# Best Cover Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478 "2004-04-22T18:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/21 "2004-04-22T22:52:01Z")
I’ll agree that most of Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s covers are really good, provided you like their sound. Obviously, if you don’t like any form of pubk, you won’t like the covers. (Not that they’re “real” punk, they’re “pop” punk, but at least they know it and don’t take themselves too seriously 😛 ) I also like a lot of Guster’s covers. They rarely play a concert without playing a cover song of some sort, and they generally do a good job with them. I have a copy of them doing “Like a Prayer,” and I like it 5x more than the original. If you go to [www.archive.org/audio](http://www.archive.org/audio) and search for guster, you can actually download and listen to many of their live recordings, since they have an open policy on them. Don’t, however, change the file format on the audio files or share them on any file sharing network, that’s where they draw the line. But if you want others to hear it, just tell them about the damn site! ---
**Author:** ![RindaRinda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@RindaRinda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RindaRinda)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/22 "2004-04-22T23:18:37Z")
Sinead O’Connor’s version of “All Apologies.” I love, love, love Bruddah Iz’s (Israel Kamakawiwo`ole) cover of “Over the Rainbow.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/23 "2004-04-22T23:30:54Z")
Well, there’s John Coltrane’s cover of My Favorite Things… > [@](#): > > Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy’s cover of the Dead Kennedys song California Uber Alles I always thought somebody should try to do that one, but I didn’t know someone had. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/24 "2004-04-22T23:48:47Z")
> [@RogueRacer](#): > > Manfred Mann’s Earth Band cover of _Blinded by the Light_ by Bruce Springsteen. And _Spirits in the Night_. But then again, any cover of a Springsteen or Dylan song is going to be better that the original. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/25 "2004-04-22T23:53:46Z")
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) Jeff Buckley - Lilac Wine (Nina Simone) Actually, any covers Jeff Buckley does are fantastic. He has a great one of Led Zeppelin’s Night Flight on the Live at Sin-e Legacy Edition cd. M. Ward - Let’s Dance (David Bowie) Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (Oasis) The Gallagher brothers have said they’re going start doing this song like Ryan Adams. Angie Aparo - Man In The Box (Alice In Chains) The Sundays - Wild Horses (Rolling Stones). This one sounds great sung by a woman. Gary Jules - Mad World (Tears For Fears) Johnny Cash - Hurt I’ll second someone above’s suggestion of Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon - Urge Overkill (Neil Diamond) I could list great covers all night long. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/26 "2004-04-23T00:13:30Z")
I’ve heard a cover of “This Charming Man” by both Stars and Death Cab for Cutie. Pretty cool. I like “Ice Ice Baby” by Ben Kweller, “Mrs. Jackson” by the Vines, and “The Thong Song” by Kleenex Girl Wonder. Hell, I just like rap songs covers that aren’t done as raps. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/27 "2004-04-23T01:07:36Z")
A few years ago Vonda Shephard covered some Beatles songs (and eventually moved on to other bands) that pretty much everyone who was anyone thought were fantastic. I remember tuning in just to listen to her show Paul, John, George and Ringo how it was done… ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/28 "2004-04-23T01:29:34Z")
I agree with many of these. To add to the list: **Nirvana** doing **Leadbelly** ’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”. Cobain’s intensity is…well, it’s intense. ---
**Author:** ![spiralscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@spiralscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spiralscratch)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/29 "2004-04-23T01:42:08Z")
Some great entries so far. My contributions: Nirvana, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (Leadbelly) Pixies, “Head On” (Jesus & Mary Chain) Slowdive, “Some Velvet Morning” (Nancy Sinatra) R.E.M., “Superman” Social Distortion, “Ring Of Fire” (Johnny Cash), “Under My Thumb” (Rolling Stones) Catherine Wheel, “Wish You Were Here” (Pink Floyd) Love & Rockets, “Ball Of Confusion” (Temptations) Red House Painters, “Silly Love Songs” (Paul McCartney) Husker Du, the Mary Tyler Moore theme song ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/30 "2004-04-23T02:57:34Z")
> [@RindaRinda](#): > > I love, love, love Bruddah Iz’s (Israel Kamakawiwo`ole) cover of “Over the Rainbow.” Waaay, waaay better than Judy Garland. > [@Lisa-go-Blind](#): > > Talking Heads - Take Me to the River (Al Green) > …Urge Overkill - Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon (Neil Diamond)… > The Clash - I Fought the Law (The Bobby Fuller Four) Ditto. Ditto. > [@verbenabeast](#): > > Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Bob Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower… there are none greater… Very true. But Dylan should have never recorded it to begin with. He should have just passed it right on to Jimi. I’ll add: _Star Spangled Banner_, Jimi Hendrix (traditional; F Scott Key) _After the Goldrush_, Prelude (Neil Young) - beautiful a capella version _Demolition Man_, Grace Jones (orb, The Police) _My Way_, Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra) _Steppin’ Stone_, Minor Threat or The Untouchables (Monkees) _Jump, Jive and Wail_, Brian Setzer Orchestra (Louis Prima) _Just a Gigolo_, David Lee Roth (Louis Prima) - not better but still good _Hazy Shade Of Winter_, Bangles (Simon & Garfunkel) _Proud Mary_, Ike and Tina Turner (Creedence Clearwater Revival) - Tina, wow! _Hard To Handle_, Black Crowes (Otis Redding) _Respect_, Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding) Obviously, it’s really Aretha’s song! _Move It On Over_, George Thorogood (Hank Williams) _Many Rivers to Cross_, UB40 (Jimmy Cliff) _Tears of a Clown_, English Beat (Smokey Robinson) _American Woman_, Lenny Kravitz (The Guess Who) not as good, though IMO ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/31 "2004-04-23T03:00:37Z")
**Hindu Love Gods** - Prince’s _Raspberry Beret_ **The White Stripes** - _Death Letter_ by Son House **The Beatles** - _Twist and Shout_ by the Isley Brothers ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/32 "2004-04-23T03:22:59Z")
Trip Shakespeare, “Time of the Season” (Zombies) and just to be silly… Weird Al Yankovic, “George of the Jungle” ---
**Author:** ![Spoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Spoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoot)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/33 "2004-04-23T03:33:37Z")
Radiohead “Nobody Does It Better”(Carly Simon) the Dirtbombs “Underdog” (Sly and the Family Stone) Flaming Lips “After the Gold Rush” (Neil Young) Mr. Bungle “Workin’ for the Weekend” (Loverboy) Col. Claypool’s Flying Frog Brigade “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” (Pink Floyd) Ween “Band On The Run” (Wings) The Replicants “Just What I Needed” (The Cars) Stevie Ray Vaughn “Little Wing” (Jimi Hendrix) Phish “Communication Breakdown” (Led Zeppelin) Johnny Cash “Down By The Train” (Tom Waits) Jane’s Addiction “Sympathy For the Devil” (Rolling Stones) Gov’t Mule “War Pigs” (Black Sabbath) ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/34 "2004-04-23T03:43:58Z")
Hi… Got to put in a vote for **Siouxsie & The Banshees** doing _The Passenger_ (Iggy Pop) ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/35 "2004-04-23T03:55:36Z")
I’ve found myself jammin’ [Crucial Taunt’s Ballroom Blitz](http://imdb.com/title/tt0105793/soundtrack) a lot lately. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Stan\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/36 "2004-04-23T04:16:28Z")
The Sonics _Roll Over Beethoven_ Teengenerate \* Just Head\* The Devil Dogs _Ball Me Out_ The Lazy Cowgirls _You’re Gonna Miss Me_ The Makers _Inside Lookin Out \* The Dirtbombs_Livin For the City \* The New Bomb Turks \* Do The Pop \* The Mighty Caesars \*Career Opportunities \* ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/37 "2004-04-23T11:47:48Z")
How did this thread proceed so far without any mention of The Gourds’ cover of Gin and Juice? Thea Gilmore’s cover of Ever Fallen In Love …? is pretty damn good also. Gary Jules sucks. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/38 "2004-04-23T12:08:18Z")
Rasputina, “Wish You Were Here” (Pink Floyd) Radiohead, “Wish You Were Here” Jawbox, “Cornflake Girl” (Tori Amos) Tricky (w/Martine, I think), “Black Coffee” (Peggy Lee) ---
**Author:** ![SteveinSpain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@SteveinSpain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveinSpain)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/39 "2004-04-23T12:28:05Z")
I’d have to agree with Hendrix doing “All along the watchtower” & the Talking Heads doing “Take me to the River” Other’s I like: Always look on the bright side of Life - Art Garfunkel (Monty Python) Dear Prudence - Siouxsie & the Banshees (the Beatles) Working class hero - Marianne Faithfull (John Lennon) Light my fire - Jose Feliciano (the Doors) Jolene - the Whitestripes (Dolly Parton) Walking in the Rain - Grace Jones (Flash in the Pan) Blue - Sarah Mclachlan (Joni Mitchell) ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478/40 "2004-04-23T12:29:37Z")
Howie Day - Karma Police (Radiohead) This is one of the best covers I have ever heard… At the end of the song he records a sample of his guitar, and then records a bass line over that, then the drums, and then the guitar solo… Very cool… Actually anything Howie Day covers turns out pretty well… Toto - Africa At the Stars - Better than Ezra #41 Dave Matthews Only the good die young - Billy Joel Those are some of my favorites by Howie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cover-songs/241478.md?page=3)