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.
  • #1,921
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)
 
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  • #1,922
A rock version of Hall Of The Mountain King from 1969.



They were a local band when I was a teenager.
 
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  • #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:
 
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  • #1,927
Bruce Springsteen, Bonny Raitt, John Fogarty

 
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  • #1,928
 
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  • #1,929
And another classic with this Hungarian guitarist :
 
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  • #1,930
 
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  • #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 )
 
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  • #1,932
Meatloaf, Mercury Blues. His band is terrific.

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



A worthy effort by Celine Dion(!)

 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #1,936
I thought maybe King Of The Road was uncoverable.



Not.

 
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  • #1,937
 
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  • #1,938
jack action said:
Nope.
Agree!
 
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  • #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]
 
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  • #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!
 
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  • #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]
 
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  • #1,943
I hated this

 
  • #1,944
Original

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

 
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  • #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.)
 
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  • #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:
 
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