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

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morrobay said:
Ya all ready for this:

A live version of the original. I think the backing is live too.

 
pinball1970 said:
morrobay said:
Ya all ready for this:

A live version of the original. I think the backing is live too.



Possibly interesting

Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John": Sequels, parodies, and answer songs
Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" has to be one of the most parodied songs in the history of popular music. It spawned more answer songs and spoofs than any other song I can think of. The song was even made into a movie.
...
Today on Music Weird, we'll look at the many songs that "Big Bad John" spawned. Chart positions are from Billboard unless otherwise noted.
https://musicweird.blogspot.com/2015/05/jimmy-deans-big-bad-john-sequels.html
 
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Not a cover but includes the Start Me Up and Jumping Jack Flash riffs. Don't miss the cowboy boots.

 
Hornbein said:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careless_Whisper (1984)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wham!

(1984,2009) George Michael - Careless Whisper (Official Video) - 1.48 Billion views


(2023) Careless Whisper | ‪@georgemichael‬ | funk cover ft. ‪@elisetrouw‬ & Dave Koz - Scary Pockets


(2023) Careless Whisper GOES HEAVY - STATE of MINE (‪georgemichael‬ METAL Cover)


(2012) Seether - ‪Seether Careless Whisper Official Music Video.mp4

- (2010) "Careless Whisper" in HD - Seether 9/13/10 Baltimore, MD
- (2009) Seether - Careless Whisper music video (official)

(2017) Careless Whisper-George Michael (Cover By 9 yrs Alex Maxim Twins & Natalie)Subscribe for more!🎷🎹🎶


(2017) Careless Whisper on One Guitar (Alex Misko)


(2022) CARELESS WHISPER - Daniele Vitale feat. Benedetta Caretta (Sax & Voice)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80jdLitMCYE
 
How about uncoverable songs? I'd go for the Ramones' Teenage Lobotomy. No one could ever equal this.



But there are other ways....

 
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Hornbein said:

In that vein.



In terms of technical achievement this one takes some beating.
 
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Jimmy Cliff: from reggae album, from the soundtrack to "The Harder They Come".
original song by Cliff in first video.

punk version:

rock:


 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Roboto (1983)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx_(band)

(1983) Styx - Mr. Roboto (Official Video)

- (1983) "Kilroy Was Here" Film Plus "Mr. Roboto" Live - Styx in Concert 1983
- (2009) Mr. Roboto - Dennis DeYoung - HD ( recorded live with a 40 - piece orchestra and the Chicago Childrens Choir. )

- (2023) 1983 Hit PISSED OFF Longtime Fans & BROKE UP Legendary Band But It’s STILL HUGE! | Professor of Rock - interview of DeYoung


(2021) Mr. Roboto - Lockdown (Styx cover) --straight cover

(see also #1,692 Rock You Like A Hurricane )

(2010) The Protomen @ CIA 8/30/2010 "Mr. Roboto" Styx Cover 1/2

- The Protomen @ CIA 8/30/2010 "Mr. Roboto" Styx Cover 2/2
- (2015) The Protomen Mr. Roboto (studio version release)

(2019) "Mr. Roboto" - Styx (Dark Acoustic Cover) - Alec Sullivan -- this is really good


(2018) Mister Roboto (Cover)- Solar Disco Force


(2014) HOT BREAKFAST! covers "Mr. Roboto" by Styx - acoustic --this is great!



Honorable mention
- (2018) Mr. Roboto (Styx); drum cover by Sina (more Sina on PF )
- (2024) The Iconic Keyboard Playing Of Mr. Roboto by Styx 🤖 - Lawrence Gowan (Styx 1999-present)
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Nation_Army (2003)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Stripes

(2003) The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (Official Music Video)

- live (2003) The White Stripes: "Seven Nation Army" Live on 4/22/03 (HD Premiere) | Late Night with Conan O’Brien

- (2022) Jack White Didn't Know "Seven Nation Army" Would Become An Anthem | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend


- (2025) Jack White Accepts The White Stripes' 2025 Induction into Rock Hall
- (2025) The White Stripes - 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - November 8, 2025
- - -(2025) Twenty One Pilots - Seven Nation Army | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Cover (from broadcast)

- What Makes This Song Great? "Seven Nation Army" The White Stripes - Rick Beato


(2018) 2CELLOS - Seven Nation Army

( more 2CELLOS on PF )

(2023) Seven Nation Army - VoicePlay ft Anthony Gargiula (acapella) White Stripes Cover

(more #587 Eleanor Rigby )

(2015) Seven Nation Army - Vintage New Orleans Dirge White Stripes Cover ft. Haley Reinhart - PostmodernJukebox

(more PostModernJukebox on PF , Postmodern on PF )

(2025) Seven Nation Army on EVERY Instrument! - @LandenPurifoy

(2022) Seven Nation Army - Liliac (Official Cover Music Video)

(more Liliac on PF )

(2025) Colin Sankey - Seven Nation Army (Official Video) - bass
 
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War Ensemble (1990)
is the first track on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Abyss
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer

(1990) Slayer - War Ensemble
drum fill &t=2m22s


- https://lyrics.lyricfind.com/lyrics/slayer-war-ensemble
- War Ensemble | Music Theory Analysis - by Shred



(2022) Kermetal - Slayer - War Ensemble cover - ArnoldPlaysGuitar


(2014) Rob Scallon - Slayer - War Ensemble (Ukulele cover w/ solos)

(more Rob Scallon on PF)

(2014) Vitamin String Quartet - War Ensemble


(2023) SLOWER - War Ensemble // HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records - comments suggest playback at 1.5x or 2.0x
drum fill &t=4m40s


(2017) Delta Empire -19 Slayer - War Ensemble - Drum Cover
drum fill &t=2m14s


Honorable mention:
- (2007) SLAYER - War Ensemble - WORMED3 - drums only, no backing track - drum fill &t=2m14s
- (2017) Slayer - War Ensemble drum cover by Ami Kim (1th) - drum fill &t=2m15s
- (2018) Teenagers' BRUTAL "War Ensemble" by Slayer / O'Keefe Music Foundation
- (2018) Roller Skates and "War Ensemble" by Slayer / O'Keefe Music Foundation
 
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Here is a cover of the Chantays' song Pipeline, but here done on piano.

 

Hatari means Danger in Swahili. Good movie, sound track. Thought I might but couldn't find a cover of this or a drum cover of it. Tempo builds, starting about 2:30 in.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Spin_Me_Round_(Like_a_Record) (1984)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_or_Alive_(band)

(1984) Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) (Official Video)



(2019) Jimmy Fallon and Paul Rudd Recreate "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" Music Video

- Paul Rudd and Jimmy on the Making of Their "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" Remake

(2006) Kids Incorporated - You Spin Me


(2017) You Swing Me Right Round - Dead or Alive Cover by The Soultastics


(2013) Gemini Five - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) [Dead or Alive cover]


(2025) Dope - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) in Louisville 09/18/2025 Louder Than Life

- studio version Dope - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) appears on American_Psycho_(soundtrack)

Honorable mention:

(2019) DEAD OR ALIVE - YOU SPIN ME ROUND || Metal Cover by RichaadEB & Caleb Hyles
(2013) Jackson Parodi - Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) [accordion cover]
 
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John Denver's Country Roads on a lap steel



Too bad he didn't go to the bridge. I guess key changes are beyond what it can do.