# Which Song is Better the Original or the Remake? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2000, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018 "2000-11-20T20:06:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/21 "2000-11-21T05:15:43Z")
I’ll throw a couple out. “Sweet Dreams”–Eurythmics or Marilyn Manson? “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”–Rod Stewart or the Revolting Cocks? I’m quite sure I can think of more. Just not right now… ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/22 "2000-11-21T05:25:12Z")
Hows about The Star Spangled Banner: FS Key or Jimi Hendrix? ---
**Author:** ![RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RocknRoll_Killing_Machine)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/23 "2000-11-21T05:38:36Z")
**Paint it Black** by The Rolling Stones or Gob? ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/24 "2000-11-21T05:39:45Z")
Green Hell - Misfits or Metallica Rusty Cage - Soundgarden or Johnny Cash ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/25 "2000-11-21T05:40:09Z")
always, always, always the original. (except in some case obviously overlooked by myself) Jack Batty: > [@](#): > > The Locomotion - Little Eva or Grand Funk Railroad? > Gotta go with GFR on that one. That song is just all around bad. Bildo: > [@](#): > > Ahem! “Me and Bobbie McGee,” Kris Kristoferson or Janis Joplin? Now I really like Janis’ (Janis is a goddes) version but Kris wrote it and did a fine ::ahem:: job on the original recording… Hendirx covered everyone… because he could and he was so damn cool nobody cared. Okay, I conceed not **always** but **almost always** ---
**Author:** ![Kaps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@Kaps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaps)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/26 "2000-11-21T05:45:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*Not always. > > **The Locomotion** - Little Eva or Grand Funk Railroad? > Gotta go with GFR on that one. \*\* Gotta go with Tiffany on that one. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/27 "2000-11-21T05:54:37Z")
Some covers superior to the original: The Clash’s _I Fought the Law_ Joe Cocker’s _The Letter_ Chet Baker’s _Almost Blue_ ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/28 "2000-11-21T08:19:12Z")
In 1969 Ray Stevens did a fantastic song called “Sunday Morning’ Coming Down” that went nowhere. The production values were there. The popular vote was not. The song would have died if Columbia Records hadn’t released Johnny Cash doing a … version … in front of his TV audience a year later. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/29 "2000-11-21T11:04:28Z")
“Love Hurts” Nazereth or the Everly Brothers “My Way” Frank Sinatra or Sid Vicious “Spirit in the Sky” Norman Greenbaum or Dr. and the Medics “I Wanna Be Your Man” The Rolling Stones or the Beatles “As Tears Go By” The Stones or Marianne Faithfull Gotta go with Nazereth, Sid, the Beatles, Marianne and a tossup ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/30 "2000-11-21T11:06:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monster \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Cynical \* > > \*\*American Woman : > > > > The guys who did it first, or Lenny Kravitz? \*\* > > Good God, man. I can’t believe you even asked this. The best part of this song is the beginning, "I said, A-ohh, M-uhh, E-ahh (and so on). And Lenny didn’t even do this. At least not in the radio version. The Guess Who sings it much better! > \*\* The Guess Who or Lenny Kravitz? The Butthole Surfers. ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/31 "2000-11-21T13:48:45Z")
Wildest Bill - I got my nickname from a Cartoon Sushi short (Science Fact: Broccoli has an IQ of 10!), It just so happens that Dana Carvey did a funny song as well. “My Generation” the Who or Green Day “theme from Scooby Doo” origional or Matthew Sweet “Last Caress” MiSFiTs or NoFX or how about anything covered by Less Than Jake VS. the origional? (or is that too many songs?) punk snot dead, broccoli! ---
**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:** [November 21, 2000, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/32 "2000-11-21T13:55:24Z")
I Can’t Live (if livin’ is without you) - Badfinger, Harry Nilssen, or Mariah Carey? Rockin’ Robin – [whoever sang it first], Michael Jackson (in his presurgery days) or Lolly? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (original) or Cyndi Lauper (Hey Now remix)? Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks or Westlife? Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers, or just about everybody else and their dog? Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding or Michael Bolton? When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton? Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles, Willie Nelson or – you guessed it – Michael Bolton? [My votes - Harry Nilssen, Michael Jackson, either is fine, both versions should be burned, Righteous Bros., and as for the rest, anything as long as it’s NOT MICHAEL BOLTON!!!) jr8 ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/33 "2000-11-21T14:00:10Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by PowerpuffKue \* \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*Not always. > Here’s a stumper for ya: > > “What I am” Edie Brickell and the New Bohimians, or Emma B. (That’s Baby Spice)\*\* No stumper; Edie brickell (she married paul simon that makes her cool) \*\* > [@](#): > > And A few others: > > “Cruel Summer” Bananarama or Ace Of Base\*\* Bananarama \*\* > [@](#): > > “Across The Universe” Beatles or Fiona Apple\*\* You’re kidding right? Beatles vs. anyone = Beatles \*\* > [@](#): > > “We’re Not Gonna Take It” Twisted Sister or Bif Naked\*\* Hands Down Twisted Sister \*\* > [@](#): > > [ > “Never Never Gonna Give You Up” Barry White or Lisa Stansfield\*\* No comment \*\* > [@](#): > > “Never Tear Us Apart” INXS or Tom Jones & Natalie Imbruglia\*\* INXS \*\* > [@](#): > > “Sweet Child O’ Mine” Guns n Roses or Sheryl Crow\*\* Between the two GnR But the best cover is by LUNA \*\* > [@](#): > > [“Faith” George Micheal or Limp Bizkit\*\* George Michael (LB bites, then again I guess george Michael’s does too!) > [@](#): > > \*\* > My Way" Frank Sinatra or Sid Vicious \*\* chairman of the board vs. ANYONE = FRANK ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/34 "2000-11-21T14:01:50Z")
If westlife is a punk band who covered seasons in the sun than them, but I think Less Than Jake did that cover pretty well… Of course, that’s all Less Than Jake DOES well. Their new stuff reeks… Which is a shame considering how cool their old stuff is. ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/35 "2000-11-21T14:16:16Z")
I like LTJ’s covers like dukes of hazard and some of the grease stuff is okay. As far as seasons in the sun I would have to give best of credit to Too Much Joy. Here’s some good ones; Sunday Bloody Sunday; U2 or Radiohead Ring of Fire: Johnny Cash or Social Distortion Boy named Sue: Johnny Cash or ALL Wendy: Beach Boys or Descendents Something Else: Johnny Cochran or Sid Vicious HOPE: Sublime or Descendents ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/36 "2000-11-21T14:17:35Z")
I forgot who did the original “Hot Rod Lincoln”, but for me, Commando Cody’s version is definitive. Much harder rockin’ ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/37 "2000-11-21T14:20:29Z")
pezpunk: radiohead social D johnny cash don’t care haven’t heard it, but probably Sid tie damn dude - you’re always on at the same time I am ---
**Author:** ![Pammipoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pammipoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pammipoo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/38 "2000-11-21T14:23:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by broccoli! \* > \*\*Wildest Bill - I got my nickname from a Cartoon Sushi short (Science Fact: Broccoli has an IQ of 10!), It just so happens that Dana Carvey did a funny song as well. > \*\* OMG!!! I haven’t thought of that in so long! LOL, my best friend used to go around shouting “I am brocolli with an IQ of 10, 10 dammit!” We used to get the strangest looks. Thanks for the memory trip 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/39 "2000-11-21T14:31:42Z")
[hijak] heh, try LIVING the broccoli! life (“WHAT?!? I’m not wrong, I can’t be wrong! I have an IQ of TEN!”) I actually wrote AmpNyc a theme song for the show, but I think the company folded… oh well, i’ll just continue to play it at punk shows (which is really odd, considering my nick is broccoli, and I’m singing about a different broccoli…) [/hijak] ---
**Author:** ![xanadu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c4cdca/32.png) [@xanadu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanadu)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018/40 "2000-11-21T16:19:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoggie \* > > Here are some new ones: > Knocking on Heaven’s Door- Bob Dylan or Guns N Roses? > > Turn the Page- Metallica or Bob Seger? > > Time After Time- INOJ or Cindy Lauper \*\* 1. Bob Dylan 2. Bob Seger!!! Metallica should know better than to mess with perfection! 3. Cyndi Lauper, although INOJ’s version is kinda cute. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-song-is-better-the-original-or-the-remake/42018.md?page=3)