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

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the comparative analysis of cover songs versus their original versions, highlighting specific examples such as Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" and Jimi Hendrix's rendition of "All Along the Watchtower." Participants argue that the quality of a cover is subjective, often depending on personal taste and the context in which the songs are experienced. Notable mentions include The Residents' cover of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and the contrasting styles of Simon & Garfunkel versus Disturbed. The conversation emphasizes the importance of interpretation and arrangement in determining whether a cover enhances or detracts from the original work.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of music theory and arrangement techniques
  • Familiarity with notable cover songs and their original counterparts
  • Knowledge of subjective versus objective analysis in music critique
  • Awareness of the cultural impact of iconic artists like Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" on music history
  • Explore the nuances of music interpretation in cover songs
  • Analyze the critical reception of Johnny Cash's "Hurt" compared to the original by Nine Inch Nails
  • Investigate the role of personal bias in music appreciation and critique
USEFUL FOR

Music enthusiasts, critics, and artists interested in the dynamics of cover songs versus originals, as well as anyone exploring the subjective nature of musical interpretation and performance.

  • #181
And my favorite song, Firework!

Original (upstream):



My preferred covers:





On Madilyn's cover, she just titled the cover as if it is the official upstream title designation (Firework - Katy Perry). The upstream then add distinguishing identifier ((Official Music Video)).

I like the last one's cover, for it closely match the pace and setting theme of the upstream, even though her hand kinesic on the coda feels odd to me.
 
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  • #182
Hornbein said:


Shawn Lane plays Let It Be.

Let it Be shredded! Wow!
 
  • #183


Emmylou Harris with Gram Parson's Hickory Wind
 
  • #184
Crash Test Dummies -- Peter Pumpkinhead (orig by XTC)
 
  • #185
Original (Die Toten Hosen, 2012):



Cover (Anastacia, 2023):



Her European fanbase is larger and more faithful anyway.
 
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  • #186
pinball1970 said:
I hated prince when he came out. Everything I detested about the 80s in one artist.
A great song by Prince coming up here, and a cover of it.
Probably my favorite song by him, really dark, but still with a positive twist at the end.
I favor the original. And the lyrics are timeless, I think.

Cover by Muse (UK), a rock version:


Original: Prince - Sign O' The Times
 
  • #187


That ebass player is really good.
 
  • #188


A cover of Earth Wind and Fire that's better than the original. Something I would have thought scarcely possible. From Russia.
 
  • #189
 
  • #190
Cover: No Quarter, by Tool


Original: by Led Zeppelin

​

 
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  • #191
Dylan's "To Ramona" by Sinead Lohan et al


Also Cream did a version of Spoonful that was originally (if he was the actual original) by Howling Wolf and completely changed it ,for better or worse.

[]
 
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  • #192
geordief said:
Also Cream did a version of Spoonful that was originally (if he was the actual original) by Howling Wolf and completely changed it ,for better or worse.
Spoonful was written by bass viol player Willie Dixon. Howling Wolf is hard to beat. The Doors made a good effort with Back Door Man. Here's Captain Beefheart using his Howling Wolf voice.

 
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  • #193
Alyona Yarushina covering Big Brother And The Holding Company covering Erma Franklin's Piece Of My Heart.

​


I never noticed how good Dave Getz's drum part is.​




Here's Erma. Man those backup singers are good.



There are many covers of this. It's a favorite of those idol TV shows.


Even Steve Tyler gave it a shot.

People forget how small time the rock scene was. When Big Brother and Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd played in my hometown it was in clubs that seated maybe a hundred people. I saw Little Feat as a member of an audience of three. That circuit has passed away.
 
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  • #194


Covering Queen. Melody Cristea has got to be one of the best melodramatic hard rock singers ever. It's a family band, a rare thing in this day of limited offspring.
 
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  • #195
Hornbein said:
Alyona Yarushina covering Big Brother And The Holding Company covering Erma Franklin's Piece Of My Heart.

​


I never noticed how good Dave Getz's drum part is.​




Here's Erma. Man those backup singers are good.



There are many covers of this. It's a favorite of those idol TV shows.


Even Steve Tyler gave it a shot.

People forget how small time the rock scene was. When Big Brother and Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd played in my hometown it was in clubs that seated maybe a hundred people. I saw Little Feat as a member of an audience of three. That circuit has passed away.

Alyona is absolutely amazing.
 
  • #196
bryantcl said:
Cover: No Quarter, by Tool


Original: by Led Zeppelin

​


The drums on the live version, "Song remains the same" are epic.
 
  • #197
This popped up in my alerts


Does he do it justice? @hutchphd
 
  • #198


Cover of Ratt's Loving You Is A Dirty Job. From The Iron Cross, the pride of eastern Romania.
 
  • #199
pinball1970 said:
This popped up in my alerts


Does he do it justice? @hutchphd

Their fingerpicking and vocal harmonies can't be beat. And they do it all with such feeling.

I can attest that losing idols and friends on your twilight years is not a pleasant experience. Money and such can come and go. But no traveler to the undiscovered country has yet to return.

At 0:42 and in the thumbnail may be seen a photo of a bearded gentleman. That is of the ebass fossil stalwart who recently passed away. Gone, gone, but not forgotten.
 
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  • #200
pinball1970 said:
Does he do it justice?
Vey nice. Of course the one that rattles around my head is from Peter Paul and Mary
 
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  • #201
hutchphd said:
Vey nice. Of course the one that rattles around my head is from Peter Paul and Mary

Wow!

I once met Peter Yarrow in Castle Valley, Utah. He was a friend of a friend of mine who held parties all the time. We also came straight off a river trip to VIP seating at one of their concerts.
 
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  • #202
Noel Paul Stuckey lived a few miles from me in Blue Hill, Maine and was a really active member of the community. A good friend and bookstore manager entertained Mary Travers for a reading and reported Travers to be remarkably friendly and unpretentious.
Small world. It is nice when your icons do not turn out to have feet of clay
 
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  • #203
 
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  • #204
hutchphd said:
Noel Paul Stuckey lived a few miles from me in Blue Hill, Maine and was a really active member of the community. A good friend and bookstore manager entertained Mary Travers for a reading and reported Travers to be remarkably friendly and unpretentious.
Small world. It is nice when your icons do not turn out to have feet of clay
Celebration of ordinary people was the foundation of the folk music scene. Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is still like that.

Folk music used to be a very big deal. I wonder why it faded away.
 
  • #206
Note : This isn't "metal" at all. It's orchestral. Those two sure can sing.

 
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  • #207
Opera lives. Viva Italy.

 
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  • #208
Cover of Frank Zappa. I think this should have become a jazz standard.



For added authenticity they dubbed in talking over the bass solo.:-) US people ALWAYS talk over bass solos. Japanese people NEVER do this.
 
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  • #209


Cover of Diana Ross. That was a big hit when I was a kid near Detroit.

That choreography would never get on TV in 1966.
 
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  • #210
CeeLo Green



Cover by Gweneth Paltrow

 
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