# Covers of Songs you love by artists you love **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443 "2011-06-22T16:15:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/41 "2011-06-23T20:53:32Z")
I know Dylan covers are too easy, but I can’t not bring up “Mr. Tambourine Man” by the Byrds. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/42 "2011-06-23T21:02:45Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I love Holly Cole’s version of _I Can See Clearly Now._ Yeah, she does amazing things interpreting a song. Johnny Nash’s version is [upbeat and joyous](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HagzTRmUBIE), [Holly’s darker](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68uFGwLd84&feature=related). Aaron David and David Piltch are absolutely genius players as well. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/43 "2011-06-23T21:37:49Z")
I know it’s fashionable to slag Sting, but the man is a brilliant performer and songwriter. _Fields of Gold_ is [a great song in his hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1yMDVcVqE&feature=related), but [achieves transcendence with Eva Cassidy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKtqTYSOBCg&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/44 "2011-06-23T21:39:21Z")
[Linda Ronstadt](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tCBgjdnFPM) greatly improved [Betty Everett’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S1VmqyTUBk&playnext=1&list=PLC715B862837C692F) “You’re No Good.” Also her remake of Doris Troy’s “Just One Look.” Linda’s remakes were always good. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/45 "2011-06-23T21:55:40Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > Linda’s remakes were always good. Not when covering Warren Zevon. Her version of _Poor, Poor Pitiful Me_, while beautifully sung, totally missed the irony of the original. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/46 "2011-06-23T22:03:01Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I know it’s fashionable to slag Sting, but the man is a brilliant performer and songwriter. _Fields of Gold_ is [a great song in his hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1yMDVcVqE&feature=related), but [achieves transcendence with Eva Cassidy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKtqTYSOBCg&feature=related). I was coming back just to mention this! Didn’t know I was the only one. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/47 "2011-06-23T22:33:37Z")
I love Sarah McLachlan’s gorgeous cover of Susan Enan’s [Bring On the Wonder](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMxwaoR-Re8) and Shawn Colvin’s version of Gnarls Barkley’s [Crazy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ITHanhV6A). ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/48 "2011-06-23T22:42:58Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > “[Romeo and Juliet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZjLUIT1dk)” - Indigo Girls Thank you. Gave me goose bumps. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/49 "2011-06-23T23:09:19Z")
Jimi Hendrix covering “Like a Rolling Stone” in addition to “All Along the Watchtower.” ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/50 "2011-06-23T23:23:15Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > \ Aaron David and David Piltch are absolutely genius players as well. Agreed - almost every song on that CD is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/51 "2011-06-23T23:37:55Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I know it’s fashionable to slag Sting, but the man is a brilliant performer and songwriter. _Fields of Gold_ is [a great song in his hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1yMDVcVqE&feature=related), but [achieves transcendence with Eva Cassidy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKtqTYSOBCg&feature=related). This is where I went first. Since it is taken, I’ll nominate [Dave Mason](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Bd2W2XAo0)’s version of Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” Along with the requisite nods to every Dylan song covered by Peter, Paul and Mary and The Byrds. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/52 "2011-06-23T23:40:49Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Agreed - almost every song on that CD is amazing. I was lucky enough to see the Holly Cole Trio at the Daily Grill in Chicago. Though Holly had a microphone, I was close enough to hear her and her band acoustically. Astonishing. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/53 "2011-06-24T08:03:21Z")
Blackbird (Sarah McLachlan / Beatles) Suzanne (Peter Gabriel / Leonard Cohen) Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley / Leonard Cohen) America (Yes / Simon and Garfunkel) ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/54 "2011-06-24T08:47:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > This is where I went first. Since it is taken, I’ll nominate [Dave Mason](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Bd2W2XAo0)’s version of Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” I’d add this version by [**Affinity**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPWdhcoDiF0) to the list, although “artists you love” might be a little strong being as how they only ever did the self-titled debut album this is from (AFAIK). ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/55 "2011-06-24T08:52:05Z")
Prince covering “[Crimson and Clover](http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8u2ji_prince-crimson-and-clover_music)” (originally Tommy James & the Shondells). ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/56 "2011-06-25T23:38:33Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > Do you have to love the original version, the cover artist, and the cover artist’s version? > > Let’s see… Jimi Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” is probably one of the archetypical examples of this. Funny, I opened this thread just to post that PEARL JAM has done the quintessential cover of the song, although I enjoy Hendrix’s version too. ---
**Author:** ![FrancisCastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b4bc9f/32.png) [@FrancisCastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrancisCastle)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/57 "2011-06-26T00:54:27Z")
Florence and the Machine’s cover of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”. The Postal Service’s cover of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds”. Back when Matchbox 20 was popular, I was at one of their concerts and they covered Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time”. It was good, but I still prefer Cyndi’s. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/58 "2011-06-26T05:58:39Z")
I love [The Smith’s “How Soon Is Now?”](http://youtu.be/_U5HpeA_WSo) (though I’m not so hot on The Smiths themselves). I love t.A.T.u., one of the best electronic pop acts I’ve ever heard. And, luckily, I quite like [t.A.T.u.'s cover of “How Soon Is Now?”](http://youtu.be/8eGvmB8Phk8) from their debut album, and it meshes well with the album’s overall themes of frustrated love and longing. (Still prefer the original, though.) I also love [The Carpenters’ original “Superstar”](http://youtu.be/SJmmaIGiGBg) as well as [Sonic Youth’s cover version](http://youtu.be/Y21VecIIdBI). I was really weirded out when it came out, though, as SY had a strange pop-culture-fascination crush on Karen Carpenter, doing a song about her death with an [accompanying video](http://youtu.be/reSOp1domrU) that’s pretty non-respectful. In addition, the tribute album on which SY’s “Superstar” appeared was pretty clearly mocking the kitsch/easy-listening reputation that The Carpenters had at the time (with the album even portraying Karen and Richard as cheesy Keane big-eye children. :rolleyes:)… but SY managed to do a classy job on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/59 "2011-06-27T17:30:00Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I know it’s fashionable to slag Sting, but the man is a brilliant performer and songwriter. _Fields of Gold_ is [a great song in his hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1yMDVcVqE&feature=related), but [achieves transcendence with Eva Cassidy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKtqTYSOBCg&feature=related). If Eva’s cover of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ is not the definitive version, what is? ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443/60 "2011-06-28T03:39:37Z")
As wonderful & hearfelt as John Lennon’s **Jealous Gu** y is, I still prefer Bryan Ferry’s cover. The Everly Brothers **Love Hurt** s is very sweet but I prefer the angst & passion of Nazareth’s cover (I’m normally a big Joan Jett fan but don’t like her version at all - a bit lifeless IMO.) & Soft Cell’s version of **Tainted Love** is way better than the original. (Gloria Jones?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-of-songs-you-love-by-artists-you-love/586443.md?page=4)