# Cover songs with the most disparate versions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 12, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531 "2009-10-12T15:28:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/21 "2009-10-13T12:12:06Z")
Landslide by: [Steavie Nicks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNrrrCCTdA) [Tori Amos](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQpIYETUnrQ) [Smashing Pumpkins](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U4opbXoMss) ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/22 "2009-10-13T12:18:19Z")
Hose Feliciano’s version of “Light My Fire” is quite different from the Doors’ original recording. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/23 "2009-10-13T15:02:42Z")
The [Vitamin String Quartet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_String_Quartet_Tribute) has done chamber music versions of many acts, including The Clash and The White Stripes. It seems like a bit of a schtick, though – not really what the OP had in mind, I think. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/24 "2009-10-13T15:13:24Z")
Gin and Juice, originally done by Snoop Dogg, was covered by Phish in a wonderful version. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/25 "2009-10-13T15:16:19Z")
> [@phreesh](#): > > Gin and Juice, originally done by Snoop Dogg, was covered by Phish in a wonderful version. That’s The Gourds, not Phish. ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/26 "2009-10-13T16:12:23Z")
“Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” by Marvin Gaye started life as a jaunty, yet matter of fact tale sung by a self confessed lothario to one of his conquests who thinks he is something more. Paul Young’s cover adds a sense of melancholy to the song which adds up to a sense of ambiguity about what the man thinks about his actions. I love both versions of the song. Dexy’s Midnight Runners covered Status Quo’s excellent “Marguerita Time” as a waltz. Tori Amos obviously has a pixieish sense of humour in her choice of cover versions. Her covers of “That’s What I Like” & “London Girl” by Chas & Dave are charming and delightfully unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/27 "2009-10-13T21:32:50Z")
“The Ghost Of Tom Joad” by [Bruce Springsteen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dqRdqrSyZY) and [Rage Against The Machine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjGmNYihLoM&feature=fvw) ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/28 "2009-10-13T21:39:05Z")
I don’t think anyone here has mentioned Chris Cornell’s reimagining of Michael Jackson’s song “Billie Jean”. [David Cook pretty much won American Idol on the strength of this version - and his vocal ability, of course] ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/29 "2009-10-13T22:59:11Z")
“Hey Ya” by Outkast [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvIw5ZqC1ms](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvIw5ZqC1ms) and “Hey Ya” by Mat Weddell [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA\_AM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA_AM) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/30 "2009-10-13T23:22:17Z")
Black Sabbath Blue suede shoes.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_uryWJ1T1q4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uryWJ1T1q4) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/31 "2009-10-13T23:29:41Z")
Made ya look! ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/32 "2009-10-13T23:47:04Z")
Johnathan Coulton- Baby got back-[http://odeo.com/episodes/1519801](http://odeo.com/episodes/1519801) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/33 "2009-10-14T00:20:59Z")
“John the Revelator” is a song done too many times to keep track of, This version by Gov’t Mule is my favorite-[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMSRP3kpVMs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMSRP3kpVMs) ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/34 "2009-10-14T00:21:45Z")
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - [The Beatles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGFlkcnZRFI) Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - [William Shatner](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Ar79f8aN8) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/35 "2009-10-14T00:35:40Z")
Best Khan Noonien Singh voice- “SHATNER”!!! ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/36 "2009-10-14T00:43:37Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Presented for your amusement… the [Village People](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FvVcagZln0) cover I would like to present to you one ANTI-THANK YOU for that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/37 "2009-10-14T02:21:35Z")
That video is SO DAMN peppy… Thank you for that Village People cover… \* I ain’t got… No-Body (No Body!)!\* ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/38 "2009-10-14T02:47:36Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That’s The Gourds, not Phish. I know the video that is often mistakenly attributed to Phish is actually the Gourds, but Phish did do a cover of “Gin and Juice”. It’s on their Hampton Comes Alive CD set. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/39 "2009-10-14T03:00:22Z")
> [@Ro0sh](#): > > That video is SO DAMN peppy… Thank you for that Village People cover… > \* > I ain’t got… No-Body (No Body!)!\* [My favorite “version” of this song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWMBgF-UCIY). Just couldn’t resist.😃 ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531/40 "2009-10-14T18:07:39Z")
Johnny Cash did a cover of NIN’s “Hurt” about a year before he died. It’s a teensy smidge different from the original. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-with-the-most-disparate-versions/513531.md?page=3)