Huge classic hits, but rarely or never covered

[pklima]

Heh, well, that last one was more of a European thing - I see it only made it to the dance charts in the US. Goes over well here, though, even in acoustic versions.

 

[OEW3]

Would you really call that track a HUGE classic track? I've never in my life heard it and it's pretty horrible. It seems like a Kids in the Hall or Mr Show sketch.

The idea of this thread was songs which are very much not obscure, but which are rarely covered because they're inconvenient, difficult, or just plain hated by musicians. It's kinda gone off in another direction, which is fine, but I was thinking tracks more like this:

 

[pklima]

It is a huge classic track for a whole generation of Europeans - like I said, it only hit the dance charts in the US, but was #1 in many countries here. And it's a good example of tracks rarely covered because of the "just plain hated by musicians" thing.

I could have gone with "Here Comes The Hotstepper", which I guess was big on both sides of the pond a few years later, but has difficult lyrics and I suppose musicians hate it almost as much.

 

[Xandrell]

20 years ago, I had a friend who lead a Hard Rock cover band...his thing was learn the parts exactly as the recording...then show up for the odd rehearsal pre-gig.
They did "Aqualung" exactly as recorded. They did Rush, Yes, Deep Purple, Led Zep, etc. too.
Best local Hard Rock cover band I 've heard around here...
(RIP, Dave)

I wish more bands had a repertoire like this.

 

[mmbongo]

I'd venture to say, just about any Grateful Dead covers are rare. I could never get any band I was with to try them. Truckin' and Sugar Magnolia have nice harmonies and were both hits; probably harder to play than Casey Jones or Friend of the Devil.

We do:
Friend Of The Devil
Franklin's Tower
Shakedown Street

And I want to add Touch of Grey

 

[iamjethro]

What about "This Boy" from The Beatles. Great song, easy to play, everyone has heard it. I've never heard it covered by any cover bands.

We do this one. In a One guitar setting often. This, 7 Bridges Road, and then Blackbird done CSN style.

 

[MCF]

The idea of this thread was songs which are very much not obscure, but which are rarely covered because they're inconvenient, difficult, or just plain hated by musicians. It's kinda gone off in another direction, which is fine, but I was thinking tracks more like this:

Never heard it or of the act. And won't ever again.

 

[RedVee]

This song is soooo much fun to listen and play.

Same as Sonny and Cher ?

 

[electracoyote]

Same as Sonny and Cher ?

Not quite. I'll take The Kings' "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide" over Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On" any day.

 

[duff beer]

One of my bands will be picking up these songs in fall when we get back together:

 

[Gully Foyle]

One of my bands will be picking up these songs in fall when we get back together:

Nice

Baker St is dark, I don't think people really notice among the saxy goodness

 

[lfmn16]

I don't know if 20 weeks on the charts constitutes a huge hit, but I've never heard anyone do this:

 

[troy mcclure]

On Topic:

I have never seen or heard covers of these iconic (in my mind) rock tunes:

David Essex -- Rock On
The Outfield -- Your Love
anything by Warren Zevon

(I always thought a Warren Zevon 'tribute' band would be awesome ...... No one else seems to think so ......)

My band plays Your Love... most guys can't sing it.

 

[duff beer]

Nice

Baker St is dark, I don't think people really notice among the saxy goodness

I've always loved that song and I don't care that no one will ever dance to it, lol.

 

[HaphAsSard]

The idea of this thread was songs which are very much not obscure, but which are rarely covered because they're inconvenient, difficult, or just plain hated by musicians. It's kinda gone off in another direction, which is fine, but I was thinking tracks more like this:

PAM, PAM, PARABARABAM, PAM, PARABARABAM, PAM, PARABARABOM, POM, POROBOROBAM, PAM...
WHOOHOO! Yas, queen! I was there!
And it was a nightmare...

That said, there definitely are some Eurodance tunes I would love to cover with no hint of irony. This one made it across the Pond I'm read:

I could have gone with "Here Comes The Hotstepper", which I guess was big on both sides of the pond a few years later, but has difficult lyrics and I suppose musicians hate it almost as much.

I'd do this one too! Medleyed with "Land of a Thousand Dances" of course.

 

[duff beer]

I don't know if 20 weeks on the charts constitutes a huge hit, but I've never heard anyone do this:

Our drummer has been pushing this song for years but some band members aren't on board with it.

 

[pklima]

That said, there definitely are some Eurodance tunes I would love to cover with no hint of irony. This one made it across the Pond I'm read:

I haven't done that one (though I do really like the Cascada cover), but in addition to "No Limit" Eurodance I've done live: "Be My Lover", "I'm Too Sexy" and "Coco Jambo". Also the earlier proto-Eurodance that was Sabrina's "Boys Boys Boys". Thought about "Captain Jack", but the arps are actually really hard to play on any real instrument.

Music that traumatized a generation. Out of all that stuff, I suppose Ace Of Base probably had the greatest global appeal.

 

[JimK]

I don't know if 20 weeks on the charts constitutes a huge hit, but I've never heard anyone do this:

"A Girl Like You"
In that time frame, pretty much every cover band here (SE Virginia) did it...IIRC, I was in 2 different bands that covered it.

 

[smogg]

I don't know if 20 weeks on the charts constitutes a huge hit, but I've never heard anyone do this:

Back in the early 90s the band I was in at the time covered this. We also covered Blues Before and After as well as Blood and Roses. All three always were well received. Never been able to get anybody to play any Smithereens since. Real shame imo. Fun to play and many of their tunes will put people on the dance floor.

 

[Aberdumbie]

We do:
Friend Of The Devil
Franklin's Tower
Shakedown Street

And I want to add Touch of Grey

If I never play Friend Of The Devil again... It will be too soon..... That was a good tune. But Lordy I must have played it a thousand times. This one is my personal Mustang Sally..