I think it’s important to note in this thread that artists cannot prevent other people from covering their songs, as long as that artist has already exercised their right to first refusal (i.e. released the song themselves).
I only mention this because a couple of people have said “they shouldn’t have been allowed to do that”, or “I can’t believe [the original artist] let that happen”. All you have to do is pay the original publisher 9.1¢ for every copy sold if the playing time for the song is under five minutes, and if the playing time for the song is longer than five minutes, the rate is 1.75¢ per minute (rounding up to the next minute).
Having said all that, I’m not sure if it was commercially released, but William Shatner’s God-awful “Rocket Man” sure does it for me.
A ex-contestant from Pop Idol (the British show on which American Idol was based) released a truely appauling Doors cover. If Jim Morrison really visits everyone who covers his work in their dreams, then I hope he gave him a good dream-kicking…
I’d also nominate the any of Shatners musical masterpeices… Though these do have certain obscene comedy value (Common People by Pulp was hilarious).
It’s tough to know with a tune that’s been Shat on. At some point in his life, Shatner woke up to the fact that his “serious” acting mode earned him conserable ridicule, and realised the only way to keep the cash flowing in was to live and act in a permanent state of self parody. But had this revelation occurred as of the recording of “Rocket Man”? Who can truly say?
As for myself, I truly cannot bear that video, and even after multiple tries, I can’t get through it.
Oh okay, I missed that U2 was actually participating in the video.
The Shatner thing depends on what you mean by “joke”. I mean, he did sing it, and he looked damn proud of himself when he was receiving the applause (yes, Loopydude, I did make it to the end, but it took a couple of tries, like tipping over a vending machine). My vote is that whether or not he was trying to be funny, it’s still the worst cover I’ve ever heard.
Marilyn Manson’s covers of Soft Cell’s Tainted Love and the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams. I just… I can’t even comprehend how you could take two such awesome songs and turn them into utter crap. What went wrong?
Utada Hikaru’s cover of Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Okay, look; I hate Green Day with a burning passion, but Hikki’s verision was just godawful in comparison. Oh, Hikki…
The worst cover ever is The Bloodhound Gang covering Along Comes Mary by the Association. The original song is a totally unique and awesome tune - the cover is just total shit, capturing nothing from the original and adding nothing unique. Unbelievably bad and pointless.
Put me down as yet another person who loves both versions, and I know more fans have turned up in previous threads on the topic of covers.
Yeah, it was Korn if it was a compilation of parts 1, 2, and 3.
I’m a big fan of Disturbed, but damn, that cover of Genesis’ “Land of Confusion?” No. Just… no. (I did like their cover of Tears For Fears’ “Shout,” however.)
Korn? Really? I’ve not heard this BitW medly thing you’re talking about, but I’m a little surprised to learn that Korn fucked it so badly. They’re far from my favorite band, but one would think they’d have the chops to pull off a competent Floyd cover.
Worst cover? Snake River Conspiracy’s “How Soon is Now?” A song that’s nearly impossible to sing with no emotion, they somehow manage. Perhaps they should win an award.
But an honorable mention goes out to Orgy’s cover of “Blue Monday”. While unlike the previous song, I won’t turn it off if I hear it on the radio, it earns Steel Bollocks points from me for the courage to have the drum loop that sounds exactly like the one in the original – for FIVE SECONDS. (Maybe it was even a sample?) When I hear the (near-)sample contrasted to the stupid Nu-Metal blandness of the remake, it’s lameness is made that much clearer and I scream to myself “BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL!”
I was fine with it, but I do like Korn fairly well. And from my previous post, note that I don’t hesitate to smack down on a favorite band when they do what I think is a lame cover. Link to the album, scroll down to hear a sample.
Okay, I will absolutely second Madonna covering American Pie. That was dreck. Horrible. Worst cover ever.
I will also put forth Rufus Wainwright’s Halleluja. I mean, it wasn’t terrible, I suppose. He, however, also wins the award for a note-for-note cover. And his cover covered another cover! Plus, Jeff Buckley was smart enough to realise that “outdrew ya” makes more lyrical sense than “outdrew you.”
