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

[pinball1970]

Which songs were performed, arranged or produced better in a cover than the original version?
Which songs should have been left well alone?

Also, I think restricting the covers just to released singles will restrict some interesting stonkers and stinkers so album tracks are allowed.

 

[Hornbein]

The Residents -- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

 

[fresh_42]

Original (the song, not the singer; song is too old to figure out who sang it first; possibly a Roma song)



Cover:

 

[fresh_42]

Original (Comme d'habitude):



Cover (My way):

 

[fresh_42]

Cover and Original simultaneously (Et maintenant):

 

[fresh_42]

The composer said (I quote by memory) that he loves all three of them. He has been lucky to have created a song that was sung differently by 3 artists, but all were very good.

 

[symbolipoint]

Which songs were performed, arranged or produced better in a cover than the original version?
Which songs should have been left well alone?

Also, I think restricting the covers just to released singles will restrict some interesting stonkers and stinkers so album tracks are allowed.

"Better" depends on who is judging the two or more versions or arrangements. Also, "Better" depends on how YOU either agree or disagree with the person mentioned who is doing the judging.

 

[fresh_42]

"Better" depends on who is judging the two or more versions or arrangements. Also, "Better" depends on how YOU either agree or disagree with the person mentioned who is doing the judging.

I do not agree with that. I think there is a judgment independent of personal taste.

 

[pinball1970]

"Better" depends on who is judging the two or more versions or arrangements. Also, "Better" depends on how YOU either agree or disagree with the person mentioned who is doing the judging.

Give an argument, that is what is interesting.

 

[fresh_42]

Original:



Cover:

Equally good. Argument? Lemmy doesn't need a ... argument.

 

[gmax137]

Here's one of my favorite covers (as they say, watch to the end)

 

[gmax137]

... Orbison Video

I don't think I have ever seen this. I had a Moto Guzzi just like the one in the video; black tank with chrome knee panels. I wonder where it is now.

 

[pinball1970]

Original:



Cover:

Equally good. Argument? Lemmy doesn't need a ... argument.

You love Lemmy you are biased! ;

 

[gmax137]

Another cover?

 

[pinball1970]

Here's one of my favorite covers (as they say, watch to the end)

This is where it gets interesting.
Agree this is amazing BUT I hated it compared to S&G. That is what this thread is about.
As a stand alone, amazing Vocals and live so respect there BUT with that gentle minimal 1960s sound and harmony S&G had, that is absent here, this version destroys it.
My Neice would have heard this version and thought it is amazing. Listening to the original she would probably be disappointed with the lack of anger passion and insanity. I'll check with her, she is an expert in something i can never be. Being young.

 

[pinball1970]

Another cover?

View attachment 322655

That is good. Great even. No a moment of genius.

 

[Ibix]

This is where it gets interesting.
Agree this is amazing BUT I hated it compared to S&G.

I like 'em both, for different reasons. Simon & Garfunkel's version is quiet and contemplative, whereas the Disturbed version is angry about it.

"Hurt" - Nine Inch Nails original and Johnny Cash cover:




Always seems to be something in my eye when I hear Cash's version.

 

[fresh_42]

This is where it gets interesting.
Agree this is amazing BUT I hated it compared to S&G. That is what this thread is about.
As a stand alone, amazing Vocals and live so respect there BUT with that gentle minimal 1960s sound and harmony S&G had, that is absent here, this version destroys it.
My Neice would have heard this version and thought it is amazing. Listening to the original she would probably be disappointed with the lack of anger passion and insanity. I'll check with her, she is an expert in something i can never be. Being young.

I think it has at least a reason to exist. It is differently interpreted and doesn't destroy the memory of the original. They both are good songs. What makes me angry is, if people cover an already perfect song and ruin it, i.e. if they do not add something, a different interpretation, a different arrangement, or whatever.

This is a cover that makes sense:

Original:



Cover:



... and this is an example where there wasn't any need to record the cover. The original was better and the cover didn't add or change anything. Just the same song, only worse.

Original:



Cover:

 

[DennisN]

"Venus": (I favor the original, it's so cool )

Cover: Bananarama - Venus


Original: Shocking Blue - Venus

 

[DennisN]

"You Keep Me Hangin' On"

(I liked Kim Wilde back in the days, but I still favor the original, I think there is more feeling and desperation in the original)

Cover: Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On


Original: The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On

 

[DennisN]

"Twist and Shout"

(I haven't listened much to the original)

Cover: The Beatles - Twist and Shout


Original: Twist and Shout - Top Notes 1961 (Rare original version)

 

[DennisN]

"Tainted Love"

(a darn good song, I like both the cover and original, but if I have to choose I go for the original)

Cover: Soft Cell - Tainted Love


Original: Gloria Jones Tainted Love Original 1964

 

[symbolipoint]

I do not agree with that. I think there is a judgment independent of personal taste.

Give an argument, that is what is interesting.

NO! I am not an artist. An artist should be able to answer what you tell to do, better can I, and very reliably too.

 

[pinball1970]

NO! I am not an artist. An artist should be able to answer what you tell to do, better can I, and very reliably too.

You do not need to be an artist, art is not just for the artist. Art is also for the observer, listener and reader.

And the critic.

Anyway this is far easier, we are just looking at the creator and the copyist or rather the original verses the copy. Not as technical as the artist contribution, the value of the piece.

 

[symbolipoint]

You do not need to be an artist, art is not just for the artist. Art is also for the observer, listener and reader.

And the critic.

Anyway this is far easier, we are just looking at the creator and the copyist or rather the original verses the copy. Not a technical as the artist contribution, the value of the piece.

Whether I like or dislike any cover version will not be how another listener must react to that cover version. I would find very very little way to reason why I am correct and the other listener to be incorrect. I am trying to find a way to "judgement independent of personal taste".

 

[gmax137]

I am trying to find a way to "judgement independent of personal taste".

Good luck with that! I don't see how it is possible.

 

[fresh_42]

Whether I like or dislike any cover version will not be how another listener must react to that cover version. I would find very very little way to reason why I am correct and the other listener to be incorrect. I am trying to find a way to "judgement independent of personal taste".

Good luck with that! I don't see how it is possible.

Please stay on topic.

 

[BillTre]

Here is a pair I like.
The original is Donovan's "There is a Mountain". Has words.



The "cover" is the Allman Brother's "Mountain Jam" (which is great). Has no words.
Wikipedia says:

"Mountain Jam" is an improvised instrumental jam by The Allman Brothers Band, based on Donovan's 1967 hit song "There Is a Mountain".

 

[DennisN]

"Working Class Hero"

Covered by many artists. I favor the original, but here is one cover I really like:

Cover: Tina Dico - Working class hero (Danish singer/songwriter)


Original: John Lennon - Working Class Hero

 

[pinball1970]

The Residents -- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

I found that very disturbing. You prefer this to the original?

 

[Hornbein]

I found that very disturbing. You prefer this to the original?

Yeah. It is truly extreme, yes?

Just about anything by Eva Cassidy is better than the original. It's phenomenal. Her version of Over The Rainbow has largely surplanted the Garland version, something I would have thought impossible.

Sershen and Zaritskaya, same thing. Daria is the best hard rock singer ever, if you ask me. The sort of thing you wouldn't want anyone else to know you liked.

Foxes and Fossils are a terrific cover band. Don't forget Big Brother and the Holding Company w Janis Joplin.

 

[BWV]

Satan was hailed better in this cover

 

[Hornbein]

Whether I like or dislike any cover version will not be how another listener must react to that cover version. I would find very very little way to reason why I am correct and the other listener to be incorrect. I am trying to find a way to "judgement independent of personal taste".

Being a (untalented) musician myself who has studied music for fifty-plus years, it is true that enjoyment of music is subjective. Though while mass popularity is highly unpredictable, there is remarkable consistency in musicians' evaluation of the skill of others. I once saw a TV show where they had polled famous rock musicians as to whom they thought the best and had made a ranking of the top 100. I was able to predict the top 4 in order, and thought the whole list was pretty much bang on. After developing a certain amount of skill in music and listening to a lot of it you get an idea of what someone's goal is and how close (or not) they are to reaching it, even if you don't like their goal.

There are certain musicians who are praised by ALL other musicians in their genre. It's unanimous. How subjective can that be?

In comparison I find lists of top selling recordings to be highly unpredictable. It has more to do with clothes and hairstyle and so forth.

 

[pinball1970]

Satan was hailed better in this cover

I checked this one. Also fairly disturbing as a mash up of the film.

 

[BWV]

I checked this one. Also fairly disturbing as a mash up of the film.

The singer is Mike Patton also of Faith No More and Mr Bungle (and a host of other projects). Did a whole album of film tunes, which youtubers have combined with film excerpts

 

[DaveC426913]

Never have I heard a cover do justice to an original so much as with Lovers in a Dangerous Time.
It was an OK song when Bruce did it, but the BNL breathed a haunting soul into it that made it all it was meant to be.

Bruce Cockburn (1984)
Bare Naked Ladies (1991)

 

[hutchphd]

You will never hear the song the same way again......

 

[hutchphd]

@DaveC426913 He also does "Hey Mr Tamborine Man" that makes me wish to cry. He's Canadian you know. I used to love Mr Tamborine man.

 

[pinball1970]

You will never hear the song the same way again......

I have been waiting for these! Shatner, Legend!

 

[pinball1970]

@DaveC426913 He also does "Hey Mr Tamborine Man" that makes me wish to cry. He's Canadian you know. I used to love Mr Tamborine man.

Ill see your Shatner and raise you a Kojak!

I think William was having fun but I really think this one is supposed to be serious! Reason I know? He lights a cigarette before he starts, gets that gravel ready!

 

[pinball1970]

I think I have only contributed one so far! some interesting versions!

 

[fresh_42]

I think I have only contributed one so far! some interesting versions!

Sure that all these have been covers, or did you raise with monopoly money?

Anyway, I pay a William(s) plus a Savallas, no reraise:

Original:



Cover:



Edit: No monopoly money, I found the original. Malheuresement.

 

[pinball1970]

Sure that all these have been covers, or did you raise with monopoly money?

Anyway, I pay a William(s) plus a Savallas, no reraise:

Original:



Cover:



Edit: No monopoly money, I found the original. Malheuresement.

Bread fantastic. London Bridge and Guitar man my favourites. Mum saw David Gates a few years ago in Manchester. Said his voice sounded just as pure.

 

[Klystron]

Which songs were performed, arranged or produced better in a cover than the original version?

Jimi Hendrix covered Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" with an ethereal voice and superb guitar playing that exceeds the original release. Hendrix's version has itself been covered by singers and poets alike. The 2018 series "Vanity Fair" based on a 19th Century novel by Thackeray features a slow measured "Watchtower" theme by Afterhere based on Jimi's cover that sets the pace and feelings for each episode in the series.

Which songs should have been left well alone?

Many other Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman) songs including the beautiful sleepy "Lay, Lady, Lay" that others cover but do not surpass. Not so much 'left alone' as folksingers by definition interpret and borrow from multiple sources including the blues, baroque, and poetry.

Presuming the King actually wrote the scores, I rather enjoy Henry VIII's dance music played on authentic or accurately reproduced period instruments. Modernized covers tend to over dramatize the inherent simplicity and pace of the original dances.

 

[BillTre]

Original (Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven):


One of the best covers ever (Heart, etal. Kennedy Center):

 

[pinball1970]

Original (Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven):


One of the best covers ever (Heart, etal. Kennedy Center):

This one is a mixed bag. It's Led Zeppelin and Heart covering so SHOULD have been perfect.

The gospel choir kicked in, not required and unnecessary.
The brass kicked in, should have left that alone.
Jason Bonham on drums was a nice touch.

 

[pinball1970]

Jimi Hendrix covered Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" with an ethereal voice and superb guitar playing that exceeds the original release. Hendrix's version has itself been covered by singers and poets alike. The 2018 series "Vanity Fair" based on a 19th Century novel by Thackeray features a slow measured "Watchtower" theme by Afterhere based on Jimi's cover that's sets the pace and feelings for each episode in the series.Many other Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman) songs including the beautiful sleepy "Lay, Lady, Lay" that others cover but do not surpass. Not so much 'left alone' as folksingers by definition interpret and borrow from multiple sources including the blues, baroque, and poetry.

Presuming the King actually wrote the scores, I rather enjoy Henry VIII's dance music played on authentic or accurately reproduced period instruments. Modernized covers tend to over dramatize the inherent simplicity and pace of the original dances.

Jimmy Hendrix "all along the watchtower" is perfection.
No other way of putting it.

Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man and Mighty Quinn gave the Byrds and Manfred Mann's Earth Band two great songs too.

 

[Hornbein]

The Byrd's covers of Dylan are superb but suffer from lotech recording. I like The Thorns recent versions of same.

 

[BWV]

 

[pinball1970]

I thought it was Lou Reed! All these years!