I don’t really think it’s more hard rock than the original, it’s just more 80s.
Oasis - Cigarettes and Alcohol is a version that rocks harder.
The Fireball’s hard rock cover of Tom Paxton’s Bottle of Wine. Paxton himself says he loves it, but if he tried to sing like that, his throat would jump out of his mouth.
I have a long playlist of awesome covers…a few of note by bands who took the originals and ran with them…
Sisters of Mercy doing The Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”
Siouxsie & the Banshees doing Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger”
Primus doing Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar”. Really, this one kicks.
Cibo Matto doing Sammy Davis Jr’s “Candyman”
I’m sure I heard about these on the dope, but I’ll catch and release:
Paul Anka Smells Like Teen Spirit
Rasputina Bad Moon Risin’, and Wish You Were Here. Some songs really need some cello.
This thread is going to keep me going for weeks. Thanks.
There was a band called Big Daddy that did modern songs in the style of various 50’s groups. They even did a full version of Sgt. Pepper’s; best of the lot is probably A Day in the Life in the style of Buddy Holly.
Haven’t read the whole thread, but I really like Eddie Vedder’s version of Squeeze Box.
(Could only find this on Grooveshark.com)
H2O’s pop-punk version of Like A Prayer is really fun.
Check out Karmin. Pretty much every cover they’ve done is better than the original, in my opinion, especially this one.
Mad World - Gary Jules and Michael Andrews
Courage - Sarah Polley (And if you haven’t seen the film The Sweet Hereafter, Holy Crap, see it!)
Tomorrow Never Knows - Junior Parker
They remind me of another duet I know…
I came in here to mention this one. I have kind of a love-hate relationship with New Order, and Bizarre Love Triangle falls under the hate flag. But the Frente version turned the song into such a mournful, emotional piece.
Since that one’s taken, I’ll mention another song I hate, Take On Me by a-ha, also taken to an acoustically dark place by AC Newman and turned into something really beautiful.
Oh yeah, how could I not mention Pomplamoose? Karmin actually said they got their inspiration from Pomplamoose.
Black Magic Woman - Santana (Peter Wood/Fleetwood Mac)
House of the Rising Sun - Frijid Pink (American Traditional and then The Animals) I don’t know why but the “Pink” version is one of my favorite oldies.
two of my favorite remakes that I haven’t seen mentioned here are Gin and Juice by The Gourds and Bitches Ain’t Shit by Ben Folds. Both are done in a completely different style.
The Simon and Garfunkel song Richard Cory, as done by Them (with Van Morrison). Van the Man turns bland moralistic schlock (with maybe a slight hint of irony) into a furious outpouring of bitterness.
I also like Madeleine Peyroux’s version…
Suzy Bogguss’ cover of the old Ian and Silvia song Someday Soon. A truly beautiful voice that can rip your heart out.
Wonderful voice, amazing performer and a genuinely nice guy. It’s not a cover, but here’s a Raul Malo song I shot.
Pseudo Echo’s Funky Town. (Warning: includes Keytar)
I’d hate to see this thread die, as it has inspired me to search out new covers to add to my collection. I have found a few, several of which are covers of songs from my favorite ELO album, Time:[ul][li]Twilight by The Shazam (no Youtube, just enjoy this one). I’m just gonna have to break down and buy Lynne Me Your Ears, I think.[/li][li]Here Is The News by Brave Saint Saturn[/li][li]Hold On Tight by the Fenders[/ul][/li]Plus some that are not:[ul][li]Send Me An Angel (Real Life) by Thrice[/li][]99 Red Balloons (Nena), inspired by my discussion with Ensign Ricky, above. I found one cool cover by the Go-Sheilas, and another by Siobhan DuVall[]Hi Opal![/ul]