I have a bunch of favorites that have already been mentioned, so I’ll add this:
Thank you for posting that. I have heard that and the version by the same artist that morphs into “What a Wonderful World” and I never knew who the artist was. Your link has both songs. They are both so haunting and different from the originals. Thank you!
Jim
So glad some of you really enjoyed the Hey Ya! cover - Big Up Biggurl! … what about this now:
While my guitar gently weeps - George Harrison as played by Jake Shimabukuro on the ukelele. Just beautiful.
I’m on a roll
Thin Lizzy cover the traditional Whiskey in the Jar. Classic stuff - on Top of the Pops.
You’re so welcome! Happy to have obliged.
Oog. Those electric jellyfish got to me a bit.
It’s “Brain Damage”.
Judas Priest covering Joan Baez’s “Diamonds and Rust.”
For those unfamiliar, here is the original - actually written by Joan, who is best known as an interpreter of other people’s work herself.
Reverent. Daring, especially for a heavy metal band in 1977. It keeps the emotional vulnerability of the original, and adds their trademark muscle.
Queensryche’s (fairly recent) cover of Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine is pretty awesome. One of my favorite bands covering one of my favorite songs; it doesn’t sound at all like the original, but I don’t mind at all!
Listen to Jimi Hendrix’s cover of All Along the Watchtower compared to the original by Bob Dylan.
Best. Cover. Ever.
Oh, to the point where Jimi’s is arguably the definitive version. It’s a cover in the sense that Tina Turner covered CCR’s “Proud Mary” or Elvis Presley covered Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog.” That is to say, total ownage.
Oh, there’s some great stuff in this thread!
I do like Portsmouth Sinfonia’s orchestral cover of Pinball Wizard.
Not exactly my favorite, but I’m sure it’s somebody’s favorite: Sweet Home Alabama, as interpreted by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Red Army Choir.
I always mention Zayra Alvarez’s “Jenny (867-5309)” in these threads. So, yeah, for the umpteen millionth time.
Also, Cassandra Wilson in general.
I came in here just to post that! I have some friends who totally hate that version, but I love it. I almost think it’s even better than the original version.
That’s beautiful.
Some of the US Dopers may know the song Berlin Chair by You Am I, but it’s likely this is going to be one for the Aussie Dopers.
Anyway, my current favourite when it comes to a favourite non-traditional cover of a hit song is Holly Throsby performing [Berlin Chair](http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/tv/mediaplayer/default.htm?clip=rtmp://cp44823.edgefcs.net/ondemand/flash/triplej/streams/tv/hollyThrosby_berlinChair.flv&title=Holly Throsby with Berlin Chair).
My vote is for ENZSO - two albums of Split Enz covers recorded with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and some involvement of the original artists as well as other NZ artists. Neil Finn was originally skeptical, but the project was wildly successful (in NZ) - enough for a second album.
There are some clips from the televised concert on YouTube.
Si