# More Great Covers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 27, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007 "2016-07-27T05:17:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/1 "2016-07-27T05:17:28Z")
I am looking for absolutely terrific (but not so well-known) covers of songs that most people know well. Example: Antony and the Johnsons: [Knocking on Heaven’s Door](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSLc1QYCcE) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/2 "2016-07-27T05:43:38Z")
Cowboy Junkies: [“Sweet Jane”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4XVJj4jER4) Lou Reed himself said that was his favorite version of the song. [This page has twelve versions of it, or did before the rot set in.](http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/236776181.html) The Sundays: [“Wild Horses”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiyCkSOF1pc) A great cover of a mostly-forgotten Rolling Stones song. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/3 "2016-07-27T05:59:14Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Cowboy Junkies: [“Sweet Jane”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4XVJj4jER4) > > Lou Reed himself said that was his favorite version of the song. [This page has twelve versions of it, or did before the rot set in.](http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/236776181.html) > > The Sundays: [“Wild Horses”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiyCkSOF1pc) > > A great cover of a mostly-forgotten Rolling Stones song. Wow. Both really nice… and I’d never heard either cover before. I quite like this cover of John Denver’s “[I’m Sorry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvLNKw8zxWg)” performed by the Red House Painters. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/4 "2016-07-27T05:59:48Z")
[Snakefarm - St. James](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuzrgu55lkA) [Trees of Mystery - Fever](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSW3a9D-Tq8) [Trees of Mystery - Mack the Knife](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArU6JaPlL54) [Anthrax - Keep On Runnin’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyHheg2j2EE) [The Bad Plus - Tom Sawyer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpPUdIOlUEg) [The Bad Plus - Everybody Wants To Rule The World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9hOSZGMXlI) [1000 Homo DJs - Supernaut](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjho-zVgDXo) [DEVO - Are You Experienced?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP8Eo24rNm8) (really wish I could find a decent version of their original video for this song) [Dinosaur Jr - Show Me The Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as6pXqWYE4U) [W.A.S.P. - The Real Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te-jTA8g8Ys) [Jello Biafra & D.O.A. - We Gotta Get Outta This Place](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-AeyJLwHxw) Sorry; I get carried away. Thanks to the OP for starting this thread. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/5 "2016-07-27T08:46:26Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Antony and the Johnsons: [Knocking on Heaven’s Door](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSLc1QYCcE) Sisters of Mercy [cover of the same](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQV_8hhKZg) Sisters of Mercy cover of Hot Chocolate’s [Emma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0IN_5qZtxE) Big Black cover Kraftwerk’s [The Model](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP3ge9DGsKU) Radiohead cover Joy Division/New Order’s [Ceremony](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xliP7OdBtM) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/6 "2016-07-27T08:59:30Z")
Here’s a latter-day performance of a 18th-century hit which, though you may not know the original tune, you probably know _both_ of the 20th-century American classics based on it; [A.L. Lloyd & Alf Edwards - The Unfortunate Rake.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aQd99zfIRo) (Bonus points to anyone who can identify the two American songs based on it without referring to Google.) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/7 "2016-07-27T09:02:14Z")
Radiohead doing The Smiths’ _[The Headmaster Ritual](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdXCWruQIdY)_ ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/8 "2016-07-27T09:20:51Z")
[Cradle of Filth “Temptation”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfMa2lrFxhY) (originally by [Heaven 17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bT8VjwuGqc) [Exodus “Low Rider”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlXLYrbaH_0) (originally by War) [Johnny Cash “Rusty Cage”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtbuUlSGXzc) (originally by [Soundgarden)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBZs_Py-1_0) everyone knows “Hurt” already [Opeth “Bridge of Sighs”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmveJkoUAWo) (originally by [Robin Trower)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLsFsGxLmE) [Opeth “Soldier of Fortune”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2a6LyIYYok) (originally by [Deep Purple)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xttiNVkEXjQ) [Primus “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9uk9IcoQ0w) (originally by the Charlie Daniels Band) [Type O Negative “Cinnamon Girl”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO9aD4mzSE8) (originally by Neil Young) [Type O Negative “Summer Breeze”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4FC1EEdY1s) (originally by Seals & Croft) More to come later… ---
**Author:** ![davey77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@davey77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davey77)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/9 "2016-07-27T09:58:32Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Radiohead doing The Smiths’ _[The Headmaster Ritual](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdXCWruQIdY)_ I caught this on YouTube recently as I was reliving my college music years. Baron Greenback is quite correct. (The Smiths/Morrissey were during my college years, I should say.) And when I first heard them, I thought Radiohead was ITSELF a Pixies tribute band.) The New Morty Show does covers of “Enter Sandman” and a “Rebel Yell/ White Wedding medley” that bring the house down. And if you haven’t heard Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, they’re currently doing magnificent covers of contemporary songs in many different genre-defying styles. (Trust me, that’s postmodern.) My favorite tracks of theirs are “All About that Bass” (the video is a visual treat, as well), “Blurred Lines” as a hoedown(!), and of course, “Royals” with a special guest vocal from the unnervingly tall clown, Puddles Pity Party. It sounds kinda sketchy, I know, but it works. Honorable mentions go to Devo’s “(I can’t get no) Satisfaction” and, yes, a cover of “Black Hole Sun” by none other than Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/10 "2016-07-27T09:59:43Z")
If you have not seen it you must not miss: [Disturbed - The Sound of Silence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4) What the heck, this one’s good too: [The Lemonheads - Mrs. Robinson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DvK6VTG67U) mmm ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/11 "2016-07-27T11:45:14Z")
Mary McCaslin was no slouch doing covers with a Western flair. Here are two. Beatles [Things We Said Today](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orY7AeubeFY&list=PLHQ3VGzQzRPmhMSdP4gD3ujIDxHJ7M8zZ) Better than the original IMHO The Supremes [My World is Empty Without You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG_3sJxSepo) ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/12 "2016-07-27T11:54:30Z")
Joy Division “transmission” performed by Girl in a Coma. and “walking after midnight” by same band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VfN6UmQlfI ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/13 "2016-07-27T12:09:19Z")
A couple of good Radiohead covers: [Birds of Bellwoods cover Idioteque](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoXR2nHJW9Y). I like the way they use traditional instruments to replicate Jonny Greenwood’s squawks and chirrups. Gets really very good when the ginger kid opens his pipes up. [Postmodern Jukebox cover Creep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw) in a lounge stylee. She got lungs! ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/14 "2016-07-27T12:10:53Z")
Apologies for several by the same artist. A couple of year’s ago Bruce Springsteen went on tour to Australia and New Zealand and did a bunch of local\* cover versions. [The Bee Gee’s Stayin’ Alive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n1GT-VjjVs) [The Easybeats’ Friday On My Mind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMMpSiG57Zo&index=4&list=PLV9vmMj1BDrRdluCcboYUhvyjD_0S8AgX) [Lorde’s Royals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfJvrH7iQ3c&index=2&list=PLV9vmMj1BDrRdluCcboYUhvyjD_0S8AgX) [Inxs’ Don’t Change](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAqcpc4e6hU&index=9&list=PLV9vmMj1BDrRdluCcboYUhvyjD_0S8AgX) \*Local - The Bee Gees are British as far as I am aware but got big first in Australia after emigrating, so I guess they’re Aussies in some measure. Re: the mention of White Wedding above: [Queens of the Stone Age do White Wedding - American Gothic style](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeseRvBhKA) ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/15 "2016-07-27T12:15:22Z")
[Angra “Synchronicity II”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaUeS-wRUYQ) (originally by [The Police)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phdnj2V5ni8) The Brazilian accents are a perfect touch. [Bauhaus “Ziggy Stardust”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTyePL5JvVI) (originally by David Bowie) [Lacuna Coil “Enjoy the Silence”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx58hXh4pVA) (originally by [Depeche Mode)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc0YYit8XuQ) [Lacuna Coil “Losing My Religion”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPq_Ueo92zA) (originally by [R.E.M.)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-UzXIQ5vw) [Motörhead doing Chuck Berry’s “Let it Rock”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFqVjNmYbIQ) on the David Letterman show. [Rush “Summertime Blues”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqaVujmNzJs) from their covers EP. [Voivod “Astronomy Domine”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1lZFdGXCiM) (originally by [Pink Floyd)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW4C1aDlPyU) [Voivod “The Nile Song”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5oKN9CZsHE) (originally by [Pink Floyd)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Gr4cYKT2A) ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/16 "2016-07-27T12:23:51Z")
I don’t normally like covers that are too much like the original, but this is quite lovely: [Tobias Wilden covers Nick Drake’s Cello Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eCIneM8YI) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/17 "2016-07-27T13:01:25Z")
Old 97s cover of the Marty Robbins classic “El Paso”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/moHSDqOIUpA/maxresdefault.jpg "El Paso (King of the Hill O.S.T.)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moHSDqOIUpA) (Posting from my phone. Apologies in advance if link doesn’t work.) ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/18 "2016-07-27T13:04:14Z")
[Wichita Lineman, as covered by R.E.M.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutLsCCY2yw) ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/19 "2016-07-27T13:31:58Z")
[Radiohead covering Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhPAcKzZKcA). Warning, it is over 7 minutes long. And because I love anything Eddie Vedder sings, [here is Pearl Jam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eeoQEsekmw&index=1&list=PLlnhT6pZ_mSAGSvnGGbLuaj-2Mqj-hhi3) covering “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007/20 "2016-07-27T13:38:37Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > [Radiohead covering Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhPAcKzZKcA). Warning, it is over 7 minutes long. Nitpick: that cover is Sparklehorse (though Thom Yorke is a featured artist). Though I only know this because it’s on the Lords of Dogtown soundtrack, which I have somewhere in the house on CD. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-great-covers/761007.md?page=2)