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Good cover versions; ones that beat the originals
Topic Started: Feb 15 2008, 03:51 PM (615 Views)
marcus asparagus
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Have there been many cover versions done that are better than the originals? I doubt there are many but there are three I can think of: 'Hallelujah' by Jeff Buckley, 'Mad World' from the Donnie Darko soundtrack and 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash. Any more?
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The Godfather
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i can at this minute think of five really good ones and one controversial (more will come)

Freddie Mercury's under-rated "The Great Pretender" defintely better than The Platters' original, but it is still good. that song is so strong and prominant and stands up extremely well and you would never know he could do so well without his band

Sir Tom Jones/Robbie Williams version of "You can leave your hat on" much better than Randy Newman who actually did on his Sail Away album and he was the one who wrote the song anyway. he's done better songs especially "You've got a friend in me"

Eric Clapton's version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" over the songwriter and singer Bob Dylan's version. it's one of my favourite songs too.

The Byrds version of "Mr Tamborine Man" with a pyschedelic edge and feel. when Bob Dylan does it, the song is mushy, embarrasing, rambles on and on and sounds as if Dylan made himself drunk to do it.

Dame Shirley Bassey's version of "Get the party started" much more stylish and cool than what Pink did with it, she made it into an anti-establishment punk theme, that doesn't gel or engage like that one does. if it hadn't been for M&S Xmas Ad 2006, she never would have done it.

the controversial one (aka the bad egg) is the Scissor Sister's version of "Comfortably Numb" over Pink Floyd. i personally don't like Pink Floyd very much and i didn't like that version of the song. i happen to like some modern music (depending on what i like and it does not include Amy Winehouse). it's going to upset some people, but i thought it's better to come out than left out.
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DiscogodDastardly
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Anything by Me First & The Gimme Gimmes.... :P

The Clash - I Fought The Law
Husker Du - Sunshine Superman
Nirvana - Man Who Sold The World

I'm particularly fond of the Manics' versions of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" & "Out Of Time" as well
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Catweazle
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Tears For Fears' original Mad World is by far the best version!

...ahem...

...anyway...

The Pet Shop Boys' covers of Always On My Mind and Go West definitely out-do the originals.

And The Dead Kennedys' Viva Las Vegas...
Enough of this electrickery!
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The Godfather
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definitely, catweazle. those Pet Shop Boys covers are amazing considering "Go West" was written for a cult novelty act (Village People)
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marcus asparagus
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Agree totally with The Byrds' 'Mr Tambourine Man' and Nirvana. Also, The Beatles 'Twist And Shout' is vastly superior to the original by the Isley Brothers.
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The Godfather
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question, didn't the singer Chubby Checker have a hit with "Twist and Shout", i might be getting mixed up with a similiar song he did with the word "Twist" in it
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Although I like the original 1967 version of "Alone Again Or" by Albert Lee and Love, I much prefer The Damned's 1986 cover of it, which IMO is definitely superior. GF, you may be getting confused with "Let's Twist Again", as I don't think Chubby Checker recorded "Twist And Shout".
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hotshot78
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Take Me Home by Sophie Ellis Bextor is a better version then the 1978 Cher one.
Get the Goons with the Fruit! From the 1979 film Roller Boogie
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The Godfather
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oh :o

now i should have know it was "Let's twist again" not "Twist and Shout", honestly :huh:

here's four more in the meantime

The Blues Brothers (we all heard of 'em) do superior versions of "Everybody", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Soul Man" than their respective aritsts, the late Wilson Pickett, Elvis Presley and the duo Sam and Dave.

Joe Cocker's signature song "With a little help from my friends" is completely different (giving a nod to the blues) than the Beatles version as heard on "you know where".

Clydebank's very own Wet, Wet, Wet also do a better job of the Beatles version. (if there is anything, i can't stand them for is destroying the simple Troggs song "Love is all round", they were well past their sell by date by then and passion was dying. ironically, it was their most successful song. but they have a comeback and what i've heard of "Too many people", it wasn't a bad decision......) but at the end of the day, all three versions are unique in their own way.

The Carpenters version "(There's) A Kind of Hush" much superior than the Herman Hermits version. i know, it is typical of being a cheap hotel balcony karaoke performance, but i love it (apparently, Richard Carpenter doesn't think so..........)
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marcus asparagus
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Kirsty MacColl's version of 'A New England' is miles better than the Billy Bragg original.
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hotshot78
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The Carpenters cover version of "Close to you" is a better one than Miss Warwick & Dusty Springfield ones.

Get the Goons with the Fruit! From the 1979 film Roller Boogie
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Mark
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Catweazle
Feb 16 2008, 12:50 AM
Tears For Fears' original Mad World is by far the best version!

...ahem...

...anyway...

The Pet Shop Boys' covers of Always On My Mind and Go West definitely out-do the originals.

And The Dead Kennedys' Viva Las Vegas...
I agree, i can't abide the Gary Jules version at all.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TVHeaven
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