# Covers better than the original **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781 "2014-12-20T23:58:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![arjee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@arjee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arjee)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/61 "2014-12-22T18:54:58Z")
The Headstones cover of Traveling Wilbury’s “Tweeter and the Monkeyman.” I strongly recommend you listen to it. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/62 "2014-12-22T18:58:18Z")
_Just Like a Woman_ - Joe Cocker ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/63 "2014-12-22T19:15:19Z")
Elvis Presley - That’s All Right Elvis Presley - Hound Dog Elvis Presley - All Shook Up Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Presley - probably a lot more covers I can’t think of right now. Blue Moon - The Marcels ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/64 "2014-12-22T19:30:46Z")
Iron Maiden did a very very good job on _I Can’t See My Feelings_, which is kind of a toss-up compared to the original, but it is the only cover of a Budgie song that might arguably be “better” than the original. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/65 "2014-12-22T19:31:51Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I could name several Joe Cocker songs that were better than the originals. > > Especially his cover of Dave Mason’s ‘Feelin’ All Right." Speaking of how Joe Cocker is feeling, today … ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/66 "2014-12-22T19:45:55Z")
Dead apparently of lung cancer. What a shame. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/67 "2014-12-22T19:55:41Z")
Someone in IRL told me she read that he died of undisclosed reason, so I thought I’d better post this BBC article saying [he had been battling lung cancer](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30582761) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/68 "2014-12-22T20:03:44Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > [Superstar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y21VecIIdBI) by Sonic Youth. Originally by the Carpenters? Written by Leon Russell ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/69 "2014-12-22T20:36:37Z")
House of the Rising Sun - Frijid Pink. I like this version much better than The Animals. But then they are not the original artist. No link because I have a work filter, too. (I’m surprised they don’t filter the Dope. If they only knew…) ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/70 "2014-12-22T20:53:15Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I liked Santana’s cover of the Zombies’ “She’s Not There.” +++1 And, speaking of the Zombies, I prefer Jackson Browne’s version of Stay (particularly when segued from The Load Out. And, speaking of Jackson Browne, I prefer the Eagles version of Take It Easy (because it doesn’t segue to something else and the harmonies are better). Oh, and I really appreciate Clapton’s version of Marley’s I shot the Sheriff more than the original. Sorry, no links; work blocks my YouTube access. –G! ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/71 "2014-12-22T20:55:00Z")
I’d say that SRV’s live cover of Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Chile is the definitive example of this. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/72 "2014-12-22T21:34:53Z")
Wilson Pickett’s cover of “Hey Jude” ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/73 "2014-12-22T22:26:44Z")
Jack White brought insanity to ‘I Just Don’t Know What to do with Myself’, which it needed. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/74 "2014-12-22T23:37:48Z")
Incredible Bongo Band - [Apache](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3vwZYXk30Q) ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/75 "2014-12-22T23:54:47Z")
Alien Ant Farms’ “Smooth Criminal” beats out Michael Jackson by a mile. Sorry MJ! The 1992 version of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, live between George Michael and Elton John is better than the 1974 studio original. I know it is not 100% cover, only 50% due to George’s presence. On that note Elton seems like a feature artist, upstaged by Mr. Michael. I agree that Santana’s version of “She’s Not There” beats the Zombies version, but only by a hair. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell is better than the original version, and other versions. “Always Something There To Remind Me” by Naked Eyes is better than the forgotten 60’s version. “If You Ask Me To”- Celine Dion does it better than Pattie Labelle. “I’m Every Woman”-Whitney Houston does better than Chaka Khan. While I am tired of it, Whitney does better than Dolly Parton on that song which was run to the ground. At least her voice is better. Paul Young’s hit version of “Every Time You Go Away” is better than Hall and Oates, though that is good also. Paul Young does a good job on “What Becomes of A Broken Hearted”, best version or maybe because it reminds of being a little kid in the early 90’s. UB40 did good covers, “Here I Am” is better than the Al Green original. UB40 out does Elvis also, though I like that version. Sugar Ray does “Is She Really Going Out With Him” better than Joe Jackson-NOT! I do believe Madonna does “American Pie” better than Don. (starts running for his life as Dopers chase after him). ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/76 "2014-12-22T23:57:28Z")
> [@K364](#): > > The song itself lives as it’s one entity. There are many ways the song can be realized, and sometimes the original is not the best and a cover brings the song to a new level: > > [Orleya - Baby I Love Your Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvYk-EC4wZ4) > > [Breakout - Eves St. Jones](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUdalv12nU) > > [Nothing Compare 2 U - Sinead O’conner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUiTQvT0W_0) > > [Wonderwall - Ryan Adams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzZhtrsbJzs) > > [Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - Sally Timms](https://soundcloud.com/bshq/blue-eyes-crying-in-the-rain) > > Please post your favourite covers! Ryan Adams version of “Wonderwall” is good, still Oasis does it best. Speaking of that song, Paul Anka did a nice swing version of it, pretty good. He also sang a nice cover of “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran. As mentioned Gary Jules does “Mad World” justice, the original by TFF sounds so rushed. “Love Rollercoaster” by RHCP is better than the 70’s by Ohio Players- yet the latter has a better intro. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/77 "2014-12-23T10:25:02Z")
Here are some interesting Nirvana covers: [At Sea - Something In The Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iekcugAkvM0) [Patti Smith - Smells Like Teen Spirit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ciiCyxOJA) [Lana Del Rey - Heart Shaped Box](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZIliIa5_bY) Also, [Junior Parker - Tomorrow Never Knows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1YKfu5sD24) [Dave Matthews - Take Me To Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tyZ7JRXnNk) [Lykke Li - Knocked Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MV_rbHd-cI) [Nine Inch Nails - Metal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-qPWh_jDLA) [Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVNgOOE7Wpg) [Placebo - Running Up That Hill](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0ngiMBnas) Not saying these are definitely better, but they are great covers. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/78 "2014-12-23T14:54:29Z")
Tori Amos does a nice cover of [Smells Like Teen Spirit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaAI3jI7uCc), too. I prefer Triggerfinger’s [cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgHtIPv4L4s) of Lykke Li’s “I Follow Rivers” to the original. Even though he gets some of the lyrics wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/79 "2014-12-23T16:25:15Z")
The Tea Party - [Paint it Black](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr1DYbOVgt4) ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-better-than-the-original/707781/80 "2014-12-23T17:15:21Z")
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