# Songs that "sound" like covers of another band or group, but aren't **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 17, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982 "2020-04-17T15:11:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [April 2, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/121 "2021-04-02T17:03:50Z")
Death Cab for Cutie sounds like Elvis. > **[Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - Death Cab For Cutie - video Dailymotion](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2b8qw4)** > > Taken from the first series of Do Not Adjust Your Set and with fully remastered soundtrack and upgraded video. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/122 "2021-04-02T22:25:03Z")
Honeybus. Especially their song Story. You would swear this is an out-take from the Beatles Revolver album. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/jT8OrhdTQeo/hqdefault.jpg "Honeybus - Story") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT8OrhdTQeo) > [@control-z](#): > > [Wayne Hancock - Best to be Alone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4j2iDh_dW8) not only sounds like Hank Williams, but it sounds just like [Lost Highway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1DDrMp3npM). Though he claims to trying to be original, I think he’s intentionally pastiche-ing Hank Sr. I love him anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/123 "2021-04-12T15:29:52Z")
I like to imagine Mick Jagger listening to this and thinking, “Can’t remember doing this one… but I sound pretty good!” [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DrgDR3sLHGc/hqdefault.jpg "World Party - Way Down Now") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrgDR3sLHGc) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/124 "2021-04-12T15:44:16Z")
Another one from World Party that sounds like it should have been done by Inxs [Ship of Fools](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHh0V7UjVXI) ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/125 "2021-04-12T15:49:06Z")
Bob Welch’s “Ebony Eyes”: It sounds like an Electric Light Orchestra song to me, especially the chorus. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FnJOsfalSYs/hqdefault.jpg "Bob Welch - Ebony Eyes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnJOsfalSYs) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/126 "2021-04-14T01:09:08Z")
Trillions are currently escaping me. > [@Manwich](#): > > Ghostbusters / I Want a New Drug is the exception that proves that rule, at least legally. Dang this. > [@carrps](#): > > I was half paying attention, but I asked my brother "When did Pearl Jam get so _bad?"_ > > Turns out it was Creed. 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 Dang again, but for different reason. > [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > We sure thought this was Neil Diamond singing [Rock Me Gently] You weren’t the only one. _And_ looks, sorta. > [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > I like to imagine Mick Jagger listening to this and thinking, “Can’t remember doing this one… but I sound pretty good!” Can’t say I’ve ever heard of World Party, but was glad to see Mr. Moranis partaking. * * * When first hearing the “Knock down the old grey wall…” part in Badfinger’s “No Matter What”, I thought - Cheap Trick? IMO - absolutely FTW: “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys. If the [chorus, in particular,](https://youtu.be/tIieHL8LerI?t=52) does not sound like ELO, my name’s Fred Garvin. ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/127 "2021-04-14T15:58:37Z")
Tears for Fears “Sowing the Seeds of Love” is a very Sgt. Pepper-ish Beatles pastich. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VAtGOESO7W8/maxresdefault.jpg "Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAtGOESO7W8) ---
**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:** [April 15, 2021, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/128 "2021-04-15T12:07:17Z")
The Bonzo Dog Band’s “Death Cab for Cutie” is a terrific Elvis pastische. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/129 "2021-04-15T15:46:27Z")
Despite several mentions of The Hollies upthread, no one mentioned their biggest pastiche: _Long Cool Woman In a Black Dress._ I thought this was CCR for _years._ Similarly, Edwyn Collins’ [A Girl Like You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqJ0JpMj6I)…I would have sworn on my grandmother’s motorcycle this was David Bowie. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/130 "2021-04-15T16:04:29Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Similarly, Edwyn Collins’ [A Girl Like You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqJ0JpMj6I)…I would have sworn on my grandmother’s motorcycle this was David Bowie. Close, very close, but to me it rather sounds like Iggy Pop, produced by Bowie. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/131 "2021-04-19T23:16:12Z")
For _years_ I was convinced “Spinning Wheels” was a Chicago song. Nope - it’s Blood, Sweat and Tears. Conversely, I knew perfectly well [The Importance of Being Idle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jySfU10IQu4) was an Oasis song but damn, it sounds like classic Tom Petty to me. The fact that they put Rhys Ifans - who bears a strong resemblance to Petty - in the video (in a top hat, no less) reinforces the point, but I thought it was a typical Petty song long before I saw the video. I kind of wish Petty _had_ covered it, but it’s too late now. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/132 "2021-04-20T00:31:51Z")
One of the best Mick Jagger imitations I’ve ever heard (almost) makes this sound like a Stones cover: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPKVd8bPTmU?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLtJK_InIjqtQJ-4cj3vYsu6d2I7PBHkaD Not Hendrix, but a solid rip-off: https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3hZe9o6IGs?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLJQhzJ0-uTmZ8vKSKHjovO1LHe8fJUpgM ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982/133 "2021-04-21T12:22:44Z")
For years, I thought “Twist in My Sobriety” was sung by Annie Lennox. I had never even heard of Tanita Tikaram. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-like-covers-of-another-band-or-group-but-arent/851982.md?page=6)