# 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:** 5
**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, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/81 "2000-02-08T02:53:00Z")
Er, make that “Groove”, durnit. ---
**Author:** ![disreputable\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@disreputable\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/disreputable_1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/82 "2000-02-08T03:04:00Z")
I’m sorry GuyIn but Derek & the Dominos’ cover of Little Wing runs circles around Sting’s version. ---
**Author:** ![Studi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Studi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studi)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/83 "2000-02-08T04:20:00Z")
“Get Down Make Love” -Nine Inch Nails (Queen, I think) “Blue Monday” -Orgy (New Order) “Sweet Dreams” -M Manson (Eurithymics) Although I am _not_ a “Sweet Dreamer”. Studi * * * When I grow up, I want to be the Minister of Silly Walks. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/84 "2000-02-08T06:45:00Z")
Nazareth’s version of “This Flight Tonight” is better than Joni Mitchell’s. ---
**Author:** ![aschrott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@aschrott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aschrott)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/85 "2000-02-08T14:55:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Jeannie: > My favorite remake is probably the Fugees’ version of “Killing Me Softly.” \*\* I’m with Jeannie–Great remake. Aside from some of the Hip Hop references that I just don’t get (can someone explain “one time” repeated over and over to me?) it has real soul and a great sound. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/86 "2000-02-08T15:04:00Z")
**DoctorJ** Yes, I am sure about “Superman”. As it happens, I have the original 45 (rescued from my sister’s collection). It was by a group called The Clique. It’s all scratched up, but playable, and it is **the same song**. Don’t know anything about the Clique, but the 45 dates from the 60’s, and the band has a “British Invasion” sound. (Think Herman’s Hermits, and you’re pretty close.) Don’t know if it was a British invasion band or just an American band emulating the sound. * * * “Every time you think, you weaken the nation!” --M. Howard (addressing his brother, C. Howard). ---
**Author:** ![PTVroman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bb73d2/32.png) [@PTVroman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PTVroman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/87 "2000-02-08T15:49:00Z")
A few that have been missed: Van Morrison does a live version of Just Like A Woman that is slow and blusey and wonderful. Bonnie Raitt’s Runnaway Joe Cocker’s version of Leave Your Hat On. Whenever I hear that version, I immagine an artsie video with a guy in a fedora and trench coat, a foggy street corner, etc. When I hear the Randy Newman version, I imagine a middle-aged fat guy wearing a stained t-shirt and boxers. > [@](#): > > William Shatner’s truely breathtaking covers of > > ``` > "The Transformed man" > "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" > "Mr. Tamborine Man" > > ``` Clasics! Didn’t Leonard Nemoy also do some breathtakingly bad covers? * * * _“The large print givith, and the small print taketh away.”_ Tom Waites, “Step Right Up” ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/88 "2000-02-08T16:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > U2 did a decent cover of Helter Skelter on Rattle&Hum, in addition to All Along the Watchtower. Are you high? Both of those, especially the second one, are absolutely heinous. And I like U2. Then again, I also like David Lee Roth’s cover of “Just a Gigolo,” so my tastes might be suspect as well. ---
**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 8, 2000, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/89 "2000-02-08T16:34:00Z")
Spoke–I stand corrected. It does say “except Superman” on the actual CD. Learn something new every day. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Derfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lord\_Derfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Derfel)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/90 "2000-02-08T19:00:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Derek & the Dominos’ cover of Little Wing runs circles around Sting’s version. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s instrumental cover of Little Wing on _The Sky is Crying_ is the best version, IMHO. ---
**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, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/91 "2000-02-08T19:34:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Then again, I also like David Lee Roth’s cover of “Just a Gigolo,” so my tastes might be suspect as well. Actually, I think this is one of the few great things David Lee Roth ever did. ---
**Author:** ![KeithB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@KeithB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithB)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/92 "2000-02-08T20:46:00Z")
Bad Cover: Leo Sayers’ “Wonderin’ Where the Lion’s Are” (Bruce Cockburn) Good Cover: I think Emmylou Harris has done several excellent ones. Her version of “Mr. Sandman” with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton is as good as the original. She also does an excellent version of “Here, There and Everywhere” (Beatles). I saw her (she was visibly pregnant) perform this live at the benefit for Lowell George, and she sent chills down my spine. I also like her version of “Racing in the Street” Bruce Springsteen. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyBlades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JoeyBlades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyBlades)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2000, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/93 "2000-02-08T23:36:00Z")
Cool, just found this thread… Don’t know how I missed it before… There are too many covers that I like to list in detail. Instead, I’m going to hijack this thread just a bit and list four of my favorite groups that do a **LOT** of covers that I like: **Van Halen** - You Really Got Me (Kinks) - You’re No Good (Linda Ronstadt ) - Where Have All The Good Times Gone? (Kinks) - Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison) - Dancing In The Street (Mommas and Pappas) - Big Bad Bill (Judy Garland) - Happy Trails (Dale Evans) - Apolitical Blues (Little Feat) - Rock and Roll (Led Zepplin) **Dream Theater** - Funeral For A Friend (Elton John) - Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple) - The Rover (Led Zepplin) - Achilles Last Stand (Led Zepplin) - The Song Remains The Same (Led Zepplin) - In the Flesh (Pink Floyd) - Carry On Wayward Son (Kansas) - Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) - Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin (Journey) - Cruise Control (Dixie Dregs) - Turn It On Again (Genesis) **Type O Negative** - Paranoid (Black Sabbath) - Hey Pete (Jimi Hendrix - _Hey Joe_) - Summer Breeze (Seals & Croft) - Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young) - Day Tripper (Beatles) - Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath) - Light My Fire (Doors) - All Together Now (Beatles) - Star Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key) _Is this technically a cover?_ **Alice Cooper** - Sun Arise (Rolf Harris) - I’m Always Chasing Rainbows (Judy Garland) - Hello Hooray, Alice Cooper (Carly Simon) - Ubangi Stomp (Foghat) - Talk Talk (Music Machine) - Seven & Seven Is (Albert Lee) - Fire (Jimi Hendrix) - I Got A Line On You (Spirit) - Because (Beatles) - Start Me Up (Rolling Stones) - King Herod’s Song (Andrew Loyd Webber) Joan Jett should probably be up there, too, but my brain got tired… I also love the cover of Frank Zappa’s “My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Momma” done by Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson (AKA G3)… but not as much as I love the cover done by, none other than, Dweezil Zappa!!! ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/94 "2000-02-09T01:29:00Z")
**spoke-** There was a band here in Houston in the late '60’s called The Clique; they had a hit with a tune titled “Splash One.” What’s on the flip side of that 45? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/95 "2000-02-09T02:03:00Z")
**beatle** – I will check on the Superman 45 when I get a chance and will post the info. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/96 "2000-02-09T02:35:00Z")
**beatle** – **The Clique** , which originally recorded “Superman” does indeed seem to be the same group that you describe. Click on the link below for a discography: [http://www.delerium.co.uk/archive/us6070s/c6.html#The](http://www.delerium.co.uk/archive/us6070s/c6.html#The) Clique Interesting that they’re from Houston. As I said in my earlier post, the sound on the “Superman” single is definitely “British Invasion-esque” * * * “Every time you think, you weaken the nation!” --M. Howard (addressing his brother, C. Howard). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/97 "2000-02-09T02:42:00Z")
(Scroll up on that link, BTW) Also, the link says The Clique were an Austin band. Were they from Houston and just working in Austin, or _vice versa_, **beatle**? Do you know? ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/98 "2000-02-09T04:40:00Z")
Now, I used to find David Lee Roth rather amusing, and Van Halen has never been NEARLY as good since he left. HOWEVER… David Lee Roth’s “Just a Gigolo” was a complete rip-off! Roth wasn’t doing a hammy, over-the-top satirical version of a cheesy old Vegas lounge-lizard tune. On the contrary, Roth COMPLETELY ripped off the hilarious version by Louis Prima (Best know to youngsters as the voice of King Louie in Disney’s “Jungle Book”). David Lee Roth’s version is a carbon copy of Prima’s. Louis Prima was one of the all-time great hams, and his version of “Just a Gigolo” was a send-up to begin with! ---
**Author:** ![chief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@chief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chief)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/99 "2000-02-09T08:45:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Cooper: > **Allright, you think Axl Rose can sing? Better than Dylan even? I admit Dylan has a lousy voice - but at least he doesn’t screech like a castrated rooster.** yes he can sing… if youve heard patience on GNR Lies, that shows it. and they did some great stuff live too especially during the acoustic sets. * * * Chief’s Domain - [http://www.seas.ucla.edu/~ravi](http://www.seas.ucla.edu/~ravi) ---
**Author:** ![chief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@chief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chief)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2000, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555/100 "2000-02-09T09:10:00Z")
Led Zeppelin - you shook me, i cant quit you baby, babe i’m gonna leave you, Guns n’ Roses - Live and Let Die Mama Kin Knockin’ On Heaven’s door Hendrix of course Byrds - mr tamborine man aerosmith - come together ## black crowes - hard to handle, torn and frayed, time will tell, mr. spaceman, many others… probably missed a few too… Chief’s Domain - [http://www.seas.ucla.edu/~ravi](http://www.seas.ucla.edu/~ravi) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-versions-we-have-actually-liked/17555.md?page=6)