Songs that sound better being sung by a man or woman

Cafe Society
1

When I first heard the 10000 Maniacs version of More than This I had no idea it was a cover a 1980’s Roxy Music song, but after hearing the original I feel that the song sounds better being sung by a woman.

Likewise, after hearing both Sixpence None The Richer’s version of The La’s There She Goes (again, heard the remake long before the original) I also feel that the song songs better being sung by a woman.

So, for songs sung by both a man and a woman which gender do you think did a better job?

2

I think “Lady is a Tramp” is MUCH better sung by a woman than by a man- the woman singer referring to herself as the tramp in the song.

Hate hate hate it by Sinatra, love it by Ella Fitzgerald.

Although, I suppose my favorite version was the duet version by Madonna and Anthony Kiedis performed for Arsenio’s 1000th show.

3

Wow - nothing to add other than I could not disagree with you more. Sorry - don’t mean to threadshit, but Sixpence sucked the life out of a pure pop song that has a bit of an edge (because it is actually about heroin addiction - the “she” in There She Goes is the dope entering his veins), and Natalie Merchant brings a folkie/strummy sensibility to anything, whereas Roxy Music creates a full atmosphere…

4

Disagreeing doesn’t automatically equal thread shitting. As long as someone explains why they disagree I don’t mind at all.

First let me say that for those two songs I’m talking strictly about voice, not song meaning or instrument playing. For those two songs, the softness of the singers voice suites (to me) a woman better than a man.

And a couple of minor points. First, it’s debatable whether or not “There She Goes” is about heroin

Second, when 10000 Maniacs sang this Natalie Merchant had left and Mary Ramsey was brought in to replace her.

But I do get the points you’re making.

5

“Blues in the Night” always sounds better to me when sung by a woman. Probably because the idea of a wronged woman resonates better than a guy saying “They’re all just hos.”

6

House of the Rising Sun was written to be sung by a woman, but it’s hard to deny that Eric Burdon and the Animals have done the best job with it. Someday, though, I’d like to hear a definitive version by a female vocalist.

7

Heard a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Free Man In Paris” sung by a man. Just sounded wrong. :~}

8

Somehow Barnacle Bill the Sailor seems to work best with a rowdy male voice. :smiley:

9

Maybe the definitive example would be ‘Respect’, originally by Otis Redding but turned on it’s head and taken to phe-no-me-nal new heights by Aretha Franklin.

10

Well, I have heard I Am Woman sung by a man and I just can’t figure out why it just didn’t work for me… :smack:

11

Stand By Your Man as done by the Blues Brothers has never been done better.

12

Lyle Lovett’s version of “Stand by Your Man” is far superior.

13

For the win.