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.
  • #1,141

Wilko Johnson, Roger Daltrey - I Keep It To Myself​


 
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  • #1,142
Not only was the better song the cover, it was also a live version of the song:

 
  • #1,143
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_(Fleetwood_Mac_song) (1977)

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster]



[not a cover, but a famous skateboarding lip-sync while drinking OceanSpray]
(Sep 2020) @doggface2086 (Nathan "Doggface" Apodaca) - Fleetwood Mac (This is the one) thanks everyone VIBE,VIBES, VIBEZZZZZZZ
(original from TikTok: 420doggface208 - Dreams )
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/d...ile-with-juice-a-skateboard-and-all-the-vibes





(Oct 2020) Lanie Gardner - Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (Cover)


(2024) DREAMS_Fleetwood Mac COVER by FAMILY BAND ‪@FRANZRhythm‬


(May 2020) Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Reggae Cover) Artikal Sound System


(Jul 2020) Dreams | Fleetwood Mac | funk cover ft. Elise Trouw (Scary Pockets)


(Dec 2020) Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Punk cover) Sam Zaher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbO4JPhsybI
 
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  • #1,144
robphy said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_(Fleetwood_Mac_song) (1977)

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster]



[not a cover, but a famous skateboarding lip-sync while drinking OceanSpray]
(Sep 2020) @doggface2086 (Nathan "Doggface" Apodaca) - Fleetwood Mac (This is the one) thanks everyone VIBE,VIBES, VIBEZZZZZZZ
(original from TikTok: 420doggface208 - Dreams )
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/d...ile-with-juice-a-skateboard-and-all-the-vibes





(Oct 2020) Lanie Gardner - Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (Cover)


(2024) DREAMS_Fleetwood Mac COVER by FAMILY BAND ‪@FRANZRhythm‬


(May 2020) Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Reggae Cover) Artikal Sound System


(Jul 2020) Dreams | Fleetwood Mac | funk cover ft. Elise Trouw (Scary Pockets)


(Dec 2020) Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Punk cover) Sam Zaher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbO4JPhsybI

Loved it. Two chords!? That's it! I adore the guitar solo if you can call it that, nothing to it but it just fits.
Not sure which version I like best!
When a song is that good, you can do anything to it.


As you may know that album was an absolute car crash of their lives at that point.
Affairs, relationships ending, broken hearts, pain and cocaine.
"Dreams" was Stevie Nicks breaking away from Lindsey Buckingham. "You can go your own way" was Lindsey Buckingham staying, "you are leaving me? Well you can jolly well sod off. I don't need you anyway!"
Obviously he did. He was broken by that and it took years for him to get through it.
Besides those guys fighting it out I always felt for the bass player, John McVie. "You make lovin' fun" was about his wife having "fun" with someone else.
They divorced soon after.
 
  • #1,145
Mick Fleetwood said they would end their show with Christine McVie at a piano playing Songbird. The men in the wings would sob over how they had blown it.
 
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  • #1,146
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_What_I_Needed (1978)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cars

(1978) Just What I Needed - The Cars | The Midnight Special - (more from The Cars)




(2018) Cover of The Cars "Just What I Needed" - DoronW

@donnasweetpurplejune6335 - 4 years ago
Love this! It was shared in a Cars fan group today, and Elliot Easton (lead guitarist for The Cars) picked it up and posted it on his personal page. He loves it, too! <3

(2020) Just what I needed Cover : The cars - Patee Sarasin


(2020) Just What I Needed by The Cars Cover by The Fantastic Plastics


(2012) Punch Brothers - Just What I Needed (The Car's Cover) [ with a violin and a banjo ]
&t=1m10s


(2021) Aodhan covers The Cars 'Just What I Needed' for Like A Version


(1999) Lunachicks live at the Square Harlow 1999
(&t=42m30s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10bFTG9gS4o&t=2550s
 
  • #1,147
This comes under the "never to be touched" category for me. The whole album.
I listened to this because Foxes and Fossils are excellent.
Unfortunately it is too different for me.

 
  • #1,148
 
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  • #1,149
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  • #1,150

1st RECORDING OF: Land Of 1000 Dances - Chris Kenner (1962)​




"Can you do the fist"?

I looked forward to doing these dances but by the time I grew up it was all over.
 
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  • #1,151
To kick off summer...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Song_(Joe_Satriani_song) (1992)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Satriani

(2010) Joe Satriani Plays "Summer Song" Live at Sweetwater

( official video - (1992) Summer Song )




(2023) Joe satriani - Summer Song Cover | Cort X500 Menace GS (SENA_DIH)

(see also #1057 Satch Boogie and #766 and #1046 Tornado of Souls )

(2009) Summer Song - Satriani (Cover by Thirsty Betty - Andrew Kesler )
&t=37s


(2007) Summer Song(Joe Satriani) by 2 violins ( Jimmy Kim )

(their (2007) Far Beyond the Sun cover is also good)

(2020) Joe Satriani - Summer Song (Violin cover) - Thousands Army


(2016) Joe Satriani - Summer Song (cover by Ale_Keyboards) - Pasquale Bubbico

(see also his cover of #1109 Tears of Sahara )
 
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  • #1,152
Damn! Superproducer Andrei Cerbu is full of surprises. Today Romania, tomorrow the world.

 
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  • #1,153

And Your Bird Can Sing -- Sweet/Huffs​

 
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  • #1,154

American Girl, Tom Petty | Larkin Poe​

 
  • #1,155
robphy said:
#478
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangar_18_(song)

Megadeth - Hangar 18 [Live on Arsenio Hall Show, 1990]


[covers] in #478




This bassist plays the whole song, including all the solos, on... a bass.

(2021) MegadetH - Hangar 18. but it's ALL 🅱️ASS ( with solos, feat. GhostFace Drummer) - mgrocki



(2019) Hangar 18 BACKWARDS - Bradley Hall (and mgrocki )

(see also #760 Tornado of Souls)


This violinist also does a great job with the solos.

(2013) Heavy Metal Violinist performs Megadeth Hangar 18 - Monty Bloom





This acoustic version has its own vibe...

(2015) Megadeth – Hangar 18 (violin & guitar duet by Doralice) - yates brown

( here's their "Rusted Pieces EP" )

https://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/megadeth-hangar-18-tab-s12836
https://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/megadeth-hangar-18-solos-tab-s580864
 
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  • #1,156
 
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  • #1,158


 
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  • #1,159
 
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  • #1,160
Just this guy...

 
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  • #1,161
Hornbein said:

Come together - Robin Williams & Bobby McFerrin​


I Am The Walrus (sung by JIM CARREY)​



He always goes crazy.Calm down dude, record a track in your own voice.
He can sing I just don't know what that is.
 
  • #1,162
pinball1970 said:
He always goes crazy.Calm down dude, record a track in your own voice.
He can sing I just don't know what that is.
Like this clip, this is a parody but you can tell he can sing.

 
  • #1,163
Hornbein said:


That slide is lovely. I am not usually impressed with additions to perfection.
 
  • #1,164
Hornbein said:

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



#1089

This is great!

That video was posted by the bassist Ellen Alaverdyan ( ‪@EllenPlaysBass‬ ),
who you featured in #372 EllenAlaverdyan (playing Penny Lane and Blackbird).
See also #637 The Ocean where Ellen collaborated
with this song's drummer Yoyoka Soma ( ‪@yoyoka_soma‬ ), who posted the same video.
See your #396 Summertime Blues , and
also #592 Yoyoka (playing YYZ, Stone Cold Crazy, Over the Mountain, Mr. Crowley, Satch Boogie, and Good Times Bad Times), #673 Killing in the Name , #908 Jump , #991 Satch Boogie .

The YouTube video description links to the other musicians
and to www.kidsrockforkids.com ( @kidsrockforkids3929‬ ).

They also collaborated to play
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteria_(Muse_song)

KIDS ROCK FOR KIDS Global Collab - Hysteria (by Muse)
 
  • #1,165
pinball1970 said:
That slide is lovely. I am not usually impressed with additions to perfection.
Megan Lovell truly is something.
 
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  • #1,166
Covering the Grateful Dead.



I think what makes this so good is that the Dead were just learning to sing harmony. They didn't know what the rules were.

But the original still rules.

 
  • #1,167


 
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  • #1,168
Frabjous said:
I have always loved Larkin Poe’s John the Revelator


Here's the orig.

 
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  • #1,169
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Glass_(song) (1979)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_(band)

(1979) Heart of Glass - Blondie | The Midnight Special (October 5, 1979)




(2020) Miley Cyrus - Heart Of Glass (Live from the iHeart Festival) (180M views)


(2021) HEART OF GLASS (BLONDIE) Cover - OV Studios


(2017) ハイコーフェス8「KETTLES/Heart Of Glass (Blondie cover)」



  • ...and now some very different covers...

(2017) Tiger Lion - Heart Of Glass (cold cover)


(2022) Nick Shoulders - Heart of Glass (official video)

(see also Nick Shoulders- ‘Heart of Glass’ - Blondie *cover* )

(2012) Mini Mansions- "Heart of Glass" OFFICIAL VIDEO


Honorable mention:

 
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  • #1,170


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166924/trivia/?item=tr1101448 said:
Rebekah Del Rio (the singer at Club Silencio) first met director David Lynch when a talent agent took her, on a whim, to a recording studio where Lynch happened to be and asked her to sing a song for him. She performed an impromptu version of "Llorando" which, also on a whim (and without her knowledge), was being taped by the audio engineer. Years later, Lynch decided to incorporate the song into this film. However, except for a few minor tweaks, this was the exact same recording used in the movie.​

 
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