# Covers of songs that elevate the original by changing tempo, genre, time signature, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 30, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349 "2025-03-30T17:20:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/21 "2025-03-30T21:37:34Z")
Social Distortion revs up Johnny Cash [Ring of Fire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOT3Qr-CXI) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/22 "2025-03-30T21:39:36Z")
Jeb Loy Nichols always brings something new to a song, whether he’s covering his own stuff or a tune by his heroes. So it’s not surprising that he’d cover Johnny and June Cash, but his minimalist-yet-somehow-still-calypso [“Worried Man”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spW8iseR82U) is fun. But I didn’t expect his Reggae/Folkie/Bluegrass/Dub/Drum&Bass treatment on one of my favorite Luther Vandross songs: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/R1tKKl7G_nw/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC6AKKAgwIABABGHIgRyg1MA8=&rs=AOn4CLBZSJvAsytQmIHSCI9W1WW32ytg-A "Jeb Loy Nichols - Never Too Much") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1tKKl7G_nw&t=5s) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/23 "2025-03-30T21:50:52Z")
Dan Hicks put the folk-jazz on Tom Waits’ “The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/v9epRBpgkik/maxresdefault.jpg "The Piano Has Been Drinkin' (Not Me)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9epRBpgkik) ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/24 "2025-03-30T21:58:33Z")
Johnny Cash takes possession of Trent Reznor. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8AHCfZTRGiI/maxresdefault.jpg "Johnny Cash - Hurt") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/25 "2025-03-30T22:24:44Z")
Trent Reznor takes on the Queen [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Sp_uMrVpgoU/maxresdefault.jpg "Get Down, Make Love") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp_uMrVpgoU) ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/26 "2025-03-30T22:44:54Z")
“Farmer John” was covered by several artists before Neil Young grabbed hold of it, but Neil puts some rough edges on it and gives it a real garage band feel, which I would contend is more in keeping with what I picture as some snot-nosed punk having the unmitigated audacity to tell the old man that he, the young punk, likes the way the old man’s daughter wiggles when she walks. I mean, really, it takes some balls to tell a girl’s father something like that. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GXOeNLs0EBY/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGEgYShhMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCQoWUF9YZK7IUQG2T4_xS22X6Vhw "Neil Young - Farmer John (Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXOeNLs0EBY) ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/27 "2025-03-30T22:51:49Z")
[Johnny Cash’s version of _Ghost Riders in the Sky_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LtmZM0OWO8&ab_channel=JohnnyCash-Topic) is the ultimate one for me. The combination of his Elvis-like voice, the backup singers in the chorus, and the rich instrumentation, all elevate it from a song that was rather folksy in earlier recordings to a distinctive Western standard. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/28 "2025-03-30T22:52:40Z")
Just heard this on our public radio station – “Crazy Train” in folk/bluegress style. It works well Nice harmonies. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8iW3-oiNl4o/maxresdefault.jpg "The Barefoot Movement - "Crazy Train"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iW3-oiNl4o) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/29 "2025-03-30T23:05:06Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > “Farmer John” was covered by several artists before Neil Young grabbed hold of it, but Neil puts some rough edges on it and gives it a real garage band feel, No offense to Neil but garage bands were cranking out “Farmer John” when he was still playing high school gigs with the Squires.it’s probably only second to “Louie, Louie” as the most played song by 1960s garage bands. There are a lot of nice sloppy Garage versions out there. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/30 "2025-03-30T23:07:33Z")
Sure, but Neil’s the big name who put it on a record that way. ETA: Or, more to the point, his is the version I like best. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/31 "2025-03-30T23:19:27Z")
[UB40’s cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXt56MB-3vc&ab_channel=UB40VEVO) of [Neil Diamond’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFyNHpNlECI&ab_channel=neildiamondVEVO) Red Red Wine turned a sappy ballad into a reggae hit. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/32 "2025-04-04T21:41:55Z")
Split this topic on April 4, 2025, 9:41pm UTC A post was merged into an existing topic: [65 Mustang Trock Posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/65-mustang-trock-posts/1016649/26) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/33 "2025-03-30T23:53:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > 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. I had no idea that existed (hadn’t seen the underlying movie). She can really do whatever she puts her mind to, can’t she? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/34 "2025-03-30T23:59:32Z")
The Oscar on her mantle would suggest so. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/35 "2025-03-31T00:46:00Z")
Whitney Houston took Dolly Parton’s bittersweet ode on breaking up and turned it into a bombastic anthem about everlasting? love. > [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1016651/160): > > Eddie Van Halen is way better than Bach > Toccata and fugue in D Minor Then there are the soothing sounds of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/o6rBK0BqL2w/maxresdefault.jpg "Ludwig van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata ( 3rd Movement ) Tina S Cover") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6rBK0BqL2w) Scary Pockets is in the business of “funkifying” popular songs. Here are two of my favorites: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tcNuPheBQgU/maxresdefault.jpg "If James Brown wrote Creep by Radiohead") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcNuPheBQgU) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fiShsfvbFUA/hqdefault.jpg "If Vulfpeck wrote MMMBop by Hanson") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiShsfvbFUA) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/36 "2025-03-31T00:47:54Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Johnny Cash takes possession of Trent Reznor. Isn’t this cover same genre, tempo, etc., same everything as NIN except Cash’s voice? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/37 "2025-03-31T01:02:55Z")
Aztec Camera’s mellow cover of _Jump_ almost sounds like Lou Reed doing _Sweet Jane_ . This is the “loaded” version that tacks a 2 1/2 minute guitar freak out at the end: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GDhQ8ed7WLg/maxresdefault.jpg "Aztec Camera - Jump [Loaded Version]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDhQ8ed7WLg) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/38 "2025-03-31T01:15:47Z")
That was fun, Roddy Frame is creative. Man did that piano background sound a lot like the accompaniment on Springsteen’s “She’s the One.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/39 "2025-03-31T02:26:36Z")
Straight No Chaser performs “We Three Kings” in 5/4 time: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Tv_txDURiDU/maxresdefault.jpg "Straight No Chaser - We Three Kings") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv_txDURiDU) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/40 "2025-03-31T02:36:00Z")
One of my favorites. The Dead South gives a whole new perspective to this song. I love the minor key and the unbearable sadness it evokes. https://www.youtube.com/embed/1MevYCdn5S8?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RD1MevYCdn5S8 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=3)