# Cover Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2001, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468 "2001-05-25T11:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![\_authority](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/e56c9b/32.png) [@\_authority](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_authority)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/1 "2001-05-25T11:40:25Z")
I was reading a thread yesterday were someone said that her kids favorate song was “Land Slide” by the Smashing Pumkins, she went on to comment that “Land Slide” by Fleetwood Mac was one of her favorate songs. That got me thinking about what my favorate cover songs of all time were. Here are a few: Janes Addiction covers “Ripple” by the Greatful Dead. Devo does Jimi Hendrix with “Are You Experienced”. Dave Stewart & Barbra Gaston do “Subt. Home Sick Blues” by Dylan. Pretty much every cover the Ramones ever did. What makes a good cover to me is that is if different than the origianal, but both verions are good. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/2 "2001-05-25T14:31:01Z")
might want to check out this thread; [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=41172](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=41172) A thread on why people do cover songs; [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=57822](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=57822) or this one; [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=33682](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=33682) As for me I love _Black Train Jacks_ cover of _Bob Marley’s One Love_, anything covered by _me first and the gimmie gimmies_ and _living colour’s Memories Can’t Wait (talking heads)_. _Luna_ does a fine cover of _guns and roses sweet child of mine_ too. I agree that what makes a great cover is when a group reinterprets the song in their own style. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/3 "2001-05-26T13:08:36Z")
Top covers of all time imho 😉 This masquerade (Carpenters) Torn (Natalie Imbruglia) Suzanne (Peter Gabriel) ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/4 "2001-05-26T15:34:37Z")
Nirvana’s versions of Love Buzz (Shocking Blue) and Son of a Gun (the Vaselines) Guns and Roses version of Live and Let Die (Wings) Hole’s version of Clouds (Joni Mitchell) And the best… Nirvana’s version of In the Pines-they called it Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Leadbelly) ---
**Author:** ![blanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@blanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blanx)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/5 "2001-05-26T16:09:10Z")
Recent favorite covers- Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah Johnny Cash doing U2’s One (also covering Nick Cave and the Bad Seed’s The Mercy Seat) gotta second **hardygrrl** ’s mention of Nirvana covering Leadbelly… ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/6 "2001-05-26T17:48:53Z")
“Come on Eileen” by Save Ferris “Stand by Me” by John Lennon ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/7 "2001-05-26T18:03:55Z")
“The Letter” by Joe Cocker ---
**Author:** ![DynoSaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DynoSaur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DynoSaur)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/8 "2001-05-26T19:56:48Z")
“Respect” - Aretha Frankiln “Blinded by the Light” - Manfred Mann (at least, I _think_ Springsteen’s was the original…) ---
**Author:** ![dodge\_this](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@dodge\_this](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dodge_this)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/9 "2001-05-26T23:08:46Z")
Cover songs I like: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Tori Amos Thank You - Tori Amos Dancing Barefoot - U2 One - Michael Stipe Video Killed the Radio Star - Presidents of the USA Sometimes Always - Jesus & the Mary Chain feat. Hope Sandoval Tangled Up in Blue - Indigo Girls Crying - kd lang There’s A Light that Never Goes Out - Divine Comedy Song to the Siren - This Mortal Coil [hijack]If a good cover improves on the original, then the reverse comes into effect too. Don’t do a cover if you can’t add anything to the original, or if you only end up making it worse. Following this, boybands should not, I repeat, NOT be allowed to do covers. Otherwise we wouldn’t have had to deal with Take On Me - A1 Seasons in the Sun - Westlife Baby Can I Hold You - Boyzone How Deep is Your Love - Take That I’m sure you’re a talented bunch. Find your own material, lads. [/hijack] - dodge\_this, who will probably be yanked into the Pit by a boyband fan. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/10 "2001-05-26T23:24:33Z")
I like… Disturbed, **Shout** (Tears for Fears) Alien Ant Farm, **Smooth Criminal** (Michael Jackson) Smartbomb, **Breathe** (Faith Hill) Cake, **I Will Survive** (I forget… Donna or Aretha?) Metallica, **Turn The Page** (I don’t know who did the original, but I’ve heard it and I don’t like it, it’s wussy-sounding if all you’ve ever heard is the Met version) ---
**Author:** ![Jadis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/11 "2001-05-26T23:31:44Z")
I can’t get over **Angel** by **Fiona Apple**. Absolutely unbelievable. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/12 "2001-05-26T23:57:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > \*\*I like… > > Disturbed, **Shout** (Tears for Fears) > Alien Ant Farm, **Smooth Criminal** (Michael Jackson) > Smartbomb, **Breathe** (Faith Hill) > Cake, **I Will Survive** (I forget… Donna or Aretha?) > Metallica, **Turn The Page** (I don’t know who did the original, but I’ve heard it and I don’t like it, it’s wussy-sounding if all you’ve ever heard is the Met version) \*\* That was Bob Seger, wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/13 "2001-05-27T00:45:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > > \*\*Cake, **I Will Survive** (I forget… Donna or Aretha?) > > Metallica, **Turn The Page** (I don’t know who did the original, but I’ve heard it and I don’t like it, it’s wussy-sounding if all you’ve ever heard is the Met version) \*\* > > That was Bob Seger, wasn’t it? > \*\* Yes. ---
**Author:** ![DynoSaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DynoSaur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DynoSaur)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/14 "2001-05-27T00:53:02Z")
Well, in the hijack category of “Covers that should have never been made”, I’ll add: “American Pie”, Madonna. She should be killed for this. “Brown-eyed Girl” - Everclear. Great band, but…WHY? “Lady Marmalade” - Christina Aguilera, et al. The song sucked the first time it was released. Did we really need it released _again_? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/15 "2001-05-27T01:18:37Z")
I like: Megaherz’s cover of ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ Rammstein’s cover of ‘Stripped’ and if anyone can tell me who does the cover of ‘Save A Prayer’ on the Duran Duran Tribute CD, I’ll be their best friend for life. And finally, just to make dodge\_this mad, I really like 'N Sync’s cover of ‘Everything I Own’ originally by Bread i believe. so there. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/16 "2001-05-27T01:43:59Z")
I like Annie Lennox’s cover of The Clash’s "Train in Vain …Joan Osbourne’s cover of Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacherman” That would be “Eve’s Plum” **Jarbabyj** ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/17 "2001-05-27T03:18:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > \*\* > Cake, **I Will Survive** (I forget… Donna or Aretha?) \*\* That would be Gloria Gaynor. I like Husker Du’s cover of the Byrds’ “Eight Miles High”, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/18 "2001-05-27T03:27:05Z")
Sid Vicious doing “My Way” The Breeders version of “Happiness is a Warm Gun” Any song off of Annie Lennox’s Medusa (incl. the already mentioned Train in Vain) David Bowie doing “Waiting for the Man” ---
**Author:** ![Studi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Studi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studi)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/19 "2001-05-27T16:15:30Z")
Marilyn Manson’s cover of Patti Smith’s _Rock and Roll Nigger_ is excellent. I also like Nine Inch Nails’ cover of _Get Down Make Love_, originally by Queen. Studi ---
**Author:** ![dodge\_this](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@dodge\_this](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dodge_this)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468/20 "2001-05-27T16:27:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > **And finally, just to make dodge\_this mad, I really like > 'N Sync’s cover of ‘Everything I Own’ originally by Bread i believe.** But _ayyyyyyyiiiiyyyaiii will always luurve youuuuuu_, **jarbabyj** … In any case, I haven’t heard that cover by N’Sync, so I won’t judge that. I was basing my opinion on other boyband covers I’ve heard, and man, they’re _bad_. Exhibit B: Westlife doing ‘Uptown Girl’. Will the horror ever end? Grrr…grrr…down, dodge\_this, down! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs/66468.md?page=2)