# Smack in the face cover versions of songs. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627 "2011-11-02T14:30:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/21 "2011-11-04T01:14:35Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > How about [Richard Thompson covering Britney Spears](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WGsMplGxU)? I was going to post that! More proof that Richard Thompson is a higher being than the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/22 "2011-11-04T01:18:13Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I was going to post that! More proof that Richard Thompson is a higher being than the rest of us. I saw him do it live at the Bumbershoot music festival in Seattle in 2002. Nobody in the crowd knew what was coming. It was outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/23 "2011-11-04T02:21:34Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I despise that wretched boring dirge. I find that version is equally a dire as all others I’ve heard. YES! Finally someone else says what I have been saying for years. I _hate_ that goddamn song (Hallelujah). What a bunch of boring, melodramatic, emo drivel. Ugh! I hate the lyrics so much. I especially hate Rufus Wainwright’s version. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/24 "2011-11-04T02:49:08Z")
Joss Stone’s cover of “Fell In Love With a Girl” (changed to “Boy”) is every bit as good as the original by White Stripes. Johnny Cash, [Hurt](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho). ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/25 "2011-11-04T03:50:04Z")
> [@happycamper\_5](#): > > It was my pleasure. I love listening to covers, especially Bowie covers. Now that I’ve checked out all of the links you posted, I’m a little embarrassed that I’ve never heard Happy Rhodes before now. What a sensational voice she has. I see there’s a YouTube channel of her albums, so I’ll be getting better acquainted with Ms. Rhodes very soon. _melt_ I love you. [Here’s a web site](http://happyrhodes.org) with info and tons of streaming music. Thank you! Disclaimer: I swear on a stack of Happy Rhodes albums that I did not pay happycamper\*5 a dime to post. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/26 "2011-11-04T04:00:56Z")
I love Leonard Cohen, but people needed to stop covering “Hallelujah” _years_ ago. Especially since most of them are just covers of the 1994 Jeff Buckley cover. It’s been done, a’right? ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/27 "2011-11-04T04:55:11Z")
Guitar Wolf’s cover of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” Nashville Pussy, “First I Look At the Purse” Two good ways covers should be done. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/28 "2011-11-04T06:28:10Z")
Covers that not only are great but totally reinterpret the song: [Stand By Your Man, Candi Station](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvJB_AzsaqE&feature=related) [Heartbreak Hotel, John Cale (of Velvet Underground fame)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewXubUm2-3s&feature=related) And a cover so atrocious it’s hilarious, [the Brady Bunch cover “American Pie”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNC9uxkdhEc). You were warned. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/29 "2011-11-04T11:22:26Z")
[Here’s Lounge Against the Machine doing a cover that a friend of mine says ruined Nine Inch Nails for her.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1pcl2DjZ0Q) ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/30 "2011-11-04T19:07:52Z")
I’m surprised [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I) hasn’t had a mention yet. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/31 "2011-11-04T19:56:41Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I love Leonard Cohen, but people needed to stop covering “Hallelujah” _years_ ago. Especially since most of them are just covers of the 1994 Jeff Buckley cover. It’s been done, a’right? Jeff Buckley’s version was based on the 1991 one by John Cale. I agree that the song’s been over-covered, but Cale’s cover is a slice of awesome, and that’s the standard I aspire to in my performances of it … in my shower. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/32 "2011-11-04T20:34:28Z")
> [@Barking\_Dog](#): > > I’m surprised [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I) hasn’t had a mention yet. Is that a full-sized guitar? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/33 "2011-11-04T20:37:32Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Is that a full-sized guitar? Dude…that’s a ukulele. 😉 ETA: In your face covers don’t get much more…in your face than [Social D’s cover of Ring of Fire](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96x_FiQIB6E)… ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/34 "2011-11-04T22:22:29Z")
Good - Seether’s version of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” Bad - Sarah Brightman’s version of Queen’s "Who Wants To Live Forever. Ugly - Sebastian Bach’s and Axl Rose’s cover of Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle.” ---
**Author:** ![stolatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@stolatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolatt)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/35 "2011-11-05T03:21:06Z")
The good - Guns and Roses - Since I Don’t Have You. Surprisingly good. The bad - Eddie Vedder - Love Reign O’er Me. Just lame. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/36 "2011-11-06T12:32:33Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > YES! Finally someone else says what I have been saying for years. I _hate_ that goddamn song (Hallelujah). What a bunch of boring, melodramatic, emo drivel. Ugh! I hate the lyrics so much. I especially hate Rufus Wainwright’s version. I agree that the lyrics suck\*, but I love the way the song sounds. And I think Justin did a sufficiently different version than the ones I’ve heard before. \*Okay, I like the part about the chords, as he’s playing the exact chords he’s singing about. And I do think the [lyrical history](http://www.rsrevision.com/hallelujah.htm) is interesting. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/37 "2011-11-06T18:45:31Z")
Yannick’s [Ce Soiree La](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAPzTFlVUN0), a French rap cover of the Four Season’s Oh What A Night, ended up being added to the Broadway musical Jersey Boys. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/38 "2011-11-07T02:08:59Z")
You might find some examples in this thread: Covers of Songs That Radically – And Successfully – Re-interpreted the Work > **[Covers of Songs That Radically -- And Successfully -- Re-interpreted the Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=591166)** > > If this were a TV trope, I would say the Trope Namer would be Rotary Connection’s version of the Aretha Franklin hit “Respect.” It’s very different from Frankln’s version, but it’s still a powerful and interesting work, only in part because of Minnie... It’s one of my favorites on the dope. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/39 "2011-11-07T18:38:32Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Faith Hill singing Piece of My Heart is less so. I heard on the radio, back when her cover was current, that Ms. Hill had apparently never heard of Janis Joplin when she recorded the cover. That surprised me; she’s only about a year younger than me and I heard of JJ way back when I was a teenager. Let’s see, how about [Aidan Powell’s wonderful rendition of Train’s “Hey Soul Sister”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TruIq5IxuiU)? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627/40 "2011-11-07T19:32:58Z")
This [viral video of Robyn’s _Call Your Girlfriend_ by 3 members of some group called Erato](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCMQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmNE9bUa2D0c&ei=5TG4TpbNBs6JtweX7NnNAw&usg=AFQjCNFWPwuJ1ZgIqAgaXv-r8TzMN9Ytzw) blows me away. Not just the cup gaming - I think it’s a legitimate, and much better, version of the song. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smack-in-the-face-cover-versions-of-songs/601627.md?page=3)