# The "Ha! What the...wow! Nice cover of that song" thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070 "2014-02-11T17:39:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/81 "2014-02-13T05:49:33Z")
Lake Street Drive completely reinvents the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6EPwRdVg5Ug/maxresdefault.jpg "Lake Street Dive Plays "I Want You Back" On a Boston Sidewalk") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EPwRdVg5Ug) ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/82 "2014-02-13T05:51:18Z")
That’s Dive, not Drive. Can’t edit on this mobile app. ---
**Author:** ![junior18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc79bd/32.png) [@junior18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/junior18)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/83 "2014-02-13T17:38:52Z")
> [@jrsone](#): > > I can’t link media at work but: > > Faith No More - Easy Excellent choice! ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/84 "2014-02-13T18:06:05Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > R.E.M. doing [Wichita Lineman](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutLsCCY2yw). Bill campbell would be cool with their treatment. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Glen. Duh, of course I knew that, my fingers just failed to type that. But, to be fair, our local [BILL Campbell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Campbell_%28mayor%29) may well approve of their cover as well. Especially if there were a few dollars in it for his tax evasion convicted self. 😛 ---
**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:** [February 13, 2014, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/85 "2014-02-13T19:26:17Z")
Way too many to list…but some of my oddball faves that haven’t been mentioned yet: Susanna Hoffs [Different Drum](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRO5ZZuJGYI). She did a couple of albums of all covers which have some other gems, but this is my favorite of hers. Nena [After the Goldrush](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31J5tqy01y4). Wonderful tender emotion in her singing on this. Blue Man Group / Venus Hum [I Feel Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afAdLANgL-s). Ra-on [Gangnam Style](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmBByDQHJAA), completely reworked and owned this one. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/86 "2014-02-13T19:52:32Z")
Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 redid [Fool On The Hill](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEHckjjbE8I), knocked it out of the park. And as much as I love Linda Ronstadt’s version, I gotta admit that Terri Clarke outdid her on [Poor, Poor Pitiful Me.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFznUWSffko) ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/87 "2014-02-13T21:04:18Z")
Well, there’s Jackson Browne/David Lindley doing Stay, at about 5:39. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdWNBqyxcA) Speaking of David Lindley, here’s Werewolves of London, originally from Warren Zevon and Danny Kortchmar. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/C-XffQd0Tgc/hqdefault.jpg "David Lindley & El Rayo X - Werewolves Of London") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-XffQd0Tgc) ---
**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:** [February 14, 2014, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/88 "2014-02-14T01:09:25Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Natalie Merchant doing [Space Oddity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8chM6lXE_9I). In a similar vein, Black Box Recorder do perhaps my favourite version of [Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emXg9SiXyOs). ---
**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:** [February 14, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/89 "2014-02-14T01:19:46Z")
Joan Jett’s cover of [Everyday People](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXwNWalWMgM). She took Sly Stone’s anthem to how all people can live in harmony and added some power chords and a sense that all people can be goofy…especially her. And a video that must have cost at LEAST $100 to make. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/90 "2014-02-17T18:41:29Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > Um… you link goes to the most WTF cover of the day…The Oak Ridge Boys covering The White Stripes Seven Nation Army. > > Awesome in it’s own right. Truly an example of Awfully Entertaining. That’s what I get for not checking the link before posting and then being offline for a few days. [This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWn5B1FE3fU) is the correct link. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/91 "2014-02-17T20:40:18Z")
> [@Cognoscant](#): > > But seriously, a great contender for “best unexpected cover” has to be Earth, Wind, and Fire doing [Got to Get You Into My Life](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJPWXq6b1fA). This is what a massive funk infusion can do for an already great song. That was the first to come to my mind and still the prime candidate. > [@Princhester](#): > > I know I’ll probably get my head bitten off but I think that SRV’s cover of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) is better than Jimi’s original. IMHO Jimi was an amazing stylist but could be sloppy. SRV was better at playing like Jimi than Jimi was 😉 I’d put it differently: Jimi was the innovator, SRV polished it. Some might say that it’s better without the polish, but I love Stevie’s version. After studying his, I appreciate Jimi’s even more. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/92 "2014-02-17T21:01:18Z")
> [@zoog](#): > > I always liked her take on Hank Williams’s [“Cold Cold Heart”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35zS1tVO3o) as well. Me too. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/93 "2014-02-17T21:17:55Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > George Michaels is an underrated singer, in my opinion. A serious talent, but a talent nearly wasted, unfortunately. > [@porcupine](#): > > Lake Street Drive completely reinvents the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” [http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6EPwRdVg5Ug&feature=kp](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6EPwRdVg5Ug&feature=kp) Like “I Got To Get You Into My Life”, this one is a complete re-invention of the song, and one that really works. I first heard this when I was learning the tune for my soul band, looking for different elements or ideas, and was really floored by it. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/94 "2014-02-17T21:28:22Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I know I’ll probably get my head bitten off but I think that SRV’s cover of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) is better than Jimi’s original. IMHO Jimi was an amazing stylist but could be sloppy. SRV was better at playing like Jimi than Jimi was 😉 I respectfully disagree. SRV’s version was tighter, more like a pop song. Hendrix did more with his version. Listening to the original with headphones as the solo alternates between sides - that’s quite an effect. SRV’s version is nice, but not great IMHO. Now I’LL get me head bitten off, but I really respect Rage Against the Machine’s version of ‘The Ghost of Tom Joad’. They really reclaimed the song, made it into something new. The first time I heard it, I didn’t even recognize it as the same piece; I thought they were just quoting from Steinbeck as Springsteen had. Well done. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/95 "2014-02-17T21:48:37Z")
[Bitches Ain’t Shit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSJxvi767kQ). Originally by NWA, now remade by Ben Folds and The Bens. Joss Stone’s remake of [Fell In Love With a Girl](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeO3d6Gg-kM) (changed to “Fell In Love With a Boy”) is 38 kinds of awesome. Billy Joel absolutely OWNED Leonard Cohen’s [To Make you Feel My Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDLnVWVRkY) ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/96 "2014-02-18T04:09:13Z")
I’m not sure about better, but different and very very good: [Jose Feliciano’s Light My Fire](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dLtiFrykqQ) (The Doors). [CCR’s Heard it Through the Grapevine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNbmtAey_0I) (Marvin Gaye). ---
**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:** [February 18, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/97 "2014-02-18T04:20:00Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Natalie Merchant doing [Space Oddity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8chM6lXE_9I). Man, I do love me some Natalie Merchant. Honorable mention to 10000 Maniacs’ cover of [Because the Night](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynsdmd0jkj8). ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/98 "2014-02-18T15:09:35Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Miley Cyrus doing ["Look What They’ve Done to My Song "](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSpkaBeZckY) It’s not bad, but how in the world is she pronouncing “done”, as in “Look what they done to my song.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/99 "2014-02-18T16:11:05Z")
The ridiculously talented bass player **Les Claypool** ’s most recent endeavour, the 2-piece rockabilly **[Duo De Twang](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duo_de_Twang)**, just released their first recording a couple of weeks ago. Covers on the album include **The Bee Gees** ’ [Stayin’ Alive](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axm0-t01_KM) and **Alice in Chains** ’ [Man in the Box](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2giMlcqls). French-Canadian progressive/heavy/thrash metal (they’ve experimented with so many sounds over the years it’s easier to classify their music album-by-album) band **[Voivod](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voivod)** has always credited late '60s/'70s prog-rock and scifi as very influential to them. **Pink Floyd** ’s [Astronomy Domine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz3oqZwPzZc) and **King Crimson** ’s [21st Century Schizoid Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCgddVTRgk) are among their best covers, both rightly included as integral songs to the two concept alba upon which they were included. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070/100 "2014-02-19T14:27:50Z")
This is one of my favorite covers. [The Weight, by Tok Tok Tok](http://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=Z3u1uhbwTBI&desktop_uri=%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DZ3u1uhbwTBI%2526autoplay%253D1). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ha-what-the-wow-nice-cover-of-that-song-thread/681070.md?page=6)