornbein said:
Jon Anderson used to be such a good poet. Nowadays his lyrics are New Age lectures. This was the start of that.



Another Andrei Cerbu production. The guy's talented.

I always heard it as "owner of a '63 Dodge Dart."

Chris Squire's bass playing went from maximal there to minimal here. Why not.

It appears she now records under the name of Rockmina. Here covering Bon Jovi's You Give Love A Bad Name.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,063
This song was a big hit in the UK in 1981 for Kim Wilde. Catchy. Fine singer and composer. I however the production on the orig is too cheesy for me. So here's a cover.


 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,064
Today, I became aware of the 50-yr anniversary performances of various Mike Oldfield masterpieces, done in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra(!) in 2022. I'm not sure if this counts as a "cover", but they sure deserve a mention. I'm still listening this version of Ommadawn Pt 1 and it's bringing me to tears...



Their rendition of Tubular Bells Pt 1 is pretty damn amazing too...

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,065
Green Day does Kim Wilde's Kids In America

 
  • #1,066
The Wonders - That Thing You Do


Cover by Shakalabbits.
 
Last edited:
  • #1,067
Hornbein said:
This song was a big hit in the UK in 1981 for Kim Wilde. Catchy. Fine singer and composer. I however the production on the orig is too cheesy for me. So here's a cover.
  • (broken YouTube link to No Secrets cover?)

No Secrets - Kids In America - Live Kids Choice Awards 2002


Hornbein said:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_in_America

(1981) Kim Wilde - Kids In America (Official Music Video)




(1981) Kaupungin lapset - Mona Carita


(1993) Nirvana - Kids in America (LIVE Sao Paulo Hollywood Rock 93)


(2007) Jonas Brothers - Kids of the Future


(2018) The Anchor | - Kids in America (Kim Wilde Cover) - metalcore
 
Last edited:
  • #1,068
Two Tom Petty covers by the Jambaritos Band. The first is great while the second he sings awfully flat. Huh.



Notice that at this point he forgets the lyrics and mumbles something plausible. I've been told singers call this "watermeloning." I bet you didn't notice it first time around.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,069
Original of Mercy Mercy by Don Covay. Guitar is allegedly Jimi Hendrix. Sounds just like him.



Cover by The Rolling Stones.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,070
Orig.



 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,071
Orig Hoochie Couchie Man by Muddy Waters



Cover by Shoka Okuba. She also plays drums and does fashion modelling. Let's see Muddy do that.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,072
Orig : Roger Miller -- King of The Road



Cover



His name really is Roger Miller.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,073
Mikaela Davis harp solo on The Grateful Dead's The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)



If all their stuff were this good they could go places. It might happen.
 
  • Wow
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,074
Frabjous said:

That was stunning. I love the vocal versions I have heard by some of the most iconic voices in jazz but that was great. I like the fact they swapped solos and backing.
Frabulous!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Frabjous and BillTre
  • #1,075

Madison Cunningham - In My Life (The Beatles Cover)​

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,076
Orig Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden. Grotesque video.



Black Hole Sun on a cross strung harp. They say the harp is the most beautiful instrument. They were right.

 
  • Love
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,077
Hornbein said:

Madison Cunningham - In My Life (The Beatles Cover)​


Wrong note at 2.20!

She powered on through though.

I learned it on piano and could never get the solo right, I would always hit a duff note without the trills in.

Really nice harmony on that version.

In My Life is Rubber Soul and for me the Beatles did not really kick in till Revolver.

McCartney says he sees those two albums together, I disagree (what does he know)

Some great songs on there but Revolver goes a step higher for me and Pepper came after which is another planet.

Anyway..
 
  • #1,078
Kirsty MacColl - They Don't Know



Cover by Susannah Hoffs

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,079
Orig Ripple by The Grateful Dead



Cover. The pedal steel guitar solo is out of this world.

 
  • #1,080

No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed -- Richie Havens​




Cover by Yes

 
  • #1,081
Abba's "Dancing Queen" - but a very different take. Same lyrics, different message.
 
  • #1,082
Hornbein said:
Orig Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden.
 
  • #1,083
Disney's "Let It Go" from "Frozen"
I'll spare you the Cartoon Princess version; here's a Metal Queen's rocked-up version (turns out it's a pretty good song after all):
 
  • #1,084
James Demers said:
Disney's "Let It Go" from "Frozen"
I'll spare you the Cartoon Princess version; here's a Metal Queen's rocked-up version (turns out it's a pretty good song after all):

Oooh! You will love the version by The Iron Cross ...

It's on my playlist now and the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate the arrangement they've done to it.
 
  • #1,085
Andreea Munteanu may be small, but no one has bigger attitude.



I was in Viet Nam for May Day, the big holiday, in a coastal resort town. Every day I walked by a greeting person outside a massage parlor who was about the size of Andreea Munteanu. She got tired of my ignoring her so one day she strutted up and full frontal full length bumped into big strong me. As sang Chrissie Hynde, "I gotta have some of your attention." I never forgot it. I suppose I never shall.

Here's the orig. I say, Gretchen step aside.

 
Last edited:
  • #1,086
Matthew Sweet and Susannah Hoffs cover Linda Ronstadt's Different Drum. The highlight is Sweet's vocal harmony. His fashion sense needs work though.

 
Last edited:
  • #1,087

"Going Down" - Freddie King​


Lots of guitar players think Freddie King was the real King of the Blues. I guess the problem was he was short on "social skills." He looks like someone you wouldn't dare mess with. BB was a lot more presentable.



Cover by Shoka Okubo and her kickass band.



Toshimichi Ōkubo was effectively dictator of Japan. He was assassinated in 1878. I wonder if there is a relation.

Ō means "big." Shoka is about as big as J women get.
 
Last edited:
  • #1,088
Orig. Daydream Believer by The Monkees



Cover by 石嶺聡子. Great string/big band arrangement.



As long as we're at it, here's Robert Wyatt covering the Monkees' I'm A Believer. I like his Brit accent.

 
  • #1,089

BOSTON - "Peace Of Mind" - KIDS Collaboration Cover​


 
  • #1,090
Just wanted to say thanks to @pinball1970 for starting this thread, and to all the people who've contributed. I've heard and enjoyed a lot of stuff I wouldn't have done without it.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Likes robphy, pinball1970, jack action and 1 other person
  • #1,091
Ibix said:
Just wanted to say thanks to @pinball1970 for starting this thread, and to all the people who've contributed. I've heard and enjoyed a lot of stuff I wouldn't have done without it.
Yep. Radio has completely failed us. We gotta stick together and help each other find the good stuff.
 
  • Like
Likes robphy and pinball1970
  • #1,092
Frabjous said:

I find this pretty cool but not weird and chaotic enough to reflect the state of society. So...

 
  • #1,093
robphy said:
I really like this band... although I don't understand Japanese. I really like the solo of this song.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningen_Isu
NINGEN ISU / Great king of terror (人間椅子 / 恐怖の大王) - 2016

(someone's attempted translation)

solo &t=4m10s


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningen_Isu
Ningen Isu (Japanese: 人間椅子, Hepburn: Ningen Isu, lit. 'The Human Chair') is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in Hirosaki in 1987. The band's current line-up consists of co-founders Shinji Wajima (guitar, vocals) and Ken-ichi Suzuki (bass, vocals) alongside Nobu Nakajima (drums, vocals), who joined in 2004. All three members contribute to the songwriting process. They have been noted for their stage personas, with Wajima dressing as a Meiji-era literary master, Suzuki dressing as a Buddhist monk, and Nakajima dressing as a Yakuza-style gangster.
...
...
Ningen Isu was strongly influenced by Black Sabbath.


Ningen Isu--- Great king of terror with english subtitles (solo near &t=3m40s)




【アクセントAccént】【鼓手ふみ】【人間椅子】『恐怖の大王』叩いてみた( Drum cover)
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1at411j7nX/
1716678043740.png


人間椅子 「恐怖の大王」 ギター弾いてみた Guitar Cover


【Bass Cover.】恐怖の大王/人間椅子(NINGEN ISU / Great king of terror) - 青色壱号 一ノ瀬
 
Last edited:
  • #1,094
The orig.

Voodoo Woman ~Koko Taylor​




Cover.



Why isn't this more famous? Very colorful lyrics.
 
  • #1,095
Mixed Nuts - Official HIGE DANdism | SPY x FAMILY Opening full | Drum Cover



Jazz drummers love this song. Many of them covered it.

It's a TV theme song. If a musician in Japan wants to make it big a TV theme song is the ticket. So NHK rules the bigtime music scene. Jazz is associated with the noire jazz era when gangsters ruled Chicago.
 
Last edited:
  • #1,096
Orig

Catfish Blues by Muddy Waters



Cover

 
  • #1,097
Here's a possibly finished version. This was remarkably easy to do. Just put them together and everything matched up perfectly right off the bat. That's very unusual. The only thing I changed was moving Bjorn and Benny's now silent instrumental section so that Eddy's guitar solo is revealed. That went perfectly the first time, which is equally unusual. That was all. The whole thing took maybe twenty minutes.

This is with the proviso that I'm not satisfied with the quality of the vocal/instrumental splitting. I've asked the gearheads if they know of any such software that is better. Maybe yes, maybe no. It will take a day or two for them to respond.
 
  • #1,098
 
  • #1,099
The Function at the Junction
 
  • #1,100
And original
 
  • Like
Likes difalcojr and Hornbein
Back
Top