# Cover Versions Of Songs That Are Much Better... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628 "2019-07-25T19:02:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/81 "2019-07-27T10:18:20Z")
This is Pseudo Echo’s cover of [Funky Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnejLmQGYhg) (originally by Lipps Inc). One of my favourite ever 80s songs. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/82 "2019-07-27T11:06:01Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > …_[Common People](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ainyK6fXku0)_ by William Shatner (original by [Pulp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuTMWgOduFM)) No apologies – I think Shatner’s is better. > … Hmm… Well, it’s not a disaster. I’ll give you that. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/83 "2019-07-27T11:17:12Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > This is Pseudo Echo’s cover of [Funky Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnejLmQGYhg) (originally by Lipps Inc). One of my favourite ever 80s songs. Oh, yes. **So** much better than the original. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/84 "2019-07-27T15:27:24Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > This is Pseudo Echo’s cover of [Funky Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnejLmQGYhg) (originally by Lipps Inc). One of my favourite ever 80s songs. Sadly, this is blocked in my country. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/85 "2019-07-27T16:31:17Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > This is Pseudo Echo’s cover of [Funky Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnejLmQGYhg) (originally by Lipps Inc). One of my favourite ever 80s songs. Tha was blocked. I assume this is the same song [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE-itlGNap4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE-itlGNap4) ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/86 "2019-07-27T16:44:05Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > Interesting. It never occurred to me that somebody might attempt a cover version of _Tomorrow Never Knows_. I wonder if there’s a cover version out there somewhere of _Revolution #9_? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_WjfQSxcq0c/maxresdefault.jpg "Revolution 9 live by Alarm Will Sound") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WjfQSxcq0c) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/87 "2019-07-27T17:04:44Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > Interesting. It never occurred to me that somebody might attempt a cover version of _Tomorrow Never Knows_. Phil Collins attempted it. Can’t really say he did a whole lot more with it than the original though. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AQCjIZKrqG0/maxresdefault.jpg "Phil Collins - Tomorrow Never Knows [Audio HQ] HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQCjIZKrqG0) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/88 "2019-07-27T17:21:53Z")
[quote=“saucywench, post:86, topic:837628”] [/QUOTE] How can you take all of the funk out of Funky Town, replace it with New Wave synths and call it better? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/89 "2019-07-27T17:34:09Z")
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley Twist & Shout - The Beatles Gloria- Laura Branigan Hey Joe- Hendrix Generally the first hit version is the best. _Respect_- Otis or Aretha? Both are good. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/90 "2019-07-27T20:22:12Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > LOL. Man, that was cheesy. 😃 It sounds cheesy because everyone’s more familiar with the original. But if that recording had somehow come out first, the Doors’ version would sound like a sloppy, muddy, tedious cover of it by a drunken bar band. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/91 "2019-07-27T20:33:46Z")
Leo Moracchioli does interesting heavy metal covers of famous songs on his U-tube channel. It’s fun to watch his manic mannerisms, but just listening to them they are often seriously good (and I don’t like metal particularly). The production and engineering particularly, the way he layers in all those tracks, playing all the instrument himself. But this cover of ‘Sultans of Swing’ featuring Mary Spender (another U-tube music personality) is another step above even his usual work. This is one of the best covers of anything I’ve ever heard. Footnote: seems some of the other examples given are where people specializing in _performing_ songs recorded covers of songs by people who, at the time at least, were songwriters more than performers. I guess it still counts, but… ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/92 "2019-07-28T00:42:55Z")
> [@Sir\_Prize](#): > > Tha was blocked. I assume this is the same song [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE-itlGNap4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE-itlGNap4) Probably, but that one is blocked for me! What a shamozzle. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/93 "2019-07-28T00:44:17Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > How can you take all of the funk out of Funky Town, replace it with New Wave synths and call it better? By being exactly the right age when this version came out. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/94 "2019-07-28T01:17:43Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > I’m surprised we’ve come this far with no mention of “With a Little Help from My Friends.” It’s usually brought up rather quickly in these threads. Joe Cocker’s version is vastly superior to the Beatles’. Or not, depending on whom you ask: [Joe Cocker: With a Little Help From My Friends](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=860587) [With A Little Help From My Friends - you prefer the Beatles, or Joe Cocker?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=759852) ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/95 "2019-07-28T01:21:32Z")
James Taylor’s covers of How Sweet It Is and I’m A Roadrunner are sooo much more soulful than the Motown originals … ---
**Author:** ![SkyRangerRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SkyRangerRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyRangerRich)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/96 "2019-07-28T19:42:21Z")
If it’s not been said already, The Flying Pickett’s acapella version of Only You is utterly wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/97 "2019-07-28T20:11:31Z")
> [@SkyRangerRich](#): > > If it’s not been said already, The Flying Pickett’s acapella version of Only You is utterly wonderful. Went looking for an a capella version of The Platters song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song before. Who sang the original? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/98 "2019-07-28T20:13:49Z")
I discovered Michael Jackson’s cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine” today, and I like it better than the original by Bill Withers. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2019, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/99 "2019-07-28T22:18:32Z")
B.B. King did his usual impeccable job on “Be Careful with the Fool,” but Johnny Winter took it up another couple notches - [Be Careful With A Fool - JOHNNY WINTER - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qcRNyW-sys) [/QUOTE] Quite so. Also, Johnny Winter did the definitive version of “Highway 61 Revisited,” so much so that Dylan now performs it in concert the way Winter covered it, much like he performs “All Along the Watchtower” the way Hendrix covered it. Of course, the ultimate example of the cover exceeding the original is Aretha Franklin’s cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect.” ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/100 "2019-07-29T01:14:21Z")
I like “When the Stars Go Blue” by Tim McGraw better than by Ryan Adams. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fIZ-2FB5a3g/maxresdefault.jpg "Tim McGraw - When The Stars Go Blue (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIZ-2FB5a3g) I think “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” is even better with George Michael. Love them both though. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RsKqMNDoR4o/maxresdefault.jpg "George Michael, Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Live)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsKqMNDoR4o) “A House is not a Home” was Luther’s song after he recorded it. Originally recorded by Dionne Warwick. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o887Doe00iM/hqdefault.jpg "Luther Vandross - A House Is Not A Home") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o887Doe00iM) I love the song “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” from The Wiz. I prefer the new version by Ne Yo, compared to Nipsey Russell’s. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lTZqUuoPPMQ/maxresdefault.jpg "What Would I Do if I Could Feel (Official Audio)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTZqUuoPPMQ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628.md?page=6)