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.
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Metallica's cover of Bob Sieger's Turn the Page is better than the original by far!
 
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Hornbein said:


Isn't she great:





Where does she hide such powerful lungs in that tiny body?
 
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Orig



Cover



I loved this album when I was a kid.

Allan Sherman's popularity saved Warner Bros. records from bankruptcy. Allen later went nuts. He died in his home from "respiratory failure" while being visited by someone from Warner Bros. His Wikipedia biography is worth a read.
 
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The Mario Bros theme. This is crazy:

 
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rcgldr said:
Nick Drake - Road (1972)

Josh Turner Guitar - cover of road (2025)

Tuning: G string tuned down to E, then all strings detuned about 1/4 step (original probably post edit pitch | speed change, Josh just detuned his guitar), capo on 3rd fret. Main riff is a 32 note pattern, the other 2 riffs only slightly less.
One to check for sure. Thanks
 
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One woman band. I like her drumming the most.

 
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These two are great.

 
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Her singing is pretty good but the piano playing is what does it for me. In the right hands, of all instruments the pianoforte can produce the most beautiful of sounds.

 
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Hornbein said:



Nice sound. Described as British, location is Spain and they sound Irish!
 
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Hornbein said:
Orig



The historical name was actually John Wesley Hardin. Maybe Bob didn't want to give a boost to rival Tim Hardin. Or maybe he wanted to get away from his prior ersatz West Virginia accent.

Cover by Dead & Company


If we're doing covers of All Along The Watchtower, I have to mention Bear McCreary's version from the Battlestar Galactica soundtrack.

In the story the song was not written by a human, but by an ancestor of the human-like branch of the Cylons. Or possibly by God (even if he doesn't like it when you call him that). It's not really clear, which I'm afraid was quite common towards the end of the series IMO. But I think McCreary did a good job of making it sound slightly alien, basically by using slightly unfamiliar instruments for a very familiar song.
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Better_Run (1966)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rascals ( the Young Rascals )

(1966) THE RASCALS(VIDEO CLIP)- "YOU BETTER RUN" (LYRICS)

- You Better Run - The Rascals - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles CA - Oct 10 2013
- Felix Cavaliere Looks At the Young Rascals Hit "You Better Run"
- THE RASCALS HALL of FAME INDUCTION SPEECH by STEVEN VAN ZANDT




(1966) Listen featuring Robert Plant - You Better Run (1966)


(1966) the in-be-tweens - you better run. [this band became Slade]


(1980) Pat Benatar - You Better Run (Official Music Video) - Benatar Giraldo

- "YOU BETTER RUN" -- Pat Benatar, acoustic and bluesy in 2011 (start at &t=3m10s )

KAT MEOZ - You Better Run (Cover)


Pat Benatar - You Better Run (Live Cover) at Whisky A Go-Go - Jill Marie Burke & Yoyoka
 
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jimi lives
 
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Wannabe:



System of a Down:



Wannabe in the style of System of a Down:

 
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The original by Chris Kenner isn't much good.

 
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The only electric guitar solo to have both a brand of beer and a Hollywood movie named after it. If there is ever a "best eguitar solo" contest this would get a lot of votes. There are endless covers, some almost exact.



 
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John Mayer roolz

 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickstart_My_Heart (1989)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mötley_Crüe

Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart (Official Music Video)





(2025) Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe - Cover by Evlee. (with the period in the URL)

- (2024) Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe - Guitar by Evlee
- (2023) Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe - Evlee (Guitar Cover)
(some forum references to "Evlee")

Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart (cover by The Voodoo Child)

(some thread references to "Voodoo Child")

(2025) MÖTLEY CRÜE - KICKSTART MY HEART | DRUM COVER ( El Estepario Siberiano )


(2025) Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart by Rolling Quartz 롤링쿼츠 for US & Canada Tour 2025 미국 캐나다 투어 기념


(2017) KICKSTART MY HEART - MÖTLEY CRÜE COVER - THE WARNING

(some old references to "The Warning" #1687 #1549 #542 )
 
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robphy said:
(2025) Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart by Rolling Quartz 롤링쿼츠 for US & Canada Tour 2025 미국 캐나다 투어 기념
There is no way this singer speaks English. All I can hear is "Can't start my cart!" 😆 But still a fun band to listen to.
 
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I usually like metal version of songs but I've never been a fan of Slayer. So this "demetalized" version of Raining Blood got my seal of approval.



The original:

 
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jack action said:
There is no way this singer speaks English. All I can hear is "Can't start my cart!" 😆 But still a fun band to listen to.
Catchy tune.

 
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Colin Moulding Covering Pink Floyd's Brain Damage

 
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Some catching up to do!
 
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I may have posted this in the "uplifting songs."

This is such a great song, so many parts. My criticism of the street version is that Gmaj7 top F# on "lost" is chest not head! He belts it, listen to Soul Train and compare.
Other than that loved it. The dude on the right was even trying the moves!



 
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Teddy Pendergrass tried women-only concerts but had to stop because they were taking off their clothes.
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_of_Consequences (1994)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth


Megadeth - Train Of Consequences (Live on Late Show with Dave Letterman, 1994) SD.

- Megadeth - Train Of Consequences (The Jon Stewart Show '94)

- The Song So Tricky Megadeth Re-Did It 42 Times ( Andriy Vasylenko )
the album was recorded live
(&t=6m13 Train of Consequences) (&t=3m05s Youthanasia)



Megadeth - Train of Consequences (Guitar Solo & Vocal Cover by Ravin Ratnam)

- Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth (Full band Cover) Ravin Ratnam

Megadeth - Train Of Consequences (Korean Version) - HALCYON1871


Megadeth - Train Of Consequences (+1key)【Cover by HIRO&KEN】(和訳付き)


MEGADETH - Train Of Consequences (cover) - Ronnie Penko - Shawn McNair


Mellowdeth - Train Of Consequences

- Mellowdeth - Live 14-07-2018
 
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Original. Great! Was not a hit.



Terry Twigger was the bass player. Quite the name, that.

Then covered by The Music Explosion, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and the Ramones. But the one I like is by the Neighborhood Picnic Band. The singer is still in a neophytic clutch-the-mic-stand phase.

 
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Orig



Cover

 
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Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus.

I always hated that band. But this particular song had a certain thing to it. I actually like the covers better, these two in particular:




 
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