Another thread reminded me… Iron Maiden did a killer version of Jethro Tull’s “Cross-Eyed Mary.”
Thanks Marley23.
SLF must have adapted the lyrics though, I doubt Marley (Bob, that is) would mention a sniper in Belfast.
I don’t know the words to the version you’re talking about, but you’re right. There’s no setting given to the song, and ‘moving it’ to Belfast probably wouldn’t change anything (although it’s not really a political song). Here are the lyrics to the original.
Blues Traveler doing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” John Popper playing the fiddle parts on the harmonica is the coolest thing I’ve heard in a while, especially because he speeds it up.
Aaron Lewis’s cover of “Black” by Pearl Jam. While Eddie did a great job singing the original, Aaron’s voice just fits a song like that.
Metallica’s cover of Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” has become the default version of that song in my mind. I can’t sing Freddie’s lyrics for the last verse, because I immediately add in James’s f-bombs for “emphasis.” Same for “Am I Evil?” and “So What.”
Nirvana’s covers of “Lake of Fire” and “The Man Who Sold The World” from Unplugged in New York are excellent.
Devo’s cover of “Satisfaction” much better conveys the idea of not getting any satisfaction than the Rolling Stones’ original. I think it’s catchier, too, but maybe I’m just a weirdo.
UB40’s cover of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love (with you)
Uhm, actually Depeche Mode has never covered Tainted Love not on any official released material anyway. It is possible they may have done it live but I doubt it since they do not tend to play any songs but their own in concert.
The Christian Death version of Venus in Furs is at least as good as the original and so is Laetherstrips version of the Christian Death version of ViF.
Laibach (a band that does a lot of covers) has a pretty cool version of Life is Life (originally by Opus).
I’ll third or is it fourth Johnny Cash and Hurt. Cash also does a good version of Nick Cave’s The Mercy Seat.
My fave cover of the moment however is Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus sung by the swedish rock legend Jerry Williams.
I’d say damn near any Bob Dylan song that’s been covered sounds better than the original…
I had “Cant help falling in love” (UB40 covering Elvis) on my mind when I opened the thread, but Truth Seeker beat me to it.
Very good cover.Check it out.
I love the White Stripes cover of “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.” The Dusty Springfield version is the one I’d play while crying into my pillow after having my heart broken. The White Stripes one is what I’d play three weeks later when I’m good and pissed off. I never knew how bitter and angry that song could sound. I cannot comment on the Dionne Warwick version.
I also love the Revolting Cocks’ cover of Rod Stewart’s “D’ya Think I’m Sexy.” "She said I’m sorry but I’m out of KY Jelly . . . "
The Gourds cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.”
Cake’s cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive.”
The The’s entire album “Hnaky Panky.”
Also, The Bad Plus did an excellent jazz rendition of “Smells like teen spirit.”
Almost anything done by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, but their version of Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young” really kills.
The Infectious Grooves did a great version of David Bowie’s “Fame”
Ry Cooder’s version of the Elvis song “All Shook Up” got me into Cajun Metal.
I could go on, but lunch is over, so it’s back to work.
Peace-DESK
Is it just me, or is Sid Vicious’ version of My Way being tragically overlooked here?
“To think, I killed a cat…”
Emilio reminded me with his Snoop Dogg reference:
Some band (I’m sure someone here will fill in the blanks) did a lovely acoustic version of Eazy-E’s “Boyz N The Hood”. Cracks me up every time I hear it.
And I second the vote for Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal”.
Put down another vote for Hendrix’s cover of Dylan’s “Watchtower”… and AAF’s cover of “Smooth Criminal”
That would be Dynamite Hack, and I too think it is hilarious.
And we all forgot the cover kings…Dread Zeppelin!
Johnny Cash covering Hurt by Trent. Hard to believe it could be done better.
Red Hot Chili Peppers covering If You Want Me to Stay by Sly and the Family Stone
I just got an album for my birthday a couple days ago that I really love. It’s by Angelique Kidjo (I had never heard of her till I saw her open for Santana 3 weeks ago), and it has a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile that is just so cool.
Wow!!! I never heard of that one. I just bought Sly’s version. What is the name of the Chili Peppers album that has that one?
Oh and everything Bryan Ferry has ever covered and totally transmogrified, including:
Let’s Stick Together (originally Let’s Work Together by Canned Heat)
In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
Sympathy For the Devil (by the Glimmer Twins)
and especially
Are You Lonesome Tonight? (the Elvis tune; I dunno who wrote it)