Worst cover songs?

Jared Lash · #1 01-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Came about as a side conversation in my other thread. I'm not talking about random local bands (the kids playing "Final Countdown" at some fairgrounds), or a bad live version (ie Celine Dion crapping all over AC/DC)but rather major label releases where a known artist butchers a song.

For example:

Madonna doing American Pie is pretty bad.

Don't want to end the thread early, but this is about as bad as I can think of: Hillary Duff doing My Generation. The horrible lyric change seals it completely. And that's to say nothing of the "bass solo".

Whatcha got? (Links would be helpful)

TheDarkReaver · #2 01-03-2009, 06:12 PM

Hilary Duff's cover of My Generation is pretty awful.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HvC6jDrxT-U

edit: Oh damn, you went back and put that in.

Jared Lash · #3 01-03-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

edit: Oh damn, you went back and put that in.

Actually that was there the whole time.

What I went back to edit it was "Links would be helpful.

Anybody else?

TheDarkReaver · #4 01-03-2009, 06:19 PM

Ok, then I missed it

It deserves to be mentioned twice anyway, it truly is that awful.

elgecko · #5 01-03-2009, 06:22 PM

Gun & Roses desecrating Dylan's Knockin on Heavens Door...hey hey hey hey hey

Nappa · #6 01-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Nirvana cover.

Edit, whoops nvm...

Deacon_Blues · #7 01-03-2009, 06:38 PM

I agree on the American Pie.

Here's Britney Spears' version of Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFuPuS5YK9s

At least it is a total re-make of the song, and I sort of like the intro, but after 0:42 it just sucks.

I can't stand Herbie Hancock's idea of doing a jazz version of Don Henley's "New York Minute":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx9Jopg5R1I

I mean, often when you do a cover, you usually try to convey the message and feel of the original song but in a different way. Here it is completely lost in some light-hearted jamming when the song is about hopelessness (suicide actually). I don't see the point at all with this cover. Great playing though.

bassistkll · #8 01-03-2009, 06:49 PM

IMO Sonic Youth's reworking of Carpenters' "Superstar" is a sacrilege. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBgVj5m_.
Compare to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oCpXXm4p0E. Carpenters rocked!

Wish you well.
KLL

awakefie · #9 01-03-2009, 07:06 PM

What was that Beatles cover the Jonas Brothers did? That was pretty awful.

Jared Lash · #10 01-03-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakefie

What was that Beatles cover the Jonas Brothers did? That was pretty awful.

Damn you. I'd ALMOST forgotten about that terrible cover since the I haven't seen the Target ad with it for a couple weeks.

Hello Goodbye

awakefie · #11 01-03-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Damn you. I'd ALMOST forgotten about that terrible cover since the I haven't seen the Target ad with it for a couple weeks.

Hello Goodbye

You started it!

Bob Clayton · #12 01-05-2009, 01:28 PM

two bands covering (horribly) one of my favorite songs: basket case

Fall Out Boy

Avril Lavigne

mjolnir · #13 01-05-2009, 01:39 PM

That Final Countdown link makes me want to cry.

EDIT: Oh, and my contribution- Limp Bizkit

SmokeyB · #14 01-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Frank Sinatra doing George Harrison's "Something"

Proof, if you needed any, that a great artist can ruin a great song.

I doubt George Harrison could do "My Way" any better but he had sense enough not to try.

mambo4 · #15 01-05-2009, 01:59 PM

how about the 80's stars of the World Wrestling Federation covering Land Of 1000 Dances ?

sarcastro83 · #16 01-05-2009, 02:09 PM

311 covering Lovesong by the Cure... UGH!!!

Or any Cure covers, for that matter.

The Ataris version of Don Henley's Boys of Summer was also a complete turd.

Marcus Johnson · #17 01-05-2009, 02:09 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcnENTUDSXw

stflbn · #18 01-05-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

For example:
Madonna doing American Pie is pretty bad.

Regardless... there's some very entertaining jiggling and bouncing going on in that video.

.

dave64o · #19 01-05-2009, 03:30 PM

My son (11) listens to a lot of my CDs and has copied many to his iPod, but he still listens to Radio Disney when we're in the car. Just when I think I've heard the worst cover imaginable, they always play a remake performed by their next rising pre-fab teen "star" that is far worse than the cover I used to think was the worst cover ever.

Unfortunately it seems like 50% of the songs they play on Radio Disney are cover versions.

sarcastro83 · #20 01-05-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Regardless... there's some very entertaining jiggling and bouncing going on in that video.

.

had to have been a body double... that woman is nothing but a fake, British accent, some crackpot religious belief and some gristle...