# Covers of Songs That Radically -- And Successfully -- Re-interpreted the Work **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2010, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927 "2010-12-31T08:05:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/281 "2015-03-10T02:46:09Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > Who’s done a good cover of a song by the Zombies? People, [I Love You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO5rKF2w_ro). A contender for best cover ever. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/282 "2015-03-10T03:44:33Z")
Five years, 280 posts, and nobody’s mentioned [“Roll Over Beethoven”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvBL1ZKctiM) as done by ELO? FOR SHAME!!! ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/283 "2015-03-10T04:31:04Z")
[Earth, Wind and Fire’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJPWXq6b1fA) cover of “Got To Get You Into My Life” [by the Beatles.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxhhFOnXs2M) ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/284 "2015-03-10T05:09:59Z")
One of the best covers I ever heard is not available anywhere any longer, I think. It was a cover of “The Wanderer” by Dion and the Belmonts done for the Commodore 64’s SID chip. It had a bouncy goodness to it that the original lacked. I’ve searched for it on Youtube and Google but no joy, in large part because there was a C64 cracking group called “The Wanderers” and a popular C64 game called “Sonic Wanderer” that creates a huge amount of false leads when you do a search. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/285 "2015-03-10T05:30:22Z")
the Zombies covered ‘Got My Mojo Working’ tons of info here [http://www.coversproject.com/](http://www.coversproject.com/) ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/286 "2015-03-10T05:41:26Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > One of the best covers I ever heard is not available anywhere any longer, I think. It was a cover of “The Wanderer” by Dion and the Belmonts done for the Commodore 64’s SID chip. It had a bouncy goodness to it that the original lacked. I’ve searched for it on Youtube and Google but no joy, in large part because there was a C64 cracking group called “The Wanderers” and a popular C64 game called “Sonic Wanderer” that creates a huge amount of false leads when you do a search. Any chance it’s [this?](http://youtu.be/yOIqUwp_OUI) Was just posted in January. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/287 "2015-03-10T06:13:18Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Any chance it’s [this?](http://youtu.be/yOIqUwp_OUI) Was just posted in January. You know, I’m not sure. I remember it being a much livelier interpretation. But it’s been so long since I heard it I wonder if my memory has embellished it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/288 "2015-03-10T06:36:51Z")
There was a CD that came out in 1988 called [Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_Awake:_Various_Interpretations_of_Music_from_Vintage_Disney_Films). My two favorite tracks are [Heigh Ho](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUokR-lXmlc) by Tom Waits and [Some Day My Prince Will Come](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQx8r1Ak44g) by Sinéad O’Connor. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/289 "2015-03-10T08:08:18Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Any chance it’s [this?](http://youtu.be/yOIqUwp_OUI) Was just posted in January. You know, I listened to the song again with the sound turned up, and … that’s it! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/290 "2015-03-10T15:15:17Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I’m not sure that Loreena McKinnett can be said to be COVERING the Mummer’s Dance, but [her interpretation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxTpvA-pUG0) is so perfectly on the money in every respect that it’s difficult to think of another version that might top it. Since McKinnett wrote the song, I’m not sure I get why this counts. If you think it’s a revived folk song, a better example is Traffic’s [John Barleycorn Must Die](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icyPFsIcAV0). Or Simon & Garfunkel’s “[Scarborough Fair/Canticle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jj4s9I-53g),” which will always be the definitive version for everybody of my generation. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/291 "2015-03-10T16:08:42Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Since McKinnett wrote the song, I’m not sure I get why this counts. If you think it’s a revived folk song, a better example is Traffic’s [John Barleycorn Must Die](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icyPFsIcAV0). Damn, you’re right. I thought for sure it was a medieval tune she had dressed up for modern consumption. But it is in fact ineligible for this thread. I still like it, though! Not a fan of John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic, though. > [@](#): > > Or Simon & Garfunkel’s “[Scarborough Fair/Canticle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jj4s9I-53g),” which will always be the definitive version for everybody of my generation. I would agree with that. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/292 "2015-03-21T01:49:22Z")
I will nominate [Bobby Gentry’s cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAVntgW6vcI) of [the Beatles’ Here There and Everywhere](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8THouU576WY) as being better than the original, largely because Gentry had a much better singing voice than McCartney, who sounds kinda weak compared with Gentry. Gentry’s arrangement is also very different and better than the original Beatles’ arrangement. Of course, the Beatles get enormous cred for having written the tune in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![davethehammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davethehammer/32/7317_2.png) [@davethehammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davethehammer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/293 "2015-03-21T01:51:07Z")
this would also be better with immediate embedded videos ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/294 "2015-03-21T02:19:21Z")
**Warning Issued** > [@davethehammer](#): > > this would also be better with immediate embedded videos You have been posting your opinion about embedding videos in multiple threads, despite being told in your ATMB thread that it is not allowed here. I gave you mod note in an earlier thread to stop doing this. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18224006&postcount=81](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18224006&postcount=81) Stop posting about embedded links and stop threadshitting. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/295 "2015-03-21T02:52:38Z")
> [@Jormungandr](#): > > [My Way](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2hYDIFDIU) by Frank Sinatra. > > [My Way](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIXg9KUiy00) by the Sex Pistols Correction My Way was performed by Sid Vicious, with musical arrangement by Simon Jeffes for the _ **The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle** _ soundtrack after the Pistols had split. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > As a variation of this, Joni Mitchell’s later re-interpretation of “Both Sides Now.” Speaking if Joni, Nazareth’s interpretation of This Flight Tonight" turns the song on it’s head. ---
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/296 "2015-03-31T02:44:55Z")
Two that come to mind: Christina Aguilera - “Beautiful” Clem Snide - “Beautiful” … I really like this one, and I think its much different. I also really like Ben Taylor’s cover of “Nothing Compares to You”. Not saying its better - but its different … and good. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/297 "2015-03-31T07:48:38Z")
Noah Guthrie posted [his arrangement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsvlsuLau5c) of LMFAO’s [Sexy and I Know It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyx6JDQCslE) on YouTube back in 2012. Noah has the song totally reimagined, and IMHO better version. This was probably his single YouTube video that brought the spotlight on him. And he rode that to a part of the final season of Glee. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/298 "2015-03-31T10:31:12Z")
I recently discovered Antony and the Johnsons. Lots of great original stuff, but the first song I heard was thrown into a Decemberists based radio station on Rhapsody and stopped me in my tracks. It was [Knocking on Heaven’s Door](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSLc1QYCcE). Then I found another cover, this time [Beyonce’s Crazy in Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3nnctUYB0g) that goes someplace the original never did or could. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/299 "2015-03-31T13:09:53Z")
[Traveling Wilburys Tweeter and the Monkey Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzMKTZdkaU4) [The Headstones’ version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fBd32vg3As) ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927/300 "2015-03-31T16:10:46Z")
I remember Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” as a bouncy pop song, with Bruce and Courtney Cox bopping happily on the stage. Then you hear [John Legend play it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9eENOjCLOw) and it becomes something else entirely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-radically-and-successfully-re-interpreted-the-work/565927.md?page=16)