Covers of songs that elevate the original by changing tempo, genre, time signature, etc

Cafe Society
1

What are some covers of songs that change the fundamentals of the original - tempo, time signature, even genre - and pull it off or even improve the original? (NOTE: The last time this topic came up appears to have been in 2011, so I think it’s time for a new one.)

Alanis Morisette took Green Day’s Basket Case, originally an upbeat, pop-punk anthem, and turned it into a heartfelt, mournful dirge. In a good way. Rumor has it that Green Day was scheduled to be the musical guest that night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but he had to go to rehab and Alanis stepped in.

Some reggae musician I’d never heard of and took Adele’s Hello and reggae-fied it, and the results are spectacular.

Let’s see some others!

ETA: Can I get a moderator to embed those thinks rather than anchor them to text? I could not figure out how to do it for love or money.

2

Yes’s version of America by Paul Simon is made epic. 10 minutes long and very Prog.

Hopefully that is what you wanted.

3

Perfect! Thank you!

4

Great Big Sea covered REM’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It”…even faster.

5

Catchy little folk-blues tune from way back in 1929:

Apocalyptic, drum-heavy jam:

6

The brilliant Tori Amos did the same with Nirvana.

Cobain was evidently a fan of this version.

7

I wanna hear a whole album of Joan Jett & Paul Westerberg covering Cole Porter songs.

8

Eva Cassidy took Sting’s “Fields of Gold” and turned it into a bluesy folk masterpiece.

9

I don’t have much time for David Gates or Bread, but look at what Ken Boothe produced:

j

10

Shawn Colvin’s dreamy version of Viva Las Vegas (I discovered it watching the credit roll of The Big Lebowski)

11

The Bangles cover of Simon & Garfurnkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” changed the beat, tempo and brought it to a new audience. Not just four pretty girls.

The Bangles - Hazy Shade of Winter (Official Video)

12

Yo La Tengo takes the manic punk energy of the Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop” and turns it into a laconic surfer instrumental

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WqiGUnhUIk

13

I should have mentioned All along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix. Apparently even Dylan preferred his version.

vs.

14

Pig took the industrial synth-rock sound of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like a Hole” and turned it into what I can only describe as gothic jazz.

15

Here’s a cover of “When the Levee Breaks” that’s little different:

16

Sarah Polley’s cover of the Tragically Hip’s “Courage” takes a relatively upbeat song and makes it sad and creepy (which more suits the lyrics.) It’s really the only good Hip cover I know of.

17

I love how the Rolling Stones changed bluesman Robert Johnson’s “Love in Vain” to slow 6/8 (and inserted a minor chord). The acoustic, bluegrassy version on Let it Bleed is fine, but the live cut on Get Yer Ya-Yas Out! is perfection (including Mick Taylor’s achingly beautiful guitar solo):

18

“Iron Man” by the Cardigans:

19

Ah, that’s what must have inspired Culture Club’s cover.
Sounds great in the “Official Video”, but I like the live version for the energy and Boy George’s outfit…

20

One of my faves is Absolutely Sweet Marie by Jason and the Scorchers.

Tried to post link, but kept getting an error message. I guarantee it is worth a quick search.