# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/121 "2019-07-31T03:37:48Z")
[Springsteen’s Born to Run, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMfE2Se4r9w) ---
**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 31, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/122 "2019-07-31T04:07:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [In The Navy.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwq1_9VH68) Well, of course, everything’s better with Muppets. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/123 "2019-07-31T05:06:43Z")
Both [k.d. lang’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE) and [John Cale’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gi3J8nPKPE) covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” are better, as are several other covers I’ve heard. It just works so much better with piano and entirely sung than with synth and echo effects and speak-singing of [the original](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttEMYvpoR-k). And so many artists infuse so much soul and musicality into the performance that Cohen lacked. That said, I’d still love to hear a bass singer perform it with the cover instrumentation. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/124 "2019-07-31T06:16:24Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Both [k.d. lang’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE) and [John Cale’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gi3J8nPKPE) covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” are better, as are several other covers I’ve heard. I think it’s generally considered [Jeff Buckley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4)’s is the best Hallelujah. Of course, it’s possible to be [completely shitty at it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ)without any instruments at all. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/125 "2019-07-31T09:05:45Z")
Eva Cassidy’s covers of most songs are better than the original, but to name the obvious one: _Over the Rainbow_. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/126 "2019-07-31T10:30:30Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Errr… “Tainted Love” is not a Soft Cell original song, it was originally released by Gloria Jones in 1964 and re-recorded and produced by her boyfriend Marc Bolan in 1976. The song was a flop but a british DJ picked it up gave a new popularity in the dance club in the 70s. Thanks. I had a strong feeling someone was going to say something like this (I could have researched it but didn’t). My point still stands, though. Another example for the thread, which I think most will agree on - Guns ‘N’ Roses’ cover of _Live and Let Die_ is better than the Wings original, albeit they are fairly similar. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/127 "2019-07-31T11:06:57Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Thanks. I had a strong feeling someone was going to say something like this (I could have researched it but didn’t). My point still stands, though. > > Another example for the thread, which I think most will agree on - Guns ‘N’ Roses’ cover of _Live and Let Die_ is better than the Wings original, albeit they are fairly similar. Nope, most would not agree because it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/128 "2019-07-31T11:40:45Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Another example for the thread, which I think most will agree on - Guns ‘N’ Roses’ cover of _Live and Let Die_ is better than the Wings original, albeit they are fairly similar. Count me in in disagreeing strongly. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/129 "2019-07-31T12:36:26Z")
Well, which did you hear first? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/130 "2019-07-31T12:49:19Z")
You know what, having just listened to both versions again, I withdraw my suggestion that GnR’s version is clearly better - in my opinion neither Rose nor McCartney are technically good singers, but Axl puts a more soulful interpretation on the vocal to me. Largely personal preference, of course. On the other hand, the riff in the middle sounds a bit weird in GnR compared with the original. And the additional orchestration of the original is nice. So I’m calling that one a draw. Although they are completely different songs, I may have been mixing this up with _Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door_, where I would contend GnR did a much more interesting and soulful version than Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/131 "2019-07-31T13:27:10Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Although they are completely different songs, I may have been mixing this up with _Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door_, where I would contend GnR did a much more interesting and soulful version than Dylan. Dylan is always better in cover form. Although I think GnR is absolute shit, so I don’t like their cover any better than Dylan’s original. I like [The Sisters of Mercy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQV_8hhKZg) one - but then, I love all their covers - _Emma_, _Jolene_, _1969_, _Gimme Shelter_ … even _Gimme Gimme Gimme (a Man After Midnight)_ ! ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/132 "2019-07-31T23:42:18Z")
Speaking as a decades-long fan of Simon and Garfunkel, as well as someone decidedly _not_ a fan of metal, I was surprised to find that Disturbed’s cover of “The Sound of Silence” was every bit as good as S&G’s original. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/133 "2019-08-01T01:37:24Z")
Voice of the Beehive did [I Think I Love You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXRGYz6GaOk) better than the [Partridge Family](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV1dQdR6E2M). But Shirley Jones sang [Many a New Day](https://youtu.be/zHtLvFbWqoQ?t=108), far better than [Florence Henderson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJmD0RbPTLs), which proves once again that the Partridge Family kicked The Brady Bunch’s butts. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/134 "2019-08-01T03:11:12Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > A couple of people have already posted counterexamples, but in general I believe the one you hear first is hard to beat. Can be, but I’ve often really liked different versions of songs I have (and often everyone else has) heard a _lot_ of times, maybe too many. Here’s a version of ‘Take It Easy’ by a Danish guy (who’s pretty well known in Denmark I think) that’s really good. Right _now_ I think I like it better than the Eagles version. I guess I can’t say I’ll never come back to preferring the Eagles version though, the original to my ear. As most know, Jackson Browne mainly wrote this song though Glenn Frey is credited as co-writer. And when you hear Browne’s version, actually recorded slightly after the Eagles version, and compared to his other songs, you realize the lyrics are him speaking, basically. So it seems to me anyway. But though I like it off and on, not as much as the Eagles version, perhaps because I came to like the Eagles one first. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/135 "2019-11-06T15:12:42Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > How can you take all of the funk out of Funky Town, replace it with New Wave synths and call it better? I know this thread is old, but… You talking to me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/136 "2019-11-06T15:26:06Z")
I love [Wilco](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxH9-TYseY), Especially Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but JC Brooks and the Uptown sound did a cover of[I am Trying to Break Your Heart](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6VILyHVDE) that just blows away the original. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/137 "2019-11-06T15:30:31Z")
Since I don’t think anyone’s linked it yet (and my apologies if someone has and I missed it), here’s the older version of the thread you were thinking of, in case anyone wants to read it: [Favorite Cover Songs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=848612) ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/138 "2019-11-06T22:26:58Z")
A lot of people have covered _Ghost Riders in the Sky_, but [the Outlaws’ version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmpvpypXKf0) kicks ass. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/139 "2019-11-06T23:10:43Z")
> [@MacSpon](#): > > A lot of people have covered _Ghost Riders in the Sky_, but [the Outlaws’ version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmpvpypXKf0) kicks ass. I’ll see your Outlaws and raise you a Dick Dale. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5367CsDAkf8/maxresdefault.jpg "[Ghost] Riders In The Sky") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5367CsDAkf8) ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628/140 "2019-11-06T23:39:49Z")
I think I like Eric Heatherly’s version of Flowers on the Wall better than the Statlers’. [The Statler Brothers: Flowers On The Wall. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8nRL2bPCU) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-of-songs-that-are-much-better/837628.md?page=8)