# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/141 "2025-04-04T23:57:41Z")
I have no idea how difficult it is to sing that way, but to my ears it’s affected and grating. Do you really prefer that version to the original? Not judging. Different strokes etc.. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/142 "2025-04-05T01:42:11Z")
I’m going to go with “Blue Moon” by The Marcels. The song was written in the 1930s and had been performed over the years by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, and even Elvis. Most versions of the song have a slow beat and are wistful, but The Marcels version is upbeat and happy even if the subject remains the same. [Blue Moon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoi3TH59ZEs) ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/143 "2025-04-05T05:21:28Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZOl4vQ8W1W0/hqdefault.jpg "Glass Hammer - Longer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOl4vQ8W1W0) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/144 "2025-04-05T15:08:54Z")
Way to Mandalay Blackmore’s Night > **[Blackmore's Night - Way To Mandalay (Official Video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW9GEgHgnZs%2F)** > > Blackmore's Night - Way To Mandalay (Official Video) Subscribe to Candice Night: https://goo.gl/DJfCojThe song is taken from the album „Ghost of a Rose“, rel... Axel Rudi Pell > **[Axel Rudi Pell - Way To Mandalay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uhhwVpnP3o%2F)** > > Bonus track from Axel Rudi Pell's new album Into The Storm ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/145 "2025-04-05T18:29:03Z")
Since many have brought up Bruce Springsteen, I’ll add that I prefer Manfred Mann’s version of “Blinded by the Light.” Also, I think Janis Joplin’s cover of “Me and Bobby McGee” is superior to Kris Kristofferson’s version. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/146 "2025-04-06T17:40:07Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Do you really prefer that version to the original? Not judging. Different strokes etc.. Oh. Never said that. But I don’t hate it, and it’s an ok change, time to time. You wouldn’t happen to have auditory overstimulation issues, or something, would ya? Seems like you’re not alone, either. Are you exaggerating how much it bothers y’all? Or is it like vegetables? (Some peeps genetically being able to not taste as much of a bitter taste?) what’s happnin? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/147 "2025-04-07T05:01:49Z")
There’s Waylon Jennings cover of Buddy Holly’s “Learning the Game” The Dirt Band’s cover of Holly’s “Maybe Baby” Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt”. Marty Stuart’s cover of Holly’s “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” Paul Simon’s cover of Brian Wilson’s “Surfer Girl” from the Brian Wilson Tribute Concert All covers mentioned are available on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Hook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hook)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/148 "2025-04-07T12:36:32Z")
This may have already been mentioned, but I very much like David Bowie’s cover of **America** by Simon and Garfunkel during the Concert for America after 9-11. ---
**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 7, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/149 "2025-04-07T14:20:53Z")
John Denver’s cover of The Beatles, “Mother Nature’s Son,” is 50% faster and feels more folksy. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/150 "2025-04-21T02:50:07Z")
The Allman Brothers’ _[Mountain Jam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-3L1MFBKZY)_ certainly took Donovan’s _[There Is A Mountain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcMM5-zBCEc)_ in directions that probably weren’t dreamed of by the original performer. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/151 "2025-04-21T04:40:46Z")
Hehehe, damn. I’d never noticed they’re using the same motif. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/152 "2025-06-07T23:39:28Z")
I’ll Be Back. Beatles. Shawn Colvin with Mary Chapin Carpenter ([https://youtu.be/AfI2a\_7ZWe0?si=dmP9HBt1qz\_AzWLj](https://youtu.be/AfI2a_7ZWe0?si=dmP9HBt1qz_AzWLj)) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/153 "2025-06-08T00:12:06Z")
As much as I love Carole King, I prefer The Shirelles’ version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/awYU-q7dKF8/maxresdefault.jpg "The Shirelles - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (1961)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awYU-q7dKF8) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/154 "2025-06-08T02:31:41Z")
“This Diamond Ring” The pop remake my Gary Lewis is superior to Al Kooper’s funky original, but just barely. In my opinion. (\* Gary Lewis and the Playboys version having been produced by Leon Russel as arranger, and the Wrecking Crew including Ron Hicklin providing effectively all the instruments and lead vocal.) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/155 "2025-06-08T02:48:53Z")
City of New Orleans. Steve Goodman’s ignored original: > **[Steve Goodman - City Of New Orleans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SfPyg-mGhU%2F)** > > "City of New Orleans" is a folk song written by Steve Goodman (and first recorded for Goodman's self-titled 1971 album), describing a train ride from Chicago... Arlo Guthrie’s huge hit version: > **[Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvMS_ykiLiQ%2F)** > > 1977 - "Best of Arlo Guthrie" ---
**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:** [June 9, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/156 "2025-06-09T15:16:33Z")
Headstones rev up Gordon Lightfoot [Headstones - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8LBkYjniTU) ---
**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:** [June 9, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/157 "2025-06-09T17:46:09Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > “This Diamond Ring” The pop remake my Gary Lewis is superior to Al Kooper’s funky original, but just barely. In my opinion. > > (\* Gary Lewis and the Playboys version having been produced by Leon Russel as arranger, and the Wrecking Crew including Ron Hicklin providing effectively all the instruments and lead vocal.) _AND lead vocal?_ So Gary Lewis, son of Jerry, refreshingly upbeat pop star… didn’t sing lead on his biggest hit? (And, may I add, the first 45 single I ever bought… with my own money.) They’re playing at Summerfest on the Fourth this year; I need to know if I should see them (oh, heck, they’re on a free stage… I’ll wander by, but I plan to sneer if I find out that they really pulled a Milli Vanilli back in the day). ---
**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:** [June 9, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/158 "2025-06-09T21:40:25Z")
> [@digs](#): > > So Gary Lewis, son of Jerry, refreshingly upbeat pop star… didn’t sing lead on his biggest hit? He did. And the Playboys laid down the initial instrumental tracks. But those takes were overdubbed within an inch of their life. Russell arranged it and played keyboards, but the producer of record is Snuff Garrett. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/159 "2025-06-09T23:32:27Z")
> [@digs](#): > > _AND lead vocal?_ > So Gary Lewis, son of Jerry, refreshingly upbeat pop star… didn’t sing lead on his biggest hit? Gary has long been reputed to be one of the nicest people in the world and I’ve always wished him well. “Refreshingly upbeat” is a perfect description of him. I still enjoy hearing **TDR** and **Count Me In** (that’s Leon Russell on piano, btw.) I’m an old fart but here’s the story as I’ve always remembered it. Gary had a weak singing voice which required a lot of studio sweetening. As was common at the time, for TDR the Wrecking Crew recorded the entire song, after which the Playboys were brought in to add their own performances which were buried in the mix but technically enabled them to receive credits. A couple of lead vocal tracks by session vocalist Ron Hicklin were layered together, and Gary’s vocal was then carefully blended into the mix. His voice is audible but most of what you hear is Ron. I have no idea how Gary’s vocals were underdubbed in later recordings, but do remember there used to be a track of him singing “Sealed With A Kiss” without any enhancement- it gives me no pleasure to say it was painful listening and the wonder is why such a raw recording was even released. It was on a GLPB compilation CD I used to have. Some years ago I acquired a re-release of that CD, and was surprised\* to hear the track had been substantially touched up - with autotune or new overdubs, I guess. (\* Pleasantly surprised, Gary certainly deserved that courtesy.) > [@digs](#): > > I’ll wander by, but I plan to sneer if I find out that they really pulled a Milli Vanilli back in the day). Nah, don’t sneer. In the mid 60’s it was commonplace for first time artists and I’m sure such decisions were out of Gary’s hands. Performing their own gigs live is what got them noticed and recorded in the first place. Obviously, being Jerry Lewis’ son helped as well. Speaking of which, Gary survived having Jerry Lewis for a father and somehow managed to come out of it as a great guy. No mean feat. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349/160 "2025-06-10T07:55:29Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > There’s Waylon Jennings cover of Buddy Holly’s “Learning the Game” Many people have covered Holly’s _Everyday_ kind of straight, musically. James Taylor’s version of _Everyday_ turns it into yacht rock - but I kind of like it still 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-elevate-the-original-by-changing-tempo-genre-time-signature-etc/1016349.md?page=9)