# And the absolute worst cover ever done to any hit song by professional entertainers is... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2010, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364 "2010-09-02T08:54:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/101 "2013-12-31T05:38:20Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Tori Amos has a similarly bizarre remake of the same song. April Winchell has a ton of [Bad Teen Spirit.](http://www.aprilwinchell.com/audio/) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/102 "2013-12-31T06:38:00Z")
I have a “friend” who likes to sing “Teen Spirit” at karaoke in the same way as Tori. The one time she did it at my house on Rock Band I almost puked. I delete the song from my game so she couldn’t fuck it up again. Just so wrong. I heard a cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Maynard James Keenan (the dude from Tool) the other day. I like him as a singer and all but I’ve decided that I just can’t abide by anyone who isn’t Freddie - or impersonating Freddie maybe - singing Queen. Blah. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/103 "2013-12-31T08:07:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I nominate most jazz covers of rock songs; they’re almost always cringe-worthy. I like the Alex Skolnick Trio’s cover of War Pigs by Sabbath. Although it’s an instrumental version. I suppose that makes it easier. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NheHdikiZHs?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/104 "2013-12-31T08:24:22Z")
Avril Lavigne has done quite a few horrible ones in her time. First there was [Chop Suey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3QCeftXMjs) (which, admittedly, was presumably self-consciously bad and done for fun. To a paying audience.), then there was [Fuel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Grq0epcLc). Up until right now I didn’t know she’d also corpse-raped [All the Small Things](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq1xGcFC45k) however. So, um, thanks for that YouTube. I guess. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/105 "2013-12-31T09:34:41Z")
What no [Wing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_%28singer%29)!? Enjoy “[Dancing Queen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqBWvmhS-AY)” as you have never heard it before. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/106 "2013-12-31T14:38:48Z")
I haven’t read the entire thread so my apologies if this one has already been mentioned. My favourite song is “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order. Many years ago I heard a cover done by a female singer…as a slow song. I thought my ears were going to bleed. ---
**Author:** ![doverpro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@doverpro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doverpro)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/107 "2013-12-31T16:03:03Z")
My submission: [Hillary Duff sings “My Generation”.](http://youtu.be/HvC6jDrxT-U) She makes a slight change to the lyrics: “I hope I **don’t** die before I get old.” ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/108 "2013-12-31T23:35:21Z")
> [@doverpro](#): > > My submission: [Hillary Duff sings “My Generation”.](http://youtu.be/HvC6jDrxT-U) She makes a slight change to the lyrics: “I hope I **don’t** die before I get old.” I wouldn’t be surprised if the studio handed her that song as-is. And I’m guessing her generation doesn’t have the whole, live fast and die young. Hell, even my generation (I’m 40) had, “Die young and leave a beautiful corpse.” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/109 "2014-01-01T00:17:32Z")
How about Dion (of _Runaround Sue_ and _Abraham, Martin & John_ fame) doing a slow version of [Purple Haze](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCi3t7Ufa2s)? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/110 "2014-01-01T00:30:50Z")
> [@doverpro](#): > > My submission: [Hillary Duff sings “My Generation”.](http://youtu.be/HvC6jDrxT-U) She makes a slight change to the lyrics: “I hope I **don’t** die before I get old.” Wow. I came in here to notify you folks that I knew of the worst, most overproduced crappy white girl cover of a song ever, but you’ve topped me and then some. Still, here’s Miley Cyrus (over)singing Dylan’s [“You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2wvaWTTmz8) ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/111 "2014-01-01T01:29:22Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > I haven’t read the entire thread so my apologies if this one has already been mentioned. > > My favourite song is “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order. Many years ago I heard a cover done by a female singer…as a slow song. I thought my ears were going to bleed. [Frente](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lgx-OoctOU)? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/112 "2014-01-01T02:25:42Z")
> [@doverpro](#): > > My submission: [Hillary Duff sings “My Generation”.](http://youtu.be/HvC6jDrxT-U) She makes a slight change to the lyrics: “I hope I **don’t** die before I get old.” Wow. That’s neck-and-neck with the Lawrence Welk cover. I might just have to give the award to Hilary now. That is truly horrific, even without the lyric change. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/113 "2014-01-01T02:28:29Z")
With respect to that lyric change, I can only think of one person who could pull that off. Amy Winehouse might, _might_ have been able to handle that. Not Hilary Duff. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/114 "2014-01-01T04:19:27Z")
Tony Bennett once did a cover of “Little Green Apples” which began: “If that’s not lovin’ you…” If _what’s_ not lovin’ you? He leaves off the introduction! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/115 "2014-01-01T06:17:18Z")
I think I may have you all topped. We went to a NYE concert this evening that featured Pink Martini, a local group that has made a national name for itself. They had several guests, including the von Trapp grandkids and some others. One of the guests was Gus van Zant; yes, the Oscar-nominated movie producer. We were told “Not many of you know, however, that Gus is a talented musician and singer and has released two albums!” Gus proceeded to butcher “Moon River”. Off key, flailing halfheartedly at a guitar, he was mercifully joined by the von Trapps after one verse, but managed to fuck up the lyrics. It was embarrassing. I can only assume that people have been lying to him about his singing ability these past years, cuz that _really_ sucked. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/116 "2014-01-02T04:19:00Z")
[Piece of my Heart, by Faith Hill](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPseJvXVVfo) ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/117 "2014-01-02T04:44:10Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > Celine Dion doing “You Shook Me All Night Long”. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULmC8JTTVy0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULmC8JTTVy0) > > What do I win? Nothing, it was a lot better than I expected. A halfway decent cover, though Celine’s mugging kinda ruined it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/118 "2014-01-02T04:48:34Z")
> [@doverpro](#): > > My submission: [Hillary Duff sings “My Generation”.](http://youtu.be/HvC6jDrxT-U) She makes a slight change to the lyrics: “I hope I **don’t** die before I get old.” The worst abomination ever committed upon a Who song (and a top contender for most horrific rock cover of all time) is [Ann-Margret’s rendition of “Smash The Mirror”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_am82sYFXU) in the movie _Tommy_. ---
**Author:** ![Tante\_Dillie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Tante\_Dillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tante_Dillie)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/119 "2014-01-02T06:08:53Z")
Has anyone mentioned _The Ethel Merman Disco Album_ yet? Technically, the songs might not be “covers” as she is the star who introduced each of the songs back in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. So I guess she’s covering herself? Anyway the entire album is an atrocity. And I say that as someone who otherwise adores La Merm. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364/120 "2014-01-02T06:20:12Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Chris Kenner’s _Land of a Thousand Dances_, amended and made a hit by _Cannibal and the Headhunters_, made absolutely legendary by Wilson Pickett, then held against its will in a dungeon room, starved, reduced to a persistent vegetative state and mocked as it died by > > [The Lawrence Welk Show](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKw-xV_IN_I). Wow, that’s pretty bad. I thought the [Welk cover of this stoner song was bad.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8tdmaEhMHE) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-absolute-worst-cover-ever-done-to-any-hit-song-by-professional-entertainers-is/552364.md?page=7)