# Covers that just wouldn't work the other way. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 6, 2003, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347 "2003-12-06T07:35:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/1 "2003-12-06T07:35:25Z")
From time to time, an artist decides to do a cover version of a song by another artist. Sometimes it’s bad, sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s food for thought. Madonna did “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie”. Can you picture Don MacLean’s version of “Like a Virgin”? The Reverend Horton Heat does a fine version of “Folsom Prison Blues”. I can see the late and much lamented Johnny Cash doing “Bales of Cocaine”, but I can’t see him performing a credible version of “Interracial Cowboy Homo Kinda Love”. What other covers are out there that just wouldn’t work the other way? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/2 "2003-12-06T08:28:11Z")
I dunno, I can imagine Johnny Cash doing “Cowboy Love.” Kid Rock covered “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” I can’t imagine Bad Company doing “I Am The Bullgod,” though. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/3 "2003-12-06T08:55:39Z")
Britney Spears covered “Satisfaction.” But the Stones doing, say, “Oops I Did It Again” is emphatically not something the world needs. Actually, it’s not an image I needed in my head either. I may just go and curl into a ball now. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gmork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Gmork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gmork)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/4 "2003-12-06T11:41:12Z")
I was thinking about this just a few hours ago! Good doper, **2trew** , for starting a thread that I didn’t even think to start! That said… Peter, Paul & Mary covered ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ but we could live without Bob Dylan’s version of ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’, I’m sure. (Mistake check: did they (P.P & M) write that? I thought they did, but just realised that it’s just an impression that I’ve gathered together over the years…am I right?) Robbie Willliams has covered numerous Frank Sinatra tracks, but who would really want to hear Ol’ Blue Eyes belt out ‘Let Me Entertain You’? Umm, oh, Sarah Brightman has sung Procul Harum’s ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’, lets hope we don’t ever hear a P.H. (As good as they are…IMHO) version of ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ There are obviously loads more, but I am so late for work… ---
**Author:** ![BrandyFine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrandyFine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandyFine)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/5 "2003-12-06T13:12:24Z")
The Who doing “Nookie”. Yuck. I have to say that it’s just as disgusting hearing Madonna doing American Pie as it would be in reverse. In fact I’d rather hear MacLean doing her than the other way around. Bitch. And Britney did Satisfaction? Why is this OK? I’d rather hear the Stones doing her shit. Bad. Bad nouveau pop idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/6 "2003-12-06T14:25:56Z")
Frida of ABBA did a great Swedish cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne.” Image Cohen doing “Mamma Mia!” ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/7 "2003-12-06T14:41:57Z")
The Flaming Lips did a semi-novelty cover of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (or whatever it’s called, by Kylie Minogue - it’s a lot better than the original song, unsurprisingly). I can’t really see Kylie Minogue doing, say, Buggin’ or Feeling Yourself Disintegrate. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/8 "2003-12-06T14:43:41Z")
Oh! How could I forget this? Radiohead did a cover of “Rhinestone Cowboy”, years ago. I wonder how Glenn Campbell would handle “Let Down.” ---
**Author:** ![Dizzy\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dizzy\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dizzy_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/9 "2003-12-06T15:53:39Z")
The Beatles covered “Please Mr. Postman.” I doubt we’d want to hear the Marvelettes singing “Strawberry Fields Forever.” ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/10 "2003-12-06T18:38:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Katisha \* > \*\*Britney Spears covered “Satisfaction.” But the Stones doing, say, “Oops I Did It Again” is emphatically not something the world needs. > > Actually, it’s not an image I needed in my head either. I may just go and curl into a ball now. 😉 \*\* **Richard Thompson** actually did record a cover of “Oops, I Did It Again” for a project called “1000 Years of Popular Music”, or something like that. Can’t wait to hear Britney singing “God Loves A Drunk”. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/11 "2003-12-06T22:19:51Z")
Let’s see… 1. Laura Brannigan sang Squeeze Box," but I can’t picture the Who doing “Gloria.” 2. The Beatles did “Til There Was You” from “The Music Man”- wanna hear a Robert Preston/Shirley Jones duet of “Helter Skelter”? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/12 "2003-12-06T23:06:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by BrandyFine \* > \*\* In fact I’d rather hear MacLean doing her than the other way around._\* Insert your own “doing her” joke here… ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/13 "2003-12-07T01:25:50Z")
Devo did Satisfaction Don’t wanna see the Stones do Mongoloid ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/14 "2003-12-07T02:58:57Z")
Manfred Mann did Springsteen’s _Blinded By The Light_. Not sure if I’d want to hear the Boss singing _Doo Wah Diddy_. Guess I _am_ getting old… ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/15 "2003-12-07T06:30:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astorian \* > \*\*2) The Beatles did “Til There Was You” from “The Music > Man”- wanna hear a Robert Preston/Shirley Jones duet of > “Helter Skelter”? \*\* Actually? Yes. But I think I’d probably want to jam knitting needles into my ears afterwards. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/16 "2003-12-07T08:08:33Z")
[obvious] Pat Boone did “Enter Sandman.” Not sure if I want to see Metallica do “I Almost Lost My Mind” or anything else by him. No, I take that back, I think it would be awesome. Same with Soundgarten doing anything by Steve & Edyie (or Cibo Matto) who both did “Black Hole Sun.” Same with Burt Bacharach doing “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes (they did “Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.” Maybe “We’re Going To Be Friends” would be easier for him. Phish, who has covered just about everybody, did an a capella “Freebird.” Wouldn’t want to see Skynyrd try to pull off “You Enjoy Myself.” I sure as hell wouldn’t want to see Sting doing “Mo Money Mo Problems” or “It’s All About the Benjamins.” ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/17 "2003-12-07T08:35:38Z")
Or do you want to hear Springsteen do a version of “Relax”. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/18 "2003-12-07T09:00:52Z")
Well, let’s see. . . The Carpenters gave the world a rendering of _On the Bayou_. Turnabout being fair play, how would the world respond to Hank Williams doing a version of _Superstar_? My first inclination would have been _Close To You_, but since that was written by Paul Williams, I thought I’d go with a song written by Richard. Ray Stevens did a rather catchy cover of _Misty_. What’s the appropriate payback? Johnny Mathis warbling _Gui-Tarzan_? Or Erroll Garner slamming out _Ahab the Arab_? ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/19 "2003-12-08T19:02:51Z")
Rob Zombie recently did a cover of “Brick House” (with Lionel Richie, no less). It works strangely well. However, the thought of the Commodores doing Dragula or Living Dead Girl makes my ganglia twitch. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347/20 "2003-12-08T20:22:02Z")
The Smashing Pumpkins did Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” Now, can you just hear SP doing “Rhiannon?” Didn’t think so. P.O.D. did a good rendition of U2’s “Bullet the Blue Sky”, but I doubt U2 could reciprocate with “Southtown.” One of Van Halen’s best-known songs is “You Really Got Me”, originally performed by The Kinks. Now, does anyone think The Kinks could do Van Halen’s “Running with the Devil?” Again, didn’t think so. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covers-that-just-wouldnt-work-the-other-way/217347.md?page=2)