# Cover songs that are better than the originals **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 5, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159 "2003-03-05T03:00:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/61 "2003-03-05T19:44:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LMM \* > \*\*Aerosmith’s **Walk This Way** covered by Run DMC (can’t believe I didn’t see this one posted by someone else). > > \*\* Oh ICK. IMHO, of course 🙂 Manfred Mann covered of Blinded by the Light, For You, and Spirit in the Night (all Bruce Springsteen originals) so well that a good many people thought MM’s versions were the originals and were disappointed when they later heard Springsteen’s versions. ---
**Author:** ![coleridge78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@coleridge78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coleridge78)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/62 "2003-03-05T19:46:18Z")
Type O Negative’s medley of the Beatles’ “Daytripper/If I Needed Someone.” Sepultura’s version of New Model Army’s “The Hunt”. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/63 "2003-03-05T20:32:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by essvee \* > \*\*the Stranglers do a bitchen version of ‘Walk On By.’ Anyone heard it? \*\* Oh, it’s great! They sound like a heavy metal version of the Doors…that is, even more like a heavy metal version of the Doors than they usually did in those days…complete with quasi-“Light My Fire” extended organ and guitar solos. ---
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/64 "2003-03-05T20:53:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ludovic \* > \*\* > SNR’s cover of How Soon is Now is the worst version I’ve heard (I’ve heard at least 4, by SNR, the Smiths and of course Love Spit Love, and i forget who else, no, not everclear.) \*\* Neil Finn does a great cover of this song. ---
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/65 "2003-03-05T21:28:02Z")
**Smashmouth’s** “I’m a Believer” is vastly superior to the original. I absolutely hated the **Monkees** version, but I just love the remake! ---
**Author:** ![raizok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4491bb/32.png) [@raizok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raizok)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/66 "2003-03-05T21:52:32Z")
Dont forget the cover of **NWA** ’s “Boyz in the Hood” done by **Dynamite Hack**! Fire up Kazaa you sweaty bitches! ---
**Author:** ![ThePyroWeasel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@ThePyroWeasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThePyroWeasel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/67 "2003-03-05T22:03:27Z")
The Negro Problem - “MacArthur Park” (Donna Summer I think) Jon Brion - “Voices” (Cheap Trick) hehe…Wesley Willis’ “Girls on Film”…hehehe… ---
**Author:** ![MissBungle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@MissBungle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissBungle)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/68 "2003-03-05T23:24:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jackelope \* > \*\* > Many more, but those are off the top of my head. Oh! Who did that cover of “Jet Plane,” the Mamas & Papas song? It was a woman; can’t remember her name, but that was great. \*\* Chantal Kreviazuk… was the one whose version was from the movie soundtrack… errr… where they went to space… Ben Affleck… um, Bruce Willis… whatever it was called [http://www.chantal-kreviazuk.net/](http://www.chantal-kreviazuk.net/) ---
**Author:** ![typhoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@typhoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typhoon)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/69 "2003-03-05T23:36:54Z")
Some folks have already mentioned Stevie Ray Vaughn’s version of “Little Wing,” but I also think Derek & The Dominos did an excellent version of it. ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/70 "2003-03-05T23:48:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by raizok \* > \*\*Dont forget the cover of **NWA** ’s “Boyz in the Hood” done by **Dynamite Hack**! \*\* Bah! You beat me to it. I love that version. As for **Me First and the Gimme Gimmes,** well, I’m listening to them right now. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/71 "2003-03-06T00:14:01Z")
The Damned upped the emotional ante in Love’s “Alone Again Or”. The Red Hot Chili Peppers speeded up “Love Rollercoaster” by The Ohio Players – but I love both versions. Call it a toss-up. I prefer Talking Heads’ cover of “Take Me To the River” to Al Green’s original, but I heard the Head’s version first (by many years). And the definitive version of “All Along the Watchtower” is the 1977 punk cover by XTC. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/72 "2003-03-06T00:25:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by G.B.H. Hornswoggler \* > \*\*Some I haven’t seen mentioned yet: > > **U2** , “Merry Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – originally by one of those Phil Spector girl groups that I can never keep separated in my head. (Yes, I know I’m a heretic for saying this, but I don’t care.)\*\* It was originally done by Darlene Love. I’m not sure the U2 version is better, but it is good. And now a few Beatle covers – Art Garfunkle has a great version of “I Will” and James Taylor’s version of “Day Tripper” is good too. ---
**Author:** ![RawkStah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@RawkStah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RawkStah)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/73 "2003-03-06T00:50:43Z")
Continuing with Beatles covers: Stevie Wonder’s “We Can Work It Out” is… well, I’m not sure it’s better, but it’s damned good, and takes the song in a different direction. One that has mad flava. I think the best version of “Across The Universe” was done by Rufus Wainright on the “I Am Sam” soundtrack. I don’t think that anyone is fit to judge which version of “Voodoo Chile” is better between Hendrix and Vaughn. I figure that with that, it’s a question that can only be answered in heaven (or wherever you go when you die). It’d be a big ol’ battle of the bands, but then, it would turn into the GREATEST JAM SESSION EVER. Hole’s version of “Gold Dust Woman” kicks the hell out of Fleetwood Mac’s version. Even if it did have non-rocknroll, Hollywood-style Courtney Love. Wilson Pickett’s version of “Land of 1000 Dances” – I was convinced that it WAS the original, it was so good. (The original was done by Cannibal & The Headhunters) I’m kind of torn on “Knock On Wood” – The Eddie Floyd original had that sweet Stax sound, but Amii Stewart’s had one hell of a backbeat… “Superstar” was made famous by The Carpenters (but I think that Bette Midler sang the original), but Sonic Youth actually made it MORE melancholy. ---
**Author:** ![WonTon\_Sean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WonTon\_Sean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WonTon_Sean)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/74 "2003-03-06T01:02:36Z")
Gray Matter plays a rockin’ cover of The Beatles’ “I am the Walrus”, If I do say so myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/75 "2003-03-06T01:16:16Z")
Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is transcendent beyond words. I happen to like the warped-ness of Tori Amos’ cover of Eminem’s “'98 Bonnie & Clyde.” Tori also does an incredible cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” (which I heard live last Saturday) and The Rolling Stones’ “Angie” that surpass the originals, both of which are spectacular in their own rights. P.S.: Whoever does that godawful cover of Springsteen’s “Blinded By the Light,” who sounds like he’s saying “wrapped up like a douche,” should be shot. ---
**Author:** ![freajnt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@freajnt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freajnt)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/76 "2003-03-06T01:25:54Z")
Bow Wow Wow’s cover of The Strangelove’s **I Want Candy** ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/77 "2003-03-06T01:27:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Scrivener \* > \*\*I prefer Talking Heads’ cover of “Take Me To the River” to Al Green’s original, but I heard the Head’s version first (by many years). > \*\* My favorite version is Delbert McClinton’s. ---
**Author:** ![xcheopis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bc8723/32.png) [@xcheopis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xcheopis)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/78 "2003-03-06T03:25:50Z")
My two favourites are: **Butthole Surfers** cover of “Underdog” **Revolting Cocks** doing “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” ---
**Author:** ![Stitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Stitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stitch)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/79 "2003-03-06T05:51:41Z")
Sinead’s All Apologies UB40’s Can’t Help Falling in Love ---
**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159/80 "2003-03-06T14:11:40Z")
Oasis did a superb cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” that outdid the original. Probably the best cover of any song ever. And Noel Gallagher did great acoustic versions of Paul Weller’s “To Be Someone” and Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-originals/159159.md?page=5)