# Major bands who have never recorded a cover song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 18, 2004, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678 "2004-07-18T11:37:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Legolamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@Legolamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legolamb)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/61 "2004-07-19T23:30:20Z")
I don’t know if you’d count them as major or not, but beyond the Roadrunner theme on Steve and Ed’s demo album “Buck Naked”, I don’t think Barenaked Ladies have ever released a cover. They played plenty in live medleys, but that’s not really the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/62 "2004-07-19T23:52:59Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Ironically enough, Heart covers Led Zeppelin all the time in concert. Not sure if they ever released recordings though. Heart’s rendition of “Tell It Like It Is” reached #8 on Billboard. ---
**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 19, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/63 "2004-07-19T23:53:18Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > King Crimson didn’t record any cover tunes for 30 years, but finally broke down and recorded a cover of John Lennon’s “Free as a Bird.” It could be argued that that wasn’t really King Crimson, as it was an impromptu solo performance by Adrian Belew. They’ve also released their version of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” Crimson’s early live set regularly included Donovan’s “(Get Thy) Bearings” and a “cover” of “Mars” from Holst’s _The Planets_ suite. Both appeared years later on various archival releases, and “Mars” was reworked into “The Devil’s Triangle” on _In the Wake of Poseidon_, with Robert Fripp claiming the composer’s credit. As long as we’re beating up Led Zeppelin for their uncredited blues covers, didn’t the original pressing of the fourth album fail to attribute “When the Levee Breaks” to Memphis Minnie? ---
**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 19, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/64 "2004-07-19T23:56:49Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > As far as I know, the only cover Queen ever recorded was the British national anthem, “God Save the Queen.” I was about to say that you could say the same for Gentle Giant–then I remembered their blink-and-you-miss-it version of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” ---
**Author:** ![Arch\_Trout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@Arch\_Trout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arch_Trout)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/65 "2004-07-20T00:59:16Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > One of my favorite Beatles songs is a cover. " A Taste of Honey." > > So what have The Rolling Stones covered? You’ve got to be joking? Their first two LP’s are almost entirely filled with covers. ---
**Author:** ![Arch\_Trout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@Arch\_Trout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arch_Trout)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/66 "2004-07-20T01:09:44Z")
I’m also pretty sure Supergrass don’t have any covers on their albums. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/67 "2004-07-20T04:26:36Z")
> [@Sean Factotum](#): > > And “Superman” is definitely a cover - one that Stipe heard some time ago (a '60s Mod band, perhaps?) and wanted to record. A quick Google found [this site](http://www.thesupermanmovie.com/NEWS/Superman-Clique.html) , crediting the song to a band called The Clique, and the song by G. Zekley, lyrics by M. Bottler. No, I’ve never heard of them either, but their album with Superman on it is from 1969 [according](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000009NSO/102-0514940-3361766?v=glance) to Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/68 "2004-07-20T04:55:26Z")
> [@Sean Factotum](#): > > Also, did AC/DC ever record a cover? I’m pretty sure they’ve never done a ballad, at least. They covered Chuck Berry’s “School Days” on their first Australian album, _T.N.T._ You’re right about the ballad thing, though…unless you count “Night Prowler”? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/69 "2004-07-20T05:32:01Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Also, KISS did a cover of Bobby Rydel’s “Kissin’ Time” on their first album. Also, side four of _Alive II_, which may very well be the worst live album ever made, consisted entirely of studio cuts, and included a cover of “Then He Kissed Me”- appropriately retitled to “Then She Kissed Me”. I don’t think Black Sabbath did any covers. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/70 "2004-07-20T05:36:12Z")
Oh, and the Stones have also covered “Twenty Flight Rock” and the Temptations “Imagination”. And I think that cuts from live albums should count in this category. If it made it to disc, and was released to the marketplace, it counts. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/71 "2004-07-20T05:50:23Z")
> [@Arch Trout](#): > > I’m also pretty sure Supergrass don’t have any covers on their albums. Gee, they must scratch easily then. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/72 "2004-07-20T13:00:32Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > ABBA almost made the list until they did a cover of “On Top of Old Smokey” as the B-side of “Summernight City”. It was actually a medley of “Pick A Bale Of Cotton, On Top Of Old Smokey, Midnight Special.” And it was never intended to be recorded or released. Apparently ABBA would just goofing around in the studio to check the equipment, and this selection got on the tape. ---
**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 20, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/73 "2004-07-20T13:15:07Z")
> [@The Asbestos Mango](#): > > I don’t think Black Sabbath did any covers. They did Aynsley Dunbar’s “Warning” on their first album. ---
**Author:** ![marky33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/74 "2004-07-20T13:41:27Z")
> [@hazel-rah](#): > > Also New Order if you’re not counting live stuff. New Order covered Keith Hudson’s “Turn The Heater On” for a Radio 1 session that later was released on record. Not sure whether that’s counted as live or not. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/75 "2004-07-20T14:28:25Z")
This question is probably going to require a band that shined brightly very briefly, then vanished for one reason or another. To mention one such band, Nirvana nearly fits the OP’s bill. They recorded only one cover on their three studio albums, the Shocking Blue’s “Love Buzz” on _Bleach_. There were a few covers on their _Unplugged_ album (Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World”, most notably), but none on _The Muddy Banks of the Wishkah_. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/76 "2004-07-20T14:29:39Z")
I don’t think Iron Maiden has ever done any covers. Now someone will probably come along and tell me one of their songs I thought was an IM original is actually a cover. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/77 "2004-07-20T14:31:12Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > Buddy Holly and the Crickets? They covered **“Bo Diddley”** by Bo Diddley (who was their musical inspiration). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/78 "2004-07-20T14:35:44Z")
> [@AndrewT](#): > > A quick Google found [this site](http://www.thesupermanmovie.com/NEWS/Superman-Clique.html) , crediting the song to a band called The Clique, and the song by G. Zekley, lyrics by M. Bottler. No, I’ve never heard of them either, but their album with Superman on it is from 1969 [according](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000009NSO/102-0514940-3361766?v=glance) to Amazon. I have a very-scratched-up copy of the single by The Clique. The R.E.M. version kicks its ass, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/79 "2004-07-20T14:58:34Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > I don’t think Iron Maiden has ever done any covers. Now someone will probably come along and tell me one of their songs I thought was an IM original is actually a cover. A quick perusal of their [allmusic.com](http://allmusic.com) Discography entry reveals no covers on their studio albums. I didn’t see any on their live ones, either. There is a section on Maiden’s Main Details page, however, that lists “Performed Songs By”, and this includes Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, the early-70s proto-metal band Mountain, and Tull’s Ian Anderson. But I’m having a hard time tracking these down. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-bands-who-have-never-recorded-a-cover-song/255678/80 "2004-07-20T15:49:22Z")
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