# 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:** 5
**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/81 "2025-03-31T21:35:15Z")
You don’t have to add or cut anything: just hold some notes longer and/or other notes shorter. See the Straight No Chaser video above…or what Linzer and Randell did to Bach’s Minuet in G: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FmJ1AqtTuyo/hqdefault.jpg "The Toys .......A Lovers Concerto") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJ1AqtTuyo) ---
**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 31, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/82 "2025-03-31T21:35:58Z")
Black Sabbath gets funkified… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/au1kBj_-Zno/maxresdefault.jpg "Brownout Presents: Brown Sabbath - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au1kBj_-Zno) ---
**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, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/83 "2025-03-31T21:57:34Z")
My favorite Springsteen cover: _Light Of Day_ by the Barbusters [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N5TEI7hizN4/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgSChIMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDf4dbTjMvIy6pnnH8GSx1FHq0aGQ "Michael J Fox & Joan Jett - Light Of Day (Springsteen Song 1987)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5TEI7hizN4) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/84 "2025-04-01T00:04:51Z")
A couple I don’t believe have been mentioned yet. Tears of a Clown by The English Beat and Satisfaction by Devo. Not sure they “elevate” the original, but they have merit in their own right. (Still can’t figure out how to post a link!) ---
**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:** [April 1, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/85 "2025-04-01T00:09:50Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > (Still can’t figure out how to post a link!) Close the preview window before inserting the link. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2025, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/86 "2025-04-01T00:18:36Z")
One of my favorite punkified songs: “My Heart Will Go On” by New Found Glory… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/eo60cLKZk9s/maxresdefault.jpg "My Heart Will Go On") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo60cLKZk9s) ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/87 "2025-04-01T00:40:03Z")
The Ataris - Boys of Summer. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/jbPS0Idgskk/maxresdefault.jpg "The Ataris - Boys of summer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPS0Idgskk) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/88 "2025-04-01T00:58:25Z")
The DIckies. Once I heard their version of Nights in White Satin, I could never go back to the Moodies’ original. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fQb58e1lx0E/maxresdefault.jpg "Nights In White Satin") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQb58e1lx0E) ---
**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:** [April 1, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/89 "2025-04-01T01:10:54Z")
The Dickies once billed themselves as “The World’s Greatest Cover Band”, and not without some justification. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/90 "2025-04-01T02:19:05Z")
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Bonnie Raitt’s version of Runnaway [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DkLvCKphIMk/maxresdefault.jpg "Bonnie Raitt ~ Runaway") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLvCKphIMk) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/91 "2025-04-01T03:04:43Z")
I’m not a fan of Springsteen, so basically any cover version of his songs are better. Hell, even Elmer Fudd. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1vT-VaMXsAw/hqdefault.jpg "Robin Williams Singing Fire by Bruce Springsteen As Elmer Fudd") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vT-VaMXsAw) ---
**Author:** ![hostility](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/92 "2025-04-01T03:09:28Z")
I think a case could be made for Elton John’s “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Dramatically different tempo and feel from the original Beatles track. Practically a different song, but beautiful nonetheless on its own. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/93 "2025-04-01T03:13:03Z")
I’ll back you up, it’s got da reggae feel in places, mon. And Earth, Wind & Fire’s version of “Got to Get You Into My Life,” is outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/94 "2025-04-01T03:52:13Z")
Broken Peach took “Tainted Love” to a new level. Though the video is a big part of that. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Q45yicposyI/maxresdefault.jpg "Broken Peach - Tainted Love (Halloween Special)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q45yicposyI) ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/95 "2025-04-01T05:27:28Z")
Oh, I stringly disagree. I remember when Hubster and I first heard it that whoever mangled that song should be sent to prison for crimes against rock and roll. Then we found out who “covered” it. Youbjuster never know man. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/96 "2025-04-01T05:35:09Z")
Omg I love that version. I used to do it when we played. It was such a fun bluesy song done in Ms. Raitt’s style. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/97 "2025-04-01T06:05:38Z")
Nicolette Larson’s cover of Neil Young’s “Gonna Take a Lot of Love” really brings it to life, imo. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/98 "2025-04-01T08:56:48Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I’m not a fan of Springsteen Eeeeh - I have to agree. I wish I liked him, but… I’ve posted this here before. It was not well received. But IMHO, if you take the preposterous Born To Run and relocate it as a desperate fantasy in a Liverpool [dole office](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dole-office), then it works. HAH! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AMfE2Se4r9w/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AGWBIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgVChLMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDrEPARXpffh2OdBpeS__1cSaw3Tw "Frankie Goes To Hollywood Born To Run{with intro}") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMfE2Se4r9w) j ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/99 "2025-04-01T11:49:52Z")
I like it! These guys did, “Relax”? Who’da thunk it? Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/100 "2025-04-01T12:07:48Z")
Linda Ronstadt’s version of, “When Will I Be Loved,” is smokin hot! She could probably sing the phone book and I’d swoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=6)