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

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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.
  • #991
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satch_Boogie (1986)

(2012 performance) Joe Satriani "Satch Boogie" At: Guitar Center

see also Joe Satriani plays Satch Boogie on a Les Paul! No whammy bar! | Les Paul Tribute


Covers by kids (up to age 19).

(2023) JayBird shreds 'Satch Boogie' (Joe Satriani)

see also (2023) Satch Boogie By Joe Satriani (Cover by JayBird Byrne)

(2023) Joe Satriani - Satch Boogie (Cover by Abim Finger)


(2009) Satch Boogie by Joe Satriani / Performed by Kids! ( O'Keefe Music Foundation )



(2021) Joe Satriani - Satch boogie / YOYOKA's 12th Birthday Session (Yoyoka on drums; Li-Sa-X on guitar)

see also Joe Satriani - Satch Boogie / Coverd by Li-sa X & Yoyoka (linked in #592 Yoyoka covers)

Not kids:

Satch Boogie (Joe Satriani Surfing With The Alien Album) ( Steackmike One Man Band covers)


Honorable Mention:

Satch boogie acoustic - Ant Foote ( Ant Foote )
 
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  • #992
 
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  • #993
How beautiful.

 
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  • #994
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Night (1985)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_(band)

Loudness - Crazy Nights (HD)

M.Z.A.
Vocalist Minoru Niihara: "Actually it does not have any meaning. When we were doing pre-production for the Thunder in the East album, I did not have any lyrics for Crazy Night then, so I sung total nonsense as a guide vocal for the demo recording. I sung 'M.Z.A' by accident and the producer Max Norman liked the line, even though that did not have any meaning. We were trying to create some cool line but we could not beat 'M.Z.A'. Max ended up deciding to use 'M.Z.A' for the real take".
(solo clip) LOUDNESS live at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 1985


(2016) Stormwolf - Crazy Nights (Loudness Cover)


(2019) LOUDNESSのCRAZY NIGHTS叩いてみた！【ラウドネス】【DrumCover】 - AozoraFumi【DurumCover】


Loudness - Crazy Nights ( guitar cover w/ tabs) (nazareth40)


(2014) SHOW-YA - CRAZY NIGHT (LOUDNESS) @ Live『GLAMOROUS SHOW追加公演』


(1999) Therion - crazy nights (sub.español) [audio]


 
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  • #995
 
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  • #996
robphy said:
M.Z.A.
Vocalist Minoru Niihara: "Actually it does not have any meaning. When we were doing pre-production for the Thunder in the East album, I did not have any lyrics for Crazy Night then, so I sung total nonsense as a guide vocal for the demo recording. I sung 'M.Z.A' by accident and the producer Max Norman liked the line, even though that did not have any meaning. We were trying to create some cool line but we could not beat 'M.Z.A'. Max ended up deciding to use 'M.Z.A' for the real take".
That reminded me of the origin of the band name X Japan. It seems Japanese bands do not give too much importance to the meaning of words.

They just couldn't come up with a name when they began performing at local contests or events, so they just put an "X" on the entry form. The name stayed and, as worldwide fame arose, they later on changed it to "X Japan" to not get confused with an American band with the same name.
 
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  • #997
 
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  • #998
jack action said:
That reminded me of the origin of the band name X Japan. It seems Japanese bands do not give too much importance to the meaning of words.

They just couldn't come up with a name when they began performing at local contests or events, so they just put an "X" on the entry form. The name stayed and, as worldwide fame arose, they later on changed it to "X Japan" to not get confused with an American band with the same name.
When I first flew to Japan the seat next to me was occupied by a lady who in her youth had hung out with X. "I was drunk all the time." She said they were nice guys, very polite. These days she's one of those people who have an in with an airline and fly all over the place.
 
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  • #999
Frabjous said:

That was great, put a huge smile on face. I did not go to enough festivals when I was younger, that is a band I would have liked to have stumbled on in the woods!
 
  • #1,000
Hornbein said:

I think these guys could do pretty much anything musically. I like the way they want to show all the parts in the split screen.
 
  • #1,001
I googled her, she is a prominent blue grass musician, not something I am that well up on. I will discuss with an ex colleague who is nuts about US blues and country.
 
  • #1,002

George Michael - Careless Whisper - ft Kayla Reeves​


 
  • #1,003
(continuing with 1980s glam metal... #997 Motley Crue - #1005 Loudness )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EZO (1987 album) with "House of 1,000 Pleasures" as the lead track

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezo_(band)
( E.Z.O. interview on Headbanger's Ball (1989) )

HOUSE OF 1,000 PLEASURES - EZO - Topic




(1992) LOUDNESS - house of 1000 pleasures（EZO) [This is a cover by Loudness, with EZO's singer (ref) ]


(2024) EZO - House of 1,000 Pleasures guitar cover (E･Z･O 1/9) - HebinoMetaru 's EZO covers


(2018) E-Z-O “House Of 1,000 Pleasures” (bass cover) by TBSSPILOTviews


(2018) EZO - HOUSE OF 1,000 PLEASURES (BASS COVER) by YAGI CHANNEL
 
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  • #1,004


I must say though that Juna Serita roolz white people slap bass. But she no longer does covers.
 
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  • #1,005
"Thrill" by Band-Maid (2014)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-Maid
https://bandmaid.tokyo/
(unofficial touring info: https://www.songkick.com/artists/8855314-bandmaid )
  • It's nice to see covers of songs from a relatively-new band that I've liked.
    When I first stumbled upon Band-Maid in 2018, "Thrill" had only about 3M views.
    ..and they hadn't toured in the US yet.
  • some earlier discussion of Band-Maid by @Hornbein in #11 of What is Sheena Ringo...
    (my comments are in #13 and #15)

(2014) BAND-MAID / Thrill (スリル) (Official Music Video)


(2021) BAND-MAID / Thrill (スリル) (Official Live Video)


(2023) Thrill(スリル)/BAND−MAID by ボタニカルオタキRisa and Michelle

( see also Michelle's guitar cover of Thrill )

(2021) Thrill / BAND-MAID Cover By MonoComb


(2022) BAND-MAID 'Thrill' Cover feat @Mieux090 and Rosie! ( by Wave Potter )



(2021) BAND-MAID - THRILL | Cover by Dicodec
 
  • #1,006
I've been a Bandmaid fan since 2013 when Maid In Japan came out. A couple of those old tunes are some of my faves. They've since suppressed this album as incompatible with their later hard rock style. Thrill was in 2015. I could tell they'd made a big jump up. They got popular in the West and even in Mexico.

In Japan musical popularity is mostly controlled by NHK, the national TV network. You can fill stadiums if and only If you get a TV show theme song on NHK. Bandmaid got theirs in 2019 and today has at least one more. I know that the Japanese government supports rock music -- they subsidize the Zepp chain of nightclubs throughout East Asia -- and that they wanted to promote J music abroad in order to get needed foreign exchange. (Japan imports all its fossil fuels so they have to export value-added goods and services.) I expect that NHK works closely with the government. So they decided to make stars out of Bandmaid. It was about time -- after nine years guitarist/composer Kanami was visibly getting bored with playing small clubs. Now that she has her enthusiasm back they're better than ever before.

The rhythm section was dynamite from the get go -- Jimmy Page is a big fan of the drummer -- but the singers and songwriters had some years of work to do before they could make it big. I'm amazed that Miku was able to hold the band together for such a long time before they had much success. I guess it was because everyone in the band could feel they had The Magic. You put a group together and either it has the magic or it doesn't, and it doesn't happen often.

The first time I saw Bandmaid I thought "dang that girl [Miku] is pretty. What's she doing playing an electric guitar? She doesn't need it." It turns out the band made her do it.

Bassist MISA used to be very sullen, almost hostile. Mass popularity has transformed her into a happy almost outgoing person. Same with singer Saiki.
 
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  • #1,007
Cygnus -- Van Halen cover.
Why Can't This Be Love

 
  • #1,008
 
  • #1,009
Bandmaid engages in two-tiered marketing. They have mass market CDs and also limited edition CDs of live performances that cost a lot more. I think the mixes on the mass market CDs are made to be as loud as possible and hence shrill and painfully ear-piercing. The limited edition CDs are live performances and far superior. I paid $75 for a limited edition CD and another $75 for a CD player and thought it was money very well spent.

They do this because while their audience is on the small side, a lot of it is old guys like me who will pay extra to hear rock performed so well. The way I see it, Bandmaid are modern geisha. Geisha were/are expected to excel in the performing arts, and some do. Styles may change but the game remains the same.

Enter the Secret Room. Is it geisha dreaming of being a rock band or a rock band dreaming of being geisha? Even those who have been to the secret room cannot say.

 
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  • #1,010
 
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  • #1,011
Red -- Tears For Fears' Ordinary World

 
  • #1,012
The original by Diana Ross.



 
  • #1,013
 
  • #1,014
 
  • #1,015
 
  • #1,018
Joyous Wolf covers Mountain's Mississippi Queen.

 
  • #1,019
Completely forgot about that remix on my playlist: Route 66.

Original by Nat King Cole:

​


Cover By Depeche Mode - Beatmasters Remix :

​
 
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  • #1,020
jack action said:
Completely forgot about that remix on my playlist: Route 66.

Original by Nat King Cole:

​


Cover By Depeche Mode - Beatmasters Remix :

​

Nat is one of my fave pianists. No one has a better touch on that instrument. That guitarist and bassist are swinging a ton too.

The John Mayer version rocks real good. Too bad his voice is so heavily processed. What can you do?

 

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