# Cover Songs Better Than The Original **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764 "2007-09-28T02:36:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/121 "2007-09-30T01:40:04Z")
Annie Lenox’s cover of “Train In Vain” beats The Clash (if you can believe it) Run-DMC + Aerosmith’s cover of “Walk This Way” beats Aerosmith Henry Rollins’ version of “Kick Out The Jams” beats MC5 Joe Jackson’s version of “What A Beautiful World It Will Be” beats both Donald Fagen’s and Howard Jones’ David Anthony’s cover of “Something About You” beats Level 42, but only just barely Gary Jules’ “Mad World” beats Tears For Fears Seu Jorges did amazing things with multiple David Bowie tunes… Linda Ronstadt’s version of Blue Bayou beats Roy Orbison’s Massive Attack’s “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got” beats whoever did the original hmmm… surprised I can’t think of more right now, this is a favorite topic of mine… let me get back to you… ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/122 "2007-09-30T02:53:21Z")
I came into the thread to suggest “Sweet Jane.” I am primarily thinking of the Cowboy Junkies’ dreamy version, which Lou Reed himself has awarded high praise to. I also quite enjoy Reed’s solo reworking of the song. [QUOTE=MisterThyristor] I agree that most covers of Leonard Cohen are better than the original, but I would have to make an exception for “Everybody Knows”. Come on, does anyone have a voice like that, to convey that emotion (despair/disillusionment)? The guy sounds like the grim reaper himself. [/QUOTE] I’m going to have to go with Concrete Blonde’s version, but not particularly on the basis of the vocals – I mean, I love how Johnette Napolitano coos and shrieks her way through it, but Cohen’s delivery has its charms as well. I just find that Concrete Blonde’s instrumentation is much cooler. The instrumentation on Cohen’s version seems to have wandered in from another song. [QUOTE=Purd Werfect] Since Woodstockbirdybird and Snooopy haven’t shown up yet, I get to nominate Husker Du’s take on Eight Miles High. [/QUOTE] To my considerable surprise, when I checked my iTunes, I discovered that I don’t even have a copy of the Hüskers’ version. I think I have heard it at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/123 "2007-09-30T03:05:43Z")
I’ve got to disagree on Leonard Cohen. I love his deep deep voice; it goes right into the core of me and does wonderful things there. Loved Seu Jorge’s covers of David Bowie songs in “The Life Aquatic” enough to buy the soundtrack, but I wouldn’t say they were better. Just different. I like David Bowie’s version of “Here Comes the Night” better than Van Morrison’s. I like Van Morrison’s version of “I Put a Spell on You” better than Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ and better than Creedence. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/124 "2007-09-30T03:13:21Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] I absolutely love Roberta Flack, but Laryn Hill’s version of **Killing Me Softly** killed her version. [/QUOTE] That was the Fugees, not a Lauryn Hill solo work. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/125 "2007-09-30T03:14:48Z")
[QUOTE=Brain Wreck] Annie Lenox’s cover of “Train In Vain” beats The Clash (if you can believe it) [/quote] I can’t. Off to YouTube I go… > [@](#): > > Joe Jackson’s version of “What A Beautiful World It Will Be” beats both Donald Fagen’s and Howard Jones’. And [Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo'ole) version (combined with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” kicks everybody’s [ass](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-alr7P_qk)! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/126 "2007-09-30T03:25:02Z")
I have an MP3 of a blue-grassy/country version of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.” I don’t know if the artist listed on the file is right, but if it is, then it’s by **The Gourds** and it’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/127 "2007-09-30T03:35:11Z")
[QUOTE=Brain Wreck] Joe Jackson’s version of “What A Beautiful World It Will Be” beats both Donald Fagen’s and Howard Jones’ [/QUOTE] ACK! I read this title wrong! Sorry! Oh well, Iz’ “What a Wonderful World” is the best version ever, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/128 "2007-09-30T03:38:00Z")
And while I’m on the subject, Iz kicks [John Denver’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbPH1ue0Gpo) ass, too! (I love this clip- my kids and I have bodysurfed that coast when it wasn’t breaking…). ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/129 "2007-09-30T04:26:08Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] Nitpick: It was a cover when Leadbelly did it. [The song has been around since at least the 1870s.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Did_You_Sleep_Last_Night) [/QUOTE] And to stir the pot, the criminally unknown The Triffids did the best verion of In The Pines yet on their album of the same name (recorded in New Zealand shearing sheds). Occasionally out on reissue and well worth seeking out. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/130 "2007-09-30T06:53:39Z")
The Ramones- California Sun ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/131 "2007-09-30T06:57:44Z")
Bruce Willis (Return of Bruno)- Secret Agent Man ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/132 "2007-09-30T07:04:00Z")
I’m rather fond of Hugh Laurie’s cover of [Hey Jude](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkpNkBFUKMM)🆒 ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/133 "2007-09-30T08:20:07Z")
Has it taken this long for someone to mention Joe Cocker’s cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends,” or did I just miss it? 'Cos after Aerosmith’s “Come Together,” that’s the obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/134 "2007-09-30T08:52:55Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] I’m a fan of the [Vanessa Carlton](http://www.last.fm/music/Vanessa+Carlton/_/Paint+It+Black) cover of “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones. [/QUOTE] I’m partial to U2’s version, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Layla01](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/layla01/32/15552_2.png) [@Layla01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Layla01)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/135 "2007-09-30T09:27:14Z")
The Faces -[Maybe I’m Amazed](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLhoLkTyNkM) - definitely better than the original. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/136 "2007-09-30T13:34:50Z")
[QUOTE=GargoyleWB] **Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love** knocked **Elvis** out of the stadium [/QUOTE] 😕 That song was original to Queen. [Written by Freddie Mercury.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Little_Thing_Called_Love) You might be confused because it is a rockabilly song, in the _style_ of Elvis Presley. ---
**Author:** ![ShakWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@ShakWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShakWave)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/137 "2007-09-30T17:18:48Z")
My vote is for Deftones’ - _If Only Tonight We Could Sleep_ originally by The Cure Deftones’ - _No Ordinary Love_ originally by Sade Disturbed - _Shout_ originally by Tears For Fears Grave Digger - _No Quarter_ originally by Led Zeppelin (Awesome guitar solo in the middle of the song) ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/138 "2007-09-30T18:21:52Z")
[QUOTE=Sam Stone] There’s nothing wrong with Dolly, but in this case Jack White simply owns the song. Check out [this version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCq1etICQE) performed live on Conan. Fantastic. [/QUOTE] Okay, I admit that was pretty good. But I’m still adamant on the Whitney/Dolly question. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/139 "2007-09-30T18:28:00Z")
I think Celene Dion did a better version of that song, ummm: Forget the title, but it goes: “If you touch me like this and if you hold me like that…I was so long ago but it’s all coming back to me” Didn’t Meatloaf and some other chick do that earlier? ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764/140 "2007-09-30T18:58:17Z")
Devendra Banhart covering Oasis: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fer\_vdrd2L4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fer_vdrd2L4) caP’n Jazz’s Take on Me: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5\_xUlC3f\_k](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5_xUlC3f_k) Sounds way better on their only CD ever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-better-than-the-original/420764.md?page=8)