# Cover versions we have actually liked **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2000, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555 "2000-02-05T17:17:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/61 "2000-02-07T04:38:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Bruce _Cockburn_ Figgered that was the proper spelling, but decided, I had a 50% chance of getting it wrong, so I’d err on the side of _not_ prompting a dirty joke. :eek: * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/62 "2000-02-07T15:30:00Z")
Brain Dead remarked: > [@](#): > > \*s someone in Ugly Kid Joe supposedly Harry Chapin’s son? There’s a rumor I haven’t heard. I have been told this. Of course, my source could be termed the anti-Snopes; he believes so many Urban Legends are true that I take most of what he says with a lot of skepticism. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/63 "2000-02-07T15:56:00Z")
Elton John — _Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds_ [Flame Helmet ON] ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/64 "2000-02-07T16:09:00Z")
How anyone could have forgotten OTis Reading’s better-than the-original covers of Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” and “Try a little Tenderness” (I cant remember the original artist" * * * J “Cast a cold Eye, On Life, On Death, Horseman, ride by” W.B. Yeats ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/65 "2000-02-07T16:13:00Z")
William Shatner’s truely breathtaking covers of “The Transformed man” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” “Mr. Tamborine Man” [hiding behind Libertarians flame helmet] * * * J “Cast a cold Eye, On Life, On Death, Horseman, ride by” W.B. Yeats ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/66 "2000-02-07T16:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Polycarp: > \*\* > > On the other hand, I found Guns ‘n’ Roses’ cover of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” a vast improvement over the original. (Of course, it helps that Axl Rose can carry a tune! ;)) > > \*\* ## Axl Rose couldn’t carry a tune if you put it in a bucket with a lid on it. If you feel that you must suffer, then plan your suffering carefully–as you choose your dreams, as you conceive your ancestors. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/67 "2000-02-07T16:35:00Z")
A few i like: [ul] [li]Baker Street - a la Foo Fighters[/li][li]Enter Sandman - A la New Morty Show (a swing band)[/li][li](Cum on feel the noise)Mental Health - a la Bran Van 3000 (there’s something about a chick acousticly singing this song that is just surreal)[/li][li]Louie Louie - a la Black Flag[/li][li]99 red baloons - a la 7 Seconds[/li][li]Jump, Jive and Wail - a la Brian Setzer Orchestra[/li][li]Mrs. Robinson - a la The Lemonheads[/li][li]Smells like teen spirit, Angie, Thank You, Somewhere over the Rainbow - a la Tori Amos[/li][li]Summer Lovin - a la The Vandals[/li][li]Teenager in love, Lola - a la Bad Manners[/li][li]There she goes - a la Sixpence None the Richer[/li][li]Dancing with myself - a la Blink 182[/li][li]Do you think i’m sexy - a la The Revolting Cocks[/li][li]Rawhide, You really got me - a la Oingo Boingo[/li][li]What’s New Pussycat - a la Fishbone[/li][li]I fought the law - a la Dead Kennedy’s[/li][li]Route 66 - a la Depeche Mode[/li][li]Put a little love in your heart - a la Circle Jerks[/li][li]My way - a la Sid Vicious[/li][/ul] That’s all I can think of right now. * * * If you feel that you must suffer, then plan your suffering carefully–as you choose your dreams, as you conceive your ancestors. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/68 "2000-02-07T16:44:00Z")
Rhino Records put together an interesting collection a few years back called BLACK ON WHITE…whiteboy rock tune covers by R&B performers, a wry twist on the way things usually work. Some of the best cuts on the disc were Aretha Franklin covering The Band’s “The Weight,” and a smokin’ version of Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come” by Wilson Pickett. One more choice: The Young Fresh Fellows’ cover of The Kinks’ “Picture Book.” * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/69 "2000-02-07T17:11:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I guess I’m in the minority here in thinking that Dylan’s songs lose something when someone else does them. His voice may not be pretty, or even tonal, but he packs more emotion into one sneering moan than most singers have in their entire ouevre. Amen, brother. Then again, there are a few Dylan covers that are improvements on the originals. Hendrix’ “All Along the Watchtower,” of course, and The Byrds’ version of “Chimes of Freedom,” and … um … Actually, I’m not sure there is a third. * * * It is an heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in it. ---
**Author:** ![Bucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/70 "2000-02-07T20:03:00Z")
I HATE most covers. So, to debate, I’ll just list covers I hate. Natalie Cole ripping off her dad–repugnant, callous, morbid. Rod Stewart covering anyone/anything, but especially Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train”–shoot Rod now! Faith Hill’s cover of “Piece of my Heart”–turned it into saccharine. Well, she married Tim McGraw, so what taste does she have? Joe Cocker–can’t sing. ## Bucky Oh, well. We can always make more killbots. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/71 "2000-02-07T20:48:00Z")
Some good 'uns: “I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)” –as covered by The Clash (Can’t remember original artist) “Love Hurts” –as covered by Nazareth (Orig. Roy Orbison) “Superman” –as covered by R.E.M. (Orig. The Clique) “Yesterday” –as covered by Ray Charles (Orig. The Beatles) **Worst** cover: “Train in Vain” –as covered by Annie Lenox (Love A.L., but that cover is an abomination) ---
**Author:** ![Rousseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rousseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rousseau)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/72 "2000-02-07T20:52:00Z")
That’s _Page_??? Are you sure? I was under the assumption that it was Trey. Sounds like him, at least. * * * The IQ of a group is equal to the IQ of the dumbest member divided by the number of people in the group. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/73 "2000-02-07T21:03:00Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s Page??? Are you sure? Yep, that’s Page. Compare to “Lawn Boy” and “Wading in the Velvet Sea”. > [@](#): > > “Superman”–as covered by R.E.M. (Orig. The Clique) Are you sure? I believe that’s an REM original. _Life’s Rich Pageant_ says “All songs Berry Buck Mills Stipe”. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/74 "2000-02-07T21:33:00Z")
DoctorJ, I don’t know why the album says that, but it is a cover. See the [rec.music.rem FAQ](http://www.landfield.com/faqs/music/rem-faq/part3/). ---
**Author:** ![HeadlessCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@HeadlessCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeadlessCow)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/75 "2000-02-07T22:06:00Z")
I’d have to say that the worst cover I have ever heard was The Beatle’s “Money (That’s what I want)” covered by Flying Lizards. You can find this horrid piece of music on the second The Wedding Singer cd. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/76 "2000-02-07T22:16:00Z")
Worst cover I’ve ever heard? Either Debbie Gibson or Tiffany (can’t remember which) doing The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There.” A great rock tune turned into sugar pop. Yeeeecch. Not to mention that the song was incredibly popular when I was in high school, so I got to listen to it a _lot_. Best cover? Right now, for me, “Feelings” by the Offspring. Don’t know who originally wrote/recorded it. * * * JMCJ This is not a sig. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2000, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/77 "2000-02-07T23:01:00Z")
**HeadlessCow** - Actually, the Beatles version of “Money” was also a cover. I believe the Isley Brothers may have done it originally. And in fact, the Beatles version belongs on a list of great covers itself! ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Incognito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guy_incognito/32/3920_2.png) [@Guy\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/78 "2000-02-08T01:29:00Z")
My two picks for good covers: “Tell It Like It Is” / Heart (don’t know who did the original. “Little Wing” / Sting (Jimi Hendrix) ## Also worth checking is Stanley Jordan’s “Magic Touch” album. Lots of good cover songs in there–“Round Midnight”, “Eleanore Rigby”, etc… A bad cover that springs to mind is the Wallflowers cover of Bowie’s “Heroes”. The family adenoids don’t fall too far from the tree, eh Jakob? “It’s only common sense, There are no accidents 'round here.” ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/79 "2000-02-08T02:27:00Z")
I was going to suggest we focus more on well-known versions of previously well-known recordings, but my first choice is almost neither: ‘21st Century Schiziod Man’, April Wine (King Crimson) ELP is doing it lately cuz Lake was originally K f-ing C. Also ‘America’, Yes (Simon and Garfunkel) (Not that ‘America’. No not that ‘America’ either; the one with being on the bus with the guy whose bowtie if really a camera…) How about Elton John’s version of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’? **ducks** There’s no denying ‘You really got me’, Van Halen (Kinks), but I didn’t realize until recently that ‘Love Hurts’ and 'Hush" were covers. Deep Purple also does a charming redition of ‘Kentucky Woman’ (Neil Diamond). The one I can’t stand tho’ is Kravitz’s version of ‘American Woman’. The Guess Who did it with a really catchy rhythm and groovin’ synth part. Lenny’s ruins it with a ponderous, plodding beat. ---
**Author:** ![Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cooper)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/80 "2000-02-08T02:52:00Z")
Man if you can’t feel the groovy Lenny lays down for lead guitar - well then its been too long for you. I love the Guess Who version as well (I saw them in concert a few years ago, free in a podunk town called O’Fallon Missouri)but Lenny definitely has got something there too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555.md?page=5)