When the cover is better then the original?

punkbassistfc · #1 01-29-2008, 09:53 AM

Hey guys,

my band will be doing one cover at our next show, and i was just wondering what covers are better then the original? I would just like to have a listen.

Thanks heaps

SC Bassboy · #2 01-29-2008, 09:59 AM

311's cover of "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" is better than the original Clash version. But a lot of that has to do with the recording quality of the Clash albums. I also care a great deal for the Faith No More version of "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath.

The Golden Boy · #3 01-29-2008, 10:03 AM

Two that come across in my mind-

Badfinger's "Without You" was covered by Harry Nillson. As much as I love Badfinger, Nillson's version had much more appeal- it's a schlocky song by nature, and he just heaped the schlocky syrup to the point of overdose.

Another schlocky song- "I Will Always Love You." *shudder*

The Circle Jerks' cover of Black Flag's "Wasted" I guess would be considered a cover...

twistdpair · #4 01-29-2008, 10:49 AM

Anything by the Gimme Gimmes...

http://www.gimmegimmes.com/

Buy "Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah" - totally fun record.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkbassistfc

Hey guys,

my band will be doing one cover at our next show, and i was just wondering what covers are better then the original? I would just like to have a listen.

Thanks heaps

Mike Shevlin · #5 01-29-2008, 10:52 AM

'Train Kept Rollin' - Aerosmith.

Insanity^2 · #6 01-29-2008, 10:53 AM

Halloween by Alkaline Trio, originally by The Misfits,
Lucretia My Reflection by Alkaline Trio, originally by Sisters of Mercy,
Neither are hard but A3 kick ass at them.

Riley R · #7 01-29-2008, 10:58 AM

Have a cigar by Primus is awesome, Les's tone is amazing!!

toytech · #8 01-29-2008, 11:01 AM

I like Living colour's covers of back in the black, and holy roller.

rad87gn · #9 01-29-2008, 11:27 AM

Nonpoint In the Air Tonight.

neurotictim · #10 01-29-2008, 11:28 AM

Cover is as good as/better than Original

Jazz Hands · #11 01-29-2008, 12:01 PM

Guns n' Roses --- Live and Let Die

jsingles · #12 01-29-2008, 12:03 PM

I think the best covers arent ones that are necessarily "better".. but are so different than the original because the cover band adapts it to their style entirely. (ie. Higher ground) I enjoy it alot when a band can take another musician's song and really produce their own representation of it, instead of just trying to either outdo the original band or sound exactly like the original band that performed it.

i would never say the RHCP version beats the SW wonder version, but I can completely enjoy listening to both.

With most covers, I either cannot stand the original or I cannot stand the cover!

nubs · #13 01-29-2008, 12:05 PM

isn't this a totally subjective question? better? Better for who, you the listener. which strings are better, which 4x10 is better?
pepsi or coke, Big Mac or whopper......

neurotictim · #14 01-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nubs

isn't this a totally subjective question?

Yes.

CapnSev · #15 01-29-2008, 12:59 PM

SRV's "Voodoo Chile - Slight Return" is better than Hendrix's IMO.

fenderhutz · #16 01-29-2008, 01:00 PM

Why cover someone elses cover tune?

Do you own. We used to a rockin version of David Bowies "Ziggy Stardust" and Tommy Tutone "867-5309 Jenny" or U2's "With or without you" We would start it off radio quality and drop into a Incubus style chorus.

Good Times.

Listen to Fear Factory covering Gary Numans "Cars"

or Tools cover of "The Nurse who loved me" a song from the band Failure.

RiddimKing · #17 01-29-2008, 01:05 PM

All Along the Watch Tower by Hendrix. Even Dylan acknowledged it as the greatest version.

Also, I prefer Luna's cover of Sweet Child of Mine to the original. I guess that puts me in the minority...

BillyRay · #18 01-29-2008, 02:18 PM

Johnny Cash's version of Hurt is another good example of an artist taking some else's work and making it his own. He even makes the cutter attitude multi-dimensional and sincere instead of phony and immature.

SERPENT865 · #19 01-29-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

I think the best covers arent ones that are necessarily "better".. but are so different than the original because the cover band adapts it to their style entirely. (ie. Higher ground) I enjoy it alot when a band can take another musician's song and really produce their own representation of it, instead of just trying to either outdo the original band or sound exactly like the original band that performed it.

i would never say the RHCP version beats the SW wonder version, but I can completely enjoy listening to both.

With most covers, I either cannot stand the original or I cannot stand the cover!

I couldnt have said it better.LOL

Baird6869 · #20 01-29-2008, 02:32 PM

I will likely get roasted for this, but as a big Jimi Hendrix fan.... I have to say that John Mayer's "Axis Bold as Love" is better than Hendrix's original.

Listen to it before disagreeing. The guitar work is amazing and the structure of the song is just better IMO. Most of Mayer's songs are poppy crap, but this one is great. Pino Paladino on bass doesn't hurt either!

Trust me. One listen and John Mayer will end up on your iPod.