# Pop/Rock/Alternative covers of showtunes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376 "2016-11-10T17:39:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/1 "2016-11-10T17:39:31Z")
I need a distraction right now. I’m listening to the Pet Shop Boys’ cover of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story and it’s bizarre but I’m enjoying it. What are your favorite rock, alternative or pop covers of showtunes? Even if it’s not super good, what are some that you know of? ‘Classic’ showtunes are most what I’m thinking of, but covers of more recent showtunes are also welcome. I’m not interested so much in jazz versions – I have a lot of those, for one thing, and I’m looking for more ‘transformative’ covers, if that makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/2 "2016-11-10T17:45:13Z")
Does Sublime’s heavy sample of “Summertime” in their song “Doin’ Time” count? ---
**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 10, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/3 "2016-11-10T17:51:33Z")
The Beatles did a version of “[Til There Was You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTGuP_hpvWo)” from _The Music Man_ Janis Joplin also did “[Summertime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guKoNCQFAFk).” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/4 "2016-11-10T18:17:23Z")
Maybe the Jackson 5 cover of ["Corner of the Sky](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEH5SpaarQ) from “Pippin.” I’m not sure I’d really call it all that transformative, though. It’s fairly similar to the original, minus the fact the original is piano-based. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/5 "2016-11-10T18:21:48Z")
A couple from West Side Story: Alice Cooper’s “[Gutter Cat Vs. The Jets](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjJMgCSEcS0)” from School’s Out incorporates the _Jet Song_ Todd Rundgren’s Utopia covered _[Something’s Coming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATrm8ydIN2E)_ ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/6 "2016-11-10T18:24:16Z")
My Favorite Things by Outkast [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/34-lvMf_sMY/hqdefault.jpg "My Favorite Things/Outkast") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34-lvMf_sMY) ---
**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:** [November 10, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/7 "2016-11-10T18:26:10Z")
> [@DaphneBlack](#): > > I’m listening to the Pet Shop Boys’ cover of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story and it’s bizarre but I’m enjoying it. _West Side Story_ has been fertile ground for rock covers. Yes and Todd Rundgren both did “Something’s Coming” (with the Yes version incorporating a bit of “Tonight”), the Nice did “America” (albeit as an instrumental), and Alice Cooper did the “Jet Song.” ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/8 "2016-11-10T19:16:01Z")
Anyone remember The Ramones doing the whole of Pirates of Penzance? / jk // but wouldn’t that have been awesome? ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/9 "2016-11-10T19:20:47Z")
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have done a whole bunch of punk covers of musical tunes: here’s [Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48Iu26rPVQ) from _Annie_. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/10 "2016-11-10T19:22:00Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > _West Side Story_ has been fertile ground for rock covers. Yes and Todd Rundgren both did “Something’s Coming” (with the Yes version incorporating a bit of “Tonight”), the Nice did “America” (albeit as an instrumental), and Alice Cooper did the “Jet Song.” Tom Waits has also done a lovely “Somewhere”. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/11 "2016-11-10T20:05:21Z")
[The Lemonheads](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POpjQ5csg7k) did a great cover of “Frank Mills” from Hair. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/12 "2016-11-10T20:21:00Z")
A “mixtape” (actually remixed covers) of tunes from Hamilton is coming out soon. [Link here.](http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7573274/lin-manuel-miranda-second-hamilton-mixtape) ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/13 "2016-11-10T20:21:13Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Does Sublime’s heavy sample of “Summertime” in their song “Doin’ Time” count? I like that one a lot! Thanks for reminding me. **xnydler** , thanks for that, that will be eagerly anticipated by me. These are all great (although ‘Frank Mills’ is my least favorite song from ‘Hair’), keep 'em coming! ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/14 "2016-11-10T20:22:16Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have done a whole bunch of punk covers of musical tunes: here’s [Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48Iu26rPVQ) from _Annie_. I went down the rabbit hole with that one: [My Favourite Things](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00T0t06Ol-I&list=PL29ABBF9BC2347FC1&index=5). I’m also fond of Forerunner’s metal cover of [My Favourite Things](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCJCODDjsBs). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/15 "2016-11-10T20:23:45Z")
“Try to Remember” from _The Fantasticks_ has several covers, among which are ones by Roy Orbison and Harry Belafonte. Belefonte, naturally, gave it a bit of a calypso feel. Eva Cassidy did a great cover of “[Over the Rainbow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY)”. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/16 "2016-11-10T20:28:54Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have done a whole bunch of punk covers of musical tunes: here’s [Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48Iu26rPVQ) from _Annie_. Somehow I have missed these guys, bless you! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/17 "2016-11-10T20:59:00Z")
Two obscurist ones. Queen performs a snippet of ‘New York, New York’ during the driving scene in The Highlander. It’s not on their ‘A Kind of Magic’ album and for years there were rumors that they did the whole song. The band denies it, though. Queen also used to perform ‘Hey Big Spender’ from Sweet Charity live and there are several takes on it available on live releases. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/18 "2016-11-10T21:38:57Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Two obscurist ones. > > Queen also used to perform ‘Hey Big Spender’ from Sweet Charity live and there are several takes on it available on live releases. This is the perfect marriage of performers and material, right here. Love it! ---
**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:** [November 10, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/19 "2016-11-10T22:28:31Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Tom Waits has also done a lovely “Somewhere”. Good catch, I forgot that one. (And \*\*blondebear \*\*ninjaed me on most of the rest.) Traffic did “Feelin’ Good” from _The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd_. Annie Haslam did “If I Loved You” from _Carousel_. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376/20 "2016-11-10T22:54:52Z")
**Captain Sensible** , the guitarist in UK punk legends\*\* The Damned\*\*, did a relatively (actually virtually totally) straight cover of **Happy Talk** from **South Pacific** as a solo artist. It reached number one in the UK Charts. TCMF-2L [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-rock-alternative-covers-of-showtunes/771376.md?page=2)