# Covers of songs that were better than the original? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 6, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530 "2002-05-06T13:08:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KXL)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/1 "2002-05-06T13:08:28Z")
Prince’s version of “Kiss” sucked (IMHO), but the version by **Art of Noise with Tom Jones** rocked! ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/2 "2002-05-06T13:15:35Z")
Most any cover done by the Ramones is better than the original (provided you like their style). And “Soul Man” & “Sweet Home Chicago”, done by the Blues Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/3 "2002-05-06T13:15:36Z")
The Barenaked Ladies did a cover of Bruce Cockburn’s “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” that was so much better than the original, I’ve actually met people who think the BNL version IS the original. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/4 "2002-05-06T13:21:35Z")
Tears of a Clown - English Beat Police and Thieves - Clash THis One’s For You - Teddy Pendergrass Morning Dew, Me and My Uncle, Sugaree, When I Paint My Masterpeice - Grateful Dead ---
**Author:** ![downbylaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@downbylaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/downbylaw)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/5 "2002-05-06T13:23:28Z")
the afghan whigs did a nearly unrecognizable (until the chorus) version of tlc’s “creep” that was damn good. they did a nice cover of the ass ponies’ “mr superlove” that was better than the original as well. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/6 "2002-05-06T13:32:57Z")
The Pixies version of Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On” was much better. I also like the Ass Ponies version of “You shook me all night long”. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/7 "2002-05-06T13:34:30Z")
Urge Overkill’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” (orig by Neil Diamond) Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” (orig by Jackie DeShannon) ---
**Author:** ![S.Mussberger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@S.Mussberger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/S.Mussberger)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/8 "2002-05-06T13:36:44Z")
“I will survive” by Cake is waaaay better than Gloria Gainers (sp?) and I even like the original… ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/9 "2002-05-06T13:37:04Z")
Husker Du’s cover of the Mary Tyler Moorse show theme song rocked. ---
**Author:** ![downbylaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@downbylaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/downbylaw)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/10 "2002-05-06T13:44:43Z")
cake is the epitome of suck. if i saw them on the street (and actually knew what they looked like), i’d beat their collective ass. ---
**Author:** ![tetsusaru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f14d63/32.png) [@tetsusaru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetsusaru)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/11 "2002-05-06T13:46:45Z")
Sid Vicious, “My Way”. The most teeth-grindingly preening, posturing, narcissistic song of all time - until Sid did it His Way. Runner-up? “D`ya Think I`m Sexy?”, by the Revolting Cocks. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/12 "2002-05-06T13:54:29Z")
**(Hit Me Baby) One More Time** by Travis **Wuthering Heights** by China Drum **Always On My Mind** by the Pet Shop Boys **Suicide Is Painless** by the Manic Street Preachers **Down Down** by Cud **Legend of Xanadu** by The Fall ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/13 "2002-05-06T13:58:01Z")
“Lay Down” by Mott The Hoople, so much better than Melanie’s version. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/14 "2002-05-06T14:48:09Z")
while it doesn’t top it, frente’s **bizarre love triange** is as good as new order’s. but then again, that’s not really what the op was asking for was it? so, i’ll contribute u2’s cover of **happiness is a warm gun**. maybe it’s because i’m not much of a beatle’s fan, but i rekken u2’s is brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.B.H.Hornswoggler)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/15 "2002-05-06T14:51:43Z")
**All Along the Watchtower** by Jimi Hendrix (even Dylan admitted it) **Heigh Ho** by Tom Waits **Jersey Girl** by Bruce Springsteen (to most ears, though I like Tom’s original) **Wall of Death** by R.E.M. (the whole **Beat the Retreat** tribute album is great, but this one really stands out) **Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood** by Elvis Costello **Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)** by They Might Be Giants (particularly the live version from **Severe Tire Damage** ) **Time Won’t Let Me** by The Smithereens **Withered and Died** by Elvis Costello Every single song on **Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits** except for the excrable “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy”, which is unlistenable. And the greatest cover song of all time: **Like a Rolling Pin** by The Replacements ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/16 "2002-05-06T14:55:45Z")
aaagh! ignore the superfluous apostrophes in the above post. i’m doing that way too much tonite. ---
**Author:** ![G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.B.H.Hornswoggler)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/17 "2002-05-06T14:58:40Z")
**All Along the Watchtower** by Jimi Hendrix (even Dylan admitted it) **Heigh Ho** by Tom Waits **Jersey Girl** by Bruce Springsteen (to most ears, though I like Tom’s original) **Wall of Death** by R.E.M. (the whole **Beat the Retreat** tribute album is great, but this one really stands out) **Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood** by Elvis Costello **Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)** by They Might Be Giants (particularly the live version from **Severe Tire Damage** ) **Time Won’t Let Me** by The Smithereens **Withered and Died** by Elvis Costello Every single song on **Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits** except for the excrable “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy”, which is unlistenable. And the greatest cover song of all time: **Like a Rolling Pin** by The Replacements ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/18 "2002-05-06T15:43:27Z")
I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again: Eva Cassidy. that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/19 "2002-05-06T15:47:53Z")
But with me, it’s the version I heard first that always comes down as the “better version”. Even with artists who remake their own stuff, it’s chronologically tied to the point in my life I heard it…first in, first choice. The only recent exception being Smooth Criminal, by AAF, and that’s cuz I forgot MJ (who I can’t stand) did it first ---
**Author:** ![Tennessee\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@Tennessee\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tennessee_Ben)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2002, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530/20 "2002-05-06T15:49:00Z")
The first person to say that the Dave Matthews Band cover of **Long Black Veil** is better than Lefty Frizzell’s version gets a foot up his or her rump. My votes: Patsy Cline’s **Crazy** (Willie Nelson original) Janis Joplin’s **Me and Bobby McGee** (Kris Kristofferson original) Both Johnny Cash’s and Willie Nelson’s takes on **Sunday Morning Coming Down** (Also a Kristofferson number–the man is a great songwriter, but his _voice_. Ugh) Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson’s **Pancho and Lefty** (Townes van Zandt original) And the pick likely to generate the most controversy: Anything on the **Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot** album. Lightfoot is OK and all, but Tony just brings these songs to life for me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-that-were-better-than-the-original/107530.md?page=2)