# Intriguing covers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 7, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903 "2001-11-07T00:26:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/1 "2001-11-07T00:26:31Z")
You guys got any favourite covers that radically change the original? I’m thinking along the lines of: Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit Luther Wright and the Wrongs - Rebuild the Wall (Bluegrass version of The Wall - Pt 1) Jughead - I want to be sedated (just heard it today on CBC today - it’s real cool) 1000 Mona Lisas - You oughta know Dandy Warhols - Hell’s Bells Anyway - I love the really wild ones like these and if you have any other suggestions please send 'em in. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/2 "2001-11-07T00:29:51Z")
“White Rabbit” by Collide. Also “Shout” by Disturbed and “Let The Good Times Roll” by Powerman 5000. ---
**Author:** ![Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bedrosian_Bixby)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/3 "2001-11-07T01:16:20Z")
The Cure- Purple Haze Snake River Conspiracy- How Soon Is Now Siouxsie and the Banshees- Trust In Me(the snake’s song in the Jungle Book) Shane McGowan and Nick Cave- What a Wonderful World Johnny Cash- Solitary Man(yep, the Neil Diamond song) Jane’s Addiction- Sympathy For the Devil God Lives Underwater- Fame …just to name a few. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/4 "2001-11-07T01:39:47Z")
I also heard Elton John and Guns n’ Roses performing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” once. Boy, was that weird. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/5 "2001-11-07T02:29:56Z")
Joe Cocker’s version of “Cry Me A River” and “The Letter” showed new aspects of both songs. Not rock, but when Bernadette Peters sang “You Can’t Get a Man With A Gun,” she completely redefined it from a cute ditty to an terribly sad lament. Lol Coxhill did an amazingly bizarre version of “I am the Walrus,” but I doubt anyone other than me has ever heard it. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/6 "2001-11-07T02:34:55Z")
Oh, and I forgot Megadeth’s cover of “These Boots Are Made For Walking”. ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/7 "2001-11-07T02:58:51Z")
**Wyclef Jean** is making a career out of it. His most recent hiphop redux is Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, and he must have done at least a dozen others already. My cringe-o-meter is waiting to go off the charts when Nicole Kidman and Robbie Williams release their remake of Sinatra’s “Somethin’ Stupid.” ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/8 "2001-11-07T10:37:02Z")
My first thought when his query arises is always to note that I think Devo’s cover of “Satisfaction” is the best I’ve ever heard. Too many other good eforts to list, I guess, but I’d put Johnny Cash’s version of “Rusty Cage” up there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/9 "2001-11-07T10:40:47Z")
Tori Amos’ cover of ‘Raining Blood’ by Slayer. Her version is a really neat song, but about the only thing it has in common with the original is the lyrics and a piano part that is slightly similar to one of the guitar riffs in the song. ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/10 "2001-11-07T12:04:36Z")
Sonic Youth’s version of “Superstar” by the Carpenters. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/11 "2001-11-07T12:17:24Z")
Oh, I love that Sonic Youth version. Top song. How about **Hit Me Baby (One More Time)** as covered acoustically by Travis? Or indie/punk band China Drum’s speed-fuelled cover of **Wuthering Heights**? There was a superb NME double album out in the early/mid-1990s of indie bands covering classic number one songs. Unusual versions that I can remember include Ride covering Kraftwerk’s **The Model** and Tori Amos covering **Ring My Bell**. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/12 "2001-11-07T12:20:06Z")
Ah, here we go: NME Ruby Trax - COZ I LOVE YOU - The Wonder Stuff WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN? - Billy Bragg LITTLE RED ROOSTER - The Jesus And Mary Chain ATOMIC - The Mission (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU - The Fatima Mansions STRANGER IN PARADISE - St. Etienne CUMBERLAND GAP - The Wedding Present (IF PARADISE IS) HALF AS NICE - Aztec Camera / Andy Fairweather-Low SHOW YOU THE WAY TO GO - Dannii Minogue WHERE DO YOU GO TO MY LOVELY? - Welfare Heroine BAD MOON RISING - The Blue Aeroplanes APACHE - Sensless Things MR TAMBOURINE MAN - Teenage Fanclub ``` ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - Carter USM MAGGIE MAY - Blur ASHES TO ASHES - Tears For Fears ROCK YOUR BABY - The House Of Love I'M A BELIEVER - The Frank & Walters SHADDAP YOU FACE - EMF BRASS IN POCKET - Suede RING MY BELL - Tori Amos LADY MADONNA - Kingmaker LIKE A PRAYER - Marc Almond DON'T YOU WANT ME? - The Farm I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME - Ned's Atomic Dustbin MY SWEET LORD - Boy George ``` VOODOO CHILE - Jesus Jones SUNNY AFTERNOON - Bob Geldof THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY - Johnny Marr & Billy Duffy DOWN DOWN - Cud LEGEND OF XANADU - The Fall SECRET LOVE - Sinead O’Connor WORLD WITHOUT LOVE - World Party TAINTED LOVE - Inspiral Carpets BABY COME BACK - Elektric Music THE MODEL - Ride VIENNA - Vic Reeves GO NOW - Tin Machine I FEEL LOVE - Curve SUICIDE IS PAINLESS - Manic Street Preachers ---
**Author:** ![longjohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@longjohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longjohn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/13 "2001-11-07T15:32:35Z")
C’mon , what about the classics: Jimi Hendrix - All along the Watchtower. Best cover ever in my book. the Sex Pistols - My Way Lemonheads – Mrs Robinson There’s a lovely version of “ode to Billy-joe” by Sinead O’Connor. Not normally a fan, but that’s a great song. The new Orbital live album has a version of the Doctor Who theme that is the business. They’ve been playing it live for years but I think this is the first time its been released, legitimately at least. It rocks. ---
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/14 "2001-11-07T16:23:26Z")
Revolting Cocks - Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? AC - Stayin’ Alive Lawnmower Deth - Kids in America Scatterbrain - Earache my Eye maelstrom - For Whom the Bell Tolls Dynamite Hack - Boyz N’ the Hood ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/15 "2001-11-07T16:48:52Z")
Just off the top of my head: Little Wing—Stevie Ray Vaughan (dropped the dumb lyrics) It’s A Hard Rain Gonna Fall—Leon Russell The Man Who Couldn’t Cry—Johnny Cash Settin’ The Woods On Fire—The Tractors In The Jailhouse Now—Sir Douglas Quintet Do It Again—Waylon Jennings Lay Down—Mott The Hoople (not too different, just better) To Love Somebody—The Flying Burrito Bros. All Tomorrow’s Parties—Pulnoc ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/16 "2001-11-07T16:51:18Z")
The Tina Turner version of _The Bitch is Back_. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/17 "2001-11-07T21:06:42Z")
Fred Durst, Perry Farrell, and Elijah Blue doing “What’s Going On”. [Count Floyd] Skeddy! [/Count Floyd] ---
**Author:** ![MJH2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@MJH2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJH2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/18 "2001-11-07T21:34:24Z")
These may not all be radical departures from the originals, but for one reason or another I think they are better: _Unchained Melody_ and _Rock and Roll_ – Heart _Black Magic Woman_ – Santana _Going Down to Liverpool_ and _Hazy Shade of Winter_ – Bangles And at the opposite end of the scale, here is a cover tune which is a deliberate reproduction of the original: _Battle of Evermore_ – Lovemongers ---
**Author:** ![MJH2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@MJH2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJH2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/19 "2001-11-07T21:36:44Z")
These may not all be radical departures from the originals, but for one reason or another I think they are better: _Unchained Melody_ and _Rock and Roll_ – Heart _Black Magic Woman_ – Santana _Going Down to Liverpool_ and _Hazy Shade of Winter_ – Bangles _Ticket to Ride_ – Carpenters And at the opposite end of the scale, here is a cover tune which is a deliberate reproduction of the original: _Battle of Evermore_ – Lovemongers ---
**Author:** ![MJH2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@MJH2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJH2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903/20 "2001-11-07T21:41:54Z")
These may not all be radical departures from the originals, but for one reason or another I think they are better: _Unchained Melody_ and _Rock and Roll_ – Heart _Black Magic Woman_ – Santana _Going Down to Liverpool_ and _Hazy Shade of Winter_ – Bangles _Ticket to Ride_ – Carpenters And at the opposite end of the scale, here is a cover tune which is a deliberate reproduction of the original: _Battle of Evermore_ – Lovemongers [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intriguing-covers/91903.md?page=2)