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

  • Thread starter Thread starter pinball1970
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Track
Click For 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.
  • #1,471
Orig



Cover



 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes DennisN and pinball1970
Science news on Phys.org
  • #1,472


 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,473
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,474

Train - Hey, Soul Sister​


Dang that guy's a soprano.



Their vocal blend is magical. That sort of thing is luck. Either it happens or it doesn't.



As a bonus, an Andrei Cerbu guitar solo that I think is great.
 
Last edited:
  • #1,475
Hornbein said:
Orig
The girl in the third video is a quite good bass player.
 
  • #1,476
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,477
Not sure if this counts here (might be more a parody than a cover), but I enjoyed it. Original:

Cover:

An interesting point about this is that the Dr Who theme was originally composed by Ron Grainer on paper (on holiday in Spain, if memory serves) and air mailed to the BBC, where Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop did the arrangement and recording as posted above. Many years later, when electronic music was a much easier proposition than it was in the 1960s, Grainer released an arrangement of the theme more or less as he'd envisaged it when writing it. It's... um... not quite what the Radiophonic Workshop came out with. So here's the original composer covering the BBC's original version of his original tune:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Likes pinball1970 and Hornbein
  • #1,478
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,479


 
  • #1,480
 
  • #1,481
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,482
Gabriella Quevedo outdoes herself.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and Ibix
  • #1,483
  • #1,484
Most covers of this song fail to get the vocal harmony. That's the best part.

 
  • Love
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,485
 
  • #1,486
We're All Alone by Boz Scaggs is my favorite ballad. He said he wrote it on the way to the studio. The backup band later made it big as most of Toto.



When I was playing ebass in Roxbury, The Three Degrees had a breathy hit song called When Will I See You Again. I had no idea they could sing with power.



This one is a real exhibition of power singing. Too much for this song, but you've gotta be impressed.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,487
Orig. Not that exciting.



Cover by Asterism. The guitar is double tracked.



Here's another song that sounds pretty similar.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,488
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,489


 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,490
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and jack action
  • #1,491
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,492
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,494
She is a great singer but the drums are wrong here.

 
  • #1,495
Guys, I am an old soul, but also like new stuff, so when there is a new cover that faithfully keeps to the old-school, but makes it modern without AutoTune, it is the best of both worlds. And I have not seen "Grease" yet, but that can be added to my movie watch list.


Cover (2010s) [Indie Pop]:


John Travolta's Original (1970s) [Soft Rock], due to copyright, video is only available on YouTube:
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,496
AlexB23 said:
I have not seen "Grease" yet, but that can be added to my movie watch list.
It's great fun. "Hopelessly devoted to you" is a nice track.
 
  • #1,497
pinball1970 said:
It's great fun. "Hopelessly devoted to you" is a nice track.
I can check that one out as well. Thank you for recommending "Grease". :)
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,498
The trooper - Renaissance style:



The original by Iron Maiden:

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #1,499
In @robphy 's style, here are multiple covers of a single song: Chop Suey! Never seen so many good versions in so many different styles and arrangements.

The original:



Let's start on a high note:



Jazz:



Rock orchestra:



Asian folk metal:



Metalcore by Ankor:



"Way Too Happy" acoustic cover:
Classical piano:
Epic piano:
Vocal ensemble:
Classical orchestra:
Kid's Christian Metal:
And because ... on the Internet ... there's everything ... I love it when people have fun!

20 style cover:

A Latin version?

Commuting:
And a ... speed bag cover!
 
  • Love
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and robphy
  • #1,500
Speaking of Ankor, I thought I posted it before but I cannot find it. At the risk of repeating myself:

Bad Guy by Billie Eilish:



The cover by Ankor:

 
  • Love
Likes pinball1970

Similar threads

  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 167 ·
6
Replies
167
Views
27K
Replies
31
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Replies
5
Views
7K
Replies
58
Views
4K