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

  • Context: Music 
  • Thread starter Thread starter pinball1970
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Track
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparative quality of cover songs versus their original versions. Participants explore which covers are considered better or worse, including both singles and album tracks, and express personal opinions on various songs and their interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the quality of a cover depends on personal judgment and taste, while others argue for an independent standard of "better."
  • Several examples of covers and originals are presented, with participants expressing preferences and discussing the emotional impact of different versions.
  • There are claims that some covers add new interpretations or arrangements, while others feel certain covers do not justify their existence compared to the originals.
  • Participants mention specific songs and artists, such as "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and Johnny Cash, and "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles, highlighting varying opinions on their respective covers.
  • Some participants express a desire for arguments or reasoning behind preferences, while others emphasize the subjective nature of musical appreciation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach consensus on the criteria for evaluating covers versus originals. Multiple competing views remain regarding the subjective nature of musical quality and the validity of personal taste in judgments.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include references to specific songs and artists without resolving the subjective interpretations or emotional responses elicited by different versions. The conversation reflects a range of personal experiences and preferences, which may not align universally.

Who May Find This Useful

Music enthusiasts, fans of specific artists, and those interested in the dynamics of musical interpretation and cover songs may find this discussion engaging.

  • #811
Hey @Hornbein and others who might be interested - related to post #816 -
Rolling Stones made another piece of music from which Honky Tonk Woman directly came from originally, and well worth hearing, called Country Honk. VERY Different instrumentally and rhythmically from Honky Tonk Woman.
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970
Science news on Phys.org
  • #812
And then there was the original (genre) Honky Tonk. Actually before my time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970
  • #813
And another cover from Top Radio 93.5 FM Bangkok:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970, difalcojr and DennisN
  • #814
morrobay said:
And another cover from Top Radio 93.5 FM Bangkok:

Fun fact: A tropical house version by German DJ/remixer Freischwimmer was released in 2015. This version reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in its February 13, 2016 issue. "Dreamin" had never before hit No. 1 on any ranking, making this version the first in its nearly 50-year history to reach the top spot on a Billboard chart. (English Wikipedia page)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970 and DennisN
  • #815
Better than the orig (which I don't recommend).

Anastacia - I’m Outta Love (by Andreea Munteanu)​


Proud produce of Romania

 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970
  • #816
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970 and difalcojr
  • #817
I found a nice little gem (I just love how she vocalizes the guitar solo at the end):



Original:

 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: robphy, Frabjous and pinball1970
  • #818
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970 and difalcojr
  • #819

Great introduction!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein
  • #820

Andreea Munteanu sings Someday I'll Be Saturday Night great but is so small she doesn't have the voice for it. So a little technological help for a bigger sound.



Here's the orig. by Bon Jovi

 
  • #821
Peter Gabriel covers Magnetic Fields' Book of Love

 
  • #822
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: OCR
  • #823
ZZ Top cover '25 Lighters' by Lil' Keke and Fat Pat.

 
  • #824
Original
 
  • #825
Cover.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: difalcojr
  • #826
I saw LaBelle in Boston, 1974.
 
  • #827
Not bad for White girls.
 
  • Love
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein
  • #828
Paint It Black by Wednesday Addams

 
  • #829
My favorite drummer shows what he's got. Dig the singer too.

Dennis Chambers, What Is Hip



South Korean Dance Version

 
Last edited:
  • #830
.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein
  • #831


Wah wah workout.
 
  • #832
morrobay said:
.

They never fail to rock. First time I was ever able to understand the lyrics. Dig the Chuck Berry style solo.

On stage Iggy Pop once broke a bottle then dived on the shards. Bleeding profusely from the chest, they took him to the hospital. He survived.
 
  • #833


The orig.

 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970
  • #834
pinball1970 said:
Which songs were performed, arranged or produced better in a cover than the original version?
The one that amazed me was Dolly Parton's bluegrass version of Collective Soul's hard rock song "Shine". I'm not a fan of country music, but honestly, it's difficult for me to decide which I like better.

Compare them yourself:
It helps that her backup band (Nickel Creek) seems to be really into the song.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein and pinball1970
  • #835
Anachronist said:
The one that amazed me was Dolly Parton's bluegrass version of Collective Soul's hard rock song "Shine". I'm not a fan of country music, but honestly, it's difficult for me to decide which I like better.

Compare them yourself:
It helps that her backup band (Nickel Creek) seems to be really into the song.
I'll check them out thanks
 
  • #836
 
  • #837
Dolly has a recent album entirely of rock covers. They're pretty good. There's one about picking up a 17 year old.
 
  • #838
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: robphy
  • #839
Ami Nakazono -- Thinking Out Loud

 
  • #840
Nina Simone remix cover
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 167 ·
6
Replies
167
Views
28K
Replies
31
Views
4K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K