Covers/cover bands you like better than the original

[Hunter_Hawk]

@Jack_Batty

Speaking of versions that people argue about, Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, I think, is the best one.

[aside]I once saw a burlesque striptease act set to the Buckley version. :eek:

That is not a tune you wanna see somebody taking their clothes off to.[/aside]

Back on topic: RPI alumni may remember Roy Atkinson who performed in the Rolls Touring Company. He used to do a cover of Springsteen’s “Fire” set to a reggae rhythm. I won’t say that it was better than the original, but it worked remarkably well.

[pulykamell]

@Kid_A

Nine Inch Nails’ version of Dead Souls is better than the Joy Division one.

Ian Curtis’ voice in the original is just odd and the song is much more aggressive than other Joy Division tracks.

I actually prefer Ian Curtis’ vocal take on that one – the way he sings “They keep calling me!” sends chills up my spine, while Trent Reznor’s voice sounds more, I dunno, put-on to me. That said, it’s a nice cover, but Joy Division’s is more haunting. To me, of course.

[Frylock]

Constantines and Feist just (?) released a cover of Islands in the Stream which I like.

-FrL-

[carlb]

@Hunter_Hawk

Back on topic: RPI alumni may remember Roy Atkinson who performed in the Rolls Touring Company. He used to do a cover of Springsteen’s “Fire” set to a reggae rhythm. I won’t say that it was better than the original, but it worked remarkably well.

Holy sh*t! I was trying to remember that guy’s name just the other day. Thank you!!

What I remember about that song was that he would introduce it by claiming that he could only remember one line from the song, and that the audience would have to supply the rest of the lyrics. We’d happily sing along, expecting him to chime in on “Fire.” But, no, he’d keep playing his guitar until the last verse, and then scream out, Springsteen-like, “Romeo and Juliet!” and then stop singing again.

Good times!

-Carl, BSME '89

[Jackmannii]

It may not count as a cover, but the Korgis did a demo version of “Boots and Shoes” which is uptempo and much better than their recording that got released (the one that rocks is available on Itunes).

As noted in another thread, there are several versions of “Who Do You Love” that are as good as Bo Diddley’s in differing ways (by Tom Rush and George Thorogood). Aside from his hit release, Thorogood did another version of the song that may be even better (it’s on a greatest hits compilation).

[Icerigger]

@3waygeek

10,000 Maniacs also did a pretty good cover of the song. Of course it would have been much better if they had done it before Natalie Merchant left the band.

In light of this, Natalie’s version of Because the Night is in my opinion the definitive one.

[Cuckoorex]

Continuing my undisguised love affair with Anneke van Giersbergen’s voice, I love The Gathering’s cover of Dead Can Dance’s In Power We Entrust the Love Advocated

[WormTheRed]

@Caprese

Warren Zevon’s cover of Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door brimmed with emotion–he was recording, as he knew all too well, his last album. His vocal gives the song a special urgency.

Same song, but I want to hand it to the Guns N Roses! Damn, they were brilliant in the late 80.s, early 90.s!!

[Gordon_Urquhart]

I’m listening to a great one right now on Pandora: “Pancho and Lefty” by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Townes Van Zandt’s original is restrained and achingly beautiful; Merle and Willie’s takes it up a notch, but not much. I’m glad I don’t have to choose, but if I did, I’d take the cover version – I really like the understated piano underlying the song.

[Hippy_Hollow]

@pulykamell

I actually prefer Ian Curtis’ vocal take on that one – the way he sings “They keep calling me!” sends chills up my spine, while Trent Reznor’s voice sounds more, I dunno, put-on to me. That said, it’s a nice cover, but Joy Division’s is more haunting. To me, of course.

Agreed. Reznor’s version is good, but I think the original is the definitive.