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.
  • #1,901
Hornbein said:
Matthew Sweet and Susannah Hoffs cover Linda Ronstadt's Different Drum. The highlight is Sweet's vocal harmony. His fashion sense needs work though.


Different Drum is actually a Michael Nesmith song. Even though Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys recorded it first, Nesmith did his own version on his solo album with the First National Band. Just sharing some trivia you may not know. 😉
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #1,903
Whitney Houston classic of course better.

Jeff Buckley - hallelujah

spring to mind.
 
  • #1,904


 
  • #1,905
 
  • Love
  • Like
Likes jack action and Arjan82
  • #1,906
Hornbein said:

That is an awesome version with only guitar. Thanks :)
 
  • #1,907
  • #1,908


 
  • #1,909




I was living in Michigan in 1965. All of a sudden Mustangs were everywhere. It was phenomenal. Never saw anything like that again. The Fender guitar company came out with a Mustang bass and guitar.

Lee Iacocca's success with the Mustang made CEO Henry Ford II so jealous he hounded Lee out of the company.

Every year after that Ford made the Mustangs bigger, uglier, and more expensive until they sucked and no one would buy them anymore.
 
Last edited:
  • #1,910


Now JJ plays Vegas. Man I'm getting old.


Not a patch on the orig but extra points for those costumes.

 
  • #1,911
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Eye_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest



SteamRollers- Electric Eye Cover-Judas Priest


Judas Priest - Electric Eye cover - Vixen Vendetta


'The Hellion/Electric Eye' by Judas Priest (piano cover) - Catherine Fearns
(solo at &t=1m45s)


Judas Priest "The Hellion / Electric Eye" (acoustic) Ben Woods on Flamenco Guitar
(solo at &t=1m40s) ... the Hellion sounds a little like the theme from M*A*S*H


The Hellion-Electric Eye - JUDAS PRIEST (Violin cover) - Miquel Serrahima metal covers
(solo at &t=2m30s)


Violent Revenge - (The Hellion) Electric Eye - Judas Priest cover (Former singer, Caitlyn Thomas)



Honorable mention:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes jack action
  • #1,912
Orig



Worthy cover

 
  • #1,913
Masked singers from Thailand play I Hate Myself For Loving You. I think the drummer is great.

 
  • #1,914
Orig Mercury Blues from 1948



Alan Jackson 1993

 
  • #1,915
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes jack action and pinball1970
  • #1,916
Hornbein said:

That is so good it made me watch his hands closely for cheats. I E. He records two parts say, the mimes over the mix.
 
  • #1,917
pinball1970 said:
That is so good it made me watch his hands closely for cheats. I E. He records two parts say, the mimes over the mix.
I'd swear there was an ebass in there. I don't think it's possible to get a guitar to sound like that naturally. I think he re-equalizes or triggers or something. But he does play those notes.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,918
Hornbein said:
I'd swear there was an ebass in there. I don't think it's possible to get a guitar to sound like that naturally. I think he re-equalizes or triggers or something. But he does play those notes.
For me it was the Bass drum/heel of his hand. Very clean, so I will watch again and see if I hear a BD I did not see him play, or see a play I did not hear.
 
  • #1,920

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Hall_of_the_Mountain_King (1875)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edvard_Grieg



(2017) Grieg: Peer Gynt "In the Hall of the Mountain King" / Elisey Mysin 6 years
(&t=1m30s)


(2006) Apocalyptica - Hall of the mountain king cover of Edward G.

(#489 War Pigs)

(2011) "Hall Of The Mountain King" Keith Medley and his 27-string Medley Guitar


(2021) Marcin Jakubek - In the Hall of the Mountain King Metal Version


(1995) Rainbow - Hall of The Mountain King 1995 Live Video ( [Ritchie Blackmore's] Rainbow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_in_Us_All )

"Edvard Grieg, lyrics by Night, arrangement by Blackmore"



(2015) Trans Siberian Orchestra hall of the mountain king


(1987) (&t=1m20s) Prelude to Madness - Savatage
1749318643664.webp
[and see the next post for Savatage's Hall of the Mountain King]


Inspector Gadget Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3ABB-xymBc
 
Last edited:
  • #1,921
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_the_Mountain_King_(album) (1987)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savatage

[and see the previous post for Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King]

(1987) Savatage - Hall Of The Mountain King (Official Music Video) [HD]





(2020) Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King [guitarcover, a tribute to Criss Oliva] - Robert Bouwhuis


(2014) BSP - Hall of the Mountain King (Ukulele version)


(2022) Hall of the Mountain King - Savatage (cover) [ Toneshed Music Production ]


(2020) Archon Angel - Hall of The Mountain King (Savatage cover) - Live at 70000 Tons of Metal 2020



Honorable Mention:
(2022) Hall of the Mountain King (Savatage Cover by Olathia)
 
Last edited:
  • #1,922
A rock version of Hall Of The Mountain King from 1969.



They were a local band when I was a teenager.
 
  • #1,923
Hornbein said:




I was living in Michigan in 1965. All of a sudden Mustangs were everywhere. It was phenomenal. Never saw anything like that again. The Fender guitar company came out with a Mustang bass and guitar.

Lee Iacocca's success with the Mustang made CEO Henry Ford II so jealous he hounded Lee out of the company.

Every year after that Ford made the Mustangs bigger, uglier, and more expensive until they sucked and no one would buy them anymore.

Indeed the cars and the music was better. I asked Chatgpt why this kind of music is not popular today. This is a sample of answer. It also suggested some modern songs in Mustang Sally still. But did not get it .
Screenshot_2025-06-08-10-22-34-26.webp
 
  • #1,924
 
  • #1,925
 
  • #1,926
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Crowley (1981)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy_Osbourne


OZZY OSBOURNE - "Mr. Crowley" 1981 (Live Video)
(solos &t=2m17s , &t=4m20s )




Mr. Crowley / Ozzy Osbourne [ 音太朗と音寧 ] -otatorock
(see #607 otatorock ; YouTube covers were made private )
x.com/ototarock/status/1590619811482341376
1749456831577.webp



(2017) Mr Crowley (cover) - School of Rock Allstars ( Lauren Conner on guitar )
(solos &t=2m03s , &t=3m48s )



Billy Watman - Mr Crowley [Ozzy Osbourne] Classical Guitar
(solo &t=2m05s )


(2013) Mr Crowley - a Randy Rhoads guitar solo tribute by Charlie Parra



(2023) OZZY OSBOURNE - Mr. Crowley (Cover) with Jack Black, Roman Morello and friends - YOYOKA
(solos &t=4m16s , spotlight solos &t=5m13s)

From Mary Morello's 100th birthday party on October 1, 2023
Jack Black - Vocal; Roman Morello - Guitar; Roya Feiz - Bass; Hugo Weiss - Keys; YOYOKA - Drums

(2017) Mr Crowley by Little Ozzy [ Little Ozzy playlist by Steve O'Neil ]


Honorable Mention:
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,927
Bruce Springsteen, Bonny Raitt, John Fogarty

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,928
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,929
And another classic with this Hungarian guitarist :
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,930
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,931
robphy said:
#1,897

Hornbein said:
Hornbein said:
#1895 Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd - Fingerstyle Solo Guitar (Kent Nishimura)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfortably_Numb
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd

from #1442
COMFORTABLY NUMB (Pink Floyd) Band Cover by KNULP
( more KNULP , #973 )

solos - interpreted by these shredders

(2022) Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb - First Guitar Solo (David Gilmour) - The Violution - violin cover


(2023) Comfortably Numb # pinkfloyd # guitarsolo — raw emotional tribute to my mom 😇 # jointheviolution ( The Violution )


(see also #1,926 Mr Crowley )
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,932
Meatloaf, Mercury Blues. His band is terrific.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,933
AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (cover by Sershen&Zaritskaya) They're from Kiev.



A worthy effort by Celine Dion(!)

 
  • Wow
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,934
Hornbein said:
AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (cover by Sershen&Zaritskaya) They're from Kiev.
Amazing as always.
Hornbein said:
A worthy effort by Celine Dion(!)
Nope.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,936
I thought maybe King Of The Road was uncoverable.



Not.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,937
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,938
jack action said:
Nope.
Agree!
 
  • Like
Likes Astranut and jack action
  • #1,939
Pump Up the Jam (1989)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pump_Up_the_Jam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technotronic

Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (Official Music Video)




PUMP UP THE JAM - sung by Damien Robitaille


50. Technotronic- Pump Up the Jam (Acoustic Cover) - Peter Duong


Pump Up The Jam - Una versión de Óleo


Manouche- Pump Up The Jam [Gypsy Jazz]


Swingrowers - Pump Up the Jam (Electro Swing Cover ft. The Lost Fingers) - BBC Strictly



Honorable Mention:
Pump Up The Jam | Technotronic Cover | Bravoland ft. Karen Müller | Bravo Hits Best of '90
Pump Up The Jam in a CHURCH on Grand Piano [Technotronic]
 
  • Like
Likes jack action and pinball1970
  • #1,940
  • #1,941
robphy said:
Pump Up the Jam (1989)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pump_Up_the_Jam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technotronic

Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (Official Music Video)




PUMP UP THE JAM - sung by Damien Robitaille


50. Technotronic- Pump Up the Jam (Acoustic Cover) - Peter Duong


Pump Up The Jam - Una versión de Óleo


Manouche- Pump Up The Jam [Gypsy Jazz]


Swingrowers - Pump Up the Jam (Electro Swing Cover ft. The Lost Fingers) - BBC Strictly



Honorable Mention:
Pump Up The Jam | Technotronic Cover | Bravoland ft. Karen Müller | Bravo Hits Best of '90
Pump Up The Jam in a CHURCH on Grand Piano [Technotronic]

When the track was released I hated it. I have softened a little now.

Gypsy Jazz was great.

Peter Duong and his uninterested dog great too!
 
  • Like
Likes Astranut and robphy
  • #1,942
robphy said:
#1,410
Master of Puppets (1986)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Puppets_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

Metallica - Master Of Puppets [Seattle 1989] 4K 60FPS


...and covers



Master of Puppets (Accordion cover) - Metallica - Morander Brothers


Live in Zurich - Metallica - Master of Puppets | Vkgoeswild piano cover - [more Vkgoeswild on PF]


Master Of Puppets on One Guitar - Marcin Patrzalek (Metallica) - [more Marcin on PF]


Metallica - Master of Puppets (Banjo cover) - Rob Scallon


Metallica - Master Of Puppets - Tina S Cover - [more Tina S on PF]
 
  • Wow
  • Love
Likes jack action and pinball1970
  • #1,943
I hated this

 
  • #1,944
Original

 
  • #1,945
This however, amazing and I love the way they filmed this

 
  • Like
Likes Astranut and robphy
  • #1,946
A live version.

How did they get the sounds? looks like one key board, be tough with split settings.
Middle section harmony was lost but lead vocal beautiful.

 
  • #1,947
The original - Perfection.

 
  • #1,948
robphy said:
PUMP UP THE JAM - sung by Damien Robitaille


Swingrowers - Pump Up the Jam (Electro Swing Cover ft. The Lost Fingers) - BBC Strictly

Patriotically speaking, I have no choice but to like Damien Robitaille and The Lost Fingers. (I know, I know, I didn't like Celine Dion earlier.)
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and robphy
  • #1,949
The original

 
  • #1,950
Staying Alive (1977)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stayin'_Alive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Gees

Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (Official Music Video)




(2020) Staying Alive ( Bee Gees ) Naudo Guitar Solo


(2022) Stayin' Alive | ‪@beegees‬ | funk cover ft. ‪@LizzyMcAlpine‬ - Scary Pockets


(2013) Electro Deluxe - Stayin Alive Cover (Live Mouv')
(&t=11s)

- (2016) Electro Deluxe interprète "Stayin Alive" en live

(2013) San Di EGO - Stayin Alive (by the Bee Gees)
(&t=38s)



(1991) Dweezil Zappa


(2021) Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)- Acoustic Cover (+Tutorial) - Yoni Schlesinger - ( This is a great cover! )




Honorable Mention:
 
  • Like
  • Love
Likes jack action and pinball1970
Back
Top