# I Like These Songs So Much I Gotta Hear All The Cover Versions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 27, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890 "2008-07-27T01:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/21 "2008-07-29T16:23:40Z")
[QUOTE=BMax] I have five different covers of **Dancing Barefoot** : Patti Smith Mission UK Concrete Blonde Simple Minds U2 I guess I’m not as OCD as some people. [/QUOTE] I didn’t know there were a lot of covers of that! I have the Patti Smith group version, and heard one other (possibly Mission UK) but I didn’t know it had been covered more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/22 "2008-07-29T16:42:20Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] Bette Midler also covered it, in the film _Hocus Pocus_. [/QUOTE] Never heard that one. There was an obscure band called Pig Iron that recorded it, but when I finally ran across a copy of their album, I couldn’t bring myself to pay whatever they were asking for it. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/23 "2008-07-29T16:55:37Z")
I’ve sought out many versions of “Man of Constant Sorrow.” ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/24 "2008-07-29T17:13:34Z")
It’s a work in progress, and you won’t find all versions listed by a long shot, but a good place to start your search for covers of your favorite song is [the covers project](http://www.coversproject.com/). For instance, their entry on [Dancing Barefoot](http://www.coversproject.com/search?q=dancing+barefoot), lists the following covers. > [@](#): > > The Patti Smith song “Dancing Barefoot” was covered by U2 > > The Patti Smith song “Dancing Barefoot” was covered by The Mission > > The Patti Smith song “Dancing Barefoot” was covered by The Waterboys > > The Patti Smith song “Dancing Barefoot” was covered by Simple Minds > > The Patti Smith song “Dancing Barefoot” was covered by Johnette Napolitano Each entry has a link to the band’s page including links to itunes and amazon so you can buy the album or track whenever it’s available. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/25 "2008-07-29T17:17:27Z")
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” is my favorite Dylan song. It’s incredibly versatile and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a bad cover of it. My favorites are Mike Ness, Susan Tedeschi and Brett Dennen/Ted Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/26 "2008-07-29T17:27:15Z")
[QUOTE=SaharaTea] “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” is my favorite Dylan song. It’s incredibly versatile and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a bad cover of it. My favorites are Mike Ness [/QUOTE] Ah yes, Mike Ness of Social Distortion - I love their cover of Ring of Fire, too. I don’t seek out cover versions, but do collect them when I find them. One of my favorites is \*\*Money \*\* (“that’s what I waaaa-aaaaa-aaaant - that’s what I want”) written by Berry Gordy of Motown fame, with Janie Bradford - original by Barrett Strong - the Beatles version - The Flying Lizards version with the perfect, world-weary, louche Brit-girl vocal I also like **Heard it Through the Grapevine** : - original by Gladys Night and the Pips (although it was offered to Marvin Gaye first) - Marvin Gaye (the definitive; all roads lead to this piece of songwriting and performance perfection…) - Creedance Cleerwater Revival - Eurhythmics / Annie Lennox - have you heard her sing this song?! Good stuff… ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/27 "2008-07-29T17:32:30Z")
Just because I happened to have the [Bob Dylan covers project page](http://www.coversproject.com/artist/bob%20dylan/) up, here’s what they have on “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and “All Along the Watchtower”. > [@](#): > > “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” , was covered on the Joan Baez album “First 10 Years.” > > “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” , was covered on the Nick Drake album “The Complete Home Recordings.” > > “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (disc 1)” , was covered on the Johnny Cash album “19 Greatest Hits.” > > “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (disc 1)” , was covered on the Elvis Presley album “The Fool.” > > “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “Essential Bob Dylan (disc 1)” , was covered on the Susan Tedeschi album “Wait for Me.” > > “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” from the Bob Dylan album “Essential Bob Dylan (disc 1)” , was covered on the Peter, Paul & Mary album “Ten Years Together: The Best of Peter, Paul & Mary.” > [@](#): > > “All Along the Watchtower (live),” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the U2 album “Rattle and Hum.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Neil Young album “Event of the Season (disc 1).” > > “All Along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the XTC album “White Music.” > > “All Along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Dave Matthews Band album “Live at Folsom Field Boulder, Colorado 7.11.01 (disc 2).” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Indigo Girls album “Back On The Bus Y’all.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Michael Hedges album “Watching My Life Go By.” > > “All along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Grateful Dead album “Dozin at the Knick (disc 1).” > > “All Along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Spirit album “Future Games.” > > “All Along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Richie Havens album “Grace of the Sun.” > > “All Along The Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Dave Mason album “The Best of Dave Mason.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the John Mellencamp album “In the Southern Hemisphere.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Brewer & Shipley album “Weeds / Tarkio.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Shawn Lane album “Guitar’s Practicing Musicians: Volume III.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Larry McCray album “Tangled Up in Blues: Songs of Bob Dylan.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Jimi Hendrix album “Voodoo Child.” > > “All Along the Watchtower,” from the Bob Dylan album “John Wesley Harding” , was covered on the Paul Weller album “Studio 150.” Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/28 "2008-07-29T20:00:07Z")
[QUOTE=An Gadaí] I love the song Shenandoah and have a load of versions of it. [/QUOTE] Jane Siberry did a great cover of it. She has it [available on her web site](http://www.sheeba.ca/store/index.php?cPath=21), where you can pay whatever you think it is worth. If you love covers, check out this link to [101 covers of Stairway to Heaven](http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/05/stairways_to_he.html). Sadly, the SCTV commercial keeps getting removed from YouTube and isn’t on DVD, so you can’t hear Slim Whitman (Dave Thomas) and Rickie Lee Jones’ (Andrea Martin) excellent cover versions. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/29 "2008-07-29T20:06:40Z")
**Stand By Your Man** was done by Tammy Wynette. I also have covers of the song done by Lyle Lovette, Candi Station, Merlene Webber, and The Dresden Dolls (in progressively stranger order). ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/30 "2008-07-29T20:09:55Z")
[QUOTE=Ataraxy] **Dark End of the Street** (8)I have the James Carr original, plus covers by Richard and Linda Thompson, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, and Eva Cassidy. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=lissener] My favorite cover of this one is by Diamanda Galas and John Paul Jones. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=gallows fodder] The Afghan Whigs also did a cover of this song, on their “What Jail Is Like” EP. [/QUOTE] Add to these Ry Cooder ( though he doesn’t sing on that one ) from the live album _Showtime_. ---
**Author:** ![mrsspooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@mrsspooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrsspooky)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/31 "2008-07-29T21:59:57Z")
Stand by me - although only two artists that sang this come to my mind at the mo… ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/32 "2008-07-29T22:04:05Z")
[QUOTE=mrsspooky] Stand by me - although only two artists that sang this come to my mind at the mo… [/QUOTE] Hmmm. I had at least 3 punk covers on my old Ipod. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/33 "2008-07-30T00:08:21Z")
[Summer Breeze](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=474449) ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/34 "2008-07-30T00:52:49Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] I also like **Heard it Through the Grapevine** : - original by Gladys Night and the Pips (although it was offered to Marvin Gaye first) - Marvin Gaye (the definitive; all roads lead to this piece of songwriting and performance perfection…) - Creedance Cleerwater Revival - Eurhythmics / Annie Lennox - have you heard her sing this song?! Good stuff… [/QUOTE] You gotta check out the Slits’ reggaefied version of this. Forking excellent. ---
**Author:** ![unstrung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a698b9/32.png) [@unstrung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unstrung)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/35 "2008-07-30T01:30:00Z")
[QUOTE=Ataraxy] **Hallelujah** (5) I have the original Leonard Cohen version and covers by John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, and Bono [/QUOTE] This would have been my pick, but you beat me to the punch. My current fave is the Jeff Buckley rendition… overall, I’m about 50/50 with enjoying all of what he put out before his unfortunate demise, but his version of **Hallelujah** is really just fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ersatz_Shmoe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/36 "2008-07-30T04:37:41Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] I used to collect versions of “I Put a Spell on You,” which happened to be the first song I ever had two versions of. Off the top of my head, I had it by: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Nina Simone Creedence Clearwater Revival Manfred Mann Arthur Brown Fever Tree The Five Americans The Animals Audience Alan Price I always wanted Roxy Music to record it. Eventually Bryan Ferry _did_ record a version, but the arrangement was nothing like what I had in mind. Leon Russell recorded a song of his own called “I Put a Spell on You” (on the same album as another song titled “Give Peace a Chance” that wasn’t the Lennon song). Too bad, as he would have done a good job with the original. [/QUOTE] Marilyn Manson also did it. It’s on the Lost Highway soundtrack, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/37 "2008-07-30T05:15:48Z")
[QUOTE=Ataraxy] **Dark End of the Street** (8)I have the James Carr original, plus covers by Richard and Linda Thompson, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, and Eva Cassidy. [/QUOTE] Frank Black did a cover on his album Honeycomb. The song is also in the movie _The Commitments_ and might be on one of the cds from the band. [QUOTE=Gordon Urquhart] On the other side of the emotional spectrum, I really like _Everyday Is Like Sunday_; it’s about the only Morrissey/Smiths song that I can listen to at all. The Pretenders and 10,000 Maniacs both have lovely versions of it. [/QUOTE] There’s a really good version by Colin Meloy of the Decemberists. [QUOTE=control-z] I’ve sought out many versions of “Man of Constant Sorrow.” [/QUOTE] There’s a Bob Dylan version I like from his No Direction Home cd. I can’t think of any songs to add at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/38 "2008-07-30T06:37:00Z")
[QUOTE=well he’s back] I have a copy of an album called “Pachelbel’s Greatest Hit” which is a collection of versions of his Canon. Fun. and I still get mesmerized by this tune. [/QUOTE] [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JdxkVQy7QLM/hqdefault.jpg "Pachelbel Rant") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM) Pachelbel is everywhere! ---
**Author:** ![Octalcode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Octalcode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octalcode)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/39 "2008-07-30T11:16:13Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] **Stand By Your Man** was done by Tammy Wynette. I also have covers of the song done by Lyle Lovette, Candi Station, Merlene Webber, and The Dresden Dolls (in progressively stranger order). [/QUOTE] And also by the **Blues Brothers**. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890/40 "2008-07-30T11:57:40Z")
[QUOTE=Ataraxy] **Hallelujah** (5) I have the original Leonard Cohen version and covers by John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, and Bono [/QUOTE] My all-time favorite of this is [kd lang’s version.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE) Brings tears to my eyes… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-these-songs-so-much-i-gotta-hear-all-the-cover-versions/457890.md?page=3)